Lightweight C-Ring Bracket Assembly for Vehicle Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat component securing systems in vehicles are heavy, lack durability, and are difficult to manufacture, despite their strength.
Innovation Solution
A lightweight C-ring crossmember and bracket assembly using a T-shaped cross-section with a C-ring retention structure that allows the bracket to slide along a rail, enabling secure attachment to the vehicle's floor and crossmember, manufactured from extruded aluminum for superior strength, weight savings, and ease of manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If steel materials and conventional bracket structures are used to secure seat components, then strength and durability are improved, but weight increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel to aluminum alloy, fundamentally altering the density and weight characteristics while maintaining structural integrity through optimized design. This material substitution directly addresses the contradiction by reducing weight while preserving necessary strength properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly is divided into multiple functional segments including the C-ring retainer, guide rail, bracket body, and cap structure. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for weight efficiency while maintaining overall structural strength, resolving the contradiction between lightweight design and structural integrity.
2Strength
If steel materials and conventional bracket structures are used to secure seat components, then strength and durability are improved, but manufacturing complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into modular components (C-ring retainer, guide rail, bracket body, cap structure) that can be manufactured separately using optimized processes and then assembled. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing each component to be produced using the most suitable method for its specific requirements, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly incorporates universal features such as the T-shaped guide rail that can accommodate different bracket positions and configurations. This multi-functionality reduces manufacturing complexity by using standardized components and attachment methods that can be applied across different applications, eliminating the need for custom-designed steel brackets for each specific requirement.
3Stability of the object's composition
If conventional pivot brackets are used to secure seat components, then structural integrity is maintained, but weight and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from steel to aluminum alloy, fundamentally altering the density and weight characteristics while maintaining structural integrity through optimized design. This material substitution directly addresses the contradiction by reducing weight while preserving necessary strength properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The C-ring retainer is designed to dynamically engage with the T-shaped guide rail, allowing the bracket to slide and adjust along the rail while maintaining secure attachment. This dynamic mechanism provides structural integrity through the engagement geometry rather than relying solely on material strength, enabling weight reduction while maintaining stability.
4Stability of the object's composition
If conventional pivot brackets are used to secure seat components, then structural integrity is maintained, but ease of manufacture decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The assembly is segmented into modular components (C-ring retainer, guide rail, bracket body, cap structure) that can be manufactured separately using optimized processes and then assembled. This segmentation simplifies manufacturing by allowing each component to be produced using the most suitable method for its specific requirements, reducing overall manufacturing complexity while maintaining strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket assembly incorporates universal features such as the T-shaped guide rail that can accommodate different bracket positions and configurations. This multi-functionality reduces manufacturing complexity by using standardized components and attachment methods that can be applied across different applications, eliminating the need for custom-designed steel brackets for each specific requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A bracket assembly for coupling a component to a vehicle including a bracket body including a C-ring retainer that is adapted to translatably engage and retain a T-shaped guide rail coupled to one of a crossmember and floor structure of the vehicle, wherein the bracket body defines a hole or includes an attachment structure adapted to receive and retain the component. The bracket body further includes one or more flanges adapted to secure the bracket body to the crossmember or floor structure of the vehicle via bolting and/or welding. Optionally, the bracket body includes: a front attachment arm; a rear attachment arm; one or more intervening structural reinforcement members; a bottom portion coupled to the attachment arms; and a cap structure coupled to the attachment arms opposite the bottom portion; wherein the bottom portion includes the C-ring retainer and the cap structure defines the hole or includes the attachment structure.