Vehicle Seat Tie-Down Bracket for Quick Battery Cavity Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seat assemblies require time-consuming and cumbersome replacement of fastening mechanisms during maintenance, and have limited versatility across different vehicle models, particularly with integrated high-voltage battery systems.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat assembly with a pivotable seat cushion portion and a tie down bracket system, featuring a lower bracket portion that aligns with an opening in the underframe, secured by a releasable fastener, allowing quick release and access to the battery cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional fastening mechanisms (grommets) are used to secure the seat portion to the underframe, then the seat can be securely attached, but the fastening mechanisms require replacement after disengaging which is time-consuming and cumbersome during maintenance procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is divided into separate components: a tie-down bracket attached to the seat cushion frame, and a releasable fastener that interfaces with the underframe. This segmentation allows the bracket to remain with the seat assembly while the fastener can be quickly engaged or disengaged from the underframe, enabling rapid maintenance access without replacing entire fastening mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening system transitions from static permanent fasteners to a dynamic releasable fastener that can be quickly engaged and disengaged. The releasable fastener mechanism allows the seat cushion assembly to be rapidly secured or released from the underframe, converting a time-consuming replacement operation into a simple engagement/disengagement action
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fastening mechanisms are used in existing vehicle seat assemblies, then the seat structure is simplified, but the versatility across different vehicle models is limited, particularly in newer vehicle designs that include integrated high-voltage battery systems
Solution Approach 1:
The tie-down bracket with releasable fastener creates a universal interface that can accommodate different underframe designs, including those with integrated high-voltage battery systems. The bracket can be configured to work with various fastener types and underframe configurations, allowing the same basic seat assembly design to be adapted across multiple vehicle models without complete redesign
Solution Approach 2:
The tie-down bracket acts as an intermediary component between the seat cushion frame and the underframe. This intermediate element provides adaptability by serving as a configurable interface that can accommodate different underframe structures, including battery system integrations, while maintaining a consistent connection mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat cushion portion pivotable between a seated position and an access position. The seat cushion portion further includes a seat cushion frame. An underframe having a pair of sidewalls and a front wall defines a battery cavity beneath the seat cushion portion. An opening is formed in the front wall of the underframe. A tie down bracket includes a lower bracket portion extending beneath the seat cushion portion. A releasable fastener that extends through the at least one opening and releasably couples the lower bracket portion to a frame member of the underframe to secure the seat cushion portion in the seated position.