Partitioned Vehicle Backrest With Linked Inclination Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Generic vehicle seats often have safety deficiencies and can be used incorrectly, particularly in rear seat benches, leading to potential safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat design with a partitioned backrest comprising two segments, each equipped with an inclination adjuster, featuring a means to limit the inclination of one segment relative to the other, ensuring that both segments must be adjusted together from a position of use to a stowage position and vice versa, thereby preventing unsafe configurations and enhancing safety.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If each back rest segment is equipped with an independent inclination adjuster, then comfort adjustment flexibility is improved, but safety risks increase due to possible incorrect use

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomfort adjustment flexibilityVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The back rest is divided into multiple segments (first back rest segment and second back rest segment) that can be adjusted independently for comfort, while safety components are strategically positioned to ensure proper use

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seat belt is pre-positioned on the second back rest segment in a way that prevents incorrect adjustment. The safety belt's fixed position creates a constraint that automatically prevents the first segment from being adjusted behind the second segment, thereby preventing unsafe configurations before they can occur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the back rest segments can be adjusted independently, then adaptability is improved, but harmful factors increase due to unsafe configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment independenceVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The design preemptively prevents harmful configurations by positioning the seat belt on the second segment such that it physically blocks the first segment from being adjusted behind the second segment. This preliminary constraint eliminates the possibility of unsafe configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The seat belt, traditionally seen as a safety restraint, is utilized as a mechanical constraint that also controls the adjustment sequence. The belt's presence on the second segment converts a safety component into a mechanism that enforces proper adjustment order, preventing the first segment from moving behind the second segment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS8757717B2Vehicle seat comprising a partitioned back rest

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 KEIPER SEATING MECHANISMS CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle seat includes a seat part and a partitioned back rest. The back rest has a first segment and a second segment. The segments are each equipped with an inclination adjuster. The adjusters include means for limiting the inclination of one segment relative to the other.