Vehicle Seat Backrest Sockets for Heavy Accessory Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle seating arrangements struggle to securely and flexibly accommodate relatively heavy electronic devices while maintaining stability and safety during crashes.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle seating arrangement with vertically offset mounting sockets on the backrest allows simultaneous connection of two plug-in components, using positive and friction locking mechanisms to stabilize heavy accessories, and includes a bridge section to absorb bending moments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a single mounting socket is used to attach accessories, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and load-bearing capacity for heavy electronic devices is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidmounting socket configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into multiple independent receiving sockets (first receiving socket and second receiving socket) distributed at different positions on the backrest. This segmentation allows the accessory to be anchored at multiple points, significantly increasing load-bearing capacity and stability while maintaining individual simplicity of each socket design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving sockets are arranged in a spatial distribution across the backrest surface rather than being concentrated at a single location. This spatial distribution in multiple dimensions creates a stable geometric configuration that enhances load-bearing capacity without requiring complex individual socket structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Stability of the object's composition

If multiple receiving sockets are distributed across the backrest, then the stability for heavy accessories is improved, but the ease of operation for connecting accessories is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessory stabilityVSAvoidconnection ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The accessory design merges multiple plug-in parts into a single integrated structure that engages with multiple receiving sockets simultaneously. This merging allows the user to connect the accessory to multiple distributed sockets in one operation, maintaining stability while preserving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The accessory is pre-configured with multiple plug-in parts positioned and oriented to match the predetermined distribution of receiving sockets on the backrest. This preliminary arrangement ensures that when the accessory is installed, all connections are established simultaneously without requiring complex alignment or sequential connection steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If the receiving sockets are arranged close together, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to absorb bending moments from heavy accessories is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocket arrangementVSAvoidbending moment absorption
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving sockets are arranged in a spatial distribution that creates favorable geometric relationships for force distribution. By positioning sockets at specific locations across the backrest, the system optimizes the moment arm distances to effectively absorb bending moments generated by heavy accessories while maintaining a simple overall design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Reliability

If the accessory is designed with multiple plug-in parts for different sockets, then the stability is improved, but the device complexity of the accessory increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidaccessory structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple plug-in parts are merged into an integrated accessory structure where the individual connection elements are combined into a unified design. This merging achieves reliable multi-point attachment while avoiding the complexity of separate, independently operated connection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The plug-in parts are designed with universal characteristics that allow them to engage with different receiving socket types or positions. This universality enables a single accessory design to reliably connect to multiple sockets without requiring complex, specialized connection elements for each socket.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The arrangement provides a stable and secure attachment for heavy electronic devices, ensuring they remain undamaged during crashes and enabling flexible use of various accessories.

Implementation Method 1

the locking device can be exclusively positive-locking, for example, via interlocking surfaces that interact with each other as an undercut

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPositive-locking: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

The aforementioned locking devices can also be both positive-locking and friction-locking, for example, via wedge surfaces in contact with each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction-locking: Friction

Implementation Method 3

The distance between the two mounting sockets helps to better absorb bending moments caused by the weight of the accessory via the plug parts and in the mounting sockets

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBending moment absorption: Deformation

Data Source

PatentEP4134273B1Motor vehicle seat assembly
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 KINETIX
  • EP4134273B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4134273B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4134273B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat arrangement (10) comprising a motor vehicle seat (12) and at least one accessory part (48) detachably attachable to the motor vehicle seat, wherein the motor vehicle seat has a receiving socket with an insertion opening (30) for detachable attachment of the accessory part, and wherein the accessory part has a plug-in part (42) that can be inserted into the insertion opening of the receiving socket, wherein the motor vehicle seat has at least one additional receiving socket with an additional insertion opening (32) arranged offset from the receiving socket, and wherein the insertion opening (30) and the additional insertion opening (32) are assigned insertion directions parallel to each other and in the same direction for the plug-in part (42) and for an additional plug-in part (44).