Center Back Child Seat Locking Structure for Tight Seat Gaps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive seats with a pair of seat back portions and a center back portion lack a secure and aesthetically pleasing method to lockably connect a child seat, as the small space between the armrest and seat cushion is insufficient for decorative padding and cannot accommodate ISO-standard child seats.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a shape-retaining locking element with a hollow support body, a female engagement means, and a cover means made from a hard synthetic resin material with elastic properties, which provides a rigid surface for support and allows easy locking of the child seat to the center back portion while maintaining an aesthetically improved appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the space between the armrest and seat cushion is minimized to allow armrest rotation, then the armrest can rotate between storage and use positions, but the space is too small to accommodate decorative foam padding and cannot lockably connect a child seat
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is nested within the existing small space between the armrest and seat cushion. The hollow cylindrical body of the locking element fits within this confined volume, allowing child seat connection functionality without requiring additional space that would interfere with armrest rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element utilizes the vertical dimension and radial space of the cylindrical hollow body to provide engagement surfaces and locking mechanisms. By arranging the female engagement portions and locking surfaces within the cylindrical structure, the design accommodates child seat connection in a three-dimensional configuration that fits the limited available space.
2Shape
If foam padding is added to the small space for aesthetic purposes, then the appearance is improved, but the foam padding deforms easily due to its small thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The hollow cylindrical body acts as a rigid shell structure that maintains the shape and appearance of the space while providing structural support. The cylindrical form can be covered with aesthetic materials that retain their shape because the rigid hollow structure behind them prevents deformation, unlike thin foam padding alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element combines a rigid hollow structural body with aesthetic cover materials. This composite structure provides both the structural integrity needed to maintain shape and resistance to deformation, while also achieving the desired aesthetic appearance through the outer covering materials.
3Reliability
If a rigid structure is provided in the small space to support child seat locking, then secure connection is achieved, but the space for armrest rotation is further reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid locking structure is nested within the existing space boundaries, with the hollow cylindrical body fitting inside the volume between the armrest and seat cushion. This nesting approach ensures the locking mechanism is contained within the available space without protruding to interfere with armrest rotation movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is divided into distinct functional segments: the hollow cylindrical body for structural support, the female engagement portions for child seat connection, and the locking surfaces for securing the connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimally positioned within the limited space to maintain both locking reliability and armrest operability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables secure and easy locking of the child seat to the center back portion, providing a rigid surface for support and maintaining the shape of the locking element, thus addressing the limitations of existing designs.
Implementation Method 1
a cover means for covering the forwardly facing surface portion of the hollow support body and the cut-away portion, the cover means comprising at least two cover layers, wherein one of the at least two cover layers is formed from a relatively hard synthetic resin material with a certain elasticity so as to normally tend to retain an original shape
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive seat of the type allowing a child seat to be mounted thereon and including a center back portion, wherein a shape-retaining/locking element is provided to a lower region of the center back portion. The shape-retaining/locking element includes a rigid hollow support body; a cut-away portion defined in the support body; a female engagement element to which the child seat is lockably engaged, the female engagement element being exposed outwardly in such cut-away portion; and a cover element for covering the hollow support body and cut-away portion. The cover element includes a layer of hard synthetic resin material with a certain elasticity, such that it normally tends to retain its original shape generally conforming to a forwardly facing surface portion hollow support body. One end of the cover element may be releasably connected to the lower region of the hollow support body.