Vehicle Seating Assembly Horizontal Resting via Multi-Hinge Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seating assemblies are uncomfortable for extended trips or long rides, as they do not allow occupants to recline or lie in a substantially horizontal position, limiting rest or sleep options.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seating assembly with an upper seatbase pivotably coupled to a lower seatbase via a front hinge and a seatback pivotably coupled to the upper seatbase via a rear hinge, allowing the assembly to transition into a horizontal position with concave portions for alignment, a raised headrest, and a restraint system for occupant safety, with a release mechanism to change positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional vehicle seating assemblies are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the seating comfort for extended trips is poor due to limited recline capability
Solution Approach 1:
The seating assembly is divided into multiple independent components: a base seat, a first seat portion pivotally connected to the base seat, and a second seat portion pivotally connected to the first seat portion. This segmentation allows each portion to be adjusted independently, enabling the seat to achieve a horizontal configuration for extended comfort while maintaining manageable structural complexity through modular design.
2Ease of operation
If the seatback is reclined to a horizontal position, then occupant comfort for sleeping or resting is improved, but the ability to provide lateral support and restraint is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different portions of the seating assembly have different functional qualities optimized for their specific purposes. The first and second seat portions are designed with pivot connections that enable horizontal positioning for comfort, while the base seat maintains structural stability. The restraint system is specifically positioned to provide lateral support when needed, creating local quality variations that satisfy both comfort and safety requirements in different zones of the seating assembly.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a multi-position articulating mechanism is added to achieve horizontal position, then resting capability is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot connections serve multiple functions: they enable the seat portions to recline for comfort, allow the seat to achieve a horizontal configuration for resting, and provide controlled movement throughout the range of motion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby managing device complexity while achieving high adaptability and position adjustment capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seating assembly includes an upper seatbase pivotably coupled to a lower seatbase at a front end by a front hinge. The lower seatbase is slidably coupled to a rail. A seatback is pivotably coupled to a rear end of the upper seatbase by a rear hinge.