Backrest-Integrated Fire Shielding for Simplified Seat Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger transport vehicles face challenges in providing effective fire protection for seating areas, particularly due to the stringent requirements of the European fire standard EN 45545, with existing solutions often complicating assembly and affecting passenger comfort.

Innovation Solution

A backrest element with an integrated heat/fire shielding device, comprising a flat element attached to the backrest, which is designed to displace towards a fire source, preventing its spread and maintaining comfort by being integrated within the upholstery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a heat/fire shielding device is mounted to the frame of the seat arrangement, then fire protection is improved, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire protectionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The heat/fire shielding device is merged with the backrest element by fastening it directly to the backrest element rather than the frame. This integration reduces assembly complexity while maintaining fire protection functionality, as the shielding device becomes part of the backrest assembly that is already being installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat/fire shielding device is extracted from the frame mounting system and relocated to the backrest element. This separation simplifies the overall assembly process by allowing the shielding device to be installed as part of the backrest element rather than requiring separate frame mounting operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If a heat/fire shielding device is integrated into the upholstery element, then passenger comfort is maintained, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger comfortVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The flat element of the heat/fire shielding device is integrated into the upholstery element by nesting it within the upholstery layers. The flat element is positioned between upholstery layers or behind them, creating a nested structure that maintains passenger comfort while providing fire protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat/fire shielding function is applied locally within the upholstery element rather than requiring complete restructuring of the entire upholstery assembly. The flat element is strategically positioned in specific regions of the upholstery to provide fire protection while minimizing impact on manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If the heat/fire shielding device is only fastened to the backrest element, then assembly simplicity is improved, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The heat/fire shielding device is merged with the backrest element through direct fastening, creating a unified assembly. This integration ensures that the shielding device moves with the backrest element as a single unit, maintaining structural stability while simplifying assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively contains fire spread while ensuring simple assembly and minimal impact on passenger comfort, adhering to fire safety standards without compromising usability.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one flat element serves as an effective heat/fire shield, which effectively and simply contains or prevents the spread of fire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat shielding: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentEP4573974A1Backrest element for a seat assembly of a person transport means
Publication Date: 2025.06.25 GRAMMER AG
  • EP4573974A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4573974A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4573974A1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a backrest element for a seat arrangement of a passenger transport means comprising a support element on which at least one cushion element is arranged, wherein the backrest element comprises a heat/fire shielding device which is only fastened to the backrest element, wherein the heat/fire shielding device comprises at least one flat element and is integrated into the at least one cushion element in a lower region of the backrest element along a height axis.