Occupant support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seats fail to dynamically adjust to an occupant's changing posture, leading to discomfort over time as they are unable to accommodate the natural compression and expansion of the spine during movement.
Innovation Solution
An occupant support system comprising a vehicle seat with a support unit and a motion-control unit that allows for movement between a compressed and expanded posture, utilizing adjustable components such as pivot pans and pneumatic bladders, and a sensor and control system to regulate these adjustments based on the occupant's posture.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional vehicle seats are used with fixed structure, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but occupant comfort deteriorates over time due to inability to accommodate natural spinal movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the fixed seat structure into a dynamic system with movable components. The support unit includes a pan that can pivot relative to the seat back, allowing the seat to adapt to changing occupant postures. This dynamic mechanism enables the seat to move between compressed and expanded positions, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the seat into distinct functional components: the seat back, the support unit with pan, and the pivot mechanism. This segmentation allows independent movement and adjustment of each component, enabling the seat to accommodate various occupant postures while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed seat structure is used, then device complexity is low, but comfort and support for changing postures deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service through the sensor system that automatically detects occupant posture and triggers appropriate seat adjustments. The control system receives sensor input and autonomously commands the motion control mechanisms to move the pan and adjust support elements, eliminating the need for manual intervention while providing adaptive comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where sensors continuously monitor occupant posture and provide input signals to the control system. This closed-loop feedback enables the seat to respond dynamically to posture changes, adjusting the pan position and support unit configuration to maintain optimal comfort and spinal alignment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the seat allows free movement between compressed and expanded postures, then occupant comfort is improved, but control over movement becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment with an automated electromechanical system. Motors and actuators substitute for manual operation, providing controlled movement between compressed and expanded postures. This substitution maintains the full range of motion while eliminating the complexity of manual control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control system as an intermediary between the occupant's posture needs and the mechanical adjustment mechanisms. This intermediary processes sensor data and coordinates motor actions, simplifying the overall control architecture while enabling precise positioning throughout the full posture adjustment range.
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 system enhances occupant comfort by dynamically supporting the occupant's changing posture, maximizing comfort over time by allowing for natural spinal movement and adjusting to different postures, thereby improving seat durability and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of bladders is configured to cooperate with one another to allow movement of the support unit relative to the vehicle seat between a compressed position and an expanded position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat in accordance with the present disclosure includes a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat back is coupled to the seat bottom to move relative to the seat bottom. The seat bottom is coupled to a floor of a vehicle and configured to move relative to the seat back.