Vehicle Seat Sliding Frame With Weight-Held Auto Return

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seats are complex, difficult to assemble, and require manual resetting after use, especially in the railway sector, where they need to return to a basic position, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat design featuring a seat part frame with a guide device and a restoring element that allows the seat part to be easily displaced by user force, held in a new position by the user's weight, and automatically returns to the basic position when the user leaves, using a gas pressure spring element and sliding block guide system for tool-free assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a locking mechanism is used to hold the seat part in position, then the seat part can be held in the displaced position, but the device complexity increases and the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat part position holdingVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the complex locking mechanism entirely and replaces it with a passive positioning system. The seat part is held in the displaced position solely by the user's weight acting on the seat, eliminating the need for active locking components. This extraction of the locking mechanism directly reduces device complexity while maintaining position-holding capability through the simplified weight-dependent support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat part automatically holds its position through the user's weight without requiring any additional locking components or active systems. The weight of the user on the seat part naturally maintains the displaced position, and when the user leaves, the return element automatically restores the seat to its basic position. This self-service mechanism eliminates complex locking while ensuring reliable position maintenance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If a complex locking mechanism is used, then the seat part can be held in position, but the ease of repair decreases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat part position holdingVSAvoidvehicle seat repairability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By removing the locking mechanism entirely, the patent eliminates the components that would require repair. The simplified system with no active locking parts directly improves ease of repair while maintaining position-holding functionality through the passive weight-dependent design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If manual resetting is required after use, then the seat part can be returned to basic position, but the loss of time increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat part position returnVSAvoidmanual resetting time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The return element automatically restores the seat part to its basic position when the user leaves, eliminating the need for manual resetting by attendants. This self-service automatic return mechanism directly reduces the loss of time and improves productivity while ensuring the seat part reliably returns to its basic position.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The return element is pre-configured to automatically act when the user leaves the seat, performing the resetting action before any manual intervention would be needed. This preliminary automatic action eliminates waiting time and improves operational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Ease of manufacture

If tool-free assembly is implemented, then the ease of manufacture improves, but the reliability of assembly may decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidassembly reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the vehicle seat into separable components (seat part and seat part frame) that can be easily assembled and disassembled without tools. The guide device and return element are designed as modular components that fit together through simple geometric interfaces, enabling tool-free assembly while maintaining reliable connections through proper mechanical design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The guide device acts as an intermediary mechanism that facilitates reliable tool-free assembly between the seat part and seat part frame. It provides guided movement and proper alignment during assembly, ensuring that components connect reliably without requiring tools or complex alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 seat part can be easily adjusted to meet user needs and automatically returns to the basic position without manual intervention, simplifying use and maintenance, and allowing for tool-free assembly and disassembly, reducing operational time and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a return element (5) is provided and designed to move the seat part (3) from the displaced position into the basic position when the person leaves the seat part (3)... the return element may have a first end (7) and a second end (8)... the return element can be designed to be particularly simple if it is formed by a gas spring element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGas pressure spring: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the seat part (3) is guided on the seat part frame (2) by means of a guide device (4)... a vehicle seat with a seat part frame (2) and a seat part (3) that can be moved relative to the seat part frame (2), wherein the seat part (3) is guided on the seat part frame (2) by means of a guide device (4)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance: Geometry

Implementation Method 3

the vehicle seat is designed and provided such that the seat part (3) can be held in the displaced position by a weight force of the person sitting on the seat part (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravitational force: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4375131A1Vehicle seat and method for mounting the vehicle seat without the use of tools
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 GRAMMER AG
  • EP4375131A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4375131A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4375131A1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat frame and a seat part that can be moved relative to the seat frame, wherein the seat part is guided on the seat frame by means of a guide device, and wherein the seat part can be moved from a basic position to a displaced position relative to the seat frame by a force acting on the seat part, which can be applied to the seat part by a person sitting on the seat part, wherein the vehicle seat is designed and provided such that the seat part can be held in the displaced position by a weight force of the person sitting on the seat part, and wherein a return element is provided and designed to move the seat part from the displaced position to the basic position when the person leaves the seat part.