Vehicle Seat Cushion Support Structure for Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle seat cushions are thick due to the installation of air conditioning chambers, which reduces their cushioning properties when the pad thickness is decreased to minimize thickness, leading to compromised seating comfort and field of vision for the occupant.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design with a support portion that includes a front frame, rear frame, and springs bridged between them, where an engagement mechanism reduces the deflectable effective length of the springs at high loads, allowing the seat cushion to maintain cushioning properties while reducing thickness by controlling the deformation amount per unit load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of the pad is decreased to reduce seat cushion thickness, then the seat cushion thickness is reduced, but the cushioning property decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of spring constant to resolve the contradiction. By reducing the spring constant of the springs supporting the pad, the system allows a thinner pad to achieve the same cushioning effect, or maintains cushioning property while reducing overall seat cushion thickness. This parameter adjustment enables the pad to deform more easily under load, compensating for reduced pad thickness.
2Strength
If the spring constant of the springs is reduced to compensate for decreased pad thickness, then the cushioning property is maintained, but the pad may be excessively sunk
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support structure into multiple springs with different spring constants arranged in specific positions. By dividing the support function into multiple independent spring elements, the system can provide different levels of support in different regions - allowing sufficient sinking for cushioning where needed while preventing excessive sinking in other areas, thus maintaining both cushioning property and proper pad position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different spring constants to different springs based on their positions. Some springs have lower spring constants to allow pad sinking and provide cushioning, while others have higher spring constants to prevent excessive sinking and maintain structural integrity. This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction between maintaining cushioning property and preventing excessive pad sinking.
3Strength
If the pad sinks excessively due to reduced spring constant, then the cushioning property is enhanced, but the field of vision of the seated person is narrowed
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the spring support system into multiple position-specific springs, the patent prevents uniform excessive sinking that would lower the hip point. The segmented structure allows controlled, localized deformation that maintains overall seat cushion height and hip point position, thereby preserving the seated person's field of vision while still providing adequate cushioning in specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by positioning springs with different spring constants in specific locations to achieve localized cushioning without overall excessive sinking. This ensures that the pad sinks only where needed for comfort, while maintaining the overall seat cushion thickness and hip point height, thus preventing narrowing of the field of vision.
4Strength
If the pad sinks excessively due to reduced spring constant, then the cushioning property is enhanced, but the storage space lower than the seat cushion is compressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning springs with different spring constants in specific locations. Springs with appropriate spring constants are placed to allow pad deformation for cushioning in the seating area, while the overall structure maintains sufficient clearance below the seat cushion to preserve storage space volume. This localized approach enables cushioning enhancement without compromising storage space.
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 seat cushion thickness is reduced without impairing its cushioning properties, maintaining an appropriate hip point height and preventing storage space compression, thus enhancing seating comfort and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of springs bridged between the front frame and the rear frame. When a load from a seated person is applied to the pad and the spring deflects in accordance with the load applied to the pad, the pad sinks and a cushioning property is enhanced
Implementation Method 2
the support portion deforms in accordance with a load applied to the pad and allows sinking of the pad due to deformation
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion including: a pad; and a support portion which supports the pad. The support portion deforms in accordance with a load applied to the pad, and allows sinking of the pad due to the deformation, and a deformation amount per unit load of the support portion, in a high load range equal to or greater than a predetermined load, is smaller than a deformation amount per unit load of the support portion, in a low load range less than a predetermined load.