Asymmetrical Bushing Assembly for Vehicle Seat Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual assembly of vehicle seats is prone to human error, leading to misorientation and structural issues such as rattling and pivot failure due to the difficulty in properly positioning the seat frame, especially when it is pre-assembled with cushions and fabrics, making it challenging to ensure accurate installation at both sides.
Innovation Solution
A bushing assembly with asymmetrical first and second bushings, each with distinct longitudinal lengths and cross-sectional dimensions, is used to connect the seat frame to metallic rods, providing guided installation and enhanced clearance for precise alignment and secure connection, reducing the likelihood of misinstallation and structural damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual assembly methods are used for vehicle seat installation, then flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but human error increases leading to misorientation and structural issues
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing assembly employs asymmetrical design where the first bushing has a first longitudinal length and the second bushing has a second longitudinal length that differs from the first. This asymmetry provides visual and physical guidance during manual assembly, enabling workers to correctly orient the bushings without complex instructions or tools, thereby improving installation accuracy while maintaining ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing assembly is pre-configured with asymmetrical dimensions and features before installation. The different longitudinal lengths and cross-sectional dimensions are predetermined during manufacturing, so that during assembly the worker simply needs to match the asymmetrical features together, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or specialized tools
2Manufacturing precision
If symmetrical bushings are used for connection, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but alignment precision and anti-misinstallation capability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing assembly uses asymmetrical bushings where the first bushing has different longitudinal and cross-sectional dimensions compared to the second bushing. This asymmetry provides built-in alignment guidance and prevents incorrect installation, improving manufacturing precision without requiring complex external alignment systems or additional components
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the bushing assembly have different dimensions and properties tailored to their specific functions. The first bushing has a first longitudinal length optimized for its connection point, while the second bushing has a second longitudinal length optimized for its connection point, allowing each component to be precisely fitted for its specific location while maintaining overall structural simplicity
3Object-affected harmful factors
If regular pivot connections are used with brackets and axes, then structural strength is maintained, but noise and vibration from misalignment increase
Solution Approach 1:
The asymmetrical bushing design ensures correct orientation during installation, preventing misalignment that would cause noise and vibration. The different longitudinal lengths and cross-sectional dimensions guide the assembly into the correct position, ensuring proper alignment while maintaining connection strength through the polymeric material's inherent damping properties
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing assembly acts as an intermediary component between the seat frame and the vehicle floor, providing a cushioned connection that absorbs noise and vibration. The polymeric material of the bushings provides damping and isolation, reducing harmful factors while maintaining structural strength through the distributed load-bearing design
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention in one or more embodiments provides a bushing assembly to support a seat frame, where the bushing assembly includes first and second bushings connected to first and opposing second sides of the seat frame. The first and second bushings are comprised of first and second polymeric materials and include first and second support portions with first and second longitudinal lengths along a longitudinal direction, respectively, wherein the first longitudinal length differs than the second longitudinal length.