Vehicle Seat Frame Structure for Shock Absorption and Submarining Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs fail to effectively absorb shock during a head-on collision and are prone to the submarining phenomenon, where the occupant slides under the seatbelt, due to inadequate shock absorption and reinforcement.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat frame configuration that includes left and right side frames, links, slide rails, risers, and a reinforcement member, which connects the side frames and absorbs impact to prevent inward collapse and enhance shock absorption by allowing deformation under load, thereby suppressing the submarining phenomenon.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the front portion of the seat cushion frame is reinforced with a strut pipe, then the structural strength is improved and inward collapse is suppressed, but the shock absorbing ability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement structure is divided into multiple segments: the connection member connects left and right links, which are separately connected to side frames, and impact portions are distributed on risers. This segmentation allows localized deformation at impact portions while maintaining overall structural strength, enabling both reinforcement and shock absorption functions to coexist
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the structure have different properties: the connection member and links provide structural strength, while the impact portions on risers are designed to be impacted and deform under load. This local differentiation allows the structure to be strong where needed while being deformable for shock absorption at impact points
2Reliability
If the front portion of the seat cushion frame is reinforced with a strut pipe, then the occurrence of submarining phenomenon is suppressed, but the shock absorbing ability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is segmented into the connection member providing overall structural integrity to prevent submarining, and separate impact portions on risers that provide shock absorption. This segmentation allows both reliability and energy absorption functions to be fulfilled by different parts of the system
Solution Approach 2:
The impact portions on risers act as intermediaries between the connection member and the external impact force. They transmit the restraining force to prevent submarining while simultaneously absorbing shock through controlled deformation, mediating between structural reliability and energy absorption requirements
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 configuration increases the shock absorption ability and suppresses the submarining phenomenon by distributing the reaction force effectively, reducing the injury severity score during a head-on collision.
Implementation Method 1
left and right impact portions configured to be impacted by the connection member under a load from the occupant during a head-on collision of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
the front portion of the seat cushion frame can be deformed as the load from the occupant imparted to the front portion of the seat cushion frame increases. This accordingly enables the shock absorbing ability to be raised
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat frame includes a seat cushion frame, left and right links, a connection member, left and right slide rails, and left and right risers. The seat cushion frame includes left and right side frames. The left and right links each have a one end portion connected to respective front portions of the left and right side frames. The connection member connects the left and right links together in the seat left-right direction. The left and right slide rails are disposed below the left and right side frames and are attached to a floor section of the vehicle. The left and right risers are respectively attached to the left and right slide rails, are connected to respective other end portions of the left and right links, and are configured to be impacted by the connection member under load from the occupant during a head-on collision of the vehicle.