Vehicle Seat Energy Absorber with Bending Trigger
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy absorbers in vehicle seats are not capable of adjusting the triggering force and structural force path effectively during deformation, which can lead to inadequate protection against whiplash injuries in rear impacts.
Innovation Solution
An energy absorber comprising a bending element and a deformation element, where the bending element releases the deformation element upon reaching a bending load, allowing for targeted energy conversion and dissipation, thereby reducing the load on occupants during collisions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a deformation element is used to absorb energy during collision, then energy absorption capability is improved, but the triggering force cannot be adjusted effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorber is divided into two functional segments: a bending element that triggers the energy absorption process and a deformation element that performs the energy absorption. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function, enabling the bending element to control when energy absorption starts while the deformation element handles the energy dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending element provides dynamic control over the energy absorption process. By designing the bending element with specific geometric features and material properties, the triggering force can be adjusted to match different collision scenarios, making the energy absorber adaptable to various impact conditions.
2Loss of energy
If the deformation element is released immediately upon loading, then energy dissipation starts early, but the force path cannot be controlled during deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The bending element performs a preliminary action by bending first before the deformation element is released. This preliminary bending action prepares the system for controlled energy absorption, ensuring that the deformation element only engages when the bending element has reached its predetermined deformation state, thus controlling the force path.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending element acts as a preliminary cushioning mechanism that absorbs initial forces and only releases the deformation element when sufficient bending has occurred. This beforehand cushioning ensures that energy dissipation occurs at the optimal moment while maintaining control over the force path during deformation.
3Reliability
If existing energy absorbers are used in linear adjusters, then basic energy absorption is provided, but protection against whiplash injuries in rear impacts is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The energy absorber is specifically designed for integration into the linear adjuster of vehicle seats, with the bending element and deformation element configured to address the specific requirements of rear impact protection. The local quality of the components is optimized for the particular loading conditions experienced by linear adjusters during whiplash events.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending element serves as an intermediary mechanism between the external impact force and the deformation element. It mediates the force transmission, ensuring that the deformation element engages at the appropriate moment and in the appropriate manner to protect against whiplash injuries while maintaining reliable energy absorption.
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 solution enables targeted energy dissipation and load reduction on occupants, specifically protecting against whiplash injuries by adjusting the deformation path and trigger threshold, ensuring consistent force distribution during deformation.
Implementation Method 1
The physical principle of the energy absorbers is that, in the event of a vehicle collision, kinetic energy is converted into deformation energy
Implementation Method 2
upon achieving a bending load acting on the bending element, the bending element bends and the bending element thereby releases the deformation element to a lesser extent
Data Source
AI summary
An energy absorber (100) for a vehicle seat (1), in particular for a linear adjuster (60) of the vehicle seat (1), includes a deformation element (110). The deformation element (110) is deformable by forces occurring in a vehicle collision. The energy absorber (100) includes a bending element (120) that releases the deformation element (110). Upon achieving a bending load acting on the bending element (120), the bending element (120) bends and the bending element (120) thereby releases the deformation element (110) to a lesser extent. A linear adjuster (60) for a vehicle seat (1) is also provided, having the energy absorber (100). Further, a vehicle seat (1) is provided having at least such one linear adjuster (60).