Floating Latching Element for Vehicle Seat Backrest Cover Fastening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for attaching a backrest cover to a vehicle seat face challenges such as large locking hooks required for strength, which necessitate large mounting holes that compromise the strength and weight requirements of the backrest frame, and fail to effectively compensate for tolerances in the frame's height.
Innovation Solution
A spring-loaded latching element is used, which is mounted in a floating manner on the backrest cover and guided along a defined pathway, engaging with the vehicle seat's inner circumference without needing fastening holes, allowing for secure and flexible attachment that compensates for existing tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If large locking hooks are used to ensure strength, then the connection strength is improved, but large mounting holes are required which compromise the strength and weight requirements of the backrest frame
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is designed to be movable relative to the backrest cover along a guide element, transitioning from a retracted position to an engaged position. This dynamic mechanism allows the locking element to engage with the vehicle seat without requiring large static mounting holes, thereby maintaining frame strength while achieving secure connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element acts as an intermediary between the backrest cover and the vehicle seat. It engages with the inner circumference of the backrest frame and is acted upon by a spring force, mediating the connection without requiring large holes in the frame structure. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by distributing forces through a movable component rather than through large static openings.
2Strength
If large locking hooks are used to ensure strength, then the connection strength is improved, but the backrest frame requires additional material which increases cost and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The movable locking element engages dynamically with the vehicle seat structure, allowing strong connection without adding substantial material to the backrest frame. The spring-loaded mechanism provides the necessary engagement force without requiring additional structural material, thus avoiding increased material quantity and cost.
3Manufacturing precision
If snap-in hooks are used to compensate for tolerances, then the tolerance compensation is improved, but large mounting holes are required which affect frame strength
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element's ability to move along the guide element from a retracted to an engaged position provides dynamic tolerance compensation. The spring force allows the locking element to adapt to variations in the inner circumference of the backrest frame without requiring large mounting holes, thus maintaining frame strength while achieving fault-tolerant assembly.
4Reliability
If screw connections are used for fastening, then the connection reliability is improved, but the production time increases making it unsuitable for mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is pre-loaded with spring force and guided along a defined pathway, allowing it to automatically engage with the vehicle seat in a single assembly step. This preliminary preparation of the locking mechanism eliminates the need for time-consuming screw operations while maintaining reliable connection, thus improving productivity for mass production.
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
This solution enables a secure, precise, and fault-tolerant fastening of the backrest cover without compromising the strength of the vehicle seat, allowing for flexible adaptation to different seat configurations and eliminating the need for large mounting holes.
Implementation Method 1
the latching element being subjected to a spring force, the backrest cover has a guide element on the side facing the vehicle seat and the latching element is movable relative to the backrest cover along the guide element
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for fastening a backrest cover (3) to a vehicle seat (1). It is provided that at least one latching element (5a, 5b, 5n), by which the backrest cover (3) is fastened in one mounting step to the vehicle seat (1), is mounted in a floating manner on the backrest cover (3). The latching element (5a, 5b, 5n) is movable along a defined guide path with respect to the backrest cover (3).