Vehicle Seat Fitting Reinforcement for Torque Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat designs face challenges in attaching fittings with a disk shape, which offer few fastening options, particularly in transmitting higher torques while minimizing weight and cost, and effectively absorbing crash forces.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat with a fastening region reinforced by additional material, using weld seams to securely attach rotatable fitting parts, where the reinforcement material is distributed only in the fastening area, increasing strength without increasing material thickness overall, and allowing for better torque transmission and crash force absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the material thickness is increased throughout the structural part to increase strength, then the strength and ability to absorb crash forces is improved, but the weight and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by reinforcing only the fastening region where the fitting is attached, rather than increasing the material thickness throughout the entire structural part. The fastening region has increased material thickness to handle localized stresses from torque transmission and crash forces, while the rest of the structural part maintains lower material thickness to minimize overall weight. This localized reinforcement resolves the contradiction between strength and weight by concentrating material only where structurally necessary.
2Strength
If the material thickness is increased throughout the structural part to absorb crash forces, then the ability to absorb forces during crashes is improved, but the manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces manufacturing costs by applying increased material thickness only to the fastening region rather than the entire structural part. The fastening region is formed by deforming or folding over a collar region, which concentrates crash force absorption capability where the fitting attaches to the structural part. This localized approach maintains crash force absorption while reducing the total amount of material required, thereby lowering manufacturing costs compared to uniform thickness design.
3Weight of moving object
If the material thickness is reduced to minimize weight, then the weight is reduced, but the strength and ability to transmit higher torques decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between weight reduction and torque transmission capability by concentrating increased material thickness specifically in the fastening region. The fastening region's reinforced structure with increased material thickness provides the necessary strength to transmit higher torques from the rotatable fitting, while the rest of the structural part maintains reduced material thickness to minimize overall weight. This localized reinforcement strategy enables the structural part to handle high torque loads without the penalty of increased overall weight.
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 enhances the vehicle seat's strength and ability to absorb forces during crashes while reducing weight and costs, maintaining comparable strength properties to thicker materials.
Implementation Method 1
at least one first weld seam between the fastening region and one of the two fitting parts
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, has at least one fitting (10) including two fitting components (11, 12) that can rotate relative to each other. At least one structural component (15) has at least one opening (16) for partially receiving the fitting (11, 12) and at least one mounting area (18) enclosing the opening (16) for mounting the fitting (10), by at least one weld seam (19) between the mounting area (18) and one of the two fitting components (11, 12). The mounting area (18) is reinforced by additional material relative to the other areas of the structural component (15).