Vehicle Seat Support Structure With Reduced Metal Reinforcement

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle seat support elements with metal reinforcements are excessively heavy and costly due to their large dimensions, which increases production costs and carbon footprint.

Innovation Solution

A support element design where three interface elements are rigidly connected to the metal reinforcement, while the fourth interface element is secured only to the body, reducing the reinforcement's dimensions and metal usage, and allowing for robust attachment and impact resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a metal reinforcement frame is used to attach all four interface elements, then the support element achieves robust mechanical strength and impact resistance, but the weight and production cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidweight

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The interface elements are segmented into two groups: three interface elements (first, second, and third) are attached to the metal reinforcement frame, while the fourth interface element is attached only to the plastic body. This segmentation allows the reinforcement frame to be reduced in dimensions and material quantity while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the distributed attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Strength

If a metal reinforcement frame is used to attach all four interface elements, then the support element achieves robust mechanical strength and impact resistance, but the production cost increases due to increased metal usage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The interface elements are segmented into two groups: three interface elements (first, second, and third) are attached to the metal reinforcement frame, while the fourth interface element is attached only to the plastic body. This segmentation allows the reinforcement frame to be reduced in dimensions and material quantity while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the distributed attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Strength

If a metal reinforcement frame is used to attach all four interface elements, then the support element achieves robust mechanical strength and impact resistance, but the carbon footprint increases due to increased metal production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidcarbon footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The interface elements are segmented into two groups: three interface elements (first, second, and third) are attached to the metal reinforcement frame, while the fourth interface element is attached only to the plastic body. This segmentation allows the reinforcement frame to be reduced in dimensions and material quantity while maintaining sufficient structural strength through the distributed attachment points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240399945A1Lightweight seat support element

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 FAURECIA SIEGES D AUTOMOBILE SA

AI summary

A vehicle seat support element having a body made of plastic material, a metal reinforcement attached to the body, and four interface elements for interfacing of the seat support element with its environment. Three of the interface elements are secured to the metal reinforcement, the fourth interface element only being secured to the body.