Vehicular Seat Back Plate Structure for Adaptive Lumbar Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular seat back designs lack sufficient support for users, particularly in areas like the scapulae and kidneys, leading to discomfort during use.
Innovation Solution
A plate member with varying widths to accommodate different body regions, combined with an elastic support mechanism featuring a rod-shaped elastic bridge member and coil springs, allowing for adjustable support and movement to match the user's body shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a substantially rectangular plate member is used with uniform width, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot provide tailored support for different body regions (scapulae, lumbar, kidneys)
Solution Approach 1:
The plate member is divided into multiple distinct portions (first plate portion for scapulae, second plate portion for lumbar region, third plate portion for kidneys) with different widths. Each portion is segmented to provide targeted support for specific body regions, transforming a uniform rectangular plate into a multi-functional support structure that adapts to different anatomical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the plate member are given different local qualities through varying widths. The first and third plate portions are made narrower to accommodate scapulae and kidneys, while the second plate portion is made wider to provide enhanced support for the lumbar region. This local differentiation allows each area to provide optimized support characteristics suited to the specific body region it contacts.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed rigid support structure is used, then the structure is stable and strong, but it cannot adjust to match the user's body shape and provides excessive pressure on sensitive areas
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic bridge member is designed with a bent portion that enables dynamic adjustment. When force is applied, the bent portion allows the bridge member to flex and adjust its position, enabling the plate member to adapt to different user body shapes and sizes while maintaining stable support through the elastic restoration force.
3Ease of operation
If additional support mechanisms are added to provide tailored support for different body regions, then user comfort is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the support function for multiple body regions into a single integrated plate member structure. Instead of using separate support elements for scapulae, lumbar, and kidney areas, all support functions are combined into one plate member with varying widths, reducing the number of components while maintaining comprehensive support capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The plate member is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides support for multiple body regions (scapulae, lumbar, kidneys) through its varying width portions. This universal design allows a single component to perform multiple support functions that would otherwise require separate elements, simplifying the overall device structure.
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
Enhances user comfort by providing tailored support that reduces pressure on sensitive areas, while the adjustable mechanism ensures optimal alignment with the user's lumbar region, improving overall seating experience.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic support mechanism for elastically holding the plate member for moving the plate member in a forward and backward with respect to the seat back frame
Implementation Method 2
The elastic bridge member includes a pair of coil springs
Data Source
AI summary
A seat back for a vehicular seat has a plate member for supporting a back of a pad and an elastic support mechanism for elastically holding the plate member for moving the plate member in a forward and backward direction with respect to a seat back frame. The plate member includes a first plate portion, a second plate portion positioned on the lower side of the first plate portion, and a third plate portion positioned on the lower side of the second plate portion. The first and third plate portions are more narrow than the second plate portion. The elastic support mechanism includes a rod-shaped elastic bridge member extending horizontally over the seat back frame on the back of the second plate portion. In addition, the elastic bridge member includes a bent portion at the center position as bent along the second plate portion toward the first plate portion.