Vehicle Seat Front Panel Rib Layout for Knee Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle designs struggle to effectively restrain adult females from moving forward during a front collision, as their smaller body size and lower knee height compared to adult males lead to inadequate support from traditional glove box designs.
Innovation Solution
A panel member, such as a glove box lid, is designed with a reinforcement member that includes a grid-shaped rib unit. This reinforcement member is structured with an upper part and a lower part, where the upper part supports adult males and the lower part, with a grid-shaped rib unit in outer regions excluding the central part, supports adult females by bending to maintain knee contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional glove box design is used, then adult males can be restrained from moving forward during collision, but adult females cannot be effectively restrained due to their smaller body size and lower knee height
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is designed with different rib unit configurations in different regions: the upper part has a first grid-shaped rib unit extending over the overall width to support adult males, while the lower part has a second grid-shaped rib unit only in outer regions to support adult females. This local differentiation allows the same structure to adapt to different occupant sizes and positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement member is segmented into an upper part and a lower part, each with different rib unit configurations. The upper part targets adult male knee positions while the lower part targets adult female knee positions, allowing independent optimization for each group without compromising the other.
2Strength
If the reinforcement member is made rigid to support adult males, then male restraint is effective, but the structure cannot bend to maintain contact with adult female knees during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The first grid-shaped rib unit in the upper part is configured to provide rigid support for adult males, while the second grid-shaped rib unit in the lower part is configured to allow bending for adult females. This local differentiation in structural properties allows the reinforcement member to exhibit different mechanical behaviors in different regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower part of the reinforcement member is designed to be dynamic and flexible, allowing it to bend during collision to maintain contact with adult female knees. The upper part remains relatively static and rigid to provide stable support for adult males.
3Ease of manufacture
If the reinforcement member structure is simplified, then manufacturing is easier, but the ability to provide differentiated support for different occupant groups is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement member is divided into an upper part and a lower part with distinct rib unit configurations. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be manufactured using standard processes.
Solution Approach 2:
Different rib unit patterns are applied locally to different parts of the reinforcement member based on the specific support requirements of each region. This allows differentiated support functionality without requiring a completely complex overall structure.
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 designed panel member effectively supports both adult males and females by ensuring their knees remain in contact, preventing excessive forward movement and allowing the upper body to fall into the airbag in a controlled manner, thus enhancing occupant safety during collisions.
Implementation Method 1
the lower part... supports adult females by bending to maintain knee contact
Data Source
AI summary
A panel member is provided in front of a seat in a vehicle cabin of a vehicle at a height such that knees of an occupant who moves forward from the seat come into contact with the panel member. The panel member includes a cover member and a reinforcement member. The cover member defines a surface of the panel member. The reinforcement member is provided behind the cover member. The reinforcement member includes an upper part in an up-down direction of the vehicle and a lower part other than the upper part. The upper part is provided with a grid-shaped rib unit extending over an overall width of the reinforcement member in a vehicle width direction of the vehicle. The lower part is provided with a grid-shaped rib unit in a region excluding a central part of the reinforcement member in the vehicle width direction.