NORSAP 1600 / 4000 CHAIR
2014
Designing the ultimate seat module for 90% user ergonomics and modularity for a variety of light and heavier operator chairs
Maritime operator chairs are used for long work shifts, and can be operated by small and large users from all over the earth.
The new NorSap seat module takes the advanced ergonomic adjustment system from Cameron X-COM, and integrates it into a modular chair system for the various NorSap chair configurations.
This chair system covers worldwide users from the smallest 5% to the largest 95%, which requires significant adjustments to leg and arm dimensions on the chair (elbow height / joystick position / thigh length / knee height).
The chair is controlled with a standard actuator control system from LINAK, with a custom developed control software and keypad. The software includes both ergonomic presets for quick sizing, and user memory for additional personalization
Responsible for:
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Initial concept for seat / backrest construction and mechanisms
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Actuation systems
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User interface chair controls
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Operator / heavy armrests
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Head support adjustment mechanism
2013 Concept
Body size and posture adjustment: The final seat module developed by the Norsap team together with Inventas. The seat module is designed to fit all possible chair configurations
The chair design is based on a mechanical concept of 5 motorized or hydraulic movements. With this mechanism, 3 of 4 major body dimensions are adjusted:
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Elbow height (seat height)
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Thigh length (seat depth)
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Underarm length (seat sliding)
Also, body posture adjustments are handled in the same mechanism
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Seat angle
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Backrest angle, down to 75° required for sit/stand chairs
The concept is unique in using 5 actuators of same type, providing the extreme 5-95 user percentile adjustments required for NORSOK compliance while opening up for automated logic using LINAK's configurable software platform.
SEAT MODULE MECHANICAL CONCEPT
Seat module:
The hinged arms (blue) lifts the front and rear of the seat, adjusting the elbow height of the seat when going parallel, and seat angle when offset from each other. Actuator logic controls the allowed offset so no excessive tilt og forward tipping is allowed.
The seat and back (green) slides backwards on linear bearings in order to both compensate for the forwards translation from the seat height, and primarily to adjust the seat distance to the armrests so that different underarm lengths are accomodated.
The seat cushion slides separately to adjust for different thigh lengths.
Operator armrests:
The 4000 chair platform is being used in everything from crane operator cabins to helmsman chairs. The armrests have to integrate large / heavy control packages, manage large amounts of cables and provide structural support for up to 22" heavy monitors - all while allowing rapid entry and exit for the user in cramped cabin conditions.
The 4000 armrests are designed with a dual link arm to provide strength, remove play, and uses the armrest's own gravity to keep it in end positions without any springs or additional mechanisms.
User account autosize: Windows PC actuator control system controlled with touch screen and autosizing the chair based on user height or stored values from windows user account.
Premium operator chairs
The strength of the concept is that the same seat module can be upgraded and downgraded to adjust for different markets and price ranges. By removing the software controlled actuators and replacing them with simple mechanical locking gas springs, or fixing the seat in one averaged position without any adjustments altogether, production can optimize for the building the same parts while sales can sell the chair to the extreme ergonomical and functional requirements in premium markets, and simplify the chair to the more price-sensitive areas or where there are only a limited set of known users.
NORSAP bridge components: Modular bridge elements and a chair with
Marine Technologies armrests with full 4000 software actuator control
Actuator logic: The LINAK actuator control software constrains how the actuators can move relative to each other, in order to adjust only one body dimension even though many actuators move simultaneously.
The small / large presets shrinks/grows the chair size by moving all actuators at the same time, so the user just holds the button until the chair fits.