Tip-up seat concealed support structure for crash stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tip-up vehicle seats lack support underneath, leading to excessive downward displacement during a crash, which is undesirable for safety.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a pivotally mounted seat portion and an elongated support member, supported by non-pivotal brackets, which are covered in cushioning foam for comfort and durability, to prevent excessive downward displacement during a crash.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If tip-up seats are mounted without support structure, then the seat can pivot freely to provide more interior room, but the seat rotates downward excessively during a crash
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is segmented into multiple components: an elongated support member extending perpendicular to the seat portion, and at least one support bracket extending between the support member and seat portion. This segmentation allows the support function to be distributed across multiple elements while maintaining the pivotable capability of the seat.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket and elongated support member are pre-installed in a fixed configuration before a crash occurs. The support bracket extends between the elongated support member and the seat portion in advance, creating a predetermined support geometry that activates automatically when needed during a crash event.
2Reliability
If support structure is added underneath the seat, then crash safety is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support bracket serves multiple functions simultaneously: it connects the elongated support member to the seat portion, provides structural support during crash, and is integrated with the cushioning foam system. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate components while maintaining crash support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated support member serves dual purposes: it provides structural support during crash and acts as an attachment point for the support bracket. The cushioning foam also serves multiple functions including comfort, durability, and concealing the support structure. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity.
3Reliability
If support brackets are exposed, then structural support is provided, but comfort and durability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cushioning foam acts as an intermediary layer between the exposed support brackets and the user's body. It conceals the metallic support structure from view and contact, eliminating potential comfort issues from hard edges and durability issues from metal exposure, while allowing the support brackets to maintain their structural support function underneath.
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 support structure effectively limits the downward displacement of the seat portion during a crash, enhancing safety by maintaining the seat's position and providing a comfortable seating surface.
Implementation Method 1
The cushioning foam fully covers the support bracket, the seat portion and the elongated support member
Implementation Method 2
The seat portion is pivotally mounted to the seat back at a first pivot point
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tip-up seat wherein the seat includes a seat back having a front surface, a seat portion having an upper surface and a lower surface. The seat portion is pivotally mounted to the seat back at a first pivot point. An elongated support member extends generally perpendicular to and spaced apart from the lower surface of the seat portion. The elongated support member is fixed to the lower surface of the seat portion. At least one support bracket extends between the elongated support member and the lower surface of the seat portion to support the seat in the event of a crash as seat portion rotates downward. The seat further includes a cushioning foam fully covering the support bracket, the seat portion and the elongated support member.