Vehicle seating assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seats often require adjustments to accommodate occupants of varying statures, as different percentile groups (e.g., fifth percentile female and ninety-fifth percentile male) have distinct seating dimension needs that current technologies fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
A seating assembly with an air cell assembly that includes multiple air cells, each with a valve system for controlling airflow, a cable for compressing the thigh cells, and a sensor-actuated pump for adjusting inflation based on occupant height and weight, allowing for customizable support and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed seating dimensions are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different occupant sizes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the air cells expandable and contractible to change seating dimensions dynamically. The air cells can be inflated to increase volume for larger occupants or deflated to decrease volume for smaller occupants, allowing the same seat to adapt to different body sizes without requiring multiple fixed-size seats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the volume parameter of the air cells to accommodate different occupant sizes. By controlling the amount of air in the cells, the seating dimensions can be adjusted to match various percentile occupants (e.g., 5th percentile female to 95th percentile male), thereby resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple fixed-size seats are provided, then adaptability to different occupants is improved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single seating assembly universal by enabling it to serve multiple functions - accommodating various percentile occupants through air cell adjustment. Instead of requiring separate seats for different body sizes, one seat with adjustable air cells can replace multiple fixed-size seats, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment capability allows one seating assembly to perform the function of multiple static seats. By changing the volume of air cells, the same physical seat can be configured for different occupant sizes, eliminating the need for multiple fixed configurations and simplifying the overall seating system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If air cells are made expandable for customization, then adaptability improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates sensors that automatically detect occupant characteristics and trigger appropriate air cell adjustments without requiring complex manual control. The sensor-actuated pump system can autonomously determine when inflation or deflation is needed, reducing the burden on the control system while maintaining high adaptability for seating customization.
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 solution provides adjustable seating that accommodates different occupant sizes by expanding or contracting air cells, ensuring proper hip pivot points and comfort, thereby addressing the variability in occupant dimensions and enhancing seating customization.
Implementation Method 1
Each of the first and second valves is configured to control airflow to and from the first and second plurality of air cells, respectively
Implementation Method 2
The cable is configured to selectively compress the first thigh cell
Implementation Method 3
A pump is operably coupled with the plurality of air cells and the valve. The valve is configured to control airflow from the pump to and from the plurality of air cells
Data Source
AI summary
A seating assembly is provided that includes a seat base operably coupled with a seatback. An air cell assembly is positioned within the seat base. The air cell assembly includes a first plurality of air cells. The first plurality of air cells includes a first thigh cell. The air cell assembly also includes a second plurality of air cells. The second plurality of air cells includes a second thigh cell. A first valve is operably coupled with the first plurality of air cells. A second valve is operably coupled with the second plurality of air cells. Each of the first and second valves is configured to control airflow to and from the first and second plurality of air cells, respectively.