Vehicle Seat Side Support Frame for Airbag Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
When both a side support adjusting mechanism and a side airbag are installed at the seat width direction edge portion in a vehicle seat back, the frame member of the side support adjusting device can impede the deployment of the side airbag.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design that includes a side support adjusting mechanism with a frame member and a frame drive mechanism allowing the frame member to be displaced inward in the seat width direction by deployment pressure of the side airbag, preventing interference with the airbag's deployment and ensuring proper deployment towards the front.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a side support adjusting mechanism and side airbag are both installed at the seat width direction edge portion in the seat back, then the side support adjustment function is improved, but the frame member of the side support adjusting device impedes the deployment of the side airbag
Solution Approach 1:
The frame member is designed to be dynamically movable rather than fixed. The connection between the frame member and seat back frame is made detachable, allowing the frame member to move from its normal position to a retracted position when the airbag deploys, thus resolving the conflict between maintaining adjustment functionality and enabling airbag deployment
Solution Approach 2:
The side support adjusting mechanism is segmented into separable components. The frame member can be disconnected from the seat back frame through the detachable connection structure, allowing independent movement of the frame member during airbag deployment while maintaining its connection during normal adjustment operations
2Reliability
If the frame member is made movable to allow airbag deployment, then the airbag deployment is improved, but the side support adjustment stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The detachable connection structure is pre-configured to automatically engage and disengage based on force direction. During airbag deployment, the connection automatically disengages to allow frame member movement, while during normal adjustment operations, the connection remains engaged to maintain stability, thus preventing both unwanted movement and enabling necessary movement
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 design enables effective deployment of the side airbag by allowing the frame member to move inward under airbag pressure, ensuring unobstructed deployment and enhanced protection during side impacts.
Implementation Method 1
a side airbag provided in a folded state at a seat width direction edge portion within the seat back so as to overlap with the frame member in side view, which inflates by receiving a gas supply and deploys towards the front in the seat front-rear direction
Implementation Method 2
a frame moving structure for displacing a portion of the frame member including at least an outside portion in the seat width direction, or the whole of the frame member, inward in the seat width direction (towards the seat width direction inside) by deployment pressure of the side airbag
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle seat that can give good deployment of a side airbag in a configuration in which a side support mechanism and side airbag are installed in a seat back. The vehicle seat 10 is provided with: paddles 30 configuring frames of side supports 18 of a seat back 14; a side support adjusting mechanism 22 including a paddle drive mechanism 34 receiving adjustment force and displacing the paddles 30 in a seat width direction; a side airbag 24 provided in a folded state at a seat width direction edge portion inside the seat back 14, receiving a gas supply and deploying forwards in the seat front-rear direction while inflating; and a frame moving structure for displacing the paddle 30 inward in the seat width direction by deployment pressure of the side airbag 24. The frame moving structure is a structure in which the paddle drive mechanism 34, for driving the paddle 30 inward in the seat width direction, allows relative displacement of the paddle 30 in the seat width direction.