Modular Vehicle Seat Assembly with Adaptable Coupling Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seat assemblies are designed specifically for different vehicle body styles, leading to excessive manufacturing costs, long lead times, and inefficient design processes due to the need for distinct tooling and manufacturing techniques for each style.
Innovation Solution
A modular seat assembly with a seat frame featuring multiple attachment areas and a coupling device that can be adapted to different vehicle body styles by choosing the appropriate attachment area based on the vehicle's configuration, allowing for a single design to fit various vehicle types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different seat assemblies are designed for different vehicle body styles, then the seat assembly fits the specific vehicle frame and structural requirements, but manufacturing costs increase and lead times extend
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is divided into modular components including a seat bottom assembly, a seat back assembly, and a coupling device. These segments can be independently manufactured and then assembled together, allowing the same base modules to be used across different vehicle body styles while only the coupling device needs adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device is designed with multiple attachment areas that can accommodate different vehicle body styles (sedan, hatchback, SUV). By providing universal attachment options on the seat frame, a single seat assembly design can be adapted to various vehicle types without requiring completely different seat designs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different tooling and manufacturing techniques are used for different seat assemblies, then each seat is optimized for its specific vehicle, but manufacturing lead time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat frame is designed with pre-configured attachment areas that are prepared in advance during the base manufacturing process. These pre-positioned attachment points allow for quick adaptation to different vehicle body styles without requiring additional manufacturing steps or tooling changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device can be configured with different attachment parameters (attachment area selection) to match different vehicle body styles. By changing only the attachment configuration rather than the entire seat assembly, the system maintains adaptability while using consistent manufacturing processes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If seat assemblies are designed independently for each vehicle body style, then each seat is optimized for its specific application, but design efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the common elements of different seat designs into a single modular platform. The seat bottom assembly, seat back assembly, and frame structure are combined into a universal base design that can serve multiple vehicle body styles, eliminating the need for independent design processes for each vehicle type.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling device incorporates dynamic configuration capabilities, allowing the attachment points and coupling mechanism to be adjusted or selected based on the specific vehicle body style requirements. This dynamic adaptability enables a single design to optimize for different applications without requiring static, vehicle-specific designs.
Data Source
AI summary
A modular seat assembly for installation into one of at least two vehicles differing in body style includes a seat frame including a first attachment area and a second attachment area. The seat assembly also includes a coupling device that operably couples the seat frame to the vehicle. The coupling device is attached to the seat frame in one of the first and second attachment areas. The one of the first and second attachment areas is chosen for attachment of the coupling device according to the body style of the vehicle.