Snap Fastener Integrating Mechanical Attachment and Electrical Connection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for connecting electric heaters to vehicle seat backrest pillows require multiple components and complex assembly processes, increasing costs and the risk of assembly errors.

Innovation Solution

The use of snap fasteners with crimping corners and plate-shaped areas allows for direct crimping of electrical cables without cable eyelets, simplifying the connection and reducing components, enabling both mechanical and electrical attachment of a heated pillow to a vehicle seat backrest.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional connection methods with cable eyelets are used, then reliable electrical connection is achieved, but the number of components increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the mechanical fastening function and electrical connection function into a single snap fastener component. The snap fastener includes contact elements that establish electrical connection when the male and female parts are engaged, eliminating the need for separate cable eyelets and reducing the total number of components while maintaining both mechanical strength and electrical reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The snap fastener is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical attachment of the pillow to the backrest and establishes electrical connection for the heating element. This multi-functional design reduces assembly complexity and component count while ensuring both mechanical and electrical reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If traditional multi-component assembly is used, then secure connection is achieved, but assembly time increases and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection securityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the mechanical fastening and electrical connection into a single snap-fastener operation, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps. The male and female snap fastener parts can be engaged in one motion, simultaneously achieving both mechanical attachment and electrical connection, thereby reducing assembly time and increasing productivity without compromising connection security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate components are used, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional requirements fulfillmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated snap fastener unit that provides both mechanical fastening and electrical connection capabilities. This integration reduces the total component count, lowers manufacturing and inventory costs, and simplifies the supply chain while maintaining all necessary functional requirements for the heated pillow application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution reduces the number of components needed, shortens assembly time, lowers costs, and minimizes assembly errors while providing a secure and easily disconnectable electrical connection for the pillow's heater.

Implementation Method 1

a female snap fastener part, on whose blind cap crimping area a first electrical cable is crimped and a male snap fastener part, on whose crimping area a second electrical cable is crimped to produce a mechanically interruptible electrical connection

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring element elasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3223370B1Use of a plurality of snap-fasteners, head cushion for a backrest of a vehicle seat, and vehicle seat arrangement

Publication Date: 2020.12.23 ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HLDG SARL

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AI summary

The invention relates to a female snap fastener part (1) comprising a base element (1.1) designed as a spring element and a blind cap (1.2). According to the invention, the female snap fastener part (1) is configured to establish a mechanically interruptible electrical connection with the male snap fastener part (2), wherein the blind cap (1.2) has a blind cap crimp area (1.2.1). The invention further relates to a male snap fastener part (2) comprising a rivet element (2.1) and a ball element (2.2). According to the invention, the rivet element (2.1) has a crimp area (2.1.1). The invention also relates to a snap fastener comprising a female and a male snap fastener part (1, 2) and serving to establish a mechanically interruptible electrical connection.The invention also relates to the use of a plurality of snap fasteners according to the invention both for producing a mechanically releasable fastening of a pillow to a backrest of a vehicle seat and for producing a mechanically interruptible electrical connection of an electric heating element of the pillow to an electrical supply thereof.