Modular Vehicle Seat Backrest for Crash-Safe Custom Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seat backrests have limited design variability due to their mechanical structure, which fails to meet individual user requirements, necessitating complex redesigns and costly production changes, along with additional regulatory approvals.
Innovation Solution
A modular backrest design comprising interconnected modules that can be adjusted in height, shape, and upholstery to accommodate different user preferences, allowing for a wide range of configurations while maintaining structural integrity and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stable mechanical structure is used to meet crash requirements, then safety and reliability are improved, but design variability and adaptability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is divided into multiple individual elements (first backrest element, second backrest element, etc.) that can rotate independently relative to each other. Each element maintains structural integrity for crash safety while the segmented design allows variability in configuration and adaptation to different user requirements through rotation about a common axis.
2Adaptability or versatility
If individual seat elements are made movable to adapt to body shape, then comfort and adaptability are improved, but mechanical stability and crash performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest elements are designed to be movable during normal operation, allowing rotation about a common axis to adapt to different body shapes and provide comfort. However, the elements can be locked in position to provide mechanical stability when required, achieving both adaptability and stability through dynamic control of the movable components.
Solution Approach 2:
A damping element is introduced as an intermediary component between the movable backrest elements. This damping element allows controlled movement for comfort and adaptation while providing resistance to maintain mechanical stability and prevent excessive movement that would compromise crash performance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a modular design with movable elements is implemented, then adaptability and comfort are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple backrest elements share a common axis of rotation and can be controlled collectively or individually. This universal design allows the same mechanical structure to provide both individual element adjustment and collective backrest movement, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability through multi-functional operation modes.
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 enables cost-effective production of customizable backrests that can be adapted to various user needs, enhancing comfort and safety while simplifying the design and approval processes by maintaining the main load path and mechanical stability.
Implementation Method 1
the rotatability of the backrest module about the axis A is blocked by a form-fitting engagement of a blocking mechanism, the blocking mechanism in each case at least two surfaces of two backrest modules, which form a form-fitting connection
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a backrest (1) for a vehicle seat (2), wherein the backrest (1) comprises a plurality of backrest modules (3). The backrest modules (3) have a central region (4), and at least one backrest module (3) is mechanically connected to one or two further identical backrest modules (3) at the central region (4).