Recliner Mechanism Bracket Protrusion Impact Energy Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional recliner mechanisms in vehicle seats allow some movement of the seatback relative to the seat bottom when in the locked position, which can lead to unintended movement during impact events, compromising safety.
Innovation Solution
The recliner mechanism incorporates a housing plate with protrusions that absorb energy by deforming, stretching, or collapsing upon impact, reducing the energy transferred to the recliner heart and preventing seatback movement during an impact event.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional recliner mechanism is used with standard tolerances between components, then the recliner mechanism can be manufactured with standard precision, but the seatback may move relative to the seat bottom during impact events
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state and geometric parameters of the housing plate by adding protrusions that can deform under impact. These protrusions transition from a rigid state during normal operation to a deformable state during impact, absorbing energy and preventing seatback movement while maintaining the overall simplicity of the recliner mechanism structure.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If protrusions are added to the housing plate to absorb impact energy, then the energy transfer to the recliner heart is reduced, but the housing plate complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing plate is segmented by adding protrusions that can independently deform during impact. These protrusions are distributed at specific locations on the housing plate, allowing localized energy absorption without requiring complex restructuring of the entire housing plate. The protrusions act as discrete energy-absorbing elements that simplify the overall design compared to a completely redesigned housing plate.
3Loss of energy
If the protrusion is designed to deform during impact, then the recliner mechanism can absorb impact energy, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusions are designed as sacrificial elements that are intended to deform or fail during impact events. Rather than designing for high precision and durability under all conditions, the protrusions are optimized for single-use energy absorption. This approach allows for simpler manufacturing tolerances since the protrusions are replaced or reset after impact, similar to disposable safety features in other applications.
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 solution effectively minimizes seatback movement during impacts by absorbing and dissipating energy through the deformation of protrusions, enhancing safety by maintaining the locked position integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the protrusion is allowed to absorb energy and deform upon an impact event, thereby reducing energy transferred to the recliner heart
Implementation Method 2
the protrusion is allowed to absorb energy and stretch upon an impact event, thereby reducing energy transferred to the recliner heart
Implementation Method 3
the protrusion is allowed to absorb energy and collapse upon an impact event, thereby reducing energy transferred to the recliner heart
Data Source
AI summary
A recliner mechanism includes a housing plate and a recliner heart. The housing plate includes a plate body. The recliner heart is mounted to the housing plate and operable in an unlocked state permitting relative rotation between a seat back and a seat bottom, and a locked state preventing relative rotation between the seatback and the seat bottom. The housing plate includes a fore end proximate a front of the seat bottom and an aft end opposing the fore end and proximate a rear end of the seat bottom. The plate body includes a protrusion extending outwardly therefrom at or near the aft end.