Vehicle Seat Coupling Plate Layout for Walk-In Mechanism Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs with coupling plates having step portions above and below the coupling pipe restrict the arrangement of a walk-in mechanism and reduce bending stiffness, making it difficult to efficiently integrate such mechanisms and transmit tensile forces from seat belts.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle seat design incorporates first and second coupling plates with fewer step portions, allowing a larger area for the walk-in mechanism and enhanced bending stiffness, and positions the coupling member to avoid interference with tensile force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If step portions are provided above and below the coupling pipe on the coupling plate, then the coupling plate structure is formed, but the planar part area above the coupled portion becomes small making it difficult to arrange the walk-in mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate is divided into multiple plate portions (first plate portion, second plate portion, third plate portion) with different functions. The first plate portion provides a large planar area for the walk-in mechanism, while the second and third plate portions provide step portions for structural support and coupling pipe attachment, respectively. This segmentation allows each region to optimize its function without compromising others.
2Ease of manufacture
If step portions are provided above and below the coupling pipe on the coupling plate, then the coupling plate structure is formed, but the bending stiffness against loads from seat-width directions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate has different structural characteristics in different regions. The first plate portion has a large planar area for flexibility and mechanism mounting, while the second and third plate portions create step portions that provide localized structural reinforcement. This local quality differentiation allows the plate to be flexible where needed and stiff where structural support is required.
3Reliability
If the coupling plate has multiple step portions, then the coupling structure is complete, but the area available for walk-in mechanism arrangement is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling plate is segmented into distinct functional regions: the first plate portion dedicated to the walk-in mechanism with ample planar area, the second plate portion providing intermediate support, and the third plate portion for coupling pipe attachment. This segmentation ensures both structural reliability and mechanism arrangement flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes first and second side frames that extend in seat front-rear directions; first and second coupling plates that are fixed to rear end portions of the first and second side frames respectively and that extend upward; a coupling member coupling the first and second coupling plates with each other; a back frame pivotable in the seat front-rear directions; and a walk-in mechanism, the first coupling plate including a first plate portion to which the walk-in mechanism and a first recliner are attached; a second plate portion coupled to the first side frame and located at a position displaced in seat-width directions relative to the first plate portion; and a step portion continuous with the first and second plate portions.