Vehicle Seat Console Force Limiting for Reclined Crash Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing occupant protection systems in vehicles, such as belt systems and airbags, are inadequate for reducing loads on occupants in reclining or semi-lying positions during collisions, as they do not effectively limit acceleration without complex sensor technology to decouple the vehicle seat from the chassis.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat console with a force limiting device that includes a first and second deformation section, coupled between the longitudinal adjustment device and guide elements, which absorbs kinetic energy by deforming under predetermined force thresholds, allowing relative movement between the vehicle and seat, thereby reducing occupant acceleration without the need for complex sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a self-locking longitudinal adjustment device with spindle drive is used, then the seat can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction, but the self-locking must be deactivated to enable relative movement during collision, requiring complex sensor technology and decoupling mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The force limiting device automatically activates during collision without requiring external sensors or control systems. The deformation sections self-activate when the force threshold is exceeded, enabling the seat to relative move and absorb energy passively, thus eliminating the need for complex sensor technology and decoupling mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation during normal adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
The force limiting device changes the mechanical parameter of stiffness dynamically. During normal operation, the deformation sections remain rigid to maintain structural integrity and enable precise seat adjustment. During collision, when force exceeds the threshold, the deformation sections deform to provide relative movement and absorb energy, thus changing the system's mechanical behavior without requiring active control
2Stability of the object's composition
If the vehicle seat is firmly connected to the vehicle structure, then structural stability is maintained, but occupant acceleration cannot be limited during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the vehicle seat and vehicle structure is segmented into multiple functional components: rigid connection elements for structural stability and deformable force limiting sections for energy absorption. The force limiting device with its deformation sections creates a segmented structure that maintains overall stability while allowing controlled local deformation to limit occupant acceleration during collision
Solution Approach 2:
The force limiting device acts as an intermediary element between the rigid vehicle structure and the occupant-supported seat. This intermediary component absorbs and dissipates collision energy through deformation of its sections, mediating the force transmission and reducing harmful acceleration forces while maintaining structural connection
3Loss of energy
If the longitudinal adjustment device is made movable to allow relative displacement, then kinetic energy can be reduced, but the self-locking mechanism must be deactivated requiring additional sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The force limiting device provides passive, sensorless activation of relative movement. The deformation sections are designed to automatically deform and enable seat relative displacement when collision forces exceed the predetermined threshold, eliminating the need for sensor-activated decoupling mechanisms while achieving kinetic energy reduction through controlled energy absorption
Solution Approach 2:
The force limiting device is pre-configured with deformation sections designed to activate at specific force thresholds. This beforehand cushioning is built into the mechanical structure, ensuring that when collision occurs, the relative movement and energy absorption mechanisms are already in place and will activate automatically without requiring sensors or electronic control systems
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 force limiting device effectively reduces kinetic energy by converting it into deformation energy, providing enhanced occupant protection in reclining positions during collisions, eliminating the need for sensor-activated decoupling and improving protection values compared to systems without force limitation.
Implementation Method 1
a first deformation section which deforms under a force acting on it above a predetermined force threshold value
Implementation Method 2
a second deformation section which is guided by a deflection arrangement
Implementation Method 3
the force limiting device forms the required degree of freedom that is required for the required relative movement between the vehicle-side guide element and the seat-side guide element, since the force limiting device is below a predetermined force threshold value in the longitudinal direction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle seat console comprising at least one vehicle-side guide element (32) and at least one seat-side guide element (22) which is arranged parallel to the vehicle-side guide element (32). The vehicle seat console also comprises at least one longitudinal adjustment device (42) which is acted upon by a drive device (40) and is designed to produce a relative adjustment between the vehicle-side guide element (32) and the seat-side guide element (22). A force-limiting device (5) with a force-limiting element (50) is provided between the longitudinal adjustment device (42) and the vehicle-side guide element (32) and/or between the longitudinal adjustment device (42) and the seat-side guide element (22), said force-limiting element having a first deformation section (52) which deforms under the effect of a force acting thereon above a specified force threshold. The invention is characterized in that the force-limiting element (50) has a second deformation section (54) which is guided by a deflecting assembly (6).