Vehicle Seat Rail Module With Mechanical Crash Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat restraint systems are inadequate for new types of seat positions, particularly in autonomous driving scenarios, where occupants may be outside the range of conventional front passenger protection systems, leading to reduced effectiveness of occupant restraint during crashes.
Innovation Solution
A seat rail module with longitudinal adjustment rails and deformation units that can be fastened to the vehicle body, allowing for mechanical deceleration of the seat in the event of a crash, without relying on complex electronics or sensors, by using deformation members that dissipate impact energy through inelastic deformation and secondary fastening members for additional safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional front airbag protection systems are used, then occupant safety is ensured for standard driving positions, but safety is insufficient for new seat positions in autonomous driving scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The restraint system is divided into multiple independent components: deformation units with deformation members, fastening members with locking mechanisms, and secondary fastening members. Each component performs a specific function in the crash deceleration process, allowing the system to effectively protect occupants in various seat positions without requiring complex electronic control.
2Reliability
If electronic control systems and sensors are used to adjust restraint stiffness, then crash response can be optimized, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation units are designed to automatically deform and absorb impact energy during a crash without requiring electronic activation. The mechanical structure itself performs the protective function through passive deformation of the deformation members, eliminating the need for sensors, electronic controllers, and complex decision-making systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electronic control systems with a purely mechanical restraint mechanism. The fastening members use mechanical locking and unlocking based on crash forces, and the deformation members dissipate energy through controlled mechanical deformation, substituting electronic actuation with passive mechanical responses.
3Adaptability or versatility
If seats are adjusted beyond the range of front airbag effectiveness, then comfort and autonomy are improved, but restraint effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extends protection beyond the longitudinal dimension where airbags operate by introducing deformation units that act along the seat rail structure. This creates a new dimension of protection that works independently of the airbag's range of action, effectively covering rearward seat positions that were previously unprotected.
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
Ensures reliable and cost-effective occupant safety across a wide range of seat adjustments by providing effective impact energy dissipation and maintaining passenger safety even when conventional front airbag protection is insufficient, without the need for electronic control systems or sensors.
Implementation Method 1
the deformation units being configured to deform deformation members when the vehicle seat is displaced in a main direction of travel of the vehicle in order to decelerate the vehicle seat in the event of a crash
Data Source
AI summary
A seat rail module for a vehicle seat, comprising two longitudinal adjustment rails (10) arranged parallel to each other for guiding the vehicle seat (1) and adjusting its position in longitudinal direction, deformation units (18) which can be fastened or are fastened to the longitudinal adjustment rails (10), and fastening members (25) for fastening the seat rail module to the floor of a vehicle body, wherein the vehicle seat (1) can be fastened to the longitudinal adjustment rails (10) and the deformation units (18) are configured for deforming deformation members (19) when the vehicle seat is displaced in a main direction of travel, in order to decelerate the vehicle seat in the event of a crash, characterized in that the fastening members (25) are configured to fasten the seat rail module to the floor of the vehicle body by means of locking, and in that the fastening members (25) are mechanically unlocked when the vehicle seat (1) is displaced in longitudinal direction in the direction opposite to the main direction of travel beyond a predetermined limit line (8).Also in the rear area in which the vehicle seat assumes a seat position which is shifted relatively far backward, such as will be possible in the future for ‘autonomous driving’ or as a relax position, precautions for occupant protection are provided to a sufficient extent, even if front occupant protection systems, in particular front airbags, are no longer effective in this area.