Folded Seat Pan Energy Absorption Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats fail to effectively absorb and distribute the severe forces generated during mine blasts and aircraft crashes, leading to significant injuries and fatalities, particularly spinal injuries, due to inadequate energy absorption mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A seat design featuring a seat pan with a folded portion made of sheet material that unfolds and deforms to absorb forces, extending around the seat pan and incorporating side walls and a base, with fold retainer means to maintain shape until force is applied, allowing for controlled collapse and force distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If traditional rigid seat structures are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but force absorption capability during crashes and blasts is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seat pan is divided into multiple folded portions or zones that can independently deform under impact forces. Each folded portion acts as an independent energy absorption element, allowing the structure to absorb forces through sequential folding and deformation of these segments rather than requiring a monolithic complex structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat pan utilizes sheet material with specific geometric folding patterns that change their mechanical properties under load. The folded portions transition from a rigid appearance to a deformable state during impact, changing their structural parameters dynamically to absorb energy while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through the use of standard sheet metal forming techniques.
2Strength
If energy absorption elements are added to the seat, then force absorption improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorption function is merged directly into the seat pan structure itself through geometric folding, eliminating the need for separate energy absorption components. The folded portions are formed as integral parts of the seat pan during standard manufacturing processes, combining structural support and energy absorption functions in a single manufactured component.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat pan is constructed from sheet material that incorporates folded portions capable of controlled deformation. These thin-walled folded structures provide energy absorption through plastic deformation and folding mechanisms, achieving force absorption functionality using relatively thin, easily manufacturable sheet metal components rather than thick or complex energy absorption elements.
3Strength
If the folded portion unfolds during impact, then force absorption increases, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The folded portions are designed to dynamically respond to impact forces by unfolding or deforming in a controlled manner. This dynamic behavior allows the structure to absorb energy through progressive deformation rather than rigid failure, maintaining structural integrity by converting the static folded configuration into a dynamic energy-absorbing mechanism during impact events.
Solution Approach 2:
The potential weakness of folded portions being prone to deformation is converted into a beneficial energy absorption mechanism. The controlled unfolding and deformation of the folded portions during impact transforms what could be seen as structural vulnerability into a deliberate force absorption strategy, protecting occupants by dissipating impact energy through predictable deformation patterns.
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 design significantly reduces the risk of severe injuries and fatalities by absorbing and distributing impact forces, minimizing spinal injuries and manufacturing costs while providing effective protection in various vehicular scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
the folded portion unfolds and deforms consequent upon receiving the force, and thereby absorbs at least a part of the force
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
A seat (2) for absorbing a force, which seat (2) comprises a seat pan (4) having a folded portion (6), the folded portion (6) being such that it unfolds consequent upon receiving the force and thereby absorbs at least a part of the force. The force may be a blast from a mine, or the force of an aeroplane or helicopter striking the ground.