U.S. patent application number 15/096554 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-12 for aligning tower structure for locating a side shield on a base of a vehicle seat.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Carlos Caballero De Ita, Francisco Javier Ferreira Yanez, Edgardo F. Ortiz Hernandez, Jose Alfredo Peregrina Loera.
Application Number | 20170291512 15/096554 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59929522 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170291512 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Peregrina Loera; Jose Alfredo ;
et al. |
October 12, 2017 |
ALIGNING TOWER STRUCTURE FOR LOCATING A SIDE SHIELD ON A BASE OF A
VEHICLE SEAT
Abstract
A vehicle seat includes a seat base, a side shield coupled to
the seat base and defining inward and outward surfaces and an
attachment tower extending from a central portion of the inward
surface to an attachment flange of the seat base. The side shield
conceals the attachment tower and the attachment flange, and the
attachment tower defines a guide for connecting the attachment
tower and flange.
Inventors: |
Peregrina Loera; Jose Alfredo;
(Mexico City, MX) ; Ferreira Yanez; Francisco Javier;
(Mexico City, MX) ; Ortiz Hernandez; Edgardo F.;
(Toluca, MX) ; Caballero De Ita; Carlos; (Benito
Juarez, MX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
59929522 |
Appl. No.: |
15/096554 |
Filed: |
April 12, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/90 20180201; B60N
2/6009 20130101; B60N 2/1615 20130101; B60N 2/682 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/44 20060101
B60N002/44 |
Claims
1. A vehicle seat comprising: a side shield coupled to a seat base
and defining inward and outward surfaces; and an attachment tower
extending from a central portion of the inward surface to an
attachment flange of the seat base, wherein the side shield
conceals the attachment tower and the attachment flange, and
wherein the attachment tower is integrally molded with the side
shield and defines a guide for connecting the attachment tower and
flange, and wherein the attachment flange extends through a slot
defined within the attachment tower.
2. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the attachment tower
defines a slot for receiving the attachment flange.
3. The vehicle seat of claim 2, wherein the guide defined by the
attachment tower is a vision-free guide that slidably positions the
attachment flange into the slot defined within the attachment
tower.
4. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the attachment tower is
integrally formed as part of the side shield.
5. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the seat base and the side
shield define a cavity therebetween, wherein the attachment tower
and attachment flange engage within the cavity.
6. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the side shield is free of
automatic seat controls.
7. The vehicle seat of claim 2, wherein the attachment tower
includes a receiver end having a wide opening defined at a first
end and the slot defined in the second end, wherein the receiver
end includes a tapered transition that narrows from the wide
opening to the slot.
8. The vehicle seat of claim 7, wherein the receiver end defines a
longitudinal axis extending through the wide opening and the slot,
wherein the longitudinal axis is parallel with a portion of the
outward surface of the side shield proximate the attachment
tower.
9. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat frame having an
outwardly-extending flange; and an attachment tower extending from
an inward surface of a side shield to an enclosed receiver end
having a wide opening defined at a first end and a slot defined in
a second end, wherein the receiver end includes a tapered
transition extending through the receiver end that narrows from the
wide opening to the slot for receiving the flange.
10. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the outwardly-extending
flange extends through both the wide opening and the slot.
11. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the attachment tower is
integrally formed as part of the side shield.
12. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the tapered transition
includes a vision-free guide for defining an attachment between the
receiver end and the outwardly-extending flange.
13. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the side shield is free of
a seat control interface.
14. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the tapered transition is
at least partially defined by reinforcing ribs that extend toward
the slot.
15. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the attachment tower
extends perpendicularly from a central portion of the inward
surface of the side shield.
16. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein engagement between the
outwardly-extending flange and the receiver end maintains a
predetermined gap defined between the inward surface of the side
shield and the seat frame.
17. A method of attaching a side shield to a vehicle seat of a
vehicle, the method comprising steps of: positioning a side shield
proximate a seat base, wherein the seat base includes an
outwardly-extending flange protruding therefrom; slidably engaging
the side shield along the seat base, wherein the side shield
conceals the flange from view; engaging the flange with an
attachment tower of the side shield, wherein the attachment tower
extends integrally from a central portion of an inward surface of
the side shield, wherein the attachment tower is positioned between
the side shield and the seat base and is concealed from view when
the attachment tower is proximate the flange; and guiding the
flange into a slot defined within the attachment tower, wherein the
attachment tower includes a receiver end having a wide opening
defined at a first end and the slot defined in the second end,
wherein the receiver end includes a tapered transition that extends
through the receiver end and narrows from the wide opening to the
slot for guiding the flange into engagement within the slot,
wherein the tapered transition defines a vision-free guide for
defining an attachment between the receiver end and the
outwardly-extending flange.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein engagement between the
outwardly-extending flange and the receiver end maintains a
predetermined gap defined between the inward surface of the side
shield and the seat base.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of engaging the flange
with the attachment tower includes: sliding the wide opening over
the flange and into the tapered transition; and sliding the flange
through the tapered transition and into the slot.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the side shield is free of
automatic seat controls.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to vehicle seating,
and more specifically, an attachment feature for aligning a side
shield onto a base of a vehicle seat.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] During the assembly of vehicle seats, various outer panels
are located onto the seat structure to conceal the frame components
and other mechanical aspects of the vehicle seat. Installation of
various outer panels can be difficult as sight lines to the various
connection points of the outer panels of the vehicle seat can be
obstructed. In some cases, these attachment points can be
completely concealed from view.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to one aspect of the present invention, a vehicle
seat includes a seat base, a side shield coupled to the seat base
and defining inward and outward surfaces and an attachment tower
extending from a central portion of the inward surface to an
attachment flange of the seat base. The side shield conceals the
attachment tower and the attachment flange, and the attachment
tower defines a guide for connecting the attachment tower and
flange.
[0004] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
vehicle seat includes a seat frame having an outwardly-extending
flange and an attachment tower extending from an inward surface of
a side shield to a receiver end having a wide opening defined at a
first end and a slot defined in the second end. The receiver end
includes a tapered transition that narrows from the wide opening to
the slot for receiving the flange.
[0005] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
method of attaching a side shield to a seat base of a vehicle
includes positioning a side shield proximate a base for a vehicle
seat, wherein the base includes an outwardly-extending flange
protruding therefrom. The side shield slidably engages along the
base, wherein the side shield conceals the flange from view. The
flange is engaged with an attachment tower of the side shield,
wherein the attachment tower extends integrally from a central
portion of an inward surface of the side shield, wherein the
attachment tower is positioned between the side shield and the base
and is concealed from view when the attachment tower is proximate
the flange. The flange is guided into a slot defined within the
attachment tower. The attachment tower includes a receiver end and
has a wide opening defined at a first end and the slot defined in
the second end. The receiver end includes a tapered transition that
narrows from the wide opening to the slot for guiding the flange
into engagement within the slot. The tapered transition defines a
vision-free guide for defining an attachment between the receiver
end and the outwardly-extending flange.
[0006] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the
present invention will be understood and appreciated by those
skilled in the art upon studying the following specification,
claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a passenger cabin of a
vehicle illustrating a vehicle seat incorporating a side shield
having the attachment tower incorporated therein;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a portion of a vehicle
frame with a side shield attached thereto and using the attachment
tower for engaging the frame of the vehicle seat;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a partially exploded side perspective view of the
vehicle frame of FIG. 2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of the side shield
incorporating an aspect of the attachment tower for installation
onto the base of a vehicle seat;
[0012] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the attachment
tower incorporated within the side shield of FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of an aspect of
the side shield engaged with a seat base with the attachment tower
of the side shield engaging the attachment flange of the seat
base;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of an aspect of the
attachment tower;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the attachment tower of
FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the side shield of FIG.
6 taken along line IX-IX and illustrating an aspect of the
attachment tower engaged with the attachment flange of the seat
base;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the side shield of FIG.
9 illustrating the attachment tower being guided onto the
attachment flange;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the side shield of FIG.
10 illustrating the attachment tower being aligned with the
attachment flange for installation; and
[0019] FIG. 12 is a schematic flow diagram illustrating a method of
attaching a side shield to a seat base for a vehicle seat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention
as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the
invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where
expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood
that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached
drawings, and described in the following specification are simply
exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the
appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical
characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are
not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state
otherwise.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1-6, reference numeral 10 generally refers
to a side shield that is installed upon a seat base 12 for a
vehicle seat 14. The vehicle seat 14 can include a seat base 12 and
a side shield 10 coupled to the seat base 12. The side shield 10
defines inward and outward surfaces 16, 18 thereof. An attachment
tower 20 extends from a central portion 22 of the inward surface 16
of the side shield 10 and extends to an attachment flange 24 of the
seat base 12. The side shield 10 conceals the attachment tower 20
and attachment flange 24 such that the engagement of the attachment
tower 20 and attachment flange 24 is hidden from view during
installation of the side shield 10 onto the seat base 12. The
attachment tower 20 defines a guide 26 for connecting the
attachment tower 20 to the attachment flange 24. In this manner,
the attachment tower 20 defines a vision-free guide 26 that
slidably positions the attachment flange 24 into a slot 28 defined
within the attachment tower 20 for receiving the attachment flange
24.
[0022] Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the attachment tower 20 can
include a receiver end 40 having a wide opening 42 defining a first
end 44 of the receiver end 40. The slot 28 of the attachment tower
20 can be defined within the second end 46 of the receiver end 40.
It is contemplated that the receiver end 40 includes a tapered
transition 48 that narrows from the wide opening 42 to the slot 28.
In this manner, the wide opening 42 defines a large aperture
through which the attachment flange 24 can be guided. Accordingly,
during installation of the side shield 10, exact positioning of the
side shield 10 is not necessary. The side shield 10 can be
positioned in a range of positions 52 so long as the attachment
flange 24 is positioned within the perimeter 50 of the wide opening
42 of the receiver end 40. The wide opening 42 is significantly
larger than the opening defined by the slot 28, within which the
attachment flange 24 is ultimately installed and secured. As such,
the side shield 10 can be installed by placing the side shield 10
within a range of positions 52 proximate the attachment flange 24.
In this manner, the attachment flange 24 can be slidably inserted
through the wide opening 42 and along the tapered transition 48 for
ultimate installation into the slot 28 of the receiver end 40 for
the attachment tower 20.
[0023] According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated
that the side shield 10 at least partially conceals, and in some
cases, completely conceals, both the attachment tower 20 and the
attachment flange 24. Accordingly, the engagement between the
attachment tower 20 and the attachment flange 24 is concealed from
view, and the installation of the side shield 10 is a "blind"
installation. The use of the receiver end 40 of the attachment
tower 20 having the tapered transition 48 with the wide end
transitioning to the narrower slot 28 provides a guide 26 for the
installer to use to place the attachment tower 20 on the attachment
flange 24. To assist in guiding the attachment flange 24 to the
tapered transition 48, the receiver end 40 can include a plurality
of structural ribs 60. These structural ribs 60 can extend
substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis 62 of the receiver
end 40. The longitudinal axis 62 of the receiver end 40 extends
through the wide opening 42 and slot 28. This longitudinal axis 62
can be a generally parallel portion of the outward surface 18 of
the side shield 10 proximate the attachment tower 20. In this
manner, the attachment tower 20 can extend in a generally
perpendicular orientation from the inward surface 16 of the side
shield 10. As the attachment tower 20 extends generally
perpendicular from the inward surface 16 of the side shield 10, the
longitudinal axis 62 of the receiver end 40 extends substantially
parallel with the inward surface 16 of the side shield 10. It is
also contemplated that the longitudinal axis 62 of the receiver end
40 can be positioned at an angle relative to the inward surface 16
of the side shield 10, where the side shield 10 can include various
surfaces that generally define the outward appearance of the side
shield 10 as reflected in the outward surface 18 of the side shield
10.
[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 4-6, it is contemplated that the
attachment tower 20 can be an integrally formed member that is
formed, molded, or otherwise created as part of the side shield 10.
Typically, the attachment tower 20 is formed as part of a side
shield 10 when the side shield 10 is free of various automatic seat
controls 120 that are used to operate mechanical portions of a
vehicle seat 14. During manufacture, a standard seat base 12 can be
used for various models of a particular vehicle 70. This seat base
12 can be fitted with various mechanical features for controlling
the various positions of the seat base 12, lumbar support, and
other portions of the vehicle seat 14. Typically, these automatic
seat controls 120 are positioned in the side shield 10, and are
engaged to the seat base 12. Various structures proximate these
controls 120 generally provide structural support between the seat
base 12 and the side shield 10. When these controls 120 are not
present in a particular vehicle seat 14 for a vehicle model, the
side shield 10 is molded as a continuous member with no openings as
no controls 120 need to be fitted within the side shield 10.
Additionally, these side controls 120 typically include certain
structural features that extend between the side shield 10 and the
seat base 12 for supporting the central portion 22 of the vehicle
side shield 10.
[0025] According to the various embodiments, as exemplified in
FIGS. 1-6, the incorporation of the integrally formed attachment
tower 20 within the central portion 22 of the side shield 10
provides a structural support between the side shield 10 and the
seat base 12 in the absence of any automatic seat controls 120 and
structural mechanisms attached thereto. The integrally formed
attachment tower 20 provides a structural mechanism that extends
into a cavity 80 defined between the seat base 12 and side shield
10 for engagement of the attachment tower 20 with the attachment
tower 20 that provides structural support between the side shield
10 and seat base 12. The integral nature of the attachment tower 20
serves to prevent the formation of sink marks or other
stress-related features that may be evidenced in other conventional
structural members disposed between a conventional shield and a
conventional base. The use of the attachment tower 20 integrally
formed within the side shield 10, as disclosed herein, maintains a
predetermined gap 82 defined between the inward surface 16 of the
side shield 10 and the seat base 12 or seat frame 92 of the vehicle
seat 14.
[0026] Referring now to FIGS. 1-11, according to the various
embodiments, the vehicle seat 14 can be disposed within a passenger
compartment 90 of a vehicle 70, where the vehicle seat 14 includes
a seat frame 92 having an outwardly extending flange, that can
correspond to the attachment flange 24 of the seat base 12. The
attachment tower 20 extends from the inward surface 16 of the side
shield 10 to a receiver end 40 of the attachment tower 20. The
receiver end 40 includes a wide opening 42 that defines a first end
44 and a slot 28 defining a second end 46 where the receiver end 40
includes a tapered transition 48 that narrows from the wide opening
42 to the slot 28 receiving flange. When the outwardly extending
flange, or attachment flange 24, is installed within the receiver
end 40 of the attachment tower 20, the attachment flange 24 extends
through both the wide opening 42 and the slot 28. In various
embodiments, the attachment flange 24 can include an engaging tab
100 that extends substantially perpendicular to the attachment
flange 24. The engaging tab 100 serves to bias a portion of the
receiver end 40 proximate the slot 28 outward to allow the engaging
tab 100 to pass through. Once the engaging tab 100 is passed
through the slot 28, a portion of the receiver end 40 biases back
to its original position and the engaging tab 100 substantially
prevents movement of the attachment flange 24 back through the slot
28, thereby preventing disengagement of the attachment flange 24
with the attachment tower 20.
[0027] Referring again to FIGS. 2-4, during installation of the
side shield 10 onto the seat base 12, the side shield 10 is
slidably engaged with a portion of the seat base 12. In addition to
the engagement between the attachment tower 20 and the attachment
flange 24, various other connecting features 110 defined within the
side shield 10 slidably engage portions of the seat base 12. In
this manner, the engagement between the attachment flange 24 and
the attachment tower 20 helps to align the side shield 10 with the
seat base 12 for connecting the attachment flange 24 with the
attachment tower 20 and also helping in the engagement between the
other connection portions of the side shield 10 with the seat base
12.
[0028] Referring now to FIGS. 1-12, having described the various
aspects of the attachment tower 20 of the side shield 10, a method
400 is disclosed for attaching a side shield 10 to a seat base 12
for a vehicle seat 14. The method 400 includes a step 402 of
positioning side shield 10 proximate a seat base 12 for a vehicle
seat 14. The seat base 12 includes an outwardly-extending flange,
such as the attachment flange 24, protruding therefrom. The side
shield 10 is slidably engaged along the seat base 12 (step 404). In
this manner, the side shield 10 conceals both the attachment tower
20 and the attachment flange 24 from view, such that the engagement
between the side shield 10 and the seat base 12 is a "blind"
operation that is hidden from the view of the installer. During
installation, the attachment flange 24 is engaged with the
attachment tower 20 of the side shield 10 (step 406). The
attachment tower 20 extends integrally from a central portion 22 of
an inward surface 16 of the side shield 10, and the seat base 12
defined therebetween. In this manner, the attachment tower 20 and
the attachment flange 24 are concealed from view when the
attachment tower 20 is proximate the attachment flange 24. During
installation, the attachment flange 24 is guided into a slot 28
defined within the attachment tower 20 (step 408). The attachment
tower 20 includes a receiver end 40 having a wide opening 42
defined in a first end 44 and a slot 28 defined in the second end
46. During installation, the wide opening 42 of the attachment
tower 20 can be slid over the attachment flange 24, such that the
attachment flange 24 enters into the tapered position of the
receiver end 40 (step 410). The attachment flange 24 is then slid
through the tapered transition 48 and into engagement with the slot
28 to secure the attachment flange 24 within the slot 28 and the
attachment tower 20 (step 412). In this manner, the receiver end 40
and the tapered transition 48 defined therein define a vision-free
guide 26 for defining attachment between the receiver end 40 and
the outwardly extending flange or the attachment flange 24 of the
seat base 12.
[0029] According to the various embodiments, as exemplified in
FIGS. 1-12, the attachment flange 24 can be made of various rigid
materials that can include, but are not limited to, metals, alloys,
composite materials, polymers, combinations thereof, and other
similar rigid materials that provide a structural feature to which
the attachment tower 20 can be connected. It is also contemplated
that the side shield 10 can be made of a substantially formable
material that can include, but is not limited to, plastic, various
polymers, composite materials, formable metals, combinations
thereof, and other similar materials that can be used for forming
an exterior panel, such as a side shield 10, for a vehicle seat
14.
[0030] According to the various embodiments, the incorporation of
the attachment tower 20 within the side shield 10 can also be
included within other interior panels of the vehicle 70. Such
panels can include, but are not limited to, other shield panels of
the vehicle seat 14, interior panels of the passenger cabin,
dashboard panels, console panels, and other similar interior
paneling positioned within or near the passenger cabin of the
vehicle 70.
[0031] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can
be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the
concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be
understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the
following claims unless these claims by their language expressly
state otherwise.
* * * * *