Vehicle Seat Load Detector Protection via Intermediary Bracket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat load detectors are vulnerable to external forces from kicks or foreign objects, which can disrupt their ability to accurately detect occupant loads, affecting airbag deployment decisions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design that includes a seat cushion frame, a riser with a bottom wall and sidewall, a seat position adjusting device, and a load detector protected by a bracket and resin cover, which secures the load detector between the upper rail and bottom wall, preventing external forces from interfering with its operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the load detector is disposed between the seat cushion and the vehicle floor, then the load detector can detect the load applied to the seat cushion, but the load detector is vulnerable to external forces from kicks or foreign objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protective structure comprising a bracket and resin cover as an intermediary between the load detector and the external environment. The bracket is positioned around the load detector and secured to the riser, while the resin cover encloses the load detector, creating a protective barrier that isolates the sensor from direct exposure to kicks and foreign objects while still allowing it to detect load forces accurately
2Reliability
If the load detector is exposed to the external environment, then it can detect loads, but it may receive external forces that disrupt accurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
The protective bracket and resin cover act as intermediary structures that shield the load detector from harmful external forces while allowing the detector to maintain its load sensing function, thereby ensuring reliable airbag deployment decisions are not compromised by false readings from external interference
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a protective structure is added around the load detector, then the load detector is protected from external forces, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a resin cover that functions as a protective shell around the load detector. This shell provides effective protection against kicks and foreign objects while maintaining a relatively simple and compact structure that does not significantly increase overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The protective bracket is integrated with the existing riser structure by being secured to it, and the resin cover is molded to fit around the load detector. This merging of protective elements with existing structural components minimizes the increase in device complexity while still providing comprehensive protection
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion that includes a seat cushion frame, a riser that supports the seat cushion frame, a seat position adjusting device that moves and adjusts the seat cushion back and forth, and a load detector that detects a load applied to the seat cushion. The riser includes a bottom wall and a sidewall that extends upward from an end portion of the bottom wall. The seat position adjusting device includes an upper rail that supports the riser and slides a lower rail. The load detector is positioned between the upper rail and the bottom wall. The upper rail, the load detector, the bottom wall, and the bracket are co-clamped with a first fastening member, and the bracket is secured to the sidewall with a second fastening member.