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 limitations in seat configuration.
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 for adjustable reclining 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 by the blocking member, then the seat provides stable and predictable positioning for occupied seats, but the ability to utilize adjacent unoccupied seats for enhanced comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the seat to dynamically adapt its recline limit based on the occupancy status of adjacent seats. When an adjacent seat is unoccupied, the blocking member can be repositioned to allow greater recline angles, enabling the seat to utilize the available space for enhanced occupant comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the positional parameter of the blocking member along the cylinder to modify the maximum recline angle. By adjusting the blocking member's position, the seat can transition between different operational modes: a standard mode with limited recline for occupied adjacent seats, and an expanded mode with greater recline when adjacent seats are unoccupied.
2Ease of operation
If the blocking member is positioned to allow greater recline travel, then additional comfort space is provided, but the risk of interfering with adjacent occupied seats increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates occupancy detection feedback from adjacent seats to automatically adjust the blocking member position. When sensors detect that an adjacent seat is occupied, the system automatically repositions the blocking member to limit recline travel, preventing interference with the occupied seat. When adjacent seats are unoccupied, the blocking member is positioned to allow maximum comfortable recline.
3Productivity
If the seat is designed with fixed recline limits, then manufacturing and control are simplified, but the ability to optimize space utilization when adjacent seats are unoccupied is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable blocking member system provides multiple functions: it acts as both a safety limiter to prevent interference with adjacent occupied seats and as an optimization mechanism to maximize comfort when adjacent seats are unoccupied. This single component handles both protective and comfort-optimizing functions, making the system versatile despite the added complexity.
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
This solution allows occupants to maximize comfort by utilizing additional space from adjacent unoccupied seats, providing enhanced legroom or knee space through adjustable reclining positions, thus optimizing the use of available space.
Implementation Method 1
The cylinder is secured to one of the back support structure or the seat support structure and the piston is secured to the other of back support structure or the seat support structure... enabling the seat to rotate further when the adjacent seat is unoccupied
Data Source
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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.