Hybrid Seat Back Side Shield for Gap Coverage and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive seat assemblies face challenges in covering complex gaps between seat backs while maintaining aesthetics, reducing discomfort, and minimizing the number of covers to lower assembly time and production costs.
Innovation Solution
A cover with a combination of a rigid and flexible portion, featuring flanges made from elastomeric materials, is designed to conceal the gap between seat backs, integrating these components through injection molding or assembly, which reduces the need for multiple covers and alleviates pinching discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If multiple rigid plastic covers are used to cover gaps between seat backs, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate covers into a single integrated cover assembly that includes both rigid and flexible portions. This single assembly covers the gap between seat backs and adjacent structures, reducing the number of parts from multiple rigid covers to one hybrid cover, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover assembly uses composite construction with both rigid and flexible portions made from different materials. The rigid portion provides structural support and aesthetic appearance, while the flexible portion accommodates movement and prevents pinching. This composite approach allows a single cover to perform multiple functions that previously required separate components.
2Strength
If rigid plastic covers are used to cover gaps, then the structural integrity is improved, but the discomfort and pinching felt by occupants increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover assembly applies different material properties to different regions: the rigid portion is used where structural support and aesthetic appearance are needed, while the flexible portion is positioned where it contacts the occupant or adjacent moving components. This local differentiation of material quality allows the cover to provide structural integrity where needed while preventing pinching and discomfort in contact areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The hybrid cover assembly combines rigid and flexible materials in a single integrated structure. The rigid portion maintains structural integrity and aesthetic appearance, while the flexible portion accommodates movement and eliminates pinching discomfort. This composite material approach resolves the contradiction by allowing both strong and comfortable regions within the same component.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple separate covers are used to cover complex gap areas, then complete coverage is improved, but the production cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate cover components into a single integrated cover assembly that covers the same total area. This assembly includes rigid and flexible portions that together cover gaps between seat backs and adjacent structures, reducing the number of assembly steps from installing multiple separate covers to installing one unified component, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing coverage.
4Productivity
If a single integrated cover is used to reduce assembly time, then the productivity is improved, but the ability to cover complex shapes and gaps may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The single integrated cover assembly uses composite construction with rigid and flexible portions that can adapt to complex gap geometries. The flexible portion can deform to accommodate irregular shapes and movements, while the rigid portion provides structural support for regular areas. This composite design allows one cover to perform the adaptability function of multiple specialized covers while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cover conceals a portion of a gap formed between an adjacent pair of seat backs of a motor vehicle seat assembly. The cover includes a substantially rigid portion and a substantially flexible portion. The flexible portion of the cover has first and second flanges that extend outwardly from opposite sides of the substantially rigid portion for concealing a portion of the gap between the seat backs of the seat assembly.