Vehicle Seat Hinge Arrangement with Support Structure

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle seat hinges face high stresses during impacts, which can lead to pin ejection and undesirable deformation, compromising the seat's integrity and safety.

Innovation Solution

A hinge arrangement with a support structure that inhibits pin removal and features controlled plastic deformation areas to absorb forces, limiting plate deformation and maintaining hinge integrity under high stress conditions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the hinge uses a simple pin connection between plates, then the hinge allows free pivoting motion, but the pin can be ejected and plates can deform excessively under high impact stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepivoting motionVSAvoidpin retention and plate deformation control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge plate is divided into a rigid portion and a deformable portion with a discontinuity between them. This segmentation allows the rigid portion to maintain structural integrity and the deformable portion to absorb impact forces through controlled deformation, preventing pin ejection while maintaining pivoting capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the hinge plate are given different mechanical properties: the rigid portion maintains stiffness for structural support, while the deformable portion has reduced stiffness to allow controlled deformation. This local differentiation enables the hinge to both pivot freely and resist pin ejection under impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If the hinge plate is made entirely rigid, then the hinge maintains structural integrity under stress, but the plate cannot absorb impact forces and stresses concentrate in other areas

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidimpact energy absorption

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The deformable portion of the hinge plate is designed to undergo controlled plastic deformation during impact, converting harmful impact energy into beneficial deformation work. This absorbs impact forces and reduces stress concentrations in other critical areas of the hinge arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge plate's mechanical parameters are varied spatially through the discontinuity, creating regions of different stiffness. The deformable portion has reduced stiffness to allow energy absorption, while the rigid portion maintains high stiffness for structural integrity, enabling both impact energy absorption and structural strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If the hinge allows full deformation under impact, then the hinge absorbs impact energy, but the deformation may be uncontrolled and compromise seat safety

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact energy absorptionVSAvoidcontrolled deformation and safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The hinge plate is segmented into rigid and deformable portions with a discontinuity that localizes deformation to a specific area. This controlled segmentation ensures that deformation occurs only in the intended deformable portion, absorbing impact energy while preventing uncontrolled deformation that would compromise safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The discontinuity in the hinge plate acts as an intermediary element between the rigid and deformable portions. It facilitates controlled deformation in the deformable portion while preventing deformation from propagating to the rigid portion, thus mediating between energy absorption requirements and safety requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 hinge arrangement effectively manages high stresses during vehicle impacts by preventing pin ejection and controlled deformation, enhancing the seat's structural integrity and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a hinge plate configured for controlled plastic deformation in a predetermined area to absorb forces and reduce stresses in other areas of the hinge arrangement

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11702013B2Hinge arrangement for a vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2023.07.18 LEAR CORP

AI summary

A hinge arrangement may be used for a vehicle seat bottom to facilitate pivoting of the seat bottom to open a storage area below the seat bottom. The hinge arrangement may include at least one hinge having two plates connected by a pivot pin and a support structure separate from the at least one hinge. The support structure may be positioned adjacent to the at least one hinge to stop the hinge pin or pins from being ejected in the presence of an impact force.