Vehicle Seat Mounting Bracket with Energy Attenuating Member
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs face a trade-off between compactness during normal operation and the need to absorb kinetic energy during collisions, as features intended to absorb energy occupy space within the vehicle body, reducing interior space for occupants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle assembly featuring a frame backing member and an energy attenuating member positioned between the seat back frame and the frame backing member, which collapses during a crash to absorb kinetic energy, utilizing a mounting bracket with extended parts to secure the energy attenuating member and ensure proper folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an energy attenuating member is added to absorb kinetic energy during collision, then occupant safety is improved, but interior space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The energy attenuating member is nested within the existing structural space between the seat back frame and the vehicle body, utilizing otherwise unused volume. This allows the safety feature to be contained within the existing footprint without requiring additional exterior space, thereby resolving the contradiction between safety enhancement and interior space preservation
Solution Approach 2:
The energy attenuating member is positioned in the depth dimension (between the seat back and vehicle body) rather than occupying lateral or vertical space. This dimensional placement allows the safety feature to absorb kinetic energy while maintaining the vehicle's exterior dimensions and interior accessibility, effectively resolving the space-safety trade-off
2Stability of the object's composition
If a mounting bracket is used to secure the energy attenuating member, then structural stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket is designed to perform multiple functions: securing the energy attenuating member to the seat back frame, providing structural support during normal operation, and serving as an attachment point for the crash cushion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby maintaining structural stability while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket integrates the attachment mechanism for the energy attenuating member with the existing seat back frame structure. By merging these functions into a single integrated component rather than using separate brackets and attachments, the design achieves structural stability while avoiding the complexity of multiple discrete parts
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 allows for effective absorption of kinetic energy during collisions while maintaining a compact design, thereby enhancing occupant safety without compromising interior space.
Implementation Method 1
During a crash event the energy attenuating member is configured to collapse between the seat back and the frame backing member to absorb kinetic energy in the vehicle seat
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body and a vehicle seat. The vehicle body includes a frame backing member elongated in a length direction of the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat includes a seat base and a seat back connected to the seat base. The seat back is connected to the frame backing member. A mounting bracket is connected to an upper portion of a seat back frame. An energy attenuating member positioned in a space between the seat back frame and the frame backing member interconnects the mounting bracket and the frame backing member. During a crash event the energy attenuating member is configured to collapse between the seat back and the frame backing member to absorb kinetic energy in the vehicle seat when the seat back is driven toward the frame backing member.