Vehicle Seat Back Pad with Vertical Slits for Rear Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs for rear collisions compromise neck protection due to deformation of the center pad member, leading to unfavorable cushion performance and potential local sinking, which deteriorates the sitting state of passengers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat back structure with a pad featuring vertical slits between the backrest surface and side supports, allowing the backrest surface to move rearward during collisions, reducing the distance between the passenger's head and headrest while maintaining the pad's integrity and cushion performance by spacing slits apart and incorporating recessed portions and lining members for enhanced support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the center pad member is divided vertically into two pieces with a slit, then the impact load can be transferred to the stress transferring mechanism during rear collision, but the pad member bends and deforms at the slit when the passenger sits on the seat, causing local sinking and deteriorating cushion performance
Solution Approach 1:
The pad member is divided into multiple regions with different structures: the center pad member has slits for stress transfer during collision, while the side pad members have reinforcing ribs for structural support. This segmentation allows each region to fulfill its specific function without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the pad member are given different structural properties: the center region has slits for flexibility and stress transfer, while the side regions have reinforcing ribs for rigidity and support. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between needing deformation for collision protection and maintaining structural integrity for comfort.
2Reliability
If the backrest surface moves rearward during rear collision to reduce distance between passenger head and headrest, then neck protection is improved, but the pad structure must allow significant deformation which may compromise cushion performance
Solution Approach 1:
The pad member is designed with dynamic characteristics: the slits in the center pad member allow controlled rearward movement during collision, while the reinforcing ribs in the side pad members provide structural stability. This dynamic design enables the pad to adapt its rigidity based on the collision state.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad is segmented into a flexible center region with slits that can move rearward, and stable side regions with reinforcing ribs that maintain structural integrity. This segmentation allows different parts to have different degrees of freedom, resolving the contradiction between movement and stability.
3Reliability
If slits are provided in the pad member to enable rearward movement, then collision protection is improved, but the slits create potential weak points that may cause deformation under normal sitting load
Solution Approach 1:
The pad member has non-uniform structural properties: the center region has slits for flexibility, while the side regions have reinforcing ribs for strength. This local quality differentiation ensures that weak points are strategically placed only where needed for collision protection, not where structural support is required.
Solution Approach 2:
The pad member can be viewed as a composite structure combining regions with different mechanical properties: flexible slit regions for energy absorption during collision, and rigid reinforcing rib regions for structural support during normal use. This composite approach resolves the strength-flexibility contradiction.
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
This configuration effectively protects the passenger's neck during rear collisions by preventing rapid head movement and deformation of the pad, ensuring favorable cushion performance and maintaining a stable sitting state.
Implementation Method 1
the backrest surface is allowed to move rearward when a collision with the vehicle occurs
Data Source
AI summary
A seat back structure for a vehicle according to one aspect of the present invention including a headrest, a seat back frame, a pad disposed in front of a surface of the seat back frame, a backrest surface of the pad, and right and left side supports each provided on either side of the backrest surface in a seat width direction, in which a right slit portion and a left slit portion are provided between the backrest surface and the right and the left side supports, respectively, each of the right slit portion and the left slit portion penetrating the pad in the thickness direction of the pad and extending in a vertical direction of the pad, and the right and the left slit portions are spaced apart from each other in the seat width direction.