Vehicle Seat Interface Device with Clipping Lugs for Rotational Attachment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interface devices for vehicle seats are complex and not ergonomic due to the need for dynamic loop management and compatibility with various seat frame architectures, limiting their use across different types of seat frames, including height-adjustable and non-height-adjustable designs.

Innovation Solution

An interface device with clipping lugs that can be clipped onto a transverse axis for rotational attachment, featuring deformable curved shapes and additional coupling means for secure attachment to both height-adjustable and non-height-adjustable seat frames, allowing for easy installation and use across various seat configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single-type interface device is designed for a specific seat frame architecture, then it can be simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot be used across different seat frame types (height-adjustable and non-height-adjustable seats)

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with different seat frame typesVSAvoidinterface device structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The interface device is designed with a universal attachment mechanism that can be used on both height-adjustable and non-height-adjustable seat frames. The clipping lugs can engage with the transverse axis in different configurations, and the coupling means can attach to transverse wires in various positions, allowing the same device to serve multiple seat frame architectures without requiring different designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If complex dynamic loop management is required to accommodate various seat configurations, then adaptability improves, but installation becomes less ergonomic and more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various seat configurationsVSAvoidinstallation ergonomics
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface device is divided into distinct functional segments: clipping lugs for axial attachment, coupling means for wire connection, and electrical connector interfaces. Each segment can be independently positioned and adjusted, allowing installers to configure the device step-by-step without managing complex dynamic loops. The segmented design enables modular assembly that simplifies the installation process while maintaining adaptability to different seat configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3172082B1Interface device for connecting to cable connectors for vehicle seat equipment
Publication Date: 2021.04.14 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3172082B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3172082B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3172082B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An interface device (Dl) equips a vehicle seat comprising a seat part framework having two longitudinal parts that are coupled together by a transverse shaft (AT). This device (Dl) comprises an interface part (PI) to which at least one electrical connector that is suitable for connecting to at least one electric cable of an item of seat equipment is secured, and comprising at least one clip-fastening lug (PC) clip-fastened to the transverse shaft (AT) in order to secure said interface device, in terms of rotation, to the latter (AT), and first coupling means (MC1) that are coupled to a transverse wire (FT), stretched between the longitudinal parts, for placing the interface part (PI) in a selected orientation with respect to the transverse shaft (AT).