Vibracoustic seat dampers designed to steady in-car entertainment screens

DARMSTADT, Germany—Vibracoustic GmbH has unveiled a new seat damper design concept intended to significantly reduce automotive seat vibration and enhance in-car entertainment experiences for back-seat passengers.

Inspired by an increasing demand for in-car entertainment that often relies on screens mounted to headrests and seat backs, the company's mass damper addresses the need to reduce vibrations through the integration of standardized rubber elements. In doing so, the company claims the damper can enhance the entertainment experience and reduce motion sickness.

"Motions from the car body are transferred to the front seat, where the screens are mostly mounted and therefore to the entertainment system, causing visual vibrations and a bad entertainment experience," Vibracoustic said in a news release.

The mass damper modular design, which includes 100-percent recyclable silicon rubber parts, can be adapted to fit any vesicle or seat package space. It also can be used in combination with the airbag inflater and in the steering wheel, as well as in the body or roof of a vehicle.

Established in 2001 and headquartered in Weinheim, Germany, Vibracoustic supplies vibration control products to the global automotive and commercial vehicle industries. Part of the Freudenberg Group, it operates 43 locations in 19 countries and employs around 10,000 worldwide.