Seat Cushion Air Bag Tether Structure to Prevent Seat Support Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat cushion air bags, when deployed to prevent the submarine phenomenon, exert a large downward force on the seat support portion, risking deformation and compromising sitting comfort due to the use of rigid seat pans that extend in the front-rear direction.
Innovation Solution
A seat cushion air bag device with a tether portion made of fabric, bridged over the seat support portion in the front-rear and/or width direction, distributes the external force generated during deployment and inflation, maintaining good sitting comfort by preventing uneven deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the seat cushion air bag is deployed and inflated greatly in the upper-lower direction to raise the waist of the occupant, then the occupant restraint effectiveness is improved, but the downward force on the seat support portion becomes large causing deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The tether portion acts as an intermediary element between the seat cushion air bag and the seat support portion. It transfers and distributes the downward force from the air bag to a broader area of the seat support portion, preventing concentrated loading that would cause deformation while still allowing the air bag to inflate sufficiently to restrain the occupant.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether portion extends in the width direction of the seat, distributing the force across a broader dimensional space. This transforms a concentrated vertical force into a distributed force across multiple dimensions of the seat support portion, reducing localized stress and deformation.
2Reliability
If a rigid seat pan extending in the front-rear direction is used to support the air bag, then the air bag deployment support is improved, but the sitting comfort is deteriorated due to uneven deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The tether portion is made of a flexible fabric material that can deform and conform to the seat support portion's surface. This flexibility allows it to provide support during air bag deployment while adapting to the natural contours of the seat, preventing rigid contact points that would cause discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The tether portion changes its physical state from a relaxed configuration to a tensioned configuration during air bag deployment. This parameter change allows it to provide structural support only when needed (during impact), while remaining flexible and comfortable during normal sitting conditions.
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 tether portion effectively stabilizes the seat cushion air bag, allowing it to be deployed and inflated without deforming the seat support portion, thus maintaining the seat's comfort and efficiently preventing the submarine phenomenon.
Implementation Method 1
A seat cushion air bag device with a tether portion made of fabric, bridged over the seat support portion in the front-rear and/or width direction, distributes the external force generated during deployment and inflation, maintaining good sitting comfort by preventing uneven deformation.
Implementation Method 2
a seat cushion air bag disposed below a seat surface of a seat of a vehicle and above a seat support portion of the seat and configured to be deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A seat cushion air bag structure includes: a seat support portion disposed below a seat surface of a seat of a vehicle; a seat cushion air bag disposed below the seat surface and above the seat support portion and configured to be deployed and inflated when an impact occurs to the vehicle; and a tether portion containing fabric, and the tether portion is bridged over the seat support portion in at least one of: at least a partial region of the tether portion in a front-rear direction of the seat; or at least a partial region of the tether portion in a width direction of the seat, at a position below the seat cushion air bag.