Threaded Striker for Vehicle Seatback Upholstery Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs complicate the fitting of strikers to the seatback framework due to their welding, making it difficult to integrate upholstery without obstructing the strikers, which complicates the structure and assembly process.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a striker with a threaded shaft portion that passes through a through-hole in the upholstery member, allowing secure fitting to the seatback frame after the upholstery is in place, and a specially shaped fitting head that requires a hex lobe wrench for installation, preventing accidental removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the striker is welded to the framework in advance, then the striker is securely fixed to the framework, but it becomes difficult to fit the upholstery member over the framework without obstructing the striker
Solution Approach 1:
The striker is divided into distinct functional segments: a threaded shaft portion for attachment to the framework, an engagement portion for interaction with the lock mechanism, and a fitting head portion for tool engagement. This segmentation allows the upholstery member to be fitted over the framework without obstruction, while still achieving secure fixation through the threaded shaft portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The upholstery member is fitted over the framework before the striker is attached. The through-hole is formed in the upholstery member in advance, allowing the threaded shaft portion to pass through and be screwed to the framework subsequently. This preliminary action of covering the framework simplifies the overall assembly process.
2Strength
If the striker is welded to the framework, then the striker is securely fixed, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The upholstery member is fitted over the framework before the striker attachment step. The through-hole is prepared in advance in the upholstery member, allowing the threaded shaft portion to be inserted and screwed to the framework without requiring complex coordination or disassembly operations, thereby improving assembly efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The threaded shaft portion acts as an intermediary element that connects the striker to the framework through the upholstery member. This intermediary threaded connection allows for simple screwing operations rather than complex welding procedures, significantly improving assembly productivity.
3Ease of operation
If a standard wrench is used to tighten the striker, then the installation is simple, but the striker can be accidentally removed by users
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting head portion has a specialized hex lobe shape that is different from standard hexagonal wrenches. This local differentiation in geometry allows standard-like installation tools to be used while preventing accidental removal by users who would need to apply excessive force or use incorrect tools, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The specialized hex lobe shape of the fitting head portion, while requiring a specific tool, actually prevents accidental removal by users. The design converts the potential harm of requiring a special tool into the benefit of user-protection, as the striker cannot be easily removed without the proper tool, thus enhancing reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, a seatback, an upholstery member that covers a surface of the seatback, and a striker. The striker is fitted to a frame body that forms the seatback, and is engaged with a lock mechanism arranged outside the seatback. The striker has an engagement portion that is locked by the lock mechanism, and a threaded shaft portion that has an external thread that is screwed to the frame body. The threaded shaft portion of the striker is fastened to the frame body through a through-hole formed in the upholstery member, with the frame body covered with the upholstery member of the seatback.