Seat Cover Fixing Structure for Low-Force Stable Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing suspension member for attaching a seat cover to a vehicle seat requires excessive force to engage the open ring with the frame, leading to instability and reduced work efficiency in the attachment process.
Innovation Solution
A fixing unit with an attachment member and an engagement member, where the string member connects them, allowing for tension application to securely attach the cover to the seat body by rotating the engaging member around a contact portion to insert an insert portion into an opening, with elastic deformation facilitating easy engagement and stable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the second engagement portion is pulled upward to engage the open ring with the frame, then the cover can be attached to the seat body, but a great pull-up force is required which reduces work efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
A string member is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the attachment member on the cover to the engaging member on the seat body. The string member allows the engaging member to be pulled downward (opposite direction) to engage with the frame, eliminating the need to pull the suspension member upward and significantly reducing the force required for attachment while maintaining reliable cover fixation
2Ease of operation
If the second engagement portion is pulled upward to engage the open ring, then the cover can be attached, but the tension applied to the frame and cover decreases making the attachment unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is inverted: instead of pulling the engagement portion upward to engage the ring, the engaging member is pulled downward in the opposite direction. This inversion allows the string member to maintain proper tension on the cover while the engaging member secures to the frame, achieving both ease of operation and attachment stability
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 solution reduces the required force for attachment, ensures stable engagement of the cover with the seat body, and maintains appropriate tension, enhancing work efficiency and cover stability.
Implementation Method 1
the insert portion is elastically deformed before being inserted into the opening
Implementation Method 2
the string member is pulled to bring the first contact portion of the engaging member into contact with the first periphery of the opening in the applying direction of the tension applied on the string member
Data Source
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AI summary
A fixing unit (6) includes: an attachment member attached to a seat body; an engaging member (62) engaged with an opening (452) provided to the seat body; and a string member (63) connecting the attachment member and the engaging member (62), the string member (63) being engaged with a cover. The engaging member (62) includes: a body (621) to which the string member (63) is attached; a first contact portion (622) provided to the body (621) to be in contact with a first periphery of the opening (452); and an insert portion (625) provided on the body (621) at a position spaced apart from the first contact portion (622), the insert portion (625) being inserted into the opening (452). The insert portion (625) includes a first restricting portion (626) to be in contact with a second periphery (455T) of the opening (452) opposite the first periphery to restrict the insert portion (625) from being detached from the opening (452).