초록 ▼

A vehicle seat assembly includes an aluminum lower seat frame with first and second side supports having a thickness of less than four mm throughout a substantial portion thereof. The seat back frame is pivotally connected to the lower seat frame and comprises a contoured structural reaction injecti

A vehicle seat assembly includes an aluminum lower seat frame with first and second side supports having a thickness of less than four mm throughout a substantial portion thereof. The seat back frame is pivotally connected to the lower seat frame and comprises a contoured structural reaction injection molded (SRIM) material. In an alternative embodiment, the back frame comprises a plurality of glass mat layers enclosed within a molded urethane material. Extra glass mat layers are provided in high stress concentration areas for added structural integrity.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle seat back frame having an upper portion and first and second lower attachment portions for attachment of the back frame in a vehicle, comprising:a high density structural injection molded polyurethane material with glass reinforcement fibers, said reinforcement

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] A vehicle seat back frame having an upper portion and first and second lower attachment portions for attachment of the back frame in a vehicle, comprising:a high density structural injection molded polyurethane material with glass reinforcement fibers, said reinforcement fibers comprising:a plurality of glass mat layers formed generally in the shape of the back frame, said glass mat layers being most numerous in said first and second lower attachment portions for added structural integrity;said polyurethane material being molded over said plurality of glass mat layers to form the seat back frame;said plurality of glass mat layers comprising a first glass mat layer formed generally in the shape of the back frame and having first and second lower attachment portions and first and second side curvature portions extending longitudinally along opposing sides of the back frame;a second glass mat layer positioned over said first glass mat layer at said first and second lower attachment portions and extending at least partially along said side curvature portions;a third glass mat layer positioned over said second glass mat layer at said first and second attachment portions and extending at least partially along said side curvature portions;a fourth glass mat layer positioned over said third glass mat layer at said first and second lower attachment portions and extending at least partially along said side curvature portions; andfifth and sixth glass mat layers positioned at said first and second lower attachment portions;said back frame having a first spring rate and being flexible with respect to a vertical reference center plane of said back frame;said back frame having spring rates that differ from said first spring rate with respect to vertical reference planes between said vertical reference center plane and lateral sides of said back frame;said back frame being flexible with respect to lateral reference planes, the spring rates of said back frame at said lateral reference planes being lower adjacent said upper portion of said back frame relative to the spring rate at lateral reference planes below said upper portion;said glass reinforcement fibers being positioned in said back frame to effect plastic deformation as said back frame flexes due to impact forces on said back frame, thereby absorbing impact energy as said energy is stored in said seat back due to flexing of said back frame at said vertical and lateral reference planes.