Energy-absorbing mechanism with trigger and methods thereof

Abstract

A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat may include: a seat frame; a seat pan; and an energy-absorbing mechanism comprising a securement mechanism that connects the seat frame to the seat pan connected to the seat frame and the seat pan via a securement mechanism; wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism is configured to deform from a first size to a second size in response to a predetermined force load, whereby deformation of the energy-absorbing mechanism causes the seat pan to move from a first position to a second position. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Description

[0001] Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304

[0002] Energy-Absorbing Mechanism with Trigger And Methods Thereof

[0003] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0004]

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 723,996, filed November 22, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

[0005] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0006]

[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to various types of energy absorbing mechanisms and, more particularly, to energy absorbing components integrated within a seat of a vehicle which may mitigate the physical stress experienced by a seated occupant in the event of a dynamic event, such as a vertical impact or turbulence.

[0007] BACKGROUND

[0008]

[0003] Energy absorbers are important components in various safety systems, including aircraft seating arrangements. These devices typically function by permanently deforming under load, thereby dissipating energy that would otherwise be transmitted to the occupant. Traditional energy absorbers may not adequately prevent excessive forces from being transferred to passengers during severe impacts, such as hard landings, which may result in injuries due to high lumbar loads. Regulatory standards necessitate that aircraft seats protect occupants by limiting acceleration forces to acceptable levels, which a rigid seat alone cannot achieve without some form of energy absorber. Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304

[0009]

[0004] The present disclosure is accordingly directed to an improved energy absorber associated with a seat that may more efficiently decrease the load experienced by an occupant during travel in a vehicle. The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art, or suggestions of the prior art, by inclusion in this section.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0011]

[0005] According to certain aspects of the disclosure, energy-absorbing mechanisms, and the seats that include them, are disclosed that are configured to minimize the effect of ferees on an occupant during travel in a vehicle.

[0012]

[0006] In one aspect, a vehicle seat is disclosed. The vehicle seat may include: a seat frame; a seat pan; and an energy-absorbing mechanism comprising a securement mechanism that connects the seat frame to the seat pan connected to the seat frame and the seat pan via a securement mechanism; wherein the energyabsorbing mechanism is configured to deform from a first size to a second size in response to a predetermined force load, whereby deformation of the energyabsorbing mechanism causes the seat pan to move from a first position to a second position.

[0013]

[0007] In another aspect, an energy-absorbing mechanism is disclosed. The energy-absorbing mechanism may include: a body; at least one segment positioned along a length of the body, wherein the at least one segment does not contain any material; a securement mechanism; an anchor pin positioned proximate to a first end of the body and secured through the body via a first hole set of the body; and a Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 shear pin positioned proximate to a second end of the body and secured through the body via a second hole set of the body.

[0014]

[0008] In yet another aspect, a method of decreasing a force load of an impact event on a user in a vehicle seat of a vehicle is disclosed. The method may include: receiving at an energy-absorbing mechanism positioned within the vehicle seat via securement mechanism, a predetermined force; breaking, in response to receiving the predetermined force, a shear pin of the energy-absorbing mechanism; elongating, in response to the breaking of the shear pin, a body of the energyabsorbing mechanism from a first length to a second length; and adjusting, based on the elongating, a position of a seat pan of the vehicle seat.

[0015]

[0009] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosed embodiments, as claimed.

[0016] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017]

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the disclosed embodiments, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosed embodiments. There are many aspects and embodiments described herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the features of a particular aspect or embodiment may be used in conjunction with the features of any or all of the other aspects or embodiments described in this disclosure. In the drawings:

[0018]

[0011] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an energy-absorbing mechanism, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304

[0019]

[0012] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of an energy-absorbing mechanism installed in a vehicle seat, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020]

[0013] FIG. 3 depicts a perspective view of energy-absorbing mechanisms positioned within a vehicle seat, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0021]

[0014] FIG. 4 depicts a partially exploded view of an energy-absorbing mechanism installed in a vehicle seat with a disengaged shear pin, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0022]

[0015] FIG. 5 depicts a range of deformation within an energy-absorbing member when the energy-absorbing member is in an extended state, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure.

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0024]

[0016] The terminology used below may be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific examples of the present disclosure. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.

[0025]

[0017] In this disclosure, the term “based on” means “based at least in part on.” The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context dictates otherwise. The term “exemplary” is used in the sense of “example” rather than “ideal.” The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 process, method, article or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not necessarily include only those elements, and may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Relative terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” “substantially,” and “generally,” are used to indicate a possible variation of ±10% of a stated or understood value. In addition, the term “between” used in describing ranges of values is intended to include the minimum and maximum values described herein. The use of the term “or” in the claims and specification is used to mean “and / or” unless either explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only or the alternatives are mutually exclusive, although the disclosure supports a definition that refers to only alternatives and “and / or.” As used herein “another” may mean at least a second or more.

[0026]

[0018] As used herein, the term “vehicle” may refer to any type of vehicle, e.g., motor vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, buses, etc.), railed vehicles (e.g., trains, etc.), waterborne vessel (e.g., boats, etc.), aircraft (e.g., planes, helicopters, etc.), spacecraft, autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicles, and the like. Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to electric vehicles, such as vehicles driven via one or more electric loads, components associated with the electrical loads, and monitoring systems for the electrical loads and / or the components associated with the electrical loads. The electric loads may be in the form of electric motors associated with one or more propellers of a vertical takeoff and landing vehicle.

[0027]

[0019] The safety of aircraft occupants during emergency situations, such as hard landings, is an important concern in aviation design. One significant problem in these scenarios is the high acceleration forces imparted to the passengers, particularly in the lumbar region of the passenger’s back. Without effective mitigation, Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 these forces may lead to severe injuries. Regulatory requirements mandate that aircraft seats be designed to limit the acceleration forces transmitted to passengers to acceptable levels. However, traditional aircraft seat designs often rely on rigid structures that fail to adequately dissipate these forces, resulting in lumbar loads that exceed safety thresholds for occupants.

[0028]

[0020] Conventional attempts to solve this problem have typically involve the use of various energy-absorbing materials and structures that deform under load to dissipate energy. These energy absorbers, such as foams, springs, or crushable components, may be designed to absorb impact energy by permanently deforming, thereby reducing the forces transmitted to the occupant. While these solutions may be effective in certain applications, they often have significant drawbacks. For instance, many of these systems are complex, with numerous moving parts that may be prone to mechanical failure or wear over time. Additionally, some energy absorbers may engage too early or too late, either dampening normal operational movements unnecessarily or failing to activate promptly during an actual emergency, thereby compromising their effectiveness.

[0029]

[0021] The concepts described herein address the issues described above by introducing an innovative energy absorber mechanism specifically designed for integration into vehicle seats (e.g., such as aircraft seats). In an aspect, the concepts may leverage a cylindrical tube having segments where there is no material, or where material is removed from opposing sides, to allow controlled deformation under high loads. In one exemplary embodiment, the energy absorber mechanism includes a shear pin, or similar mechanism, which acts as a trigger, preventing the energy absorber from engaging below a specified force threshold. This ensures that Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 the device remains inactive during normal operational conditions and only activates when necessary, such as during a hard landing.

[0030]

[0022] By incorporating the features summarized above, the novel energyabsorbing mechanism effectively remedies the issues associated with conventional energy absorbers. For instance, the shear pin may be precisely calibrated to shear only under defined load conditions, ensuring timely and appropriate activation of the energy absorber. This controlled activation allows for efficient energy dissipation without unnecessary engagement during routine operations. Furthermore, the straightforward design of the cylindrical tube and shear pin system minimizes the number of parts, thereby reducing the likelihood of mechanical failure and simplifying maintenance.

[0031]

[0023] The concepts described herein also represent improvements over other devices. For example, some conventional devices may include a shockabsorbing mechanism that uses a helical spring-like member designed for plastic deformation under impact. The novel energy-absorbing mechanism described herein features a design that has fewer moving parts compared to the helical spring-like mechanism utilized in conventional devices. Additionally, the energy-absorbing mechanism described herein may be configured to control when the energy absorber is activated. In contrast, conventional devices may rely on the material properties and geometry of the helical spring to control deformation under load, which may be less precise in activating the energy absorption mechanism at the exact desired threshold. The energy-absorbing mechanism described herein may be more easily customized, e.g., by altering the pattern or organization of the segments positioned along a length of the cylindrical tube or by changing the shear pin configuration. This versatility enables the energy-absorbing mechanism to be tailored to different impact Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 scenarios and load requirements more easily than the helical spring design, which requires adjustments in the spring’s material, pitch, and length to modify its energy absorption profile. Lastly, the novel energy-absorbing mechanism may be designed to be manufactured from standard commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) materials, such as a simple cylindrical tube that may be easily machined. This makes the energy absorber more cost-effective to produce compared to the more complex helical spring design known in the art, which may require more specialized manufacturing processes and materials.

[0032]

[0024] Other conventional devices describe energy-absorbing mechanisms designed for a variety of applications, including for automotive and aerospace seats. These designs involve the use of advanced materials and a more complex structural configuration that may include multiple stages of energy absorption. These types of energy-absorbing mechanisms offer a much more complex design than the energyabsorbing mechanism described herein. For instance, the instant energy-absorbing mechanism focuses on a simpler, more direct approach to dissipate a force load that involves a single activation threshold. This makes the instant energy absorber more suitable for applications where simplicity and reliability are paramount.

[0033]

[0025] Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure described below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts.

[0034]

[0026] Additional objects and advantages of the embodiments will be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the embodiments. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the claims. For simplicity purposes, the vehicle in the remaining disclosure described herein, and the figures associated therewith, is an electric powered vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. However, such a designation is not limiting, and the concepts described herein may be applicable to virtually any type of vehicle. Additionally, although described throughout this application with reference to crashes or impact, these uses cases are not limiting and the novel energy-absorbing mechanism described herein may be applicable to other types of force events as well, e.g., acceleration and / or deceleration events.

[0035]

[0027] Referring now to FIG. 1 , diagram 100 provides an illustration of an exemplary energy-absorbing mechanism 2, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The energy-absorbing mechanism 2 may be composed of a body 4 that has a plurality of segments 6 along at least a portion of its length where material has been excluded (e.g., via a material removal operation, a casting process, an injecting process, etc.). Body 4 may further include a first hole set 8 configured to support an anchor pin 10, a second hole set 12 configured to support a shear pin (not illustrated), and a third hole set 14 configured to support a securement mechanism 16 that couples the energy-absorbing mechanism 2 to a portion of a vehicle seat (not illustrated).

[0036]

[0028] In an aspect, body 4 may be composed of materials that possess high strength and the ability to deform plastically without fracturing. In an aspect, suitable materials for body 4 may include materials such as aluminum alloys, steel, titanium, a polymer, a composite material, and / or any combination of the foregoing, as these materials may endure significant stress and strain while providing reliable energy absorption characteristics. In some aspects, composites or other alloys may be Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 utilized based on weight, strength, and cost. For instance, these materials may be selected based on the specific needs of the aircraft or other vehicle, based on considerations such as weight reduction for fuel efficiency and the ability to deform under extreme conditions to absorb energy effectively.

[0037]

[0029] Although described throughout the specification, and illustrated in the drawings, as cylindrical, such a designation is not limiting and other shapes may be employed for body 4 depending on the specific performance requirements and constraints of the energy-absorbing application. For instance, body 4 may adopt alternative cross-sectional shapes, such as a square, rectangle, ovular, etc., provided that body 4 maintains the necessary structural integrity and energy absorption characteristics. In an aspect, utilization of one of these alternative shapes may, in some instances, provided additional benefits. For instance, leveraging a rectangular or squared cross-section may offer better alignment with certain components of the seat frame and / or may allow for a more compact arrangement within the aircraft seating system. Additionally or alternatively, in another aspect, these shapes may provide directional stiffness, which may be advantageous in situations where the load needs to be managed differently in various directions (e.g., greater strength along the vertical axis but more flexibility laterally). In an aspect, the cross-section does not need to be constant throughout the length of body 4, and may vary in its structural characteristics (e.g. the length of body 4 may vary in size, change shape, etc.).

[0038]

[0030] Body 4 may contain a plurality of segments 6 along at least a portion of its length. More particularly, these segments 6 may represent areas where material has been intentionally excluded to allow body 4 to deform in a controlled manner when subjected to high loads, such as during a hard landing or other dynamic event. Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304

[0039] These segments 6 serve to reduce the body’s overall structural rigidity in a precise way, permitting body 4 to elongate or stretch under specific load conditions, which is important for energy absorption. In an aspect, the amount, shape, and placement of these plurality of segments 6 may be engineered to ensure that the deformation occurs gradually and predictably, thereby dissipating the energy generated by the load while protecting the occupant from excessive forces. In an aspect, FIG. 1 illustrates that plurality of segments 6 may be formed into body 4 in a predetermined organizational manner, e.g., each successive segment 6 may be implemented in an alternating and opposite surface from the other. In an aspect, each one of the plurality of segments 6 may be equally spaced with respect to each other. Alternatively, in another aspect, the distances between each of the plurality of segments 6 may vary.

[0040]

[0031] In an aspect, plurality of segments 6 may be created by leveraging one or more different manufacturing techniques, the selection of which may depend on one or more of: the material of body 4, the complexity of the design, and the precision required. For instance, traditional machining processes such as milling or drilling may be leveraged to create the plurality of segments 6. Additionally or alternatively, plurality of segments 6 may be created by laser cutting, which is a process that leverages a high-powered laser beam to melt or vaporize the material in a precise pattern or organization. Additionally or alternatively, plurality of segments 6 may be formed by utilizing other techniques known in the art (e.g., three-dimensional (3D) printing, punching or stamping, metal injection molding (MIM), casting, etc.) that are not explicitly elaborated upon here.

[0041]

[0032] In an aspect, the geometry of the plurality of segments 6 may vary depending on the desired energy absorption characteristics. In diagram 100 in FIG. Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304

[0042] 1 , the plurality of segments 6 may be oriented horizontally with respect to a perpendicular length of body 4, thereby allowing body 4 to stretch vertically under load. Alternatively, in another aspect, angled segments may be introduced to modify the spring characteristics of body 4, which may offer a more tailored response to varying force magnitudes. For instance, segments that are configured to be angled or curved may allow the body to engage more progressively. In addition to horizontal or angled configurations, other geometries or patterns for the segments may be used to tailor the energy absorption characteristics and performance of body 4. Nonlimiting exemplary configurations may include zigzag segments (e.g., which may introduce controlled, step-wise deformation), a single spiral or sinusoidal segment (e.g., which may provide a continuous and smooth deformation path as the load increases), perforated pattern segments (e.g., instead of larger and / or continuous segments, body 4 may be perforated with small, regularly spaced holes or slots along its length), and the like.

[0043]

[0033] In an aspect, the plurality of segments 6 may additionally have practical manufacturing advantages. For instance, in weight-sensitive applications like aerospace, this reduction in material may be significant. Additionally, the simplicity of the design, with strategically placed cutouts, minimizes the number of parts, thereby enhancing the reliability and durability of the energy absorber system while keeping maintenance requirements low.

[0044]

[0034] Body 4 of energy-absorbing mechanism 2 may include a first end 18 and a second end 20. First hole set 8 may be positioned in a portion of body 4 that is proximate to first end 18 (e.g., by a material removal operation in which first hole set 8 is formed in body 4, by casting operating during body 4 creation, etc.). In an aspect, first hole set 8 may contain two, oppositely-oriented holes formed in opposite Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 surfaces of body 4. In an aspect, each of the holes in first hole set 8 may be similarly shaped (e.g., each hole may be circular, other shaped, etc.). In an aspect, first hole set 8 may be configured to support anchor pin 10, which may have a similar or different cross-sectional shape as first hole set 8. Anchor pin 10 may serve as a fixed anchor point, ensuring that body 4 remains firmly attached to a seat frame or a related structural component, while allowing some or all remaining portions of body 4 to stretch and deform during a dynamic event, such as a hard landing or other events. A function of anchor pin 10 may be to fix a position of the top portion (e.g., the portion proximate to the first end 18) of energy-absorbing mechanism 2 against a vehicle seat.

[0045]

[0035] In an aspect, the material, cross-sectional shape, and / or size (such as a diameter) of anchor pin 10 may be selected and / or configured to withstand the loads experienced during both routine operations and emergency events. For instance, anchor pin 10 may be made from a high-strength material (e.g., steel, titanium, a durable alloy, etc.), to ensure that it does not fail or shear prematurely. In an aspect, anchor pin 10 may be inserted through first hole set 8, thereby secure energy-absorbing mechanism 2 to a seat frame (as further illustrated in FIGS. 2-4).

[0046]

[0036] Body 4 of energy-absorbing mechanism 2 may include second hole set 12, which may be positioned in a portion of body 4 that is proximate to second end 20 (e.g., by a material removal operation in which first hole set 8 is formed in body 4, by casting operating during body 4 creation, etc.). In an aspect, similar to first hole set 8, second hole set 12 may contain two, oppositely-oriented holes formed in opposite surfaces of body 4. In an aspect, each of the holes in second hole set 12 may be similarly shaped (e.g., each hole may be circular, other shaped, etc.). In an aspect, second hole set 12 may be configured to accommodate a shear pin 22 (e.g., Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 as illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 4). Shear pin 22, when inserted through second hole set 12, may act as a trigger mechanism, preventing energy-absorbing mechanism 2 from engaging prematurely or under normal operational conditions. Only when the load exceeds a predefined threshold, such as during a hard landing or other type of event (e.g., resultant from severe turbulence, sudden acceleration or deceleration, etc.), does the shear pin 22 break, allowing the energy absorber to deform and dissipate energy. Additional details regarding shear pin 22 are further described herein.

[0047]

[0037] In an aspect, first hole set 8 may be perpendicularly oriented with respect to second hole set 12. This configuration, where first and second hole sets 8, 12 are offset by 90 degrees to each other, may provide benefits related to load distribution, structural integrity, and controlled deformation of the system. For instance, by orienting first and second hole sets 8, 12 perpendicularly to one another, the stress and forces exerted on anchor pin 10 and shear pin 22 may be more evenly distributed. It is important to note, however, that first hole set 8 may be set at virtually any orientation angle with respect to second hole set 12 and the angle of orientation between first hole set 8 and second hole set 12 may change the behavior of the system.

[0048]

[0038] Securement mechanisms 16 may serve to fasten the energy-absorbing mechanism 2 to a vehicle seat structure. More particularly, the aircraft seat may include a frame and a seat pan and the securement mechanisms 16 may be connected to the seat pan. Securement mechanisms 16 ensure that the energyabsorbing mechanism 2 remains properly aligned and securely connected to both the seat frame and the seat pan, facilitating proper operation of the energy absorption system during both normal conditions and dynamic events, such as a Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 hard landing. In an aspect, securement mechanisms 16 described and illustrated herein may be bolts, however, such a component is not limiting. For instance, another type of component may be utilized as the securement mechanism, such as a bracket, clamp, or other type of fastening hardware. In an aspect, one of the securement mechanisms 16 may be attached / integrated within a portion of a seat frame, whereas the other securement mechanism may be attached to a side of a seat pan, as further discussed herein.

[0049]

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 2, diagram 200 provides an exemplary crosssection illustration of how the energy-absorbing mechanism 2 may be integrated into a portion of a vehicle seat. As can be seen, body 4 is secured at the top (e.g., proximate to first end 18, as illustrated in FIG. 1) by anchor pin 10, which anchors the energy-absorbing mechanism to a fixed position within the vehicle seat frame 24. Structure of vehicle seat frame 24 provides a protective housing around energyabsorbing mechanism 2, ensuring that the energy-absorbing mechanism 2 is both supported and isolated from interfering objects during typical use. At the bottom of body 4 (e.g., proximate to second end 20, as illustrated in FIG. 1 ), securement mechanism 16 attaches the energy-absorbing mechanism 2 to a seat pan (e.g., seat pan 28 as illustrated in FIG. 3) or lower part of the seat assembly. Shear pin 22 is also visible in FIG. 2, which, when installed into second hole set 12, prevents premature activation of the energy absorber. When a load exceeding a certain threshold is experienced by energy-absorbing mechanism 2, shear pin 22 may be configured to break, thereby allowing energy-absorbing mechanism 2 to elongate and dissipate energy through deformation of body 4. More particularly, the seat pan may be configured to stroke downwards relative to the vehicle seat frame 24 at the point when the load on the energy-absorbing mechanism exceeds a predetermined Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 threshold, thereby reducing a rigidity of the seat pan by elongating a distance that the seat pan may descend (e.g., so that a second position of the seat pan 28 when the energy-absorbing mechanism 2 is in the elongated state is lower in height than a first position of the seat pan 28 when the energy-absorbing mechanism 2 is not in the elongated state).

[0050]

[0040] In an aspect, each vehicle seat 26 may include two energy-absorbing mechanisms, e.g., each positioned within the vehicle seat 26 on either side of the seat pan 28. For example, referring now to FIG. 3, diagram 300 provides an illustration of a vehicle seat 26 that contains two energy-absorbing mechanisms 2, e.g., a first energy-absorbing mechanism 30 may be positioned within a first location of vehicle seat 26 and a second energy-absorbing mechanism 32 may be positioned within a second location of vehicle seat 26, a configuration causing first and second energy-absorbing mechanism 30, 32 to bookend seat pan 28. Securement mechanisms 16 (e.g., visible in FIG. 2) attach each energy-absorbing mechanism 30, 32 to seat pan 28, ensuring that body 4 is fixed in position while still allowing for vertical movement during a dynamic event.

[0051]

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 4, diagram 400 provides another exemplary illustration of how energy-absorbing mechanism 2 may be integrated into vehicle seat 26 . More particularly, diagram 400 provides additional details about shear pin 22, which is designed to hold energy-absorbing mechanism 2 in place during normal operating conditions, but when a load exceeding a threshold is applied, shear pin 22 is designed to break, allowing body 4 to stretch and absorb the energy. Specifically, shear pin 22 may contain depressions 34 that may be present on either side of the shear pin 22 that act as weak points. For instance, depressions 34 may be grooves that are formed at specific positions along the length of shear pin 22. These Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 depressions 34 may be defined as a weakened area of shear pin 22, or an area of shear pin 22 configured to break. These depressions 34 reduce the cross-sectional area of shear pin 22 at specific locations, making it more likely that shear pin 22 will fail or shear precisely at these points under a certain load. More particularly, when the load increases during a dynamic event, the stress is concentrated at these weaker points, causing shear pin 22 to break at depressions 34, rather than at random points along its length. This ensures that the energy absorber engages at the right moment, protecting the occupant from excessive forces while also allowing body 4 to deform in a controlled manner. In some embodiments, however, shear pin 22 may be configured to break at any point along its length.

[0052]

[0042] In an aspect, shear pin 22 may be inserted into a shear pin hole (not illustrated) formed in vehicle seat 26, whereby the shear pin hole is aligned with second hole set 12 of body 4. This placement allows shear pin 22 to hold the lower section of body 4 in place. When shear pin 22 breaks, body 4 is allowed to elongate and deform as the securement mechanisms 16, being connected to the seat pan 28, travel with body 4 as it deforms and guide the motion of the seat pan. The overall design ensures that the energy is dissipated over the length of the body 4, thereby lengthening a time duration of which a force is transmitted to the seat pan 28 and, consequently, the passenger.

[0053]

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 5, diagram 500 illustrates the energy-absorbing mechanism 2 in an extended state. Diagram 500 shows a gradient along the length of the energy-absorbing mechanism 2, ranging from light gray at the first end 18 to dark gray at the second end 20 of body 4. This gradient represents the range of deformation experienced by the energy absorber, with light gray indicating minimal deformation and dark gray indicating maximum deformation. Diagram 500 illustrates Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 that during activations, the portions of energy-absorbing mechanism 2 proximate to first end 18 remain relatively un-deformed, whereas the portions of energy-absorbing mechanism 2 undergo the majority of stretching and deformation to absorb kinetic energy.

[0054]

[0044] It should be appreciated that in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

[0055]

[0045] Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those skilled in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

[0056]

[0046] Thus, while certain embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as falling within the scope of the invention. For example, Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0057]

[0047] The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other implementations, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. While various implementations of the disclosure have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more implementations are possible within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:1 . A vehicle seat, comprising: a seat frame; a seat pan; and an energy-absorbing mechanism comprising a securement mechanism that connects the seat frame to the seat pan connected to the seat frame and the seat pan via a securement mechanism; wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism is configured to deform from a first size to a second size in response to a predetermined force load, whereby deformation of the energy-absorbing mechanism causes the seat pan to move from a first position to a second position.

2. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism at the second size has a larger length than the energy-absorbing mechanism at the first size.

3. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the second position of the seat pan is lower in height than the first position of the seat pan.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism comprises: a body including at least one segment positioned along a length of the body; an anchor pin positioned proximate to a first end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a first hole set of the body; andAttorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 a shear pin positioned proximate to a second end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a second hole set of the body.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism comprises: a body including at least one segment positioned along a length of the body; an anchor pin positioned proximate to a first end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a first hole set of the body; and a shear pin positioned proximate to a second end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a second hole set of the body; wherein the anchor pin is secured to the seat frame at a first vehicle frame hole of the seat frame, and wherein the shear pin is secured to the seat frame at a second vehicle frame hole of the seat frame.

6. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism comprises: a body including at least one segment positioned along a length of the body; an anchor pin positioned proximate to a first end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a first hole set of the body; and a shear pin positioned proximate to a second end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a second hole set of the body; wherein the anchor pin is secured to the seat frame at a first vehicle frame hole of the seat frame, and wherein the shear pin is secured to the seat frame at a second vehicle frame hole of the seat frame;Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 wherein the first vehicle frame hole is offset by 90 degrees from the second vehicle frame hole.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism comprises: a body including at least one segment positioned along a length of the body; an anchor pin positioned proximate to a first end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a first hole set of the body; and a shear pin positioned proximate to a second end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a second hole set of the body; wherein the shear pin is configured to break in response to the predetermined force load along at least one depression that is formed into a portion of the shear pin.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism comprises: a body including at least one segment positioned along a length of the body; an anchor pin positioned proximate to a first end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a first hole set of the body; and a shear pin positioned proximate to a second end of the body and secured to the seat frame through the body via a second hole set of the body; wherein the body of the energy-absorbing mechanism comprises an aluminum alloy, steel, titanium, polymer, and / or composite material.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism comprises a first energy-absorbing mechanism and a second energy-absorbingAttorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 mechanism, wherein each of the first energy-absorbing mechanism and the second energy-absorbing mechanism are connected to the seat pan and the seat frame.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the energy-absorbing mechanism comprises a first energy-absorbing mechanism and a second energy-absorbing mechanism, wherein each of the first energy-absorbing mechanism and the second energy-absorbing mechanism are connected to the seat pan and the seat frame; wherein the first energy-absorbing mechanism is connected to a first side of the seat pan, and wherein the second energy-absorbing mechanism is connected to a second side of the seat pan.

11. An energy-absorbing mechanism, comprising: a body; at least one segment positioned along a length of the body, wherein the at least one segment does not contain any material; a securement mechanism; an anchor pin positioned proximate to a first end of the body and secured through the body via a first hole set of the body; and a shear pin positioned proximate to a second end of the body and secured through the body via a second hole set of the body.

12. The energy-absorbing mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the body of the energy-absorbing mechanism is cylindrically-shaped.Attorney Docket No.: 00379-0051 -0030413. The energy-absorbing mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the at least one segment comprises a plurality of segments that are arranged along the length of the body in a predetermined pattern.

14. The energy-absorbing mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the at least one segment is one of: an angled segment, a horizontal segment, or a curved segment.

15. The energy-absorbing mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the first hole set is offset by 90 degrees from a second hole set.

16. The energy-absorbing mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the shear pin comprises at least one depression formed along a length of the shear pin.

17. The energy-absorbing mechanism of claim 11 , wherein the shear pin comprises at least one depression formed along a length of the shear pin, and wherein the at least one depression is a groove.

18. A method of decreasing a force load of an impact event on a user in a vehicle seat of a vehicle, the method comprising: receiving at an energy-absorbing mechanism positioned within the vehicle seat via securement mechanism, a predetermined force; breaking, in response to receiving the predetermined force, a shear pin of the energy-absorbing mechanism; elongating, in response to the breaking of the shear pin, a body of the energyabsorbing mechanism from a first length to a second length; andAttorney Docket No.: 00379-0051-00304 adjusting, based on the elongating, a position of a seat pan of the vehicle seat.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the adjusting the position of the seat pan comprises lowering the seat pan a predetermined distance.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the adjusting the position of the seat pan comprises lowering the seat pan a predetermined distance and wherein the predetermined distance is dictated by a pattern of segments formed along a length of the body of the energy-absorbing mechanism.

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