Integrated Seat Mount Assembly for Tool-Less Fore-Aft Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat mount and adjustment systems for vehicles are complex, costly, and require numerous components, making them expensive to manufacture, assemble, and install, while also being cumbersome and requiring tools for adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A simplified seat mount assembly with a unitary, snap-in construction that integrates a seat slide component and latch, allowing for fore and aft adjustment without fasteners, using a minimal number of components and enabling tool-less attachment to a seat support, which can pivot for access to vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional steel mounting plate with multiple components is used, then seat adjustment function is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (mounting plate, slide mechanism, latch assembly) into a single integrated seat shell structure. The seat shell incorporates recesses that directly receive slide components and a latch mechanism, eliminating the need for separate mounting plates and reducing the total component count while maintaining adjustment reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The seat shell serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, incorporates adjustment mechanisms through integrated recesses, and includes latching functionality. This multi-functional design replaces several specialized components with a single versatile structure, reducing complexity without sacrificing reliability
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple threaded fasteners and washers are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but ease of manufacture and assembly deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting plate, slide components, and latch assembly are merged into the seat shell structure through integrated recesses. This consolidation eliminates numerous threaded fasteners and washers, allowing the seat to be attached to the vehicle frame using fewer connection points while maintaining secure attachment through the structural integrity of the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated seat shell structure with its built-in recesses and latch mechanism is designed to be self-containing and self-explanatory in assembly. The recesses naturally guide and retain the slide components, and the latch provides self-locking capability, reducing the need for complex fastening procedures and multiple fasteners
3Loss of time
If conventional seat mount system is used, then seat adjustment is achieved, but loss of time in assembly and installation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The slide components and latch mechanism are pre-integrated into the seat shell structure during manufacturing, creating a pre-assembled unit. This preliminary integration means that during vehicle assembly, the entire seat assembly with its adjustment mechanisms is installed as a single unit, dramatically reducing assembly time compared to installing multiple separate components
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the mounting plate, slide mechanisms, and latch assembly into the seat shell, the patent creates a unified structure that simplifies the installation process. The integrated design allows for fewer installation steps and reduced coordination between multiple components, directly reducing assembly and installation time
Data Source
AI summary
A seat mount with integrated adjustment that includes a seat base with integrally molded slide bearing receiving pockets that each receives an integrally formed slide bearing of one piece and unitary construction that engages apertures formed in a seat mount that preferably is a seat slide plate or seat mounting plate.