Seat Trim Insertion Tool With Interchangeable Drive Member

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional methods for setting and removing trim on seats are labor-intensive, require expensive machinery, and risk trim tearing or dislodgment due to high tension, especially for individuals lacking experience or resources.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising a handle and interchangeable inserts allows for easy manual insertion and removal of trim edge members into receivers, reducing the need for machinery and minimizing the risk of damage with a mechanism that applies controlled force and torque.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional manual methods (finger method or screwdriver method) are used to drive trim edge members into receivers, then the process can be performed without expensive machinery, but the process is highly time-consuming, labor-intensive, and requires a high degree of skill and finesse to prevent damage

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveAbility to perform trim setting without expensive machineryVSAvoidTime consumption and labor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary tool comprising a handle and a drive member that mediates between the user and the trim edge member. The drive member is specifically designed to engage with the trim edge member and transmit force efficiently, eliminating the need for expensive machinery while reducing the skill requirement and time consumption compared to direct manual methods

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool is segmented into distinct components (handle and drive member) that can be independently optimized. The drive member can be replaced or adjusted based on different trim edge member types, allowing the same handle to work with various trim configurations without requiring different entire tools, thus improving productivity while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If high force is applied to drive trim edge members into receivers to tightly secure the trim, then the trim is securely attached, but there is a risk of damaging the interior foam or accidentally forcing the clip through the foam

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSecure attachment of trim to seatVSAvoidDamage to interior foam or receivers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The drive member acts as an intermediary that distributes and controls the force application. It transmits force from the user through the handle to the trim edge member in a controlled manner, achieving secure attachment while preventing excessive force concentration that could damage the foam or force receivers through the material

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool allows for controlled variation of applied force parameters. The handle provides mechanical advantage and the drive member's design (including its engagement surface and geometry) enables the user to apply force within an optimal range - sufficient for secure attachment but below the threshold for causing damage to foam or receivers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If clips are embedded in interior foam and beads are inserted into clips to tightly secure trim, then trim tearing and dislodgment is prevented, but a significant amount of force is required to drive the trim edge members into the receivers

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovePrevention of trim tearing or dislodgmentVSAvoidForce required to drive trim edge members into receivers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The drive member serves as a force-transmitting intermediary that efficiently transfers user-applied force to the trim edge member. The mechanical design includes features such as a handle providing leverage and a drive portion that engages the trim edge member, reducing the actual force the user must exert while still achieving the necessary insertion force to securely attach the trim

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The tool design incorporates dynamic elements that allow force application to be optimized during the insertion process. The handle and drive member configuration enables the user to apply force progressively, with the tool's mechanical structure providing leverage and force multiplication, making the high-force requirement more manageable while maintaining secure trim attachment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11679704B1Device and method for setting or removing seat trim

Publication Date: 2023.06.20 FDX CORP LLC

AI summary

A device and method for setting trim on or removing trim from seats. An assembly in accordance with the present invention may include a handle and any number of inserts may be used by a single operator for either settling or removing trim from a seat, such as an automobile seat. The assembly may provide for ease of manually driving and removing trim edge members with respect to receivers.