Seat Cushion Frame Reinforcement to Suppress Collision Submarining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat designs face challenges in securing shock-absorbing ability while maintaining a simple configuration, and in preventing the submarining phenomenon during a head-on collision.

Innovation Solution

A seat cushion frame with left and right side frames, a cushion pan connecting the front portions of these side frames, and reinforcement members with left and right reinforcement portions affixed to the rear end of the cushion pan. These reinforcement portions are positioned to oppose the occupant's ischial bones, enhancing the reaction force and preventing submarining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple pan frames and connection brackets are used to absorb shock during submarining, then shock absorbing ability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshock absorbing abilityVSAvoidcushion pan configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by adding reinforcement portions only at specific locations (rear end portion of the cushion pan) rather than throughout the entire structure. This localized reinforcement provides the necessary shock absorbing capability during submarining while keeping the rest of the cushion pan configuration simple and uncomplicated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement member is divided into left and right reinforcement portions that are affixed to opposite sides of the rear end portion of the cushion pan. This segmentation allows the reinforcement to be distributed effectively to counteract the diagonal forward-downward movement during submarining without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration of the entire cushion pan.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If reinforcement is added to prevent submarining, then submarining suppression is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubmarining phenomenonVSAvoidcushion pan configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement portions are strategically placed only at the rear end portion of the cushion pan where they are most effective in preventing submarining. This localized approach provides the necessary anti-submarining capability without adding complexity to the entire cushion pan structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The reinforcement portions are pre-installed on the cushion pan before the seat cushion assembly is completed. This preliminary action ensures that the anti-submarining functionality is already in place and does not require additional complex mechanisms or adjustments during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12240362B2Seat cushion frame, vehicle seat frame, and vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2025.03.04 NHK SPRING CO LTD

AI summary

A seat cushion frame configuring framework of a seat cushion for an occupant of a vehicle to sit on, and including left and right side frames, a cushion pan, and a reinforcement member. The left and right side frames are disposed at left and right side portions of the seat cushion. The cushion pan connects upper end portions of front portions of the left and right side frames together in a seat left-right direction. The reinforcement member includes the left and right reinforcement portions respective affixed to the seat left-right direction sides of the rear end portion of the cushion pan.