Seat Frame Coupling Member With Protruding Portion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat frames require increased space for attaching coupling members due to the design of collars with flange portions that need to be welded to side frames, which limits the available space for other components like air bag units.
Innovation Solution
A seat frame design featuring a coupling member with a cylindrical portion, a closing portion, and a protruding portion of a smaller outer shape that is inserted into a corresponding hole in the side frame, allowing for reduced space usage during welding and improved reinforcement of the side frames.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a collar with a flange portion is used to couple the front pipe to the side frame, then the coupling strength is improved, but the space required for attachment is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is segmented into two distinct portions: a cylindrical portion that fits within the side frame and a protruding portion that extends outward for welding. This segmentation allows the coupling function to be achieved without requiring a large flange portion, thereby reducing the attachment space while maintaining coupling strength through the welded protruding portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cylindrical portion of the collar is nested within the side frame, with only the necessary protruding portion extending outward for welding. This nesting approach minimizes the space occupied by the coupling member while ensuring adequate structural strength through the welded connection of the protruding portion to the side frame.
2Reliability
If a flange portion is added to the collar, then the welding area is increased improving connection reliability, but the overall size of the coupling member is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The collar is divided into a cylindrical portion (nested within the side frame) and a protruding portion (extending outward). This segmentation concentrates the welding area on the protruding portion only, eliminating the need for a large flange portion while maintaining connection reliability through focused welding of the protruding portion to the side frame.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of expanding the collar radially outward with a flange portion (two-dimensional expansion), the design extends the collar axially with a protruding portion that fits into a recess in the side frame. This dimensional change allows for adequate welding surface area without increasing the overall radial size of the coupling member.
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 design reduces the space needed for attaching the coupling member, allowing for more efficient placement of components like air bag units and enhancing the structural reinforcement of the side frames while maintaining stable welding quality.
Implementation Method 1
The protruding portion is welded to the at least one of the side frames while being positioned in the protruding portion insertion hole
Data Source
AI summary
A seat frame includes: a first side frame and a second side frame; a structural member connected to at least one of the first side frame and the second side frame; and a coupling member welded to the at least one of the side frames. The coupling member has a cylindrical portion, a closing portion, and a protruding portion having a smaller outer shape than the cylindrical portion, and protruding outward in an axial direction of the cylindrical portion from the closing portion. The at least one of the side frames is provided with a protruding portion insertion hole that allows insertion of the protruding portion and has a shape smaller than the outer shape of the cylindrical portion. The protruding portion is welded to the at least one of the side frames while being positioned in the protruding portion insertion hole.