Folding Seat Impact Absorbing Brackets Inward Relocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional folding type seats with impact-absorbing features on the side frames near the seat back surface project towards the occupant, causing discomfort and incongruity, and inefficiently absorb impact energy.
Innovation Solution
The folding type seat design incorporates body and passive section supporting brackets with impact-absorbing sections located inward of the seat cushion and back frame, spaced from the external surfaces, allowing these sections to deform rearward and absorb impact energy without protruding towards the occupant, thus maintaining comfort and enhancing energy absorption efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If impact absorbing sections are located on the side frames at front ends near the seat back surface, then impact energy can be absorbed, but the sections project toward the vehicle occupant causing discomfort and sense of incongruity
Solution Approach 1:
The impact absorbing sections are repositioned from the front end of side frames (near seat back surface) to inward positions on the seat cushion frame and seat back frame. This spatial relocation in the depth dimension (away from the occupant) allows the sections to maintain their impact absorption function while eliminating the protrusion that causes discomfort. The brackets are configured to absorb impact forces along the vehicle longitudinal axis without interfering with the occupant's sitting space.
2Reliability
If impact absorbing sections are positioned near the seat back surface, then they can effectively absorb impact energy, but they reduce the efficiency of impact energy absorption due to their position
Solution Approach 1:
The impact absorbing brackets are pre-configured with weakened portions and inclined portions at optimized positions on the seat cushion frame and seat back frame. These geometric features are designed in advance to initiate controlled deformation at specific locations during impact, ensuring that the energy absorption process begins immediately and efficiently when impact occurs, rather than requiring the structure to fail or deform suboptimally.
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
This design ensures improved sitting comfort by keeping impact-absorbing components away from the occupant and efficiently absorbs impact energy by deforming at a position spaced from the occupant, enhancing the overall performance of the seat.
Implementation Method 1
At least one of the body supporting bracket and the passive section supporting bracket includes an impact absorbing section for absorbing impact energy imparted to the seat frame in a fore and aft direction of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the impact absorbing section deforms at a position spaced from the vehicle occupant by a predetermined distance, thereby absorbing impact energy
Data Source
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AI summary
A folding type seat of the present invention includes a body section supporting bracket, supporting a body section of a reclining mechanism, and a passive section supporting bracket, supporting a passive section of the reclining mechanism, which are located inward of external surfaces of a seat cushion or a seat back at positions spaced therefrom by predetermined distances. At least one of the brackets is provided with an impact absorbing section, which is caused to deform for absorbing impact energy imparted to a vehicle.