Vehicle Seat Hinge Layout to Minimize Under-Seat Tilt Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a vehicle seat is tilted forward, a large space forms under the seat cushion, increasing the risk of passengers stepping into this space, which contains structural components and rail devices, making it undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a rail device with a lower and upper rail, a hinge device with a crosswise rotation axis positioned rearward of the submarining prevention member, and a coupling device that reduces the lift at the rear part of the seat cushion, thereby minimizing the space under the seat when tilted forward.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat cushion is tilted frontward to provide easy entry and access to rear seat, then passenger accessibility is improved, but a large space forms under the seat cushion increasing the risk of passengers stepping into structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the position parameter of the rotation axis from the front end to the rear end of the seat cushion. This parameter change modifies the tilt characteristics of the seat cushion, reducing the lift at the rear part and thereby minimizing the space under the seat cushion while maintaining the frontward tilting function for passenger accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing the rotation axis at the conventional front end position, the patent inverts the approach by positioning it at the rear end of the seat cushion. This inversion fundamentally changes the tilt geometry, achieving the desired reduction in under-seat space while preserving the accessibility benefit.
2Ease of operation
If the rotation axis is positioned at the front end of the seat cushion, then the seat can be tilted frontward for easy access, but a relatively larger space is formed under the seat cushion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter change by relocating the rotation axis position from the front end to the rear end of the seat cushion. This positional parameter modification alters the tilt mechanics, achieving the same frontward tilting function while significantly reducing the volume of space formed under the seat cushion during tilting.
3Volume of stationary object
If the rotation axis is positioned rearward of the submarining prevention member, then the space under the seat cushion is reduced, but the hinge device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing the submarining prevention member specifically at the front end of the seat cushion frame, creating a localized structural feature that works in conjunction with the rearward-positioned rotation axis. This localized reinforcement helps manage the structural implications of the altered hinge device configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle seat configured such that a relatively smaller space is formed under a seat cushion when the seat cushion is tilted frontward. A vehicle seat comprises a rail device including lower and upper rails; a seat cushion; a seat back; and a hinge device with a rotation axis for rotatably connecting the upper rail and the seat cushion at their front parts; and a coupling device for detachably connecting the seat cushion and the upper rail at their rear parts. A seat cushion frame of the seat cushion includes side members, front and rear members, and a submarining prevention member located rearward of the front member, extending in a crosswise direction, and coupled to the side members. The rotation axis is located rearward of a central axis of the submarining prevention member.