Seat Back Cover Structure for Protecting Seat Belt Retractors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Utility vehicles face the challenge of protecting seat belt retractors from unexpected collisions, particularly with luggage or hand luggage, due to their exposed position.

Innovation Solution

A utility vehicle design that includes a seat back cover extending over the rear surface of the seat back and rear side of the retractor, with a recessed portion to accommodate the retractor and reinforcing ribs for structural support, which also serves to conceal the retractor and prevent foreign contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the retractor is mounted in an exposed position above the anchor, then the seat belt system maintains structural simplicity and ease of access, but the retractor becomes vulnerable to collision from luggage or hand luggage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of access to retractorVSAvoidvulnerability to collision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protective cover as an intermediary element between the retractor and external objects (luggage, hand luggage). This cover serves as a mediator that absorbs or deflects collision forces before they reach the retractor, thereby protecting the retractor while maintaining its functional accessibility when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective cover is positioned in advance around the retractor to provide preemptive protection against potential collisions. By having this protective barrier already in place before any collision occurs, the system prepares for harmful events beforehand, preventing damage to the retractor from luggage or hand luggage that might otherwise come into contact with it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a separate protective cover is added around the retractor, then protection from collision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection from collisionVSAvoidcomplexity of protective structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the protective cover function with the existing seat back cover structure. Instead of creating a separate, standalone protective component for the retractor, the design integrates the protective function into the seat back cover that already exists in the vehicle structure. This consolidation provides protection while avoiding the complexity and cost of adding entirely new components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat back cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it maintains the existing aesthetic and structural role of the seat back while simultaneously providing protective coverage for the retractor. By making the seat back cover multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for dedicated protective components, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing costs while still achieving collision protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10202099B2Utility vehicle

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 KAWASAKI MOTORS LTD

AI summary

A utility vehicle includes a seat having a seat cushion and a seat back, a seat back cover which covers a rear surface of the seat back, and a seat belt for restraining the occupant to the seat. The seat belt includes a belt, a tongue plate, an anchor disposed outside a seat cushion in a vehicle width direction, a buckle, and a retractor disposed substantially above the anchor for winding the belt. The seat back cover extends over the rear surface of the seat back and extends to a rear side of the retractor.