Vehicle Seat Side Frame Reinforcement via Indirect Bracket Fixing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs face issues with deformation of side frames under load and inadequate load transmission due to thin wall thickness and improper fixation of force-receiving members, leading to potential buckling and inefficient load distribution.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat configuration featuring side frames with a reinforcing frame and a force-receiving member directly fixed to the reinforcing frame, rather than the side frame, along with a closed-section shape and uneven profiles to enhance rigidity and prevent buckling, allowing for effective load transmission through a through hole or recessed portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the bracket is fixed to the side frame protruding frontward and rearward beyond the pipe frame, then the bracket can receive side collision loads, but the side frame becomes susceptible to deformation along the cylindrical surface of the pipe frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reinforcing frame as an intermediary structural element between the bracket and the side frame. The bracket is fixed to the reinforcing frame rather than directly to the side frame, allowing the reinforcing frame to act as a mediator that distributes and absorbs lateral forces, thereby preventing direct transmission of deformation to the side frame while maintaining load receiving capability.
2Weight of moving object
If the wall thickness of the bracket is reduced to make the vehicle seat lighter, then the vehicle seat weight decreases, but the flat sides of the bracket would buckle upon receipt of side collision load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometry of the bracket from flat sides to curved surfaces. The bracket is designed with a closed-section hollow structure where all sides are curved rather than flat. This curvature provides inherent structural rigidity that prevents buckling under lateral loads, allowing the use of thinner wall materials to reduce weight while maintaining strength.
3Device complexity
If the force-receiving member is directly fixed to the side frame, then the structure is simpler, but the side frame deforms under load affecting load transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing frame serves as an intermediary component that improves load transmission reliability. By fixing the bracket to the reinforcing frame rather than directly to the side frame, the system ensures that lateral loads are transmitted through a dedicated reinforcing structure designed to handle such forces, rather than relying on the side frame which is more susceptible to deformation.
4Strength
If the flange is used as the force-receiving member with outer ends protruding from the frame, then the load can be transmitted through the reinforcing member, but the flange may become deformed by the load depending on the direction from which the load is received
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the flat flange structure with a curved, closed-section hollow structure. This geometric transformation provides uniform structural strength in all directions, allowing the force-receiving member to withstand loads from any direction without deformation, while maintaining the load transmission capability through the reinforcing frame.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat comprises: left and right side frames (4) which constitute left and right portions of a seat back frame (2); a reinforcing frame (pipe frame 5) disposed adjacent to one side frame (4) in a lateral direction, and configured to reinforce the side frame (4); and a force-receiving member (bracket 7) disposed adjacent to the one side frame (4), provided discretely from the reinforcing frame, and configured to receive a load from another member. The force-receiving member is disposed opposite to the reinforcing frame with the side frame 4 disposed therebetween, and directly fixed to the reinforcing frame.