Spherical Slider Link Member for Compact Motion Theatre Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motion-enabled chair technologies face challenges in integrating motion simulation into movie theater seats due to space constraints and the need for compact, efficient actuation systems that can provide varying levels of motion experience without compromising seat comfort and safety.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a link member with translational and rotational degrees of freedom, interfacing with linear actuators to create a compact actuated base that can incline and move the seat, along with a control panel and sensor system to adjust motion intensity based on user input or detection, ensuring safe and customizable motion experiences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If motion simulation technology is integrated into movie theatre seats, then the cinematic experience is enhanced, but the space occupied by each seat increases
Solution Approach 1:
The link member integrates multiple functional components within a compact structure. The spherical interface is nested within a housing that contains the slider mechanism, which in turn is constrained by the link member's overall geometry. This nesting allows motion simulation functionality to be embedded within the seat structure without proportionally increasing the space occupied by each seat.
Solution Approach 2:
The link member provides dynamic motion capabilities through its spherical interface and slider mechanism, allowing the seat to move in multiple degrees of freedom (pitch, roll, and potentially yaw). This dynamic structure enables motion simulation while maintaining a compact form factor, as the mechanism only occupies space when actuated rather than requiring permanent space for static motion components.
2Area of stationary object
If a compact actuated base is used to reduce space occupation, then the area per seat is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The link member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural connector between the actuator and seat base, provides rotational degrees of freedom through its spherical interface, enables translational motion through the slider mechanism, and constrains motion to desired degrees of freedom. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuated base is segmented into modular components including the link member, spherical interface, slider, and housing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall compactness. The modular design also simplifies assembly and maintenance, reducing the practical complexity of the actuation system despite its sophisticated motion capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If linear actuators are used to provide motion, then the motion experience is enhanced, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The link member acts as an intermediary mechanism between the linear actuator and the seat base. It converts the linear motion from the actuator into rotational and translational motion of the seat by utilizing its spherical interface and slider mechanism. This intermediary function allows a relatively simple linear actuator to produce complex multi-degree-of-freedom motion, reducing the need for multiple complex actuators and thereby reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present document describes a link member for providing an interface between an actuator and a seat base. The link member has a translational degree of freedom and at least two rotational degrees of freedom. The link member comprises: a joint member having a spherical surface, the joint member for attachment to one of the actuator and the seat base; a housing for attachment to the other one of the actuator and the seat base; and a slider mounted on the spherical surface and within the housing. The slider is free to move in a direction of a translational plane within the housing thereby providing the translational degree of freedom. Furthermore, the slider is free to slide on the spherical surface and to pivot about a first axis and a second axis thereby providing the at least two rotational degrees of freedom