Frictional Vehicle Seat Bracket Interface Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle seat systems face challenges in manufacturing speed and consistency due to mechanical fastening or welding, which can be time-consuming and prone to interface inconsistencies.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat interface assembly featuring a track with a web and a key or key slot system, where the key includes side portions with varying spaces to secure the web frictionally, allowing for lateral translation and engagement, and optionally incorporating tapered surfaces or tabs for enhanced frictional locking, facilitating faster and more consistent assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mechanical fastening or welding is used to connect vehicle seat systems, then the connection strength is sufficient, but the manufacturing speed is reduced and interface inconsistency occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical fastening or welding systems with a friction-based mechanical engagement system. The key and key slot mechanism creates a friction fit connection between the seat bracket and track, eliminating the need for separate fastening operations or welding processes. This substitution enables faster assembly while maintaining consistent interface engagement through the standardized key-key slot geometry.
2Strength
If traditional mechanical fastening or welding is used to connect vehicle seat systems, then the connection is secure, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The key and key slot features are pre-formed as integral parts of the seat bracket and track components during manufacturing. This preliminary action eliminates the need for separate fastening or joining operations during assembly, allowing the components to be connected quickly by simply engaging the pre-configured key with the key slot while maintaining secure connection.
3Reliability
If traditional fastening methods are used, then reliable connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection function and the positioning function into a single integrated key-key slot mechanism. The key features serve both to locate the components correctly and to create the friction-based secure connection simultaneously. This merging eliminates the need for separate positioning features and fastening elements, reducing assembly process complexity while maintaining connection reliability.
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 enables faster and more consistent assembly of vehicle seats by utilizing a frictional engagement mechanism that secures the seat bracket to the track, improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing inconsistencies, while allowing for adjustable and secure positioning of the seat.
Implementation Method 1
the key may be inserted into the key slot and laterally translated until the web is frictionally secured between the second side portion and the support
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat interface assembly having a track including a web having a substantially uniform thickness and one of a key and a key slot. A seat bracket is operably connected with a vehicle seat. The seat bracket includes a support that has the other of the key and the key slot disposed thereon. The key includes first and second side portions. The space defined between the first side portion and the support is greater than the thickness of the web. The space defined between the second side portion and the support is less than the thickness of the web, such that the key may be inserted into the key slot and laterally translated until the web is frictionally secured between the second side portion and the support.