Lumbar support assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lumbar support assemblies in vehicles are complex, leading to high failure rates and manufacturing costs, and transfer vibrations to occupants, causing fatigue and injury risks.
Innovation Solution
A modular lumbar support assembly with a suspension mat, guide box, actuator, spindle shaft, spindle nuts, and cables that adjust the lumbar support based on occupant physical condition, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while minimizing vibration transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional lumbar support assembly with multiple parts is used, then the lumbar region can be supported, but the failure rate and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functional components (support member, rotary bar, protrusion, and cushioning element) into a unified lumbar support assembly where the protrusion is directly formed on the rotary bar and the support member is installed on the protrusion, creating a consolidated structure that reduces part count while maintaining support functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a cushioning element (such as foam or elastomer) between the support member and the occupant's lumbar region in advance, which absorbs vibrations and shocks before they reach the occupant, thereby reducing the failure rate caused by vibration-induced wear while maintaining structural integrity
2Reliability
If a conventional lumbar support assembly with multiple parts is used, then the lumbar region can be supported, but the manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple components into an integrated assembly where the protrusion is directly formed on the rotary bar during manufacturing, and the support member is pre-installed on the protrusion, allowing for streamlined production processes that reduce manufacturing steps, cost, and time while ensuring proper alignment and support function
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the lumbar support into modular segments (rotary bar with integrated protrusion, support member, cushioning element) that can be manufactured separately and then assembled through simple coupling mechanisms, enabling efficient mass production and reducing overall manufacturing complexity
3Reliability
If vibration and shock are transferred through the protrusion to support the lumbar region, then the support function is maintained, but the occupant feels fatigue or faces injury risk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates a cushioning element (such as foam or elastomer) between the support member and the occupant's lumbar region that is designed to absorb and dampen vibrations and shocks before they are transmitted to the occupant, thereby maintaining lumbar support while eliminating harmful vibration transfer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a cushioning element as an intermediary component between the rigid support structure and the occupant's body, which acts as a mediator to filter out harmful vibrations and shocks while allowing the support function to remain effective
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 modular design allows for adjustable lumbar support, reducing manufacturing time and costs, and effectively mitigates vibration transfer, enhancing occupant comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of spindle nuts screw-coupled to the spindle shaft and slidably moved in opposite directions to each other along with the rotation of the spindle shaft
Implementation Method 2
The suspension mat may include at least one tension spring disposed at both upper sides thereof so as to be coupled to the seat back frame
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a lumbar support assembly. The present disclosure provides a lumbar support assembly installed at a seat back frame at the inside of a vehicle seat and configured to support the back region of an occupant, comprising: a suspension mat coupled to the seat back frame; a guide box coupled to the suspension mat; an actuator coupled to the guide box and including a spindle shaft disposed at one side thereof so as to be positioned within the guide box; a pair of spindle nuts screw-coupled to the spindle shaft and slidably moved in opposite directions to each other along with the rotation of the spindle shaft; and a pair of cables coupled at one ends thereof to the seat back frame and coupled at the other ends thereof to the pair of spindle nuts.