Seatback Lumbar Support Structure With Variable Rigidity Bending
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lumbar support devices with arc-like pressure-receiving plates struggle to exert sufficient supporting force, limiting their effectiveness in supporting the lumbar region of occupants.
Innovation Solution
A seatback design featuring a pressure-receiving member with integrated first and second pressure-receiving portions and a joining portion of lower flexural rigidity, along with a drive mechanism that allows the pressure-receiving plate to bend convexly toward the seat front side when in the support position, enhancing the supporting force by elastic deformation and strategic coupling points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the pressure-receiving plate is curved into an arc-like shape, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the supporting force is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-receiving plate is divided into multiple portions (first pressure-receiving portion, second pressure-receiving portion, and joining portion) with different functions. The joining portion has lower flexural rigidity to enable elastic deformation, while the pressure-receiving portions maintain higher rigidity for effective force application to the lumbar region.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the pressure-receiving plate have different flexural rigidities tailored to their specific functions. The joining portion is designed with lower rigidity to allow bending and elastic deformation, while the first and second pressure-receiving portions maintain higher rigidity to provide stable support force to the occupant's lumbar region.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the pressure-receiving member is made rigid to maintain shape, then the structural stability is improved, but the ability to exert sufficient supporting force through elastic deformation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-receiving member features localized variation in flexural rigidity: the joining portion has lower rigidity to enable elastic deformation for generating supporting force, while the first and second pressure-receiving portions maintain higher rigidity to ensure structural stability and effective force transmission to the lumbar region.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure-receiving member is segmented into portions with different rigidity characteristics, allowing the joining portion to deform elastically while the pressure-receiving portions remain stable, thus resolving the contradiction between structural stability and force generation capability.
3Ease of operation
If the pressure-receiving plate is displaced rearward to non-support position, then the comfort for general seating is improved, but the lumbar support function is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The pressure-receiving member is designed to be movable between support position and non-support position through the drive mechanism. In the non-support position, the member is displaced rearward to provide comfortable general seating. When lumbar support is needed, the member moves to the support position where the joining portion bends elastically to apply supporting force to the lumbar region.
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 a significant increase in supporting force compared to conventional arc-like lumbar support devices, ensuring effective support for the occupant's lumbar region by optimizing the pressure-receiving plate's configuration and movement mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
the joining portion have a lower flexural rigidity than the first pressure-receiving portion and the second pressure-receiving portion and be elastically deformable
Data Source
AI summary
A seatback includes a pressure-receiving member and a drive mechanism. The pressure-receiving member includes a first pressure-receiving portion configured to support a lumbar region of an occupant, and a second pressure-receiving portion joined to an upper part of the first pressure-receiving portion and configured to support a back of the occupant in cooperation with the first pressure-receiving portion. The drive mechanism is configured to displace the pressure-receiving member between a support position and a non-support position, which is a position rearward of the support position. The pressure-receiving member is configured, when in the support position, to be bent at a joining portion where the first pressure-receiving portion and the second pressure-receiving portion are joined together to become convex toward a seat front side.