Angled Striker Surface for Removable Vehicle Seat Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional removable seat assemblies in vehicles require excessive effort for installation and removal due to interference fits between latches and strikers, leading to increased installation and removal difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A removable seat assembly with a front striker featuring a flat, angled engagement surface that transitions from a clearance fit during installation to an interference fit in the seating position, utilizing a seat mounting bracket with angled strikers and latches to facilitate easy installation and secure seating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an interference fit is used between the latch and anchor/striker, then the seat assembly achieves a secure installed position, but the installation and removal efforts increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The striker is designed with a dynamic engagement process where the engagement surface transitions from a clearance fit state during installation/removal to an interference fit state in the final installed position. This allows the system to be easy to operate during installation while achieving secure retention in the installed state
Solution Approach 2:
The engagement surface is angled relative to the striker's longitudinal axis, creating a progressive engagement where the effective interference parameter changes from zero during initial engagement to a maximum value in the final installed position. This parameter change enables both easy installation and secure retention
2Reliability
If a conventional latch and anchor arrangement is used, then the seat assembly can be securely mounted, but the installation process becomes difficult and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The angled engagement surface creates a dynamic installation process where the latch automatically progresses along the striker surface during a single rotational motion, reducing installation time while ensuring secure mounting through the interference fit achieved at the end of the engagement
Solution Approach 2:
The geometry of the engagement surface is pre-configured to guide the latch into proper alignment and engagement with the striker during the installation rotation, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and reducing installation time
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly includes a removable vehicle seat having a front latch, a rear latch, and a seat mounting bracket adapted to be coupled to a vehicle floor. The front latch includes a striker receiving slot having a slot width, and the seat mounting bracket includes a front and rear striker, where the front striker is configured to be received in the receiving slot. The front striker includes an engagement portion having a flat, angled engagement surface in cross-section. In an installation position of the seat, the front latch receives the engagement portion with the engagement surface being substantially parallel to the receiving slot thereby providing for a clearance fit. In an installed position of the seat, the receiving slot is angled relative to the engagement surface such that the front striker engages opposing walls of the receiving slot thereby establishing an interference fit between the striker and front latch.