Seat Rail Module With Deformation Unlocking for Crash Deceleration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional front occupant protection systems in vehicles, such as front airbags, are ineffective for novel seating positions arising in autonomous driving scenarios, particularly those that are reclined or positioned outside the conventional effective range, leading to a deterioration in occupant restraint system effectiveness during crashes.
Innovation Solution
A seat rail module with two parallel rails for longitudinal adjustment, featuring a drive member, deformation member, and fastening mechanism that unlocks beyond a predetermined limit, allowing the vehicle seat to decelerate through energy dissipation via deformation during crashes, thereby reducing crash forces on occupants.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional front occupant protection systems (airbags, belt tensioners) are used, then occupant protection is provided for traditional seating positions, but protection effectiveness deteriorates for novel seating positions outside the effective range
Solution Approach 1:
The seat rail module incorporates a deformation member that transitions from a rigid locked state during normal operation to a deformable energy-absorbing state during crash events. This dynamic behavior allows the system to adapt to different operational conditions - providing stable support for novel seating positions during normal use while automatically activating crash protection when exceeded forces are detected, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability for traditional positions and adaptability to novel positions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is allowed to move freely for novel seating positions, then adaptability is improved, but occupant safety deteriorates due to increased displacement range
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation member is pre-configured in a locked state that maintains rigid connection between the seat and vehicle structure during normal operation. This preliminary action ensures that even when the seat is positioned outside the effective range of conventional airbags, the occupant remains protected by the rigid structural connection. Only in the event of a crash does the system transition to allow deformation and energy absorption.
3Loss of energy
If a deformation member is added to the seat rail module, then energy dissipation capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation member is integrated directly into the existing seat rail module structure, merging the energy absorption function with the longitudinal adjustment mechanism. Rather than adding a separate crash protection system, the invention combines both functions into a single unified structure, thereby improving energy dissipation capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
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
The seat rail module provides reliable and effective occupant safety over a wide displacement range by selectively dissipating energy and reducing crash forces, even when the vehicle seat is outside the effective range of conventional front occupant protection systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one deformation member (70) coupled to an associated rail for longitudinal adjustment... designed to be deformed upon displacement of the vehicle seat (1) in main direction of travel (7) in order to dissipate energy in the event of a crash
Data Source
AI summary
A seat rail module with two rails for longitudinal adjustment of a vehicle seat comprises a drive member, at least one deformation member coupled to an associated rail for longitudinal adjustment, at least one fastening member for fastening the drive member, and an actuator for locking and unlocking the at least one fastening member. The deformation member is deformed upon displacement of the vehicle seat in a main direction of travel to dissipate crash energy and decelerate the vehicle seat. In a locked position of the fastening member, the drive member is directly secured to a rail by the fastening member. The fastening member is mechanically unlocked upon displacement of the vehicle seat beyond a predetermined limit setting, so that the drive member is coupled to an associated rail via the deformation member, to enable a displacement of an upper rail relative to a lower rail for dissipating impact energy.