Vehicle Seatback Pad Slit and Retaining Sheet Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle seat designs with integrated side airbag units suffer from shape retention issues, leading to positional shifting of the seatback pad relative to the seatback frame, which can result in permanent deformation when occupants enter or exit the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a flexible seatback pad with a pad side slit and a retaining sheet that secures the pad's position relative to the seatback frame, allowing the side airbag to deploy while preventing permanent deformation by maintaining the pad's original shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a slit is formed in the seatback pad to allow side airbag deployment, then the side airbag can pass through, but the shape retaining property of the seatback pad is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the seatback pad into multiple functional zones: a first region with the slit for airbag deployment and a second region without the slit for maintaining shape retention. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to serve different functions, resolving the contradiction between enabling airbag passage and maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies different structural properties to different regions of the seatback pad. The first region containing the slit has modified local properties to allow airbag passage, while the second region maintains original properties for shape retention. This local differentiation enables the pad to simultaneously achieve both airbag deployment capability and shape stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seatback pad is made flexible to cover the side members and airbag unit, then it can conform to the structure, but it may shift position relative to the seatback frame
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the seatback pad into a flexible first region with the slit that can deform for airbag deployment, and a second region that maintains positional stability. This segmentation allows the pad to simultaneously achieve flexibility for conformability and stability for positional retention.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining sheet acts as an intermediary component that connects the seatback pad to the seatback frame. It provides mechanical anchoring to prevent positional shifting while allowing the pad material itself to remain flexible and conformable to the underlying structure.
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 effectively restricts positional shifting of the seatback pad, ensuring it returns to its original shape after external forces are removed, thereby preventing permanent deformation and ensuring smooth side airbag deployment.
Implementation Method 1
a retaining sheet (60) connected to a part of a back side of the seatback pad opposing the side member, and to the side member so as to fixedly secure a position of the seatback pad relative to the side member
Implementation Method 2
even when the seatback pad is temporarily deformed by the application of external force to the seatback, causing the pad side slit to be opened, the seatback pad is enabled to restore the original shape thereof
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle seat comprising a seat cushion and a seatback, the seatback comprises a seatback frame including a right and a left side member extending vertically, a side airbag unit attached to one of the side members, a flexible seatback pad provided with a pad side slit to permit an airbag to be deployed opposite to the side airbag unit, a skin member having a skin side slit in a part thereof corresponding to the pad side slit, and a retaining sheet connected to a part of a back side of the seatback pad opposing the side member, and to the side member so as to fixedly secure a position of the seatback pad relative to the side member.