Vehicle Seat Impact Absorber with Rotating Base and Deformable Member

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat designs fail to effectively absorb impacts in both front and rear collisions, with specific configurations either working in front collisions or rear collisions but not both.

Innovation Solution

An impact absorbing device for a vehicle seat featuring a first and second base member with an impact absorbing member bridged between them, allowing the seat back to tilt through rotation, utilizing a deformable portion that plastically deforms to absorb impact energy in both types of collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a torsion bar is used to allow the seat back to tilt forward in a front collision, then the impact in front collision is reduced, but the device fails to work in a rear collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact in front collisionVSAvoideffectiveness in rear collision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The impact absorbing member is designed to perform multiple functions: it absorbs impact energy in both front collisions (through bending deformation) and rear collisions (through rotation of the second base member). This single component replaces the need for separate mechanisms for different collision types, achieving universal protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses a dynamic structure where the second base member can rotate relative to the first base member, and the impact absorbing member can bend dynamically during impact. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different collision directions and absorb energy effectively in both front and rear collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If an impact absorbing plate is used to allow the seat back to tilt backward in a rear collision, then the impact in rear collision is reduced, but the device fails to work in a front collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact in rear collisionVSAvoideffectiveness in front collision

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The impact absorbing member is designed to perform multiple functions: it absorbs impact energy in both front collisions (through bending deformation) and rear collisions (through rotation of the second base member). This single component replaces the need for separate mechanisms for different collision types, achieving universal protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The device uses a dynamic structure where the second base member can rotate relative to the first base member, and the impact absorbing member can bend dynamically during impact. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different collision directions and absorb energy effectively in both front and rear collisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If the distance between fixing portions is fixed, then the structure is simple, but the device cannot effectively absorb impact in both front and rear collisions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidimpact absorption capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The distance between the first and second fixing portions is made variable through the deformable portion that bends during impact. This dynamic adjustment of distance allows the device to optimize its geometry during deformation to effectively absorb impact energy in both front and rear collisions, while maintaining relative structural simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The geometric parameter (distance between fixing portions) changes during impact through bending of the deformable portion. This parameter change enables the device to adapt its structural configuration dynamically, allowing effective impact absorption in multiple collision directions without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device effectively absorbs impact energy by allowing the seat back to tilt and deform, providing protection in both front and rear collisions by adjusting the distance between fixing points based on the deformable portion's bending, thus reducing occupant injury and preventing contact with obstacles.

Implementation Method 1

a deformable portion, and is configured to be bent by the rotation of the second base member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11420542B2Impact absorbing device and vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2022.08.23 TACHI S CO LTD

AI summary

An impact absorbing device for a vehicle seat includes: a first base member; a second base member; and an impact absorbing member. The first base member rotatably supports the second base member. The impact absorbing member includes: a first fixing portion fixed to the first base member; a second fixing portion fixed to the second base member; and a deformable portion. The deformable portion is provided between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, and is configured to be bent by the rotation of the second base member. A distance between the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion in an undeformed state of the deformable portion has a value intermediate in a range of variation of the distance that varies depending on the bending of the deformable portion.