Transformable seat assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In organized seating arrangements, such as in transportation vehicles and auditoriums, unoccupied adjacent seats can lead to reduced comfort for occupants due to unused space, as existing seats are not easily adaptable to optimize the use of available space.
Innovation Solution
A transformable seat assembly with a hinge and torsion spring mechanism that allows the seat to rotate and recline, enabling the seat to extend away from the support structure, thereby optimizing the use of adjacent space by allowing occupants to utilize unoccupied adjacent seats for additional comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is designed as a fixed structure, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability to optimize space usage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is designed with dynamic components including a hinge mechanism allowing rotation between upright and reclined positions, and a transformable support structure that can extend or retract. This enables the seat to adapt to different spatial configurations and optimize space usage while maintaining structural feasibility through standardized mechanical components
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is designed to rotate and extend, then the space optimization capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat is divided into separable modules including the seat cushion, backrest, hinge mechanism, and transformable support structure. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall design and making the complex transformation capabilities more manageable through modular assembly
3Ease of operation
If the lumbar cushion is permanently attached, then the structural stability is maintained, but the ease of transformation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lumbar cushion is designed with a dynamic attachment system that allows it to be easily removed and reattached. This enables the cushion to accommodate different seat configurations during transformation while maintaining structural stability when attached, and facilitating easy transformation when removed
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 enhances occupant comfort by providing additional space for legroom or knee room, allowing occupants to optimize the use of adjacent unoccupied seats, thereby improving overall seating arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
a hinge which includes a torsion spring providing for rotation of the seat relative to the seat support structure
Data Source
AI summary
A transformable seat assembly which includes a seat support structure and a seat connected to the seat support structure with a hinge. The hinge defines an axis of rotation. A back support structure connected to the seat support structure, which extends in an upward direction relative to the seat support structure. A back cushion is secured to the back support structure and a lumbar cushion extends along the back support structure positioned between the back cushion and the seat, wherein the lumbar cushion is releasably secured to one of the back cushion or the back support structure and an end portion of the seat positioned closer to the back support structure with the seat positioned in an occupant support position than the hinge, can rotate in a direction of rotation about the axis of rotation, which includes the upward direction and a direction away from the back support structure.