Bracket Subassembly for Vehicle Seat Back Frame Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bracket subassemblies for mounting recliner seats in motor vehicles lack sufficient strength and efficiency in connecting the seat back frame to the cross car support, particularly at the inboard seat back frame arm, leading to potential assembly challenges and reduced structural integrity.
Innovation Solution
A bracket subassembly comprising a first and second bracket with complementary hooks and flanges that nest over a cross car support tube, providing a reinforced connection by engaging hooks and securing with weld beads, ensuring a strong and efficient assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing bracket subassemblies are used to connect seat back frame to cross car support, then assembly can be performed, but the connection strength and structural integrity are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket subassembly is divided into two separate brackets (first bracket and second bracket) that work together to provide enhanced connection strength. Each bracket can be individually manufactured and assembled, allowing for optimized design of each component while achieving superior overall structural integrity compared to a single bracket design.
Solution Approach 2:
The first bracket and second bracket are designed to nest over the cross car support tube, with each bracket featuring contoured surfaces that fit around the support. This nesting arrangement allows the brackets to closely follow the contours of the support tube, maximizing contact area and distribution of loads, thereby significantly improving connection strength and reliability.
2Productivity
If traditional mounting methods are used, then assembly can be completed, but assembly time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first bracket and second bracket are designed with pre-configured attachment features and contoured surfaces that align with the cross car support tube. This preliminary design allows the brackets to be easily positioned and secured without requiring complex alignment procedures during assembly, thereby reducing assembly time and improving efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket subassembly combines the first bracket, second bracket, and cross car support tube into an integrated connection system. This merging of components creates a unified assembly unit that simplifies the overall mounting process, reducing the number of separate operations required and thereby decreasing total assembly time.
3Ease of manufacture
If simple bracket design is used, then manufacturing is easier, but connection strength at inboard seat back frame arm is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the bracket system into two separate brackets, each bracket can be manufactured using simpler processes while the combined system achieves the required connection strength. This segmentation allows for optimized manufacturing of individual components without requiring complex tooling or processes for each piece.
Solution Approach 2:
The contoured design of the first and second brackets that nest over the cross car support tube provides enhanced connection strength through increased contact area and better load distribution. This nesting configuration achieves superior strength without requiring complex bracket geometries, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving connection performance.
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 solution enhances the structural integrity and simplifies the assembly process by providing a robust connection between the seat back frames and the cross car support tube, reducing assembly time and errors while increasing the strength of the mounting system.
Implementation Method 1
A first weld bead may be provided to secure the first bracket to the support at the first welding window. Similarly, the second bracket may include a second welding window. A second weld bead may be provided to secure the second bracket to the support at the second welding window.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly includes a seat back frame, a support and a bracket subassembly. The bracket subassembly connects the seat back frame to the support. The bracket subassembly includes a first bracket having a first attachment feature and a second bracket having a second attachment feature wherein the first and second attachment features engage to lock the bracket assembly around the support. A method of securing a seat back frame to a support is also disclosed.