Vehicle Seat Side Frame Overlap Joint for Stronger Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing side frames in vehicle seats are limited to laser welding, restricting the use of various welding methods and resulting in insufficient post-joining strength.
Innovation Solution
The side frame is designed with a pair of members that have connecting portions with flat surfaces facing and overlapping for wider area connection, allowing various welding methods and improved post-welding strength, and can be formed with different plate thicknesses or materials for tailored weight and strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If laser welding is used to connect side frame members, then welding can be performed, but the welding method is limited and post-joining strength is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional butt joining to two-dimensional overlapping connection by providing flat surface portions on connecting portions that extend in the longitudinal direction. This allows the members to overlap in the width direction while maintaining connection in the longitudinal direction, creating a multi-dimensional connection structure that accommodates various welding methods and improves joint strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The side frame members are divided into multiple segments (first member and second member) with distinct connecting portions. Each member has a connecting portion with a flat surface portion that can be independently designed and welded, allowing for modular assembly and enabling the use of different welding methods on different segments to optimize both versatility and strength.
2Strength
If butt joining is used to connect members, then the connection area is small, but various welding methods can be applied
Solution Approach 1:
The invention adds a width direction dimension to the connection structure by providing flat surface portions that extend in the longitudinal direction. This creates an overlapping connection where the connection area is increased not just in one direction but in multiple directions, allowing both high strength and compatibility with various welding methods including laser welding, arc welding, and resistance welding.
3Weight of moving object
If different plate thicknesses or materials are used for members, then weight and strength can be optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different members (first member and second member) to have different plate thicknesses or material types tailored to their specific functional requirements. The connecting portions are designed with flat surface portions that facilitate welding regardless of the specific material or thickness variations, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity despite the use of varied materials.
Data Source
AI summary
A side frame has a connection structure enabling response to various welding methods during inter-member connection and improving post-welding connection strength in a conveyance seat that has the side frame including divided members. Each of a pair of side frames of a conveyance seat is configured from at least a first member and a second member divided in a longitudinal direction, the first member has a first connecting portion for connection to the second member, the second member has a second connecting portion for connection to the first member, and the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion respectively have flat surface portions extending in the longitudinal direction, and the first member and the second member are connected in a state where flat surfaces of the flat surface portion of the first connecting portion and the flat surface portion of the second connecting portion face and overlap each other.