Vehicle Seat Coupling Protection Member for Load Isolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle seat design allows loads applied to the cushion material to potentially break or disengage the coupling device from the frame member, leading to breakage or disengagement issues.
Innovation Solution
A coupling device protection member is attached to the frame member to prevent contact between the cushion material and the coupling device, using a foamed resin molding with higher compression strength and slidability, and configured to cover the coupling device from multiple sides to secure attachment and reduce friction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the coupling device is positioned in proximity to the cushion material to enable coupling between the surface cover and frame member, then the coupling device can be integrated into the seat structure, but the cushion material may contact the coupling device when elastically deformed, causing breakage or disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a protection member as an intermediary component positioned between the cushion material and the coupling device. This protection member absorbs the elastic deformation forces of the cushion material and prevents direct contact with the coupling device, thereby maintaining coupling stability while allowing the coupling device to remain integrated in the seat structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection member is installed in advance before the cushion material can deform and contact the coupling device. It provides pre-cushioning protection by absorbing deformational forces and preventing them from reaching the coupling device, thus avoiding breakage or disengagement before they can occur.
2Device complexity
If the coupling device is positioned close to the cushion material for structural integration, then the seat design is simplified, but loads applied to the cushion material transfer to the coupling device causing potential failure
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member serves as a mediator that intercepts load forces from the cushion material before they can be transmitted to the coupling device. This allows the coupling device to maintain its integrated position without requiring enhanced strength, as the protection member absorbs the harmful loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection member is positioned in advance to cushion against load forces before they reach the coupling device. By absorbing these forces through its material properties, it prevents load transfer to the coupling device, maintaining coupling integrity without increasing structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the cushion material is allowed to deform elastically under loads, then comfort is provided, but contact with the coupling device may occur causing breakage or disengagement
Solution Approach 1:
The protection member acts as an intermediary layer between the cushion material and coupling device. It allows the cushion material to deform freely for comfort while intercepting the deformation forces before they can contact the coupling device, thus maintaining both comfort and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protection member provides beforehand cushioning by being positioned to receive deformational forces from the cushion material before they can reach the coupling device. This allows full elastic deformation for comfort while preventing harmful contact that would cause breakage or disengagement.
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide a coupling device protection member that can prevent contact between a cushion material and a coupling device to protect the coupling device. A coupling device protection member is used in a vehicle seat that includes a cushion material that is elastically deformed by loads, a frame member that is stacked to the cushion material to reinforce the cushion material, and a surface cover that covers at least the cushion material, the surface cover being coupled to the frame member via a coupling device, in which the coupling device protection member is attached to the frame material so as to protect the coupling device coupled to the frame member.