Vehicle Seat Cloth Spring with Variable Bridging Length
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs using cloth springs struggle to control deformation and restrict movement in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the bridging direction, leading to inadequate support for occupants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring frame members with a cloth spring member bridged between them, where the cloth spring has a shorter length on both ends than at the center, providing a higher elastic modulus and reduced deformation, and incorporating a wire support system for easy attachment, along with varying yarn density to manage seating pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cloth spring member has a uniform length in the bridging direction, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the deformation cannot be controlled in the in-plane direction perpendicular to the bridging direction
Solution Approach 1:
The cloth spring member is designed with non-uniform length in the bridging direction, where the length varies along the longitudinal direction of the frame member. Specifically, the cloth spring has a shorter length at both end sides and a longer length at the center portion, creating different elastic moduli in different regions. This local variation in geometry allows differential deformation control across the seat surface, providing better occupant support while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Force
If the cloth spring member has a longer length in the bridging direction, then the elastic force is increased, but the deformation amount increases making it difficult to restrict occupant movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cloth spring member incorporates varying lengths in the bridging direction along the longitudinal axis, creating regions with different elastic moduli. The center portion has a longer length providing greater elastic force and comfort, while the end sides have shorter lengths providing higher stiffness to restrict occupant movement. This spatial variation in geometry allows the single cloth spring member to simultaneously provide both support and movement restriction functions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the cloth spring member has a shorter length in the bridging direction, then the deformation amount is reduced, but the elastic force decreases reducing occupant support
Solution Approach 1:
The cloth spring member is designed with non-uniform length distribution where the shorter length at the end sides provides reduced deformation and movement restriction, while the longer center portion maintains sufficient elastic force for occupant support. This localized differentiation allows each region of the cloth spring to optimize its function based on the specific support needs at that location.
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 effectively restricts movement and reduces deformation in the in-plane direction, enhancing occupant support and comfort by distributing load more evenly, while allowing for easy attachment and installation of the cloth spring member.
Implementation Method 1
the cloth spring member has elasticity... the cloth spring member has a shorter length along which the cloth spring member can exert an elastic force on the pair of frame members
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle seat (10) includes; a pair of frame members (14, 44), the frame members forming a frame of at least one of a seat cushion (12) and a seat back (40) and being disposed at positions surrounding a seat region supporting an occupant with an interval therebetween; and a cloth spring member (22) bridged between the frame members (14, 44) to cover the seat region. The cloth spring member (22) has a shorter length in a bridging direction at least on one end side of the frame member (14, 44) in a longitudinal direction of the frame member (14, 44) than in a center portion of the frame member (14, 44) in the longitudinal direction; and the cloth spring member (22) has elasticity.