Vehicle Seat Cushion Positioning Insert for Occupant H-Point Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles with small packages, accommodating three passengers in the same row is challenging due to limited space, as existing seating systems struggle to position occupants effectively, particularly in determining the optimal 'H-point' for crash test dummies and real passengers.
Innovation Solution
A seating system with a positioning insert attached to the seat cushion's wireframe, featuring a generally arcuate portion to receive the occupant's buttocks and inhibit movement, allowing for precise fore-aft positioning, which includes a method of attaching the insert to the wireframe and molding foam over it to form the seat cushion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the seating system uses a conventional design without positioning inserts, then the seat structure remains simple and manufacturing is easier, but the ability to accurately position occupants in small vehicle packages is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seat cushion is divided into multiple functional zones using positioning inserts with different heights. These inserts segment the cushioning layer to create distinct fore-aft positioning zones, allowing precise H-point control without redesigning the entire seat structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Positioning inserts act as intermediary elements between the seat pan and the seating surface. These inserts mediate the positioning function by providing elevated surfaces that directly contact the occupant's buttocks, thereby controlling fore-aft position without requiring complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seating system incorporates positioning inserts to achieve precise fore-aft positioning, then three passengers can be accommodated in small vehicle packages, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning inserts are pre-formed as separate components with specific geometric profiles before being integrated into the seat cushion. This preliminary preparation allows for standardized mass production of inserts using injection molding or similar processes, simplifying the overall manufacturing workflow despite the added component.
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning inserts utilize variations in height parameters to create different positioning zones within the seat cushion. By changing only the height parameter of the inserts while maintaining consistent base dimensions, the system achieves multiple positioning configurations without requiring completely different cushion designs for each application.
3Measurement precision
If the positioning insert uses a multi-zone design with front, middle, and back portions at different heights, then occupant positioning is improved, but the insert geometry becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The positioning inserts incorporate curved and contoured surfaces rather than flat planes. The arcuate portions and rounded edges of the inserts conform to the natural shape of the human buttocks, improving comfort and positioning accuracy while the curved geometries can be efficiently produced through injection molding processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A seating system for a vehicle has a positioning insert configured for attachment at a predetermined location to a portion of a seat cushion arrangement forming a part of the seating system such that the positioning insert facilitates positioning a seated occupant at a desired fore-aft position. The positioning insert may include a first side having a generally arcuate portion configured to be oriented toward a seated occupant and to receive a seated occupant's buttocks to facilitate positioning of the seated occupant at the desired fore-aft position.