3D Cover Strip for ISOFIX Access and Seat Upholstery Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing child seat fastening devices for vehicle seats often require complex cover designs and separate plastic covers for ISOFIX fastening devices, which can be cumbersome and aesthetically unappealing, while also complicating the integration of fastening units into the vehicle seat's upholstery.

Innovation Solution

A modular, three-dimensionally shaped cover system with reference panels or strips that can be integrated into the vehicle seat, featuring through-openings for access to fastening units and designed to be detachable or fixed, using deformable and stabilizable materials to simplify the integration and reduce seam lines, allowing for decorative and functional surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a complex cover design with separate plastic covers is used for ISOFIX fastening devices, then the fastening devices can be covered and accessed, but the device complexity increases and aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to fastening deviceVSAvoidcover structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the cover function and fastening device function into a single integrated unit. The cover is formed as one piece with the fastening device, eliminating the need for separate plastic covers and multiple components. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to cover and access the fastening device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides aesthetic covering, enables access to the fastening device through integrated openings, and maintains structural rigidity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If separate plastic covers are used for ISOFIX fastening devices, then the fastening devices can be covered, but the integration into vehicle seat upholstery deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecovering of fastening deviceVSAvoidintegration into upholstery
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is integrated directly with the fastening device as a single unit, allowing the entire assembly to be installed as one component into the vehicle seat upholstery. This eliminates the need for separate plastic covers and improves integration with the seat structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate covers are used for front and rear fastening units, then each fastening unit can be covered independently, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent covering of fastening unitsVSAvoidcover production
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is designed as a single piece that is segmented or divided to provide independent access to front and rear fastening units. This segmentation is achieved through integrated openings or foldable sections in the cover itself, rather than using multiple separate cover components, thereby simplifying manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of operation

If conventional cover designs are used, then fastening devices can be covered, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecovering functionVSAvoidaesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The cover and fastening device are merged into a single integrated unit with a unified design. This eliminates the aesthetic discontinuity caused by separate plastic covers and creates a cohesive, visually appealing appearance that matches the vehicle seat's overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4378752A1Cover for a fastening device and vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2024.06.05 ADIENT US LLC
  • EP4378752A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4378752A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4378752A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A cover (220, 2200, 2220) for a fastening device (121) for a child seat (118) on a vehicle seat (100), wherein the cover (220, 2200, 2220) is designed as a three-dimensionally shaped cover strip (226.1, 226.2) which has at least two through-openings (222) for the fastening device (121). The disclosure further relates to a vehicle seat (100) with such a cover (220, 2200, 2220).