Vehicle Seat Zigzag Spring Mounting for Even Load Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle seats with zigzag springs face issues of uneven force distribution and potential damage due to lateral movement and insecure mounting, leading to reduced comfort and risk of spring breakage under uneven loading.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of adjacently arranged zigzag springs with transversely running bearing legs and variable-length spacer elements allows for a symmetrical arrangement and secure mounting, ensuring even force distribution and enhanced comfort by inserting the springs into the seat shell in a controlled manner using plastic spacer elements and strategically designed holes and protrusions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If zigzag springs are arranged independently of one another, then the seat can accommodate uneven loading, but the springs move laterally away from one another reducing sitting comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccommodation of uneven loadingVSAvoidlateral position stability of springs

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple zigzag springs into a single integrated component where several springs are connected to each other through common mounting points on the seat shell and seat cross member. This merging approach allows the springs to work together as a unified system that can accommodate uneven loading while maintaining stable relative positions, preventing the lateral movement that occurs with independently arranged springs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If zigzag springs are hooked into bent-out portions of the seat shell, then mounting is simplified, but the bent-out portions may bend or break off under load

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of spring mountingVSAvoidsecure mounting of springs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mounting function by separating the spring support structure from the seat shell's structural integrity. Instead of relying on bent-out portions of the seat shell, the invention introduces dedicated mounting elements or reinforced mounting regions that are specifically designed to bear the spring loads, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while significantly improving mounting reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by designing the mounting structure with sufficient structural strength and appropriate material properties before the springs are installed and loaded. The mounting points are pre-reinforced or designed with adequate safety margins to prevent bending or breakage under the expected spring forces, ensuring reliable mounting from the outset.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Device complexity

If zigzag springs are non-symmetrically arranged in the seat frame, then the seat structure is simplified, but weight forces are unevenly introduced into the springs reducing comfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesymmetry of spring arrangementVSAvoidevenness of force distribution

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry in a controlled manner by designing the spring arrangement to be symmetric in its force distribution characteristics while allowing geometric asymmetry in the overall seat frame configuration. The springs are positioned and oriented such that they evenly share the weight forces regardless of the asymmetric appearance of the seat structure, achieving both simplified device complexity and even force distribution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 achieves a symmetrical force introduction and secure mounting of zigzag springs, enhancing comfort and load-bearing capacity while preventing damage, resulting in improved sitting experience and durability.

Implementation Method 1

zigzag springs arranged between the front seat shell and the rear seat cross member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

zigzag springs... ensure a symmetrical force introduction through the weight forces of the vehicle occupant

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical energy absorption: Damping

Data Source

PatentUS9090186B2Vehicle seat for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2015.07.28 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A vehicle seat for a motor vehicle is provided. The vehicle seat includes a seat frame with a front seat shell and a rear cross member. Zigzag springs are arranged between the front seat shell and the rear cross member. Adjacently arranged first zigzag springs form a first spring arrangement and adjacently arranged second zigzag springs form a second spring arrangement, in which the zigzag springs comprise transversely running bearing legs on the end side for inserting the respective bearing leg into the front seat shell in a direction transverse to the seat frame. The bearing legs of the zigzag springs of the first spring arrangement can be inserted into the seat shell in a first direction and the bearing legs of the zigzag springs of the second spring arrangement can be inserted into the seat shell in a second direction that is opposite to the first direction.