Inflatable Seat Cushion Stiffening to Prevent Occupant Submarining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicle crashes, occupant submarining occurs, where the position shifts downward, transferring load to soft anatomical regions, reducing the effectiveness of seat belts.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with inflatable tubes in the seat cushion, controlled by an inflation apparatus and vehicle sensors, which inflate upon crash detection to prevent submarining and provide alerts or comfort features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat cushion is made soft for comfort, then occupant comfort is improved, but the seat cushion allows submarining during crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The seat cushion transitions from a static soft structure to a dynamic system that changes its mechanical properties based on crash detection. Inflatable tubes embedded in the seat cushion inflate during crashes to increase stiffness, while remaining deflated during normal use to maintain comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical parameters of the seat cushion (stiffness, support characteristics) are changed from soft to hard state through inflation of embedded tubes. This parameter change is triggered by crash detection systems, transforming the seat cushion from a comfort-oriented soft structure to a protective rigid structure.
2Reliability
If the seat cushion is made hard to prevent submarining, then crash protection is improved, but occupant comfort during normal use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seat cushion uses inflatable tubes that remain deflated during normal operation, allowing the cushion to remain soft and comfortable. Upon crash detection, the tubes inflate rapidly to provide the necessary structural support and prevent submarining.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable tubes are pre-positioned within the seat cushion structure, ready to inflate and provide support. The system prepares the protective mechanism in advance by having the inflation apparatus and tubes already in place, activated only when needed.
3Reliability
If inflatable tubes are added to the seat cushion, then crash protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The inflatable tubes are integrated into the existing seat cushion structure rather than being separate components. The inflation apparatus is operably connected to the vehicle's existing crash detection systems, merging multiple functions into a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The inflatable tubes serve multiple functions: providing crash protection by preventing submarining, and potentially providing comfort features through heating or cooling fluid circulation. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity.
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 inflatable tubes stiffen the seat cushion, preventing submarining and enhancing seat belt effectiveness, while also offering alerts and comfort enhancements.
Implementation Method 1
an inflation apparatus operably connected to the plurality of inflatable tubes to selectably inflate the plurality of inflatable tubes upon detection of a crash event
Implementation Method 2
a one-way valve is disposed at the controller to control inflation and/or deflation of the plurality of inflatable tubes
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly of a vehicle includes a seat cushion, and a plurality of inflatable tubes located in the seat cushion. An inflation apparatus is operably connected to the plurality of inflatable tubes to selectably inflate the plurality of inflatable tubes upon detection of a crash event. A method of operating a seat assembly of a vehicle includes detecting a crash event, and selectably inflating a plurality of inflatable tubes in a seat cushion of the seat assembly in response to detection of the crash event. One or more inflatable tubes may be provided in a seat back, headrest and/or side bolster of the seat assembly to enhance active and passive safety features and to improve occupant comfort. This feature can be extended to a seat backrest, seat bolster and seat headrest to enhance active and passive safety features.