Transformable seat assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
In organized seating arrangements, such as in transportation vehicles and auditoriums, occupied seats often have adjacent non-occupied seats that cannot be optimally utilized for enhanced comfort due to limited recline and leg space, leading to suboptimal use of available space.
Innovation Solution
A transformable seat assembly with a hinge-connected seat and back support structure, featuring an actuator assembly with a cylinder and piston, and a blocking member that allows adjustable recline positions, enabling the seat to rotate further when the adjacent seat is unoccupied, thereby optimizing space use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the back support structure is limited to a first reclined position using a blocking member, then the seat provides stable and predictable recline behavior, but the seat cannot utilize additional space when adjacent seats are unoccupied
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is made movable along the cylinder rather than being fixed, allowing it to dynamically adjust between different blocking positions. This enables the seat to adapt between a limited first reclined position (when adjacent seats are occupied) and an extended second reclined position (when adjacent seats are unoccupied), resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the blocking position parameter along the cylinder to control the maximum recline angle. By adjusting the blocking member's position, the seat can switch between different operational modes: normal mode with limited recline and expanded mode with extended recline, thereby achieving adaptability without requiring a completely different mechanism
2Length of stationary object
If the blocking member is positioned to limit piston travel, then the seat maintains proper spacing and support, but additional recline space cannot be accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is automatically positioned based on the detection of adjacent seat occupancy status. The system self-adjusts the blocking position without requiring manual intervention from the user, thereby maintaining ease of operation while enabling access to additional recline space when conditions permit
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary element between the piston and the back support structure. By moving this intermediary along the cylinder, the system can control the transmission of force and motion, allowing the piston to travel further when needed while still providing controlled limitation when adjacent seats are occupied
3Ease of operation
If the piston is allowed to travel beyond the first limit position, then the back support structure can rotate to a second reclined position, but the seat loses controlled limitation of recline
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates detection of adjacent seat occupancy status and uses this feedback to automatically adjust the blocking member position. When adjacent seats are unoccupied, the blocking member moves to permit extended piston travel and greater recline. This feedback mechanism maintains reliable controlled limitation while enabling extended operation when appropriate
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking member is positioned in advance to prevent excessive piston travel and unwanted back support rotation. By pre-positioning the block at appropriate locations along the cylinder, the system proactively controls the recline motion, preventing instability while still allowing extended travel when the blocking member is moved to a more permissive position
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The transformable seat assembly allows for enhanced comfort by providing additional recline and leg space when the adjacent seat is unoccupied, optimizing the use of available space and improving occupant comfort.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator assembly which includes a cylinder and a piston positioned within the cylinder
Data Source
AI summary
A transformable seat assembly includes a seat support structure and a back support structure connected to the seat support structure with a hinge defining an axis of rotation. An actuator assembly includes a cylinder and a piston positioned within the cylinder, wherein the cylinder is secured to one of the back support structure or the seat support structure and the piston is secured to other of the one of the back support structure or the seat support structure. Additionally a blocking member is positioned within and adjustable along the cylinder. With blocking member in a first position, piston is limited to travel to a first limit position and the back support structure to a first reclined position. With the blocking member in a second position, piston is limited to travel to a second limit position and back support structure is permitted to rotate to second reclined position.