Pivotable Upper Seatback Support for Vehicle Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seating assemblies lack adequate adjustment features to accommodate varying occupant body shapes, sizes, and relaxation positions, with rigid seatbacks failing to provide optimal support during vehicle acceleration, changes in direction, and collisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seating assembly with a pivotable upper seatback support system, featuring a motorized actuation assembly that pivots the upper seatback support between rearward and forward positions relative to the lower seatback support, with a split between the dynamic upper and static lower suspension assemblies positioned optimally above the H-point to enhance comfort and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seatback is designed to be substantially rigid to provide support during acceleration, direction changes, and collisions, then safety and support stability are improved, but adaptability to varying occupant body shapes, sizes, and relaxation positions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback is divided into an upper seatback support and a lower seatback support that are pivotally connected, allowing independent movement of each segment. This segmentation enables the upper portion to adapt to different occupant positions while the lower portion maintains structural stability for safety support.
Solution Approach 2:
The seatback incorporates a pivot mechanism that allows the upper seatback support to dynamically adjust between upright and reclined positions. This dynamic capability enables the seatback to adapt to various occupant preferences and body types while maintaining reliable support through controlled movement ranges.
2Strength
If the seatback lacks adjustment features to maintain structural integrity, then manufacturing simplicity and structural strength are improved, but ease of operation for accommodating varying occupant needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The pivot mechanism enables the upper seatback support to move between fixed angular positions, providing adjustment capability while maintaining structural integrity. The controlled rotational movement allows occupants to adjust to different positions without compromising the overall strength of the seatback structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seatback angle parameter can be changed between upright and reclined positions through the pivot mechanism. This parameter change capability allows adjustment for different occupant needs while the structural design maintains sufficient strength at all permissible angles.
3Ease of operation
If the split between upper and lower seatback supports is positioned higher to improve upper back support, then comfort for shoulder and neck support is improved, but the anatomical alignment with the spine may deteriorate if positioned incorrectly
Solution Approach 1:
The upper seatback support is specifically designed with a split positioned to provide localized support to the upper back, shoulders, and neck area. This local quality adjustment allows optimized comfort in the upper region while the lower seatback support maintains overall spinal alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivot mechanism allows the upper seatback support to dynamically adjust its angle, enabling occupants to find the optimal position for their anatomy. This dynamic adjustment compensates for variations in body shapes and sizes, maintaining proper spinal alignment across different users.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seating assembly includes a lower seat and a seatback structure extending upwardly relative the lower seat, the lower seat and the seatback structure defining a seat H-point, and the seatback structure having an upper seatback support, a lower seatback support, and a split between the upper seatback support and the lower seatback support. The split is disposed between 270 and 300 mm, preferably about 285 mm, above the H-point along a line extending substantially parallel to the seatback structure. The upper seatback support pivots about a pivot between a rearward position and a forward position relative the lower seatback support. A motorized actuation assembly is disposed within the seatback structure and operably coupled to the upper seatback support, wherein the motorized actuation assembly pivots the upper seatback support about the pivot between the rearward position and the forward position.