Vehicle Seat Back Support Structure for Posture-Adaptive Lumbar Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat lumbar support devices cause discomfort when occupants assume postures such as leaning or stretching due to strong contact of the pressure receiving plate with the back, impairing comfort.
Innovation Solution
A back support device with a frame portion, lumbar support portion, and pressure receiving portion that stabilizes the back support by engaging at multiple points, allowing the pressure receiving portion to deform and change direction smoothly while maintaining consistent support, and incorporating an air conditioning system within the seat back frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the pressure receiving plate is allowed to deform freely to support the waist, then lumbar support comfort is improved, but the upper end portion contacts the back strongly in extreme postures causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The back support device is divided into multiple independent support portions: a lumbar support portion for the waist and an upper frame portion for the upper back. This segmentation allows each portion to independently support different regions, preventing the upper end from contacting the back strongly while maintaining lumbar support comfort through deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a single-plane deformation mechanism to a multi-dimensional support system. The pressure receiving plate deforms in the front-rear direction to support the lumbar region, while the upper frame portion extends in the seat width direction to provide upper back support, creating multi-directional support that eliminates harmful contact.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressure receiving plate is fixed rigidly to provide stable support, then structural stability is improved, but comfort is impaired when occupants lean or stretch
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure receiving plate is designed to be deformable rather than rigid, allowing it to dynamically adapt to different occupant postures. The plate can deform in the front-rear direction to accommodate leaning and stretching movements while maintaining stable support through its elastic properties and attachment mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system utilizes changes in the physical state and position of components. The pressure receiving plate changes its deformation parameter according to load, and the upper end portion rotates about the locked portion as a fulcrum, changing its position and orientation to maintain optimal support angles in various postures.
3Area of stationary object
If the pressure receiving plate extends far forward to support the upper back, then back support coverage is improved, but it protrudes toward the back in extreme postures causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The locked portion acts as an intermediary fulcrum between the pressure receiving plate and the frame portion. This intermediary allows the upper end portion to rotate and maintain an optimal support angle without protruding toward the back, while still providing extended back support coverage through the deformable pressure receiving plate.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the pressure receiving plate is made more compliant to improve comfort, then adaptability to posture is improved, but support stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges a deformable pressure receiving plate for posture adaptation with a rigid upper frame portion and locked portion for stability. This combination allows the pressure receiving plate to adapt to various postures through deformation while the upper frame structure maintains support stability through its rigid construction and secure attachment to the seat frame.
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 device provides stable, wide-range back support without discomfort, enhances design flexibility, and allows for efficient air conditioning within the seat back.
Implementation Method 1
the pressure receiving portion being supported by the upper frame portion and the lumbar support portion from the seat rear side, and being configured to be deformable by receiving a load from a back of the seated person
Data Source
AI summary
A back support device, comprising: a frame portion provided at a seat on which a seated person is seated, the frame portion including a locked portion at an upper portion of the frame portion; an upper frame portion fixed to the upper portion of the frame portion and extending in a seat width direction below the locked portion; a lumbar support portion engaged with a lower portion of the frame portion and configured to support a waist of the seated person from a seat rear side; and a pressure receiving portion including, at an upper end portion thereof, a locking portion locked to the locked portion, the pressure receiving portion being supported by the upper frame portion and the lumbar support portion from the seat rear side, and being configured to be deformable by receiving a load from a back of the seated person.