Child Seat Anchor Cover Assembly for Hidden Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat anchors for child safety seats are often visible within the vehicle interior when not in use, creating an aesthetic issue and potentially confusing for occupants.
Innovation Solution
A trim cover assembly with a holder member that can retract into a panel aperture to conceal the anchor when not in use, and pivot to expose it when needed, using a strap to secure the cover to the seat or framework, allowing for easy access to the anchor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the anchor is left exposed for easy access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The trim cover is extracted as a separate movable component that can be removed or repositioned to expose the anchor when needed, while covering it during normal use to maintain aesthetic appearance
2Shape
If the trim cover is made movable to cover the anchor, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The trim cover is designed as a flexible fabric or thin panel that can be easily moved and positioned, avoiding complex rigid mechanical structures while still achieving the aesthetic coverage function
Solution Approach 2:
The holder member acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the connection between the trim cover and the seat, providing a straightforward attachment mechanism through the aperture
3Shape
If the holder member is designed to retract into the aperture, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The holder member is designed with dynamic capability to be easily inserted into and removed from the aperture, allowing quick transition between covering and exposing the anchor without complex mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat assembly includes a panel defined as a portion of a vehicle seat, the panel defines a first aperture therethrough to access an anchor and a second aperture therethrough, and has an engagement region thereon adjacent to the second aperture, a trim cover assembly including a trim cover, a strap connecting the trim cover to the vehicle seat, a seat frame and/or a vehicle framework via the second aperture, and a holder member. The holder member is sized to retract into and emerge from the second aperture, and has an edge configured to engage the engagement region. The trim cover assembly has a first position covering the first aperture to visibly hide the anchor, and a second position with the trim cover assembly spaced apart from the aperture to provide access to the anchor, where the edge of the holder member is engaged with the engagement region.