Claims:CLAIMS
We claim,
1. A seat frame assembly comprising:
a frame having a plurality of first leg and a plurality of second leg, wherein each of said first leg is connected to each said corresponding second leg; and
a plurality of brackets adapted for absorbing an impact energy received by said frame, wherein
each of said bracket includes a first leg and a second leg; and said first leg of each of said bracket is connected to each said corresponding first leg of said frame and said second leg of each of said bracket is connected to each said corresponding second leg of said frame.
2. The seat frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said frame further comprises a plurality of third leg.
3. The seat frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a head rest adapted for supporting the head of an occupant.
4. The seat frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of seat tracks adapted for linear movement of said frame.
5. The seat frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an adjustment handle adapted to adjust the position of said frame.
6. The seat frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of seat mounting brackets adapted to mount said seat frame assembly.
7. The seat frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a first cross member adapted for reinforcing said frame.
8. The seat frame assembly as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a second cross member adapted for reinforcing said frame.
, Description:DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0016] The embodiments herein achieve a seat frame assembly that can reduce the impact level of an occupant in the vehicle during a crash event. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 5, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded view of the seat frame assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. In an embodiment the seat frame assembly 100 includes a frame 102, a plurality of brackets 104, a head restraint 106, a plurality of seat tracks 108, an adjustment handle 110, a plurality of seat mounting brackets 112, a first cross member 114 and a second cross member 116.
[0018] In an embodiment the frame 102 forms the base of the seat frame assembly 100. and is used for supporting an occupant (not shown). The frame 102 is provided with seat cushion (not shown) for supporting the occupant (not shown). In an embodiment the frame 102 includes a plurality of first leg 102a, a plurality of second leg 102b and a plurality of third leg 102c. In an embodiment the first leg 102a, the second leg 102b and the third leg 102c are mutually transverse to each other. In an embodiment each of the first leg 102a is connected with a corresponding second leg 102b. In an embodiment the first leg 102a and the second leg 102b are transverse to each other. In an embodiment one of the third leg 102c is connected between the first legs 102a and the other third leg 102c is connected between the second legs 102b. In an embodiment the first leg 102a, second leg 102b and the third leg 102c are hollow tubes. In an embodiment the first leg 102a, second leg 102b and the third leg 102c have rectangular cross section. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the first leg 102a, second leg 102b and the third leg 102c in circular cross section or any other cross section without otherwise deterring the intended function of the frame 102 as can be deduced from the description.
[0019] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of a bracket of the seat frame assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. FIG. 5 depicts an assembled view of the frame and the brackets of the seat frame assembly according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. The plurality of brackets 104 is used for absorbing the impact energy received by the frame 102 during a crash event. In an embodiment the bracket 104 includes a first leg 104a and a second leg 104b. In an embodiment the first leg 104a and the second leg 104b of the bracket 104 are transverse to each other. Each of the plurality of brackets 104 are connected to the frame 102 at the portion of the frame 102 where the first leg 102a and the second leg 102b are connected such that the first leg 104a of the bracket 104 is connected with first leg 102a of the frame 102 and the second leg 104b of the bracket 104 is connected with the second leg 102b of the frame 102. In an embodiment the plurality of brackets 104 is provided at the outer side of the frame 102. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to provide the plurality of the brackets 104 at the inner side of the frame 102. In an embodiment the brackets 104 are connected to the frame 102 by welding. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to connect the brackets 104 to the frame 102 by any other means without otherwise deterring the intended function of the brackets 104 as can be deduced from the description. The brackets 104 are configured based on the shape and dimensions of the first leg 102a and second leg 102b of the frame 102.
[0020] In an embodiment the head restraint 106 is used for supporting the head of an occupant (not shown). In an embodiment the plurality of seat tracks 108 is used for the linear movement of the frame 102. In an embodiment the adjustment handle 110 is used for adjusting the position of the frame 102. In an embodiment the plurality of seat mounting brackets 112 is used for mounting the seat frame assembly 100.
[0021] In an embodiment the first cross member 114 includes a first end 114a and a second end 114b. The first end 114a is connected to one of the first leg 102a of the frame 102 and the second end 114b is connected to the other first leg 102a i.e the first cross member 114 is connected between the first legs 102a of the frame 102. The first cross member 114 is used for reinforcing the frame 102.
[0022] In an embodiment the second cross member 116 includes a first end 116a and a second end 116b. The first end 116a is connected to one of the second leg 102b of the frame 102 and the second end 116b is connected to the other second leg 102b i.e the second cross member 116 is connected between the second legs 102b of the frame 102. The second cross member 116 is used for reinforcing the frame 102.
[0023] The working of the seat frame assembly 100 is as follows. During a crash event the force/load experienced by the occupant (not shown) is transmitted to the frame 102 via seat cushion (not shown) provided in the frame 102. As a result the brackets 104 absorb the impact energy received by the frame 102 and reduce the deflection of the frame 102.
[0024] FIG. 3 depicts the graph plot between resultant force and head displacement of the conventional seat frame assembly (not shown). A CAE (computer aided engineering) test was conducted on the conventional seat frame assembly in conjunction with a head form weighing 6.8kg having a diameter of 165mm with appropriate loads and boundary conditions as per the standards. A force of 890N is applied on the head restraint (not shown) of the conventional seat frame and a moment of 530 Nm is applied to the seat frame assembly 100 and a graph plot between resultant force and head displacement was obtained. The resultant force was found to be 916N and the corresponding head displacement from the displaced torso line was 68mm.
[0025] FIG. 4 depicts the graph plot between resultant force and head displacement of the seat frame assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the invention as disclosed herein. A CAE test was conducted on the seat frame assembly 100 in conjunction with a head form weighing 6.8kg having a diameter of 165mm with appropriate loads and boundary conditions as per the standards. A force of 890N is applied on the head restraint 106 and a moment of 530 Nm is applied to the seat frame assembly 100 and a graph plot between resultant force and head displacement was obtained. The resultant force was found to be 1066N and the corresponding head displacement from the displaced torso line was 44mm. Thus from FIG. 4 (based on the value of head displacement) it is clearly evident that the seat frame assembly 100 can reduce the neck injury level of an occupant (not shown) in the vehicle during a crash event. Further the seat frame assembly 100 transmits the force acting on the head form (not shown) constantly.
[0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.