Deployable Seat Bridge With Inflatable Knee Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle restraint systems, such as seat belt systems and airbag systems, may not provide adequate protection during vehicle impacts, especially for seat occupants, as they often require multiple systems to operate effectively and can be cumbersome or inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a deployable bridge and inflatable devices that supports a knee restraint, capable of being deployed and inflated to restrain occupants during impacts, potentially replacing the need for other restraint systems by positioning inflatable devices to restrict movement and absorb forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple restraint systems (seat belts, airbags) are used conjunctively, then occupant protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple restraint functions (seat belt, airbag, knee restraint) into a single integrated seat assembly. The inflatable device is positioned to work conjunctively with the seat belt and knee restraint, creating a unified restraint system that provides comprehensive occupant protection while reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly is designed to perform multiple restraint functions simultaneously. The inflatable device can restrain the occupant's torso, the seat belt restrains the hips, and the knee restraint protects the lower legs, making the seat assembly a multi-functional restraint system that replaces or supplements traditional separate restraint systems.
2Reliability
If traditional restraint systems are used, then occupant restraint is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome multiple systems
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating multiple restraint functions into a single seat assembly, the system eliminates the need for occupants to interact with multiple separate restraint mechanisms. The inflatable device deploys automatically as part of the seat structure, working conjunctively with the seat belt and knee restraint to provide comprehensive protection without requiring additional occupant actions.
3Reliability
If inflatable devices are positioned to restrict occupant movement during impact, then occupant protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable device is divided into multiple independent airbags positioned at different locations within the seat assembly. Each airbag targets specific body regions (torso, hips, knees) to provide distributed restraint forces, improving protection effectiveness while allowing each segment to be independently controlled and deployed.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the inflatable device are positioned to apply restraint forces at specific locations on the occupant's body. The airbags are strategically placed to restrict movement at critical points (torso, hips, knees) where restraint is most needed, providing localized protection quality tailored to each body region's safety requirements.
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 seat assembly effectively restricts occupant movement and absorbs impact forces through its deployable bridge and inflatable devices, providing enhanced safety during vehicle impacts, potentially replacing the need for multiple restraint systems and improving occupant protection.
Implementation Method 1
The inflatable device may be inflatable from the bridge in a direction away from the seat bottom
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly includes a first bolster and a second bolster spaced from each other. The seat assembly includes a seat bottom between the first and second bolster. The seat assembly includes a bridge deployable to a deployed position. The bridge in the deployed position is spaced from the seat bottom. The bridge in the deployed position is supported on the first and second bolsters and extends from the first bolster to the second bolster. The seat assembly includes an inflatable device supported by the bridge.