Seat Back Retractor Integration to Reduce Vehicle Seat Thickness

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle seats with retractors mounted on separate back frames increase the overall thickness of the seat back, narrowing the passenger compartment and deteriorating ride quality.

Innovation Solution

The retractor is integrated into the upper end of the seat back frame, with headrest poles extending through it, reducing the seat back's thickness and allowing the passenger compartment to expand, while being protected by a retractor frame.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate back frame is additionally mounted on the existing seat back frame and a retractor is coupled to the separate back frame, then the retractor can be properly installed and function, but the overall thickness of the seat back increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretractor installation and functionVSAvoidseat back thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The retractor is integrated directly into the existing seat back frame structure, merging the retractor mounting function with the seat back frame itself. This eliminates the need for a separate back frame and reduces the overall thickness of the seat back while maintaining proper retractor installation and function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat back frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seat back and simultaneously serves as the mounting structure for the retractor. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional separate back frame components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the seat back thickness increases due to separate back frame and retractor mounting, then the retractor can be properly installed, but the passenger compartment space is narrowed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveretractor installationVSAvoidpassenger compartment space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the retractor mounting function into the existing seat back frame, the overall thickness of the seat back is reduced. This reduction in thickness directly increases the passenger compartment space while maintaining proper retractor installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Strength

If headrest poles are mounted on a separate back frame, then proper headrest support is achieved, but the seat back structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheadrest supportVSAvoidseat back structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headrest poles are integrated directly into the seat back frame structure, merging the headrest support function with the existing frame. This eliminates the need for a separate back frame and reduces structural complexity while maintaining proper headrest support strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12583415B2Vehicle seat having retractor mounted in seat back frame

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle seat includes: a seat back frame constituting a framework of the vehicle seat; a retractor received in an internal space of the seat back frame; and headrest poles which vertically extend through the retractor and are mounted to the retractor. The retractor may be mounted at an upper end of the seat back frame. By mounting the retractor within the seat back frame, instead of a separate mounting space, the thickness of the seat back in the forward/backward directions may be reduced, thereby thinning the seat and enlarging the passenger compartment.