Deployable Vehicle Seat Back Energy Absorber

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for an active energy absorber for vehicle seats that can be designed to be compact in size to fit the limited space within a vehicle, while effectively reducing the impact energy transferred to occupants during an impact.

Innovation Solution

A deployable energy absorber integrated into the seat back, made of plastic materials like thermoplastic elastomer or polypropylene, which inflates upon impact to cushion the occupant, utilizing a pyrotechnic inflator and a cavity system that minimizes the need for specialized brackets and can be seamlessly integrated into existing seat designs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a deployable energy absorber is integrated into the seat back, then the impact energy absorption capability is improved, but the space required within the vehicle interior increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorption capabilityVSAvoidspace required within vehicle interior

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The energy absorber is nested within the seat back structure, with the deployable device housed inside the seat back frame. The inflator and energy absorber components are positioned within the existing seat back volume, allowing the system to be compact before deployment while providing full protection during impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy absorber transitions from a compact, low-volume state during normal operation to an expanded, high-volume protective state during impact. The deployable device remains collapsed within the seat back until activated, at which point it rapidly deploys to absorb impact energy, then deflates back to its compact form.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Volume of moving object

If a compact deployable energy absorber is designed, then the space utilization is improved, but the complexity of the deployment mechanism increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize of energy absorberVSAvoiddeployment mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The deployable energy absorber uses a pyrotechnic inflator to rapidly inflate the energy-absorbing structure during impact. The pneumatic inflation mechanism provides simple, reliable deployment without complex mechanical linkages, allowing the device to expand from a compact form to a full protective structure in milliseconds.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

Solution Approach 2:

The energy absorber changes its physical state from deflated to inflated during deployment. This phase change allows the device to transition between compact and expanded forms using a simple inflation mechanism rather than complex mechanical deployment systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the deployable device is made with plastic materials, then the manufacturing flexibility and cost are improved, but the structural strength may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing flexibility and costVSAvoidstructural strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The energy absorber uses composite plastic materials, specifically thermoplastic elastomers or polypropylene, that combine flexibility with sufficient structural strength. These materials can be molded into complex three-dimensional shapes that provide both the needed strength for impact protection and the flexibility for compact storage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The energy absorber employs flexible plastic shells and membranes that can be molded into aerodynamic, space-efficient shapes. These flexible structures maintain sufficient strength during impact while allowing the device to be compact before deployment and enabling simple molding manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 compact deployable energy absorber effectively reduces the likelihood and magnitude of impact energy transferred to the occupant by inflating to provide cushioning during impacts, while maintaining a slim profile and reducing development time and costs through manufacturing flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

an inflator in communication with the cavity. The deployable device is selectively inflated by the inflator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas pressure expansion: Pressure Increase

Implementation Method 2

utilizing a pyrotechnic inflator and a cavity system

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPyrotechnic combustion: Combustion

Data Source

PatentUS9586552B1Vehicle seat back including a deployable device

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A seat back for a vehicle includes a frame and a deployable device. The deployable device includes a back panel fixed to the frame, a front panel opposite the back panel, and a cavity between the back panel and the front panel. The seat back includes an inflator in communication with the cavity of the deployable device. The deployable device is formed of a plastic material. During a frontal impact of the vehicle, the deployable device may be inflated from an undeployed position to a deployed position to absorb impact from an occupant of the vehicle.