Vehicle Floor Assembly Electromagnetic Latch for Stowable Seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle floor assemblies with stowable seats have apertures that allow errant objects to fall under the load floor due to larger manufacturing tolerances, compromising storage capacity and safety.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle floor assembly featuring a floor frame, distal and proximal floor panels, hinges, an electromagnet, and a closeout panel system that automatically secures the closeout members into slots using magnetic coupling, activated by sensors detecting the seat and floor positions, to prevent objects from falling and enhance storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If apertures in the load floor are made larger to account for manufacturing tolerances and permit seat assembly movement, then ease of operation and adaptability are improved, but reliability deteriorates because errant objects can fall under the load floor
Solution Approach 1:
A closeout panel is introduced as an intermediary component that fills the apertures in the load floor. This panel includes closeout members that can be positioned to seal the apertures when the seat assembly is stowed, preventing objects from falling through while still allowing the apertures to remain large enough for easy seat assembly installation and movement.
2Reliability
If the load floor is made solid without apertures, then object containment and safety are improved, but ease of manufacture and adaptability deteriorate due to inability to accommodate seat assembly movement and tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The load floor is segmented into a main floor structure with apertures and a separate closeout panel. This segmentation allows the main floor to be manufactured with larger apertures for ease of assembly and seat movement, while the closeout panel provides the necessary sealing function when needed, combining the benefits of both approaches.
3Manufacturing precision
If closeout members are manually secured into slots, then manufacturing precision can be reduced, but device complexity and ease of operation increase due to manual intervention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The manual mechanical securing of closeout members is replaced with an electromagnetic latch system. An electromagnet provides magnetic coupling to automatically secure the closeout panel to the floor assembly, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining secure positioning and reducing the complexity of mechanical latch mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If electromagnetic latch is added to automatically secure closeout members, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The electromagnetic latch system is designed to automatically secure and release the closeout panel based on the position of the seat assembly. The system self-regulates by detecting when the seat is stowed and automatically engaging the electromagnet to secure the closeout members, eliminating the need for manual operation while providing intelligent automation.
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
The solution effectively seals the apertures, preventing objects from falling and providing improved storage capacity and safety by automatically securing the closeout members when the seat is stowed, enhancing the vehicle's cargo-carrying capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
an electromagnet, the electromagnet being operable in an activated state wherein the electromagnet magnetically couples the closeout panel to one of the distal floor panel or the proximal floor panel for common movement therewith
Implementation Method 2
a permanent magnet, the permanent magnet being configured to magnetically couple the closeout panel to the other one of the distal floor panel or the proximal floor panel for common movement therewith when the electromagnet is in a deactivated state
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle floor assembly includes a frame, distal and proximal floor panels, distal and proximal hinges, closeout panel, and electromagnet. The frame defines a stowage cavity. The distal panel has an attached end, a free end, and defines a pair of slots open to the free end to receive one of a set of seat risers through the distal panel. The distal hinge couples the attached end to the proximal panel. The proximal hinge couples the proximal panel to the floor frame. The closeout panel includes a pair of closeout members and is pivotable relative to the distal and proximal panels between a first position wherein each closeout member is received in one of the slots, and a second position wherein the closeout members are spaced apart from the slots. Activating the electromagnet magnetically couples the closeout panel to one of the distal or proximal panels for common movement therewith.