Rear Seat Tether Bracket Layout for Upright Strap Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tether attachment structures in motor vehicles require the upright portion of the rear seat assembly to be moved out of an upright orientation for securing a child's seat, which is inconvenient for parents or vehicle operators.
Innovation Solution
A tether structure with a support bracket installed at the upper end of the frame structure of the seat assembly, allowing the attachment of a strap from the child's seat without lowering the upright portion of the rear seat assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tether attachment structure is fixed to the rearward side of the rear seat assembly, then the child's seat can be securely tethered, but the upright portion must be moved out of upright orientation for attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The tether flange is repositioned from the traditional rearward side location to the upper end of the upright portion, utilizing the vertical dimension above the seat cushion. This dimensional change allows the tether attachment point to be accessible while the seat remains in upright orientation, eliminating the need to move the seat for attachment purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The support bracket serves as an intermediary structure that connects the tether flange to the frame structure. This mediator allows the tether attachment function to be separated from the seat cushion movement mechanism, enabling independent access to the tether flange without requiring the upright portion to be moved.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tether attachment structure is located on the back side of the rear seat assembly, then structural integration is achieved, but accessibility for parents becomes difficult without moving the seat
Solution Approach 1:
The tether flange is repositioned from the horizontal back side plane to the vertical upper end location above the seat cushion. This spatial repositioning in a different dimension maintains structural integration while dramatically improving accessibility for parents and vehicle operators who can reach the tether flange without moving the seat.
3Ease of operation
If the upright portion is moved to cargo receiving orientation for tether attachment, then the strap can be secured, but the seat configuration is disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The tether flange is pre-positioned at the upper end of the upright portion in a location that is accessible when the seat is in its normal upright orientation. This preliminary positioning eliminates the need to perform the action of moving the seat to cargo receiving orientation, allowing parents to attach the strap while the seat remains in its stable upright configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A tether structure includes a seat assembly and a support bracket. The seat assembly has a frame structure and an outer cushion portion. The support bracket is installed to an upper end of the frame structure of the seat assembly. The support bracket includes a tether flange located rearward of the frame structure adjacent to a top surface of the outer cushion portion of the seat assembly.