Swivel Ball Rear Seat Bracket for Crash Safety
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rear seat entertainment systems in vehicles face challenges such as increased development costs due to the need for customized headrests, limited adjustability, and safety concerns during crashes, especially when screens are mounted on front seats.
Innovation Solution
A rear seat entertainment bracket with a mount that includes a headrest bracket and screen support, featuring a swivel ball joint for adjustable positioning, and a covering component for a smooth exterior, allowing for wide adjustability and compatibility with various vehicle platforms without requiring seat or headrest customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If screens are mounted on front seats using brackets, then cost and model-adaptation concerns are addressed, but rear seat occupant safety is compromised during crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket assembly incorporates a spring mechanism that allows dynamic movement. During normal operation, the bracket maintains a fixed position for stable screen viewing. During a crash, the spring allows the bracket to move forward, absorbing impact forces and preventing the screen from becoming a hazardous projectile that could injure rear seat occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to provide cushioning force before a crash occurs. This beforehand cushioning ensures that when impact occurs, the bracket already has the mechanical advantage to absorb and dissipate crash forces, protecting occupants without requiring active control systems.
2Ease of operation
If screens are integrated within headrest assemblies, then viewing position is improved, but development costs increase due to customized headrests
Solution Approach 1:
The entertainment system is segmented into separate components: the screen is mounted on an independent bracket assembly that attaches to the front seat, rather than integrating it into the headrest. This segmentation allows the bracket to be a universal component that can be installed on any front seat without customizing the headrest structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly is designed as a universal mounting solution that can be installed on various front seat types across different vehicle models. The adjustable positioning features allow it to accommodate different seat configurations, eliminating the need for model-specific customization while maintaining optimal viewing positions.
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 solution enhances rear seat occupant safety by reducing the risk of injury during crashes, provides adjustable viewing angles, and can be mass-produced for low cost, fitting a wide range of vehicles without customizing seats or headrests.
Implementation Method 1
A second portion of the swivel ball joint is provided on the HMI bracket. The first and second portions of the swivel ball joint allow the HMI bracket to articulate through a range of motion relative to the headrest bracket.
Data Source
AI summary
An entertainment bracket for a seat of a motor vehicle includes a mount disposed on the seat, the mount having a headrest bracket and a screen support. The headrest bracket extends from a substantially planar headrest attachment portion rearwards to the screen support, the screen support connected at an angle to the headrest attachment portion and including a first portion of a swivel ball joint. A human machine interface (HMI) bracket supports an HMI and includes a second portion of the swivel ball joint connected to the first portion of the swivel ball joint, the first portion and the second portion of the swivel ball joint allowing the HMI bracket to articulate through a range of motion relative to the headrest bracket. A covering component is disposed overtop the headrest attachment portion and forms a substantially smooth, continuous exterior surface of the entertainment bracket.