Vehicle Seat Frame Three-Point Support Channel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat support frames for motor vehicle seats are cumbersome, heavy, and require unnecessary mechanical complexity, consuming space and weight without optimizing weight distribution or simplifying the structure.

Innovation Solution

A seat support frame design that reduces the weight of the seat shell, minimizes installation space, and simplifies mechanics by supporting the seat shell at three points instead of four, using a torsionally rigid channel formed by interconnected sheet metal parts to eliminate the need for a transverse support tube and reduce front support arms, allowing for adjustable distance between the seat shell and cross tube.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If four support points are used to support the seat shell, then the seat shell is well supported, but the structure becomes more complex and heavier

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat shell supportVSAvoidsupport structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes one of the four support points from the front of the seat shell, transitioning from a four-point support system to a three-point support system. The seat shell is supported at two rear joint areas and one front area via the adjusting device, eliminating the need for a separate fourth support arm while maintaining sufficient support through the torsionally rigid channel structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the support function with the adjusting device. The adjusting device not only adjusts the inclination of the seat shell but also serves as one of the three support points, merging two functions into a single component and reducing overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Strength

If a transverse support tube is used, then the seat shell is well supported, but weight and space are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat shell supportVSAvoidseat shell
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a channel structure formed by interconnected sheet metal parts (upper and lower shells) to replace the traditional transverse support tube. This channel structure provides the necessary torsional rigidity and support strength while being lighter and more space-efficient than a solid support tube

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure by firmly connecting two sheet metal parts (upper shell and lower shell) at a distance from each other to form a channel. This composite construction achieves high torsional rigidity through the spatial arrangement and connection of the two shells, replacing the need for a single thick-walled support tube

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Stability of the object's composition

If traditional four-point support with support arms is used, then the seat shell is stable, but installation space is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat shell stabilityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the need for a fourth support arm and reduces the front support structure, transitioning from four-point support to three-point support. This extraction of unnecessary components reduces the installation space required while maintaining seat shell stability through the torsionally rigid channel and strategic support point placement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3768548B1Seat support frame of a motor vehicle seat comprising a seat frame and an inclination-adjustable seat shell
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 FISHER DYNAMICS GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3768548B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3768548B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3768548B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a seat support frame of a motor vehicle seat, said seat support frame having a seat frame which comprises a left-hand and a right-hand side part (20, 22), and a transverse tube (24) which connects the two side parts (20, 22) to one another at the front. Said seat support frame also has a seat shell (34) which is supported by the seat frame and is composed of two sheet metal parts which are firmly connected to one another and are arranged at a distance from one another, specifically an upper shell (36) and a lower shell (38). The upper shell (36) and the lower shell (38) together form a channel (50) running parallel to the transverse tube (24). Said seat support frame has an adjusting device (54) which, on one side, is connected only at a front region of one of the side parts and, on the other side, is connected in an articulated manner to the end region of the channel (50) adjacent to said side part, and which allows the distance of the seat shell (34) relative to the transverse tube (24) to be adjusted.