[0001] The present subject matter described herein, relates to mounting structure for rear seat back striker which is generally present in rear quarter area of vehicles. More particularly, the rear seat back striker is mounted on rear pillar (C-pillar) of the vehicle for rear passenger seats.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Generally, rear seat back striker is a part present in rear quarter area (or C-pillar) of vehicles. It is used for assembly of rear passenger seat upper mount. Generally, rear seat back striker is connected to reinforcement seat back striker which is present in vehicle rear quarter area. Engage center is the point on rear seat back striker where engagement of rear passenger seat upper mount takes place in order to lock the movement of rear passenger seat in vehicle longitudinal direction. Location of engage center point largely affects the structure of panel rear back striker and reinforcement seat back striker.
[0004] There are two types of mounting structure for rear seat back striker. In the first type of structure, reinforcement seat back striker on which rear seat back striker is welded, is joined to quarter panel through spot welding that can be referred as welded type structure. In the second type of structure, reinforcement seat back striker on which rear seat back striker is welded, is joined to panel seat back striker with the help of fasteners that can be referred as bolted type structure.

[0005] Technical problems exist with the existing structures is that; the bolted type structure contains more weight and due to added weight of fasteners leads to increase in cost. Also bolted type structure increases the time required for assembly of bracket thereby increasing the tact time of vehicle assembly.
[0006] On the other hand, welded type structure is less complex, contains less number of parts and it is cost effective. There is one more benefit, i.e., elimination of bracket assembly process from assembly line. However, there is one drawback with welded type structure that the shape of panel seat back striker and reinforcement seat back striker can become very critical from manufacturability point of view due to the location of engage center point.
[0007] For instance, if engage center point is at less distance (less than 25 mm) from side body outer flange edge (opening of the C-pillar) in longitudinal direction of vehicle and if it is at more distance (more than 105 mm) from side body outer flange in lateral direction (width direction) of vehicle, then it will lead to increased draw height of panel seat back striker and reinforcement seat back striker. Increase in draw height reduces manufacturability of panel. However, there is one advantage of increase in draw height of panel seat back striker and reinforcement seat back striker in width direction of vehicle; it increases the inner space available with customer.
[0008] In welded type structure, the rear seat back striker is connected to reinforcement seat back striker through spot weld joint. Generally, in conventional structures it is observed that reinforcement seat back striker is joined through spot weld to panel seat back striker from vehicle outside direction or from inside of panel seat back striker. However, the lateral height required for engage center point depends on the joint lateral height of panel seat back striker and reinforcement seat back striker. In the conventional welded type structure, the reinforcement seat back striker is welded from vehicle outside direction or from inside of panel seat back striker due to which there is no lateral height advantage

by reinforcement seat back striker therefore it leads to increase in lateral height of rear seat back striker, thereby increasing the overhang of rear seatback striker, which in turn reduces the strength of conventional welded type structure. Accordingly, it is a technical drawback in conventional welded type structure.
[0009] Existing solutions or structures provide information on currently available solutions for rear seat back striker mounting structure, but each has its own drawbacks and limitations. These known systems do not provide solution on increasing the lateral height of panel seat back striker and reinforcement seat back striker, which can decrease the height of rear seat back striker in lateral direction which ultimately can increase the supporting strength of rear seat back striker for rear passenger seat mounting. Further, the existing known systems are costly and have multiple parts which make the structure complex and heavy.
[0010] Therefore, a simple and less expensive rear seat back striker mounting structure is required which can effectively provide more lateral height and less longitudinal distance from side body outer flange edge (opening of the C-pillar) and which can provide more strength to rear passenger seat mounting.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0011] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[0012] The principal object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for rear seat back striker.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure having stepped panel seat back striker and stepped seat back reinforcement to distribute the stress in different planes to uniformly curb the load coming from rear passenger seat.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a rear seat back striker mounting structure in such a manner that engage center point present on rear seat back striker is at less distance (for example, less than 25mm) from side body outer flange edge in longitudinal direction of vehicle and it is at more distance (for example, more than 105mm) from side body outer flange in lateral direction of vehicle.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure in which seat back striker reinforcement is spot welded on the panel seat back striker.
[0016] Yet another object of the present invention is to improve fuel efficiency of vehicle due to light weight of welded type structure of rear seat back striker mounting compared with more weight of bolted type structure.
[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple, and low cost rear seat back striker mounting structure.
[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide more cabin space to customer in rear passenger seating area.
[0019] These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent when reference is made to the following description and accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY
[0020] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to a mounting structure for a rear seat back striker with reinforcement. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0021] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a mounting structure of rear seat back striker in rear pillar (C-pillar) of vehicle. The mounting

structure comprises a rear seat back striker, a panel seat back striker, and a seat
back striker reinforcement that is welded on the panel seat back striker from
vehicle cabin side direction. The panel seat back striker includes a hump which is
protruded from outer panel of the C-pillar and towards vehicle cabin side to
5 reduce height of the rear seat back striker in lateral direction (width direction) of
vehicle. Further, a plurality of steps is provided on the panel seat back striker to
change stress planes for uniform distribution of stress. The seat back striker
reinforcement is welded over the hump of the panel seat back striker from vehicle
cabin side to reduce height of the rear seat back striker in lateral direction (width
10 direction) of vehicle. The seat back striker is mounted on the seat back striker
reinforcement and projects toward the vehicle cabin to receive rear passenger seat.
[0022] In an aspect, the rear seat back striker reinforcement has at least two
steps to distribute the load in different planes.
[0023] In an aspect, the hump and the rear seat back striker reinforcement
15 protruded toward the vehicle cabin to achieve more lateral height to reduce
overhang of rear seat back striker, thereby reducing the stress on rear seat back striker due to mounting of rear passenger seat.
[0024] In an aspect, the panel seat back striker has at least three steps to
uniformly distribute the load in different planes.
20 [0025] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive
subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
25 [0026] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best
understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of
6

example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0027] Fig. 1 illustrates mounting structure of rear seat back striker, in
5 accordance with an embodiment of present disclosure;
[0028] Fig. 2 illustrates mounting structure without rear seat back striker, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0029] Fig. 3a, 3b, and 3c illustrates cross section along line AA, BB, and CC
respectively as shown in figure 2, in accordance with an embodiment of the
10 present disclosure;
[0030] Fig. 4a and 4b illustrate structure of panel seat back striker of figure 1,
in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] Fig. 5a and 5b illustrate structure of seat back striker reinforcement of
figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
15 [0032] The figures depict embodiments of the present subject matter for the
purposes of illustration only. A person skilled in the art will easily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein
20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the
disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It
should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to
clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided
25 herein is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the
contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives
7

falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0034] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised
that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of
5 the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects,
and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As
10 used herein, the singular forms “a",” “an” and “the” are intended to include the
plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence
15 or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,
components and/or groups thereof.
[0036] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the
functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example,
two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may
20 sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts
involved.
[0037] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific
terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further
25 understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should
be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the
8

context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0038] These and other advantages of the present subject matter would be
described in greater detail with reference to the following figures. It should be
5 noted that the description merely illustrates the principles of the present subject
matter. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the present subject matter and are included within its scope.
[0039] As mentioned in the background section that height of rear seat back
10 striker in lateral direction largely depends on shape and joining direction of panel
seat back striker and reinforcement seat back striker. To achieve the required
height in lateral direction of the vehicle, the reinforcement seat back striker joined
to panel seat back striker from vehicle’s cabin side direction. Accordingly, lateral
height (length) of the rear seat back striker reduced in lateral direction (width
15 direction of vehicle) which ultimately improves the supporting strength and
reduces the stress on rear seat back striker for rear passenger seat mounting. The present concept is not present in conventional welded type structure.
[0040] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to mounting structure of
rear seat back striker. Generally, the location of engage center point (104a as
20 shown in figure 3a) present on rear seat back striker is dependent on rear
passenger seat back angle. If it is noticed carefully, it can be understood that rear door side body outer flange (opening of the C-pillar) location is one of the deciding factor for the ease of customer ingress and egress in vehicle. Accordingly, the rear door side body outer flange location is related with rear
25 passenger seat back angle in longitudinal direction of vehicle. Accordingly,
location of the engage center point present on rear seat back striker 104 is connected with the ease of customer ingress and egress in vehicle from rear passenger door.
9

[0041] To further improve the ease of customer ingress and egress from rear
door, location of engage center point is decided in such a manner that it is at less
distance (for example, less than 25mm) from side body outer flange edge in
longitudinal direction (length direction) of vehicle, providing more space to
5 customer for ingress and egress in vehicle.
[0042] The location of engage center point plays a very important role in
providing cabin space to customer. To provide more cabin space to customer, side
body inner panel can be shifted towards cabin outside direction keeping overall
width of vehicle fixed. If noticed carefully, it can be understood that if side body
10 inner panel is shifted towards side body outer panel (keeping overall width of
vehicle fixed), automatically panel seat back striker and reinforcement seat back striker will move towards cabin outside direction. It increases the height of rear seat back striker in lateral direction (width direction) of vehicle.
[0043] As it is already explained, increase in height of rear seat back striker in
15 lateral direction (width direction) of vehicle leads to increase in load transfer to
panel seat back striker and reinforcement seat back striker. So it is not advisable to increase the lateral height of rear seat back striker.
[0044] Therefore, steps and hump are provided on panel seat back striker and
steps are provided on reinforcement seat back striker to increase the overall height
20 of rear seat back striker in lateral direction (width direction) of vehicle.
[0045] Hence, in the present structure, location of engage center point is at
more distance (for example, more than 105mm) from side body outer flange in lateral direction of vehicle, providing more cabin space to customer.
[0046] As it is already explained in background and prior art that to achieve
25 above mentioned location of engage center, generally bolted type structure is
adopted as it is not possible with currently available conventional welded type structure.
10

[0047] But it should be appreciated here that the present subject matter
resolves the above-mentioned problem of location of engage center with welded type structure.
[0048] To this as shown in figure 1, the mounting structure 100 of rear seat
5 back striker is explained. The mounting structure 100 includes a panel seat back
striker 102 that is a separate part from quarter panel 101. The panel seat back striker 102 is welded with the quarter panel 101 at upper side and at rear side. The panel seat back striker 102 is welded with rear wheel house (not shown in figure) at lower side. Further, the panel seat back striker 102 has more thickness and
10 stiffness than the quarter panel 101. The panel seat back striker 102 is further
supported by rear door reinforcement 105 (as shown in figure 3b) at outer flange or opening of the rear door (C-pillar opening region). A reinforcement seat back striker 103 is mounted on the panel seat back striker 102. Further, a rear seat back striker 104 is mounted on the reinforcement seat back striker 103. All parts like
15 panel seat back striker 102, the reinforcement seat back striker 103, and the rear
seat back striker 104 extend/protrude towards vehicle cabin side to receive rear seat.
[0049] Figure 2 illustrates the mounting structure 100 without the rear seat
back striker. Further, cross section lines AA, BB, and CC are indicated to
20 elaborate the structure, shape, and joining various part with each other.
[0050] Fig. 3a illustrates cross section AA of figure 2. The rear seat back
striker 104 has loop shape profile where loop extend towards rear seat to reduce
longitudinal distance from side body flange. The rear seat back striker 104 is
mounted on reinforcement seat back striker 103 which is welded on the panel seat
25 back striker 102 which is further reinforced by the rear door reinforcement 105.
The rear door reinforcement 105 is welded with the outer panel 106 and the panel seat back striker 102 in three layers structure.
11

[0051] Referring to figure 3b and cross section BB that is toward outer flange
of the rear pillar in lateral direction (width direction) of vehicle. The panel seat back striker 102 is welded with the rear door reinforcement 105 in vehicle height direction to provide stiffness and to distribute loads in complete C-pillar.
5 [0052] Referring to figure 3c and cross section CC that is over the panel seat
back striker 102 and the reinforcement rear seat back striker 103. Hump shape of panel seat back striker 102 is joined with reinforcement rear seat back striker 103 to provide lateral height advantage to rear seat back striker 104.
[0053] Fig. 4a and 4b illustrates structure of the panel seat back striker 102 in
10 rear pillar of the vehicle. To solve the technical problems of the existing
structures, one of the possible solutions is increase the lateral height of rear seat back striker, by increasing the lateral height of the rear seat back striker it will not be able to provide the required strength to the rear passenger seat mounting due to the increased overhang.
15 [0054] In order to increase lateral height of the rear seat back striker 104, the
panel seat back striker 102 and the reinforcement seat back striker 103 are joined in series from cabin side. Further a hump shape profile 102d is provided in the panel seat back striker 102 for increasing the lateral height. Accordingly, the reinforcement seat back striker 103 is designed to join over the hump shape
20 profile. With the hump shape profile 102d, there is one drawback on the panel seat
back striker 102, and the drawback is increase in draw height of the panel seat back striker 102 which further reduces the formability of panel. To compensate with the increase in the draw height of the panel seat back striker 102, a plurality of step shapes 102a, 102b, 102c are provided on the panel seat back striker 102.
25 Further, the plurality of step shapes 102a, 102b, 102c changes stress plane thereby
providing better distribution of stress.
12

[0055] As shown in figure 5a and 5b, shape of the reinforcement seat back
striker 103 is also optimized in such a manner that it can be joined to the panel
seat back striker 102 from the vehicle cabin side. Accordingly, the reinforcement
seat back striker 103 has at least two step shapes (step shapes can be referred as
5 steps) 103a, 103b to distribute the load uniformly. The shape of the reinforcement
seat back striker 103 is designed based on the shape of the hump over the panel
seat back striker 102. The hump shape profile 102d in the panel seat back striker
102 and the reinforcement seat back striker 103 has augmented the lateral height
of rear seat back striker 104, thereby providing a benefit of shorter length of rear
10 seat back striker 104.
[0056] There is an added advantage of hump shape profile; i.e. it provides
more cabin space to customer in lateral direction (width direction) of vehicle.
[0057] In an aspect, shape of the reinforcement seat back striker 103 matches
with shape of the hump shape profile 102d on the panel seat back striker 102.
15 [0058] In an aspect, the reinforcement seat back striker 103 includes at least
two steps 103a, 103b to distribute stress and reduce overhang height of the rear seat back striker 104.
[0059] In an aspect, the rear pillar includes quarter panel 101 and the panel
seat back striker 102.
20
[0060] In an aspect, the reinforcement seat back striker 103 is welded over the
hump shaped profile 102d of the panel seat back striker 102 from vehicle cabin side.
[0061] In an aspect, the rear seat back striker 104 has center point 104a that
25 extend in longitudinal direction.
13

[0062] Further the second problem with the existing mounting structure is the
location of engage center point 104a in longitudinal direction of vehicle. For
example, the longitudinal distances of the engage center point 104a with the side
body outer flange edge is less than 25mm. The present mounting structure with
5 the protruded panel seat back striker 102, the reinforcement seat back striker 103
and the loop shaped seat back striker 104 achieves the minimum distance requirement.
[0063] Conventionally, it is observed that the above said longitudinal distance
dimension is more than 50mm. Technically, it can be observed that if the
10 longitudinal distance is more, than draw height (called as hump shape in this
document) of panel seat back striker 102 increases gradually, thereby improving the formability of panel. But if the longitudinal distance between engage center point 104a and side body outer flange is less than there is a sudden increase in draw height of panel seat back striker 102 which leads to deterioration in
15 formability. Conventionally, the angle at which the draw shape is formed is
generally close to 45 degrees. This lower angle and gradual increase of draw height supports in formability of panel seat back striker
[0064] But if we consider longitudinal distance of engage center point with
side body outer flange edge less than 25mm, then it can be understood that the
20 angle at which the draw shape will be formed will generally be much more than
45 degrees. There will be a sudden increase in draw height of panel seat back striker 102. Steps provided in panel seat back striker 102 are supporting to mitigate the above-mentioned problem of sudden increase of draw height. Refer figure 3a.
25 [0065] The overall combination of the hump shape profile 102d, and the
plurality of step shapes 102a, 102b, 102c in the panel seat back striker 102, and at least two step shapes 103a 103b in the reinforcement seat back striker 103 and their joining from cabin side of vehicle and the loop shape 104b of the rear seat
14

back striker 104 results in achieving the dimension of less than 25mm which was not possible with conventional welded type structure.
[0066] The present mounting structure 100 provides proper strength to the
rear seat back mounting. Due to the complex location of rear seat back striker 104,
5 it improves the ingress and egress of customer from rear passenger door and it
also provides more cabin space to customer. The present rear seat back striker
mounting structure 100 uses less number of parts which are simple in design.
Further, the whole structure is simple and light weight. Further, with the help of
step shape, formability of the panel seat back striker 102 and the reinforcement
10 seat back striker 103 is taken care of and handling is easy due to less number of
parts. The present rear seat back striker mounting structure 100 is cost effective as it uses less number of parts and it improves fuel efficiency of vehicle due to its light weight.
[0067] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used
15 herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended
claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should
be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be
interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as
“includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within
20 the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such
an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such
recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the
following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least
one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such
25 phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation
by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least
15

one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should
typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds
true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition,
even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited,
5 those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be
interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a
10 construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand
the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C,
15 etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having
skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that
20 virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative
terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
25 [0068] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention,
other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments,
16

versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

We claim:

A mounting structure (100) for rear seat back striker (104) in rear pillar of a vehicle, the mounting structure (100) comprising:
the rear seat back striker (104);
a panel seat back striker (102);
a reinforcement seat back striker (103) welded on the panel seat back striker (102) from vehicle cabin side direction;
the panel seat back striker (102) includes:
a hump shape profile (102d) protruded towards vehicle cabin side to reduce overhang height of the rear seat back striker (104); and
a plurality of steps (102a, 102b, 102c) provided to change stress planes for uniform distribution of stress;
wherein the reinforcement seat back striker (103) is mounted over the hump shape profile (102d) of the panel seat back striker (102) to reduce overhang height of the rear seat back striker (104);
wherein the rear seat back striker (104) is mounted on the reinforcement seat back striker (103) and project toward the vehicle cabin to receive rear seat striker.
The mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein shape of the reinforcement seat back striker (103) matches with shape of the hump shape profile (102d) on the panel seat back striker (102).
The mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement seat back striker (103) includes at least two steps (103a, 103b) to distribute stress and reduce overhang height of the rear seat back striker (104).

The mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear pillar includes quarter panel (101) and the panel seat back striker (102).
The mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reinforcement seat back striker (103) is welded over the hump shape profile (102d) of the panel seat back striker (102) from vehicle cabin side.
The mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel seat back striker (102) is spot welded with rear door reinforcement (105).
The mounting structure (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear seat back striker (104) has centre point (104a) that extends in longitudinal direction.