Vehicle Seat Retaining Structure for Impact Locking Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
During a vehicle impact, the seat and its occupant are suddenly stopped, leading to significant displacement of the pelvis and potential serious injuries due to the seat's suspension system allowing movement and pivoting, which is not adequately addressed by existing technologies.
Innovation Solution
A seat design incorporating a retaining system with retaining members and elements that prevent the plate of the adjustment and suspension device from moving forward in the longitudinal direction during an impact, ensuring the seat's stability and limiting the pelvis displacement by locking the plate and seat in place relative to the chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the adjustment and suspension device allows the platform to move and pivot freely relative to the base, then the seat provides good adjustment range and comfort, but during a vehicle impact the platform can move forward significantly causing serious injuries to the occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is pre-positioned in the retaining device such that during normal operation it allows free movement, but upon impact it automatically engages to prevent forward motion. The system is prepared in advance to counteract the harmful impact force without restricting normal adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining system transitions from a static constrained state to a dynamic engaged state upon impact. The retaining element can move freely during normal operation but automatically locks into position during impact, providing adaptive protection that responds to changing conditions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the platform is constrained to prevent forward movement during impact, then occupant safety is improved, but the seat's adjustment and suspension functionality is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining system is divided into separate components: the retaining device fixed to the chassis and the retaining element attached to the platform. This segmentation allows the platform to maintain full adjustment freedom during normal operation while the retaining device remains ready to engage and constrain movement only when needed during impact.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a retaining system is added to prevent platform movement during impact, then occupant safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining function is extracted as a separate, dedicated system rather than being integrated into the existing adjustment and suspension mechanism. This allows the retaining system to operate independently with simple geometry and clear functionality, minimizing added complexity while effectively addressing the impact protection requirement.
4Device complexity
If the retaining element geometry is optimized for easy engagement, then the retaining system becomes simpler, but the retaining force during impact may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining element is designed with composite geometry combining a cylindrical body for easy engagement with a conical end for enhanced strength. This composite shape allows the element to be easily inserted and retained while the conical geometry provides increased surface area and geometric interlocking to withstand high impact forces.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle seat (10) comprising a seat (14), an adjustment and suspension device (16) having a base (40) fixed to the chassis (12) and a platform (42) fixed to the seat (14) movable in translation relative to the base (40) along an elevation direction (Z). The seat (10) includes a restraint system (18) comprising: - at least one restraint member (58) fixed to the chassis (12), the restraint member (58) defining at least one through opening (62) extending along a principal elongation direction substantially parallel to the elevation direction (Z), - at least one restraint element (60) fixed to the platform (42), the through opening (62) of the restraint member (58) receiving the restraint element (60) free to translate along the principal elongation direction.