Vehicle Seat Pivoting Stop Mechanism for Belt-Load Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seating systems fail to provide adequate structural support to integrate a seat belt restraint system effectively, leading to potential injury during collisions or sudden deceleration, and existing solutions result in bulky, heavy, or costly seat frames that do not comply with safety standards.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight vehicle seating system with a pivoting stop mechanism that couples the seat frame to the seat base, using stop brackets and a suspension rod to limit pivoting rotation and incorporate a tilt mechanism allowing adjustable angular rotation within a predetermined range, thereby enhancing structural integrity and comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the seat frame is made stronger to support an integrated seat belt restraint system, then safety and structural integrity are improved, but the seat frame becomes bulky, heavy, and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The seat frame is divided into two functional segments: the lower seat frame portion maintains a compact, lightweight design while the upper seat frame portion incorporates the integrated seat belt restraint system with necessary structural reinforcement. This segmentation allows the strength enhancements to be localized only where required for safety, rather than reinforcing the entire seat frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The pivoting stop mechanism introduces a new spatial dimension to the seat frame design by adding vertical stop brackets that extend upward from the lower seat frame portion. This dimensional addition provides structural support and limits excessive pivoting motion without requiring horizontal expansion or overall enlargement of the seat frame, thereby maintaining a compact footprint.
2Strength
If the seat frame is made stronger to support an integrated seat belt restraint system, then safety and structural integrity are improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the seat frame into lower and upper portions with different structural requirements, the design allows for optimized manufacturing of each section. The lower portion can be produced using standard, cost-effective processes while the upper portion with integrated restraints receives enhanced structural features only where necessary, reducing overall material and manufacturing costs compared to reinforcing the entire frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower seat frame portion serves multiple functions: it provides the base structural support, houses the pivoting stop mechanism with stop brackets, and interfaces with the upper seat frame portion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and assembly steps, thereby lowering manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the required strength through the integrated upper portion.
3Reliability
If a pivoting stop mechanism is added to limit seat frame rotation, then safety during collision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting stop mechanism is merged with the lower seat frame portion by integrating the stop brackets as integral components of the lower frame structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate, independently mounted stop mechanisms and reduces the number of parts, fasteners, and assembly steps, thereby lowering device complexity while maintaining the safety function of limiting excessive pivoting during collision.
4Ease of operation
If the tilt mechanism allows adjustable angular rotation, then occupant comfort is improved, but the risk of excessive pivoting during collision increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop brackets are pre-positioned on the lower seat frame portion to define maximum angular rotation limits before collision occurs. During normal operation, the tilt mechanism allows adjustment within these pre-established limits, providing occupant comfort. During collision, the pre-positioned stop brackets automatically engage to prevent excessive pivoting, thereby preliminarily establishing protective action that maintains structural stability without compromising comfort during normal use.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat system and method in which a seat belt restraint assembly is secured directly to the seat. The vehicle seat system includes a seat frame and a seat base that supports the seat frame. The system includes a first stop operating at rear portions of the seat base and seat frame to couple the seat base and seat frame and to limit forward pivoting movement of the seat frame upon sudden deceleration. The system may also include a second stop to limit rearward pivoting movement of the seat frame. The coupling of the seat base and seat frame provides the seat system with sufficient strength to satisfy load testing requirements and to provide comfort to the occupant. The vehicle system may include a tilt adjustment mechanism that allows tilting of the seat frame and that may also form part of a cushion slide mechanism.