Vehicle Seat Frame Synchronization Bar for Crash Safety

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat frames face challenges in secure height adjustment and crash safety, particularly under high loads, due to uneven force distribution and the need for additional structural components like connecting pipes, which can increase manufacturing costs and compromise safety features.

Innovation Solution

A frame design featuring synchronized actuator arms and a synchronization bar that coordinates movement between side parts, allowing for smooth height adjustment and optimized force transfer during crashes, while minimizing the need for additional structural elements and enhancing safety by positioning the synchronization bar to absorb lateral impacts and prevent submarining.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a conventional frame design with connecting pipes is used for height adjustment, then structural stability is maintained, but manufacturing costs increase and safety features are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidcrash safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization bar merges multiple functions into a single component: it synchronizes the actuator arms for height adjustment, transfers forces during adjustment, and acts as a structural element for crash force distribution. This eliminates the need for separate connecting pipes, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining or improving safety through optimized force paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The synchronization bar serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it is both a synchronization mechanism for the actuator arms and a structural force-transfer element during crashes. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed, lowering manufacturing complexity and cost while ensuring crash safety through deliberate force distribution paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional structural components like connecting pipes are added to ensure crash safety, then safety is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecrash safetyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization bar combines the functions of a synchronization mechanism and a crash force-transfer structure into one component. By integrating these functions, the design achieves crash safety without adding separate structural components, thereby reducing manufacturing cost and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If force is transferred via a connecting bar during height adjustment, then structural stability is maintained, but power loss increases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment smoothnessVSAvoidpower loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization bar integrates the force transfer function directly into the synchronization mechanism. This eliminates the need for a separate connecting bar, reducing the number of force transfer interfaces and minimizing energy loss through friction and deformation, while maintaining smooth height adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient, comfortable height adjustment with reduced power loss, minimized manufacturing costs, and improved crash safety by distributing forces effectively and preventing occupant movement under the pelvic restraint belt during frontal impacts.

Implementation Method 1

the force is introduced into the side parts at two points... the synchronization bar acts on both actuator arms in such a way that the movement of the two actuator arms is coordinated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce transfer: Force

Implementation Method 2

the connection points on the respective side part are fixed in such a way that an H point (hip point) of an occupant sitting in the vehicle seat is located at a distance X from the synchronization bar... allowing forces, in the case of a lateral impact, to be purposefully absorbed by the synchronization bar

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForce absorption: Impact Force

Implementation Method 3

the synchronization bar can also be constructed such that by virtue of its torsional stiffness purposeful path to force ratios can be set so that, in the event of a crash, a purposeful bio-mechanical motion sequence of the frame or, respectively, of the vehicle seat can be set

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsional stiffness:

Implementation Method 4

two side parts and swing arms pivoting in relation to the side parts, to provide at least two actuator arms, each actuator arm being associated with another swing arm of the frame so that the associated swing arm can be swiveled by actuating the respective actuator arm

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPivoting: Hinge

Data Source

PatentUS11292368B2Frame for a vehicle seat as well as a vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 FAURECIA AUTOSITZE

AI summary

A frame for a vehicle seat comprises two side parts and swing arms pivotable in relation thereto for height adjustment of the frame. The swiveling of the swing arms can be caused by operating two actuator arms. Each actuator arm is associated with another swing arm so that the associated swing arm can be swiveled by actuating the respective actuator arm.