Vehicle Seat Side Frame Deformation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats face challenges in regulating the amount of deformation in side frames during rear-on collisions, leading to the risk of excessive deformation and potential snapping, which can result in unintended force input to reclining units.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a deformation suppression unit into the side frame with a deformation origin portion, which contacts a member of the seatback frame when a reference deformation amount is reached, to absorb collision energy and prevent excessive deformation, while allowing controlled deformation of the side frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If only a groove portion (deformation origin portion) is provided to the side frame, then the deformation location can be set, but the amount of deformation cannot be regulated and excessive deformation or snapping may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The side frame is divided into functional segments: a deformation origin portion (groove) that controls where deformation starts, and a deformation suppression unit that controls how much deformation occurs. This segmentation allows independent control of deformation location and deformation amount, resolving the contradiction between setting deformation location and regulating deformation amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation suppression unit acts as an intermediary element between the deformation origin portion and the rest of the side frame structure. It mediates the deformation process by contacting the contacted member at a predetermined location, thereby controlling and limiting the deformation amount without affecting the deformation origin function.
2Loss of energy
If the side frame deforms excessively to absorb collision energy, then collision force absorption is improved, but the side frame may snap and unintended force is input to the reclining unit
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation suppression unit is pre-configured with a predetermined contact location on the contacted member. Before excessive deformation or snapping can occur, the suppression unit contacts the contacted member at this predetermined location, providing prior cushioning that limits deformation amount and prevents structural failure while still allowing controlled energy absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The deformation suppression unit changes the deformation parameter by introducing a contact constraint at a specific location. This parameter change (from free deformation to constrained deformation) allows the side frame to absorb collision energy through controlled deformation while preventing excessive deformation that would lead to snapping.
3Reliability
If the deformation suppression unit is rigidly fixed to the side frame, then deformation suppression is effective, but it cannot follow the deformation movement and may cause stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The deformation suppression unit is coupled to the side frame with relative movement capability, making it a dynamic component that can follow the deformation movement of the side frame. This dynamic coupling allows the suppression unit to maintain its suppression function while moving with the deforming side frame, preventing stress concentration that would occur with rigid fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling between the deformation suppression unit and the side frame allows relative movement, creating a flexible connection rather than a rigid one. This flexibility enables the suppression unit to follow the deformation trajectory of the side frame while maintaining contact with the contacted member, effectively suppressing deformation without causing stress concentration.
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 solution effectively suppresses excessive deformation of the side frame and reduces the transmission of collision force to reclining units, enhancing safety by managing deformation and energy absorption during rear-on collisions.
Implementation Method 1
the side frame deforms with the groove portion as the origin, thereby absorbing the collision force applied to the seatback frame
Implementation Method 2
deformation of the side frame is suppressed by the deformation suppression unit contacting the contacted member provided to the seatback frame
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat comprising a pair of side frames configuring a portion of a seatback frame serving as framework for a seatback; a deformation origin portion provided to at least one of the pair of side frames and acting as an origin when the side frame deforms due to a collision force imparted to the seatback frame during a rear-on collision; and a deformation suppression unit provided to the side frame provided with the deformation origin portion, permitting deformation of the side frame originating at the deformation origin portion and suppressing deformation of the side frame by a reference amount or greater by the deformation suppression unit making contact with a contacted member provided to the seatback frame when the deformation amount of the side frame has reached the reference amount.