Seat Energy Absorber Bracket for Vehicle Crash Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs face a trade-off between compactness during normal operation and the need to absorb kinetic energy during collisions, as energy-absorbing features occupy space within the vehicle body, reducing interior space for occupants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle assembly featuring a seat energy absorber with a bracket system that includes a backing and a bracket mounted between the seat and the vehicle body, allowing the bracket to collapse and absorb kinetic energy during a crash, while maintaining compactness during normal operation by minimizing contact between the bracket and the seat or backing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If collapsing features are added to absorb kinetic energy during collision, then occupant safety is improved, but interior space of the vehicle is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is nested within the space between the seat and the vehicle body, utilizing existing structural voids. During normal operation, the bracket remains compact and integrated within this space. During collision, the bracket collapses to absorb energy, effectively nesting the safety function within the existing structural envelope without requiring additional interior space.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket transitions from a static structural element during normal operation to a dynamic energy-absorbing component during collision. The bracket is designed to deform and collapse under impact forces, converting kinetic energy into deformation work, thereby providing active safety functionality without permanently occupying additional space.
2Reliability
If energy-absorbing structures are implemented, then kinetic energy absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket serves multiple functions: it provides structural support during normal vehicle operation and acts as an energy-absorbing element during collision. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated crash safety components, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective kinetic energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The energy-absorbing function is merged with the existing seat mounting bracket structure. Rather than adding a separate collapse mechanism, the bracket itself is designed with geometry and material properties that enable controlled deformation during impact, combining structural support and safety functions into a single integrated component.
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 effectively absorbs kinetic energy during collisions without compromising interior space, ensuring occupant safety while maintaining a compact vehicle design.
Implementation Method 1
the bracket is configured to collapse between the seat and the backing when the panel section collapses against the seat and closes the space between the seat and the backing
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle assembly includes a vehicle body including an interior panel, a seat having a frame fixed to the panel, and a seat energy absorber operably associated with the seat and including a backing and a bracket. The backing is formed from the vehicle body and positioned separated from the seat to define a space between the seat and the backing along a length of the panel, and the bracket is mounted in the space on at least one of the seat and the backing such that a proximal end portion of the bracket is located closer to the seat than the backing, and a distal end portion of the bracket is located closer to the backing than the seat. During a crash event a section of the panel is configured to collapse against the seat when the seat is driven toward the panel relative to the vehicle body.