Vehicle Seat Bracket Elastic Deformation for Secure Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for inhibiting the movement of a bracket relative to a frame in a vehicle seat require high manufacturing accuracy of the hole and protrusion, making it difficult to maintain a secure connection when inaccuracies occur.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design that incorporates a fixing member with an engaging portion on the bracket and an engaged portion on the frame, allowing for elastic deformation to maintain a secure connection even with low manufacturing accuracy, using a rivet to pass through both components and apply a force that restricts relative movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protrusion is embedded in a hole to restrict rotation and inhibit bracket movement, then the bracket loosening is inhibited, but high manufacturing accuracy is required for the hole and protrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the engaging portion and engaged portion, specifically designing the engaged portion with a larger width than the engaging portion. This parameter change allows the bracket to be elastically deformed during assembly, enabling the smaller engaging portion to be inserted into the larger engaged portion even with manufacturing tolerances, while still maintaining reliable connection and inhibiting bracket loosening.
2Reliability
If the hole and protrusion are shaped to embed without clearance to inhibit bracket loosening, then the connection is secure, but assembly becomes difficult when size deviations occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elasticity/dynamics into the bracket design, allowing it to be elastically deformed during assembly. This dynamic property enables the bracket to adapt to size deviations between the engaging portion and engaged portion, making assembly easier while maintaining secure connection. The elastic deformation allows the bracket to flex during insertion and then return to its original shape, ensuring a tight fit without requiring precise pre-matching of dimensions.
3Reliability
If the fixing member passes through the bracket and frame to restrict relative movement, then the bracket and frame are firmly fixed, but the bracket may deform due to applied load
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the fixing member, specifically making its width smaller than both the engaged portion and the bracket thickness. This parameter change allows the fixing member to pass through the bracket and frame while distributing the applied load over a larger area, reducing stress concentration and preventing bracket deformation while still effectively restricting relative movement between components.
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
This design effectively inhibits loosening of the bracket relative to the frame, ensuring proper positioning and stability under load without requiring high manufacturing accuracy, and simplifies the assembly process by using resilient forces to restrict movement.
Implementation Method 1
by installing the fixing member to fix the bracket and the frame to each other, a state where at least a part of the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged portion or a state where at least a part of the engaged portion is inserted into the engaging portion is maintained while the bracket is elastically deformed
Implementation Method 2
the fixing member is configured to pass through the bracket and the frame, a distance by which the bracket and the frame can move relatively can be restricted
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a bracket, a frame on which the bracket is installed, and a fixing member that is used for fixing the bracket and the frame. The bracket is provided with an engaging portion, the frame is provided with an engaged portion that is engageable with the engaging portion. By installing the fixing member to fix the bracket and the frame to each other, a state where at least a part of the engaging portion is inserted into the engaged portion or a state where at least a part of the engaged portion is inserted into the engaging portion is maintained while the bracket is elastically deformed.