Seat Assembly Deployable Belt Nesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seat assemblies lack an effective mechanism for managing seat occupant positioning during dynamic events, as existing solutions do not provide a deployable belt system that can efficiently guide and restrain occupants.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a belt member featuring a deployable portion that transitions between stowed and deployed positions, where the deployable portion is concealed within the seatback and seat portion in the stowed position and emerges outside in the deployed position, coupled with a retractor mechanism to retract the belt and manage occupant motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a deployable belt member is integrated into the seat assembly, then seat occupant position management capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deployable belt member is nested within the interior portion of the seatback and seat portion, allowing the belt to be stored compactly within the seat structure itself. This nesting approach enables the belt to transition from a concealed stowed position to a deployed positioning guide without requiring separate external storage mechanisms, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly structure serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seat, contains the interior portions for component housing, and acts as the deployment pathway for the belt member. This multi-functionality allows the same structural elements to serve both structural and operational roles, reducing the need for additional dedicated components.
2Area of stationary object
If the deployable portion is concealed within the interior portion during normal operation, then aesthetic appearance and space utilization are improved, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The belt member transitions from a static concealed state to a dynamic deployed state through a deployment mechanism. The deployable portion moves from within the interior portion to an external positioned state where it can guide occupant positioning. This dynamic transition allows the system to maintain aesthetic appearance during normal operation while providing easy access and operation when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The deployment mechanism acts as an intermediary between the concealed belt storage and the external deployment position. This intermediary system facilitates smooth transition of the belt member from the interior portion to the deployed state, making the operation intuitive and easy for users while maintaining the concealed appearance during normal conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly includes a seatback having an interior portion and a seat portion having an interior portion. A belt member includes first and second ends and a deployable portion disposed therebetween. The deployable portion is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The deployable portion of the belt member is disposed within the interior portion of the seatback and the interior portion of the seat portion when the deployable portion is in the stowed position. The deployable portion of the belt member is disposed outside of the interior portion of the seatback and outside of the interior portion of the seat portion when the deployable portion is in the deployed position. One or more retractor mechanisms are operably coupled to the belt member and operative to retract a portion of the deployable portion of the belt member after or during deployment.