Vehicle Seat Back Frame Segmentation for Runout Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle seat back frames experience runout issues due to bending inaccuracies, leading to compromised riding comfort and increased difficulty in providing reliable comfort and protection during normal conditions and side collisions.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle seat design incorporates a seat back frame formed by four separate components - upper, lower, inner side, and outer side frame parts - which are joined through welding or other components, with a lower panel reinforcement to reduce deformation and improve stiffness, allowing for better absorption of external loads and reduced manufacturing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If one pipe material is bent to form a nearly rectangular seat back frame, then the manufacturing process is simplified, but runout occurs leading to poor riding comfort and comfortability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing process simplicityVSAvoidframe straightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The seat back frame is divided into multiple separate linear frame parts (first side frame, second side frame, third side frame, fourth side frame) that are joined together using connection frames, rather than bending a single pipe into a rectangular shape. This segmentation eliminates runout issues while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple linear frame parts are combined through connection frames (first connection frame connecting first and second side frames, second connection frame connecting third and fourth side frames) to form the complete rectangular seat back frame structure, achieving both precision and ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If the seat back frame is formed by bending one pipe material, then the structural integrity is maintained, but runout occurs making it difficult to provide reliable riding comfort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe structural integrityVSAvoidframe straightness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is segmented into multiple linear parts joined by connection frames, eliminating the runout problem inherent in bent pipe construction while maintaining structural integrity through the connection framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The manufacturing approach changes from bending a single pipe to assembling multiple linear components, fundamentally altering the production parameters to eliminate runout while preserving structural strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If separate frame parts are used to reduce runout, then riding comfort is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe straightnessVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame is divided into modular linear segments that can be manufactured separately with high precision and then assembled, reducing runout while keeping the overall structure manageable through systematic segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection frames serve multiple functions: they join the linear frame parts together, maintain the rectangular geometry, and provide mounting points for other seat components, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the segmented structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Stability of the object's composition

If a connection frame is added to connect side frames, then frame stability is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe stabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connection frames are integrated into the overall manufacturing process, joining the linear frame parts in a systematic way that maintains stability while managing assembly complexity through standardized connection points and geometries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3431334B1Vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 TACHI S CO LTD
  • EP3431334B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3431334B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3431334B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat that can reduce a runout that occurs in a seat back frame. A seat back frame includes an upper frame part (301), a lower frame part (302), a first side frame part (303), and a second side frame part (301), which are formed as separate components and are joined to each other. The lower frame part (302) is provided in such a manner that a rotational axis (3A) is located on the inner side of the lower frame part (302). The seat back is rotated with respect to the seat cushion about the rotational axis (3A). One end portion in the width direction of the lower panel (305) is joined to the first side frame part (303). The other end portion in the width direction is joined to a second side frame part (304). A lower edge (305B) is joined to the lower frame part (302).