Vehicle Seat Connection Device Assembly Inversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing seat reclining devices for vehicle seats require an increased number of manufacturing steps due to the need to turn over the mated housings to fix the clip ring, complicating the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A connecting device with a retainer member that can be fixed to the first connecting element without turning over the coupled elements, using a locking member with a radially movable toothed portion and an operating member to engage or disengage the toothed portions, allowing circumferential fastening without the need to invert the components during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the clip ring is fixed to the second housing after the first and second housings are mated, then the housings can be circumferentially fastened, but the mated housings must be turned over which increases the number of manufacturing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by having the retainer member fixed to the first housing (rotational housing) instead of the second housing (stationary housing). This inversion allows the retainer member to be positioned above the first housing during assembly, eliminating the need to turn over the mated housings to complete the fixation, thereby reducing manufacturing steps
2Productivity
If the retainer member is fixed to the first housing while the second housing is supported by the retainer portion, then the housings can be circumferentially fastened without turning over, but the retainer member structure must be designed to support both fixation and support functions
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer member is designed with multi-functionality: the retainer portion serves both as an attachment point for circumferential fastening of the housings and as a support structure for the second housing. This universal design allows a single component to fulfill multiple functions, improving productivity without significantly increasing overall device complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A connecting device may include first and second connecting elements that are axially oppositely coupled to each other so as to be rotatable relative to each other, a locking member that is positioned between the first and second connecting elements, an operating member that is positioned between the first and second connecting elements, and a retainer member that is arranged and constructed to circumferentially clamp the first and second connecting elements. The retainer member has a retainer portion and is fixed to the first connecting element while the second connecting element is axially supported by the retainer portion of the retainer member.