Vehicle Seat Cushion Spring Layout With Inward Flange Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seat designs face challenges such as inability to place structural objects between side walls due to cushion spring attachment, complex frame structures, and potential deformation around through-openings for harness members, leading to compromised support and increased load on harness members.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle seat design features side frames with flange portions for cushion spring attachment, allowing structural objects between side walls, simplified frame structures with embedded skin attachment members, and S-shaped springs supporting the seat cushion pad to reduce deformation and load on harness members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cushion spring is attached to the side walls of the side frames, then the cushion spring can be securely mounted, but no structural object can be disposed between the side walls and the shape of the side walls cannot be determined as desired
Solution Approach 1:
The cushion spring attachment is moved from the side walls to flange portions that extend laterally inward from the side walls. This dimensional relocation creates space between the side walls and the attachment points, allowing structural objects to be disposed in the previously occupied space while maintaining secure cushion spring mounting.
Solution Approach 2:
The side frame structure is segmented into distinct components: side walls for shaping and flange portions for cushion spring attachment. This segmentation allows the side walls to be optimized for their intended shape and the flange portions to provide secure attachment points, while creating usable space between them for structural objects.
2Shape
If the side walls are shaped as desired, then the aesthetic and ergonomic requirements are met, but the cushion spring attachment becomes constrained
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is relocated to flange portions extending from the side walls, allowing the side walls themselves to be freely shaped for aesthetic and ergonomic purposes without compromising cushion spring attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flange portions serve multiple functions: providing secure cushion spring attachment points and allowing the side walls to maintain their desired shapes. This multi-functionality resolves the conflict between shape requirements and attachment constraints.
3Reliability
If the cushion spring is attached to the side frames, then support function is provided, but deformation occurs at the attachment portion and the vehicle seat height increases
Solution Approach 1:
Moving the attachment points to flange portions extends the load path and distributes forces more effectively, reducing deformation at critical attachment portions while maintaining reliable occupant support functionality.
4Ease of manufacture
If the frame structure includes skin attachment members on the seat cushion frame, then the skin material can be attached, but the frame structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The skin attachment members are integrated directly into the seat cushion frame structure, merging the attachment function with the existing frame components. This eliminates the need for separate, complex attachment mechanisms while maintaining ease of skin material attachment.
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
This design enables desired side wall shaping, simplifies assembly, enhances support and rigidity, reduces load on harness members, and minimizes uncomfortable feelings for occupants by effectively distributing loads and reducing deformation.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member run between the right and left side frames and configured to support an occupant
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes right and left side frames 10, and an elastic member (cushion spring 20) run between the right and left side frames 10. The right and left side frames 10 include side walls 11 disposed opposite to each other in a lateral direction, and flange portions (upper flange portions 12) respectively extending laterally inward from the side walls 11, and the elastic member is attached to the flange portions.