Chamfered Floor Latch Centering for Vehicle Seat Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle seat structures require significant effort during assembly and operation, particularly with the attachment of floor latches, leading to inefficiencies in manufacturing time, cost, and flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A floor latch system featuring a chamfered bolt and floating bushing with oversized holes, allowing for improved centering and clamping, and utilizing a weld nut for attachment, which simplifies assembly and operation by compensating for manufacturing tolerances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If traditional floor latches are used for mounting seat base to vehicle floor, then the attachment can be achieved, but the assembly process requires significant effort and time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidassembly effort

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chamfer is pre-formed on the bolt during manufacturing, so that during assembly the bolt automatically guides itself into proper alignment with the floating bushing without requiring manual centering or adjustment. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for time-consuming alignment operations during assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The floating bushing acts as an intermediary element between the bolt and the mounting hole. It provides a tolerance-compensating interface that facilitates easy insertion and secure attachment, reducing assembly effort while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If traditional floor latches without centering features are used, then the structure is simpler, but the attachment means cannot be properly centered leading to assembly difficulties

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecentering capabilityVSAvoidlatch structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The chamfer is applied locally to specific surfaces of the bolt (typically the shank or head) rather than requiring complex centering mechanisms throughout the entire latch structure. This localized feature provides the necessary centering function while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The centering function is built into the bolt geometry itself through the pre-formed chamfer, eliminating the need for separate centering devices or complex adjustment mechanisms. The chamfer performs the centering action automatically during the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If tight tolerances are applied to striker pin, floating bushing and riser manufacturing, then the fit is more precise, but the manufacturing cost increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The design transitions from requiring tight dimensional tolerances to utilizing intentional clearance and interference fits. The floating bushing is designed with slightly larger dimensions than the mounting hole, creating an interference fit that ensures precise positioning without requiring expensive tight tolerance machining on all components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The floating bushing design anticipates and compensates for manufacturing tolerances in advance. By allowing the bushing to float and self-center within the mounting hole, the design cushions against the effects of tolerance variations, ensuring reliable assembly even with standard manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If multiple fastening bolts are used to attach floor latch, then the attachment is more secure, but the assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The chamfer on each bolt is pre-formed to provide automatic centering and alignment during insertion. This preliminary preparation ensures that each bolt quickly finds its proper position in the floating bushing, significantly reducing the time required for each fastening operation while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system uses multiple independent bolts rather than a single complex fastening mechanism. Each bolt acts as an independent segment that can be quickly inserted and secured, allowing for parallel assembly operations and reducing total assembly time while distributing the attachment load across multiple points for enhanced security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2408641B1Seat structure - chamfered mounting of compensating floor latches

Publication Date: 2016.05.11 JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY CO

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AI summary

The present invention relates to a floor latch (200) for connecting a vehicle seat base portion (204) with a vehicle floor portion, the floor latch (200) comprising an attachment means (301 ) and a riser (300), the floor latch (200) providing centering of the attachment means (301 ) for clamping the riser (300) with the seat base portion (204) or with the vehicle floor portion.