Automotive Backrest Stiffening Plate for Folded Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rear seat backrests in motor vehicles deform under heavy loads when in the folded configuration due to metal wire frames, affecting perceived quality and requiring costly, heavy sheet metal components.
Innovation Solution
A rear seat backrest with a metal frame and network of wires, enhanced by a stiffening plate made of lightweight materials like plastic or wood-based composites, held in place by sewn pockets or a complete enveloping pocket, which improves rigidity and prevents deformation under heavy loads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a metal frame with a network of steel wires is used to construct the backrest, then the manufacturing cost and mass are reduced compared to sheet metal, but the backrest deforms under heavy loads when in the folded configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines a metal frame with a stiffening plate made of a different material (plastic, wood-based composite, or honeycomb structure) to create a composite structure. This composite construction maintains the lightweight and cost-effective advantages of the metal frame while adding the rigidity needed to prevent deformation under heavy loads in the folded configuration.
2Strength
If a stiffening plate is added to prevent deformation, then the rigidity under heavy loads is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffening plate is designed with corner portions that can be selectively retained in the folded configuration while allowing other parts to remain flexible. This segmentation allows the structure to gain rigidity exactly where needed (at the corners during folding) without making the entire backrest structure rigid and complex.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention system allows the stiffening plate to transition between different states: retained in the folded configuration to prevent deformation, and releasable in the raised configuration to maintain flexibility and comfort. This dynamic behavior allows the structure to adapt its rigidity based on operational requirements without permanent structural complexity.
3Strength
If corner portions of the stiffening plate are retained in the folded configuration, then deformation is prevented, but the ease of folding and unfolding is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retention system is designed to be automatically engaged or disengaged based on the backrest configuration. In the folded configuration, the corner portions are retained by the retaining devices without requiring manual intervention. When transitioning to the raised configuration, the retention mechanism automatically releases, allowing easy folding and unfolding without compromising deformation prevention.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention concerns a motor vehicle rear seat backrest suitable for being mounted in such a way that it can pivot on the structure of said vehicle between a raised position and a substantially horizontal stowed position, said backrest comprising a reinforcement (30) comprising a metal frame (32) and an array of metal wires (33) extending between the two uprights and between the two crossmembers of said frame (32), and a padding (40) supported by the front part of said reinforcement (30) and a cover (50) externally covering said reinforcement (30) and said padding (40); further comprising a stiffening plate (60) held via holding means (54; 55) against the inner face of the back (52) of said cover (50) and bearing against the rear part of said reinforcement (30).