Seat Back Modular Accessory Mounting With Secure Latch Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seating assemblies lack a modular connector system that allows for easy attachment and removal of various accessories on the seat back, limiting versatility and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seating assembly with a modular connector assembly featuring alignment connector structures, latch retainers, and articulation mechanisms that enable multiple accessories to be easily attached and detached from the seat back, including deployable crates, changing tables, media accessories, and pet dividers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If accessories are permanently attached to the seat back, then the attachment is secure and reliable, but the versatility and adaptability of the seating system is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory attachment system is divided into separate modular components: alignment connector structures with latch retainers on the seat back, and corresponding strikers with latches on the accessory. This segmentation allows the accessory to be detached and replaced while maintaining secure attachment when connected, resolving the contradiction between versatility and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment connector structures and latch retainers are designed as universal interfaces that can accommodate multiple different accessory types (cargo accessories, pet dividers, child safety seat anchors, etc.). This universal interface allows one seat back to support various accessories through the same attachment mechanism, achieving both versatility and reliable attachment.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a modular connector system is added to enable accessory attachment, then the versatility and functionality are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment connector structures and latch retainers are merged into an integrated assembly on the seat back, combining alignment and locking functions in a single structural unit. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system while maintaining the modular accessory attachment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment connector structures automatically perform alignment and positioning functions when an accessory is approached, with the latch retainers and strikers self-engaging through the articulation mechanism's motion. This self-service capability reduces the need for complex manual adjustment mechanisms and simplifies the user interface.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the seat back is made rigid to provide stable accessory mounting, then the attachment stability is improved, but the articulation and folding capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seat back is designed with dynamic characteristics, allowing it to articulate and fold through a defined range of motion. The alignment connector structures and latch retainers are positioned and designed to maintain accessory stability during this articulation, providing both movement capability and operational stability at different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment connector structures and latch retainers are pre-positioned on the seat back in locations that maintain their functional relationship during articulation. This preliminary positioning ensures that accessories remain stably attached whether the seat back is in an upright, articulated, or folded position, without requiring the seat back structure itself to be rigid.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seating assembly comprises a seat base, a seat back, an articulation mechanism coupled to the seat base and seat back to allow the seat back to move between an upright seating position and a folded position, a back panel provided on the seat back, an accessory attachment system located on the back panel and having one or more alignment connector structures and one or more latches, and an accessory configured to connect onto the back panel and engage the one or more alignment connectors and the one or more latches.