Head Restraint Guide Sleeve Mechanical Lock for Seat Back Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modern motor vehicle seating assemblies face challenges in accommodating diverse driver and passenger sizes and shapes, requiring complex assembly processes and numerous discrete parts, which increases costs and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A modular design featuring a one-piece composite inner carrier substrate and seat back frame with head restraint guide sleeves that mechanically lock the substrate to the frame, allowing for easier assembly and reduced parts, using J-retainer attachment fasteners for secure trim cover attachment and incorporating a suspension system for comfort and structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a modular design with head restraint guide sleeves is used to mechanically lock the inner carrier substrate to the seat back frame, then assembly is simplified and costs are reduced, but the structural complexity of individual components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide sleeve is divided into distinct functional segments: an enlarged head restraint receiving portion for accommodating the head restraint assembly, a cylindrical body portion for mechanical locking, and a reduced diameter lower portion for insertion. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function efficiently while simplifying the overall assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The head restraint assembly is nested within the enlarged head restraint receiving portion of the guide sleeve, which itself is nested within the module opening of the inner carrier substrate and the frame opening of the seat back frame. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple components into a compact integrated structure, reducing assembly complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hundreds of discrete parts are used to accommodate diverse driver and passenger sizes and shapes, then adaptability is improved, but assembly complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide sleeve serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural connector between the seat back frame and inner carrier substrate, provides a guide for head restraint assembly, offers mechanical locking through its cylindrical body portion, and accommodates various head restraint configurations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple discrete parts while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide sleeve design allows for vertical adjustment of the head restraint assembly within the enlarged receiving portion, enabling dynamic adaptation to different occupant sizes and shapes. The mechanical lock can be engaged or disengaged to allow movement or fixation, providing versatility without requiring numerous discrete components.
3Strength
If a mechanical lock system with head restraint guide sleeves is implemented, then structural integrity is enhanced, but the complexity of the locking mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide sleeve integrates the locking function directly into its structural body. The cylindrical body portion with external threading combines the structural support function with the mechanical locking function, eliminating the need for separate locking mechanisms. This merging maintains structural integrity while avoiding additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide sleeve's cylindrical body portion with external threading automatically engages with the corresponding internal threading in the seat back frame or inner carrier substrate, creating a self-locking mechanism. The design allows the component to secure itself without requiring additional locking devices or complex assembly steps, thereby enhancing structural integrity without increasing mechanism complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle a motor vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle has a lower seat assembly and an upwardly extending seat back assembly. The upwardly extending seat back assembly comprises a head restraint having a head restraint pad and a head restraint mounting post depending therefrom, a seat back frame having a vertically oriented frame opening in an upper portion thereof, a seat back and suspension module having an upper portion and a vertically oriented module opening in the upper portion, the frame opening and the module opening being in vertical alignment one with the other, and a head restraint guide sleeve vertically received and retained within the frame opening and the module opening, wherein the head restraint mounting post is received and retained within the head restraint guide sleeve.