Vehicle Seat Airbag Support Shape Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle seats with balloon-type airbags lack sufficient support strength in the seat width direction, leading to inadequate support performance for occupants.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat design featuring a recessed portion with a first airbag at the side wall and a second airbag at the outer peripheral rim, both with tapered triangle cross sections, expanding to form a support shape that enhances support strength and performance in the seat width direction, and are integrally formed with connection portions for simplified assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a single balloon body (airbag) is used to support the occupant, then the device complexity is low, but the support strength in the seat width direction is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport strength in seat width directionVSAvoidairbag configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The airbag is divided into multiple independent airbags (first airbag at side wall portion, second airbag at outer peripheral rim portion) to provide enhanced support strength in the seat width direction. Each airbag can be independently inflated to support different regions of the occupant, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple device structure and achieving sufficient support strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different airbags are positioned at specific locations (side wall portion and outer peripheral rim portion) to provide localized support where needed. The first airbag supports the side wall region while the second airbag supports the outer rim region, allowing each component to be optimized for its specific function while collectively providing comprehensive support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If airbags are separately assembled, then the manufacturing precision can be controlled, but the ease of operation during assembly is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidairbag positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple airbags are integrated into a single airbag assembly with pre-formed connection portions that align with ridgeline portions of the recessed portion. This merging approach allows the airbags to be assembled as a unit, improving ease of operation while maintaining positioning precision through the integrated structure and alignment features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The airbags are pre-configured with connection portions during manufacturing that correspond to the ridgeline portions of the recessed portion. This preliminary preparation of connection interfaces enables quick and accurate assembly without requiring complex alignment procedures during installation, resolving the contradiction between assembly ease and positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3498528B1Seat device for vehicle with air cushions
Publication Date: 2020.12.23 AISIN SEIKI KK
  • EP3498528B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3498528B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3498528B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~6

AI summary

A seat device (40) for a vehicle includes a first airbag (21) being disposed at a side wall portion (10x) of a recessed portion (10) which is configured to accommodate an occupant of a seat (1) therein, and a second airbag (22) being disposed at an outer peripheral rim portion (X) of the recessed portion (10), the outer peripheral rim portion (X) which is connected to the side wall portion (10x). The first airbag (21) and the second airbag (22) expand to form a support shape (SS) at the recessed portion (10) in a seat width direction.