Abstract:
A method of reinforcing a vehicle seat structural member may include identifying a reinforcement region (38) of the vehicle seat structural member based on an area of the vehicle seat structural member that will be subjected to higher operational stress than another area of the vehicle seat structural member and attaching a reinforcement member (40; 140; 240; 340) to the reinforcement region (38) of the vehicle seat structural member. The reinforcement member (40; 140; 240; 340) may include at least one of structural epoxy (42), a plastic (140), a metallic member (240), and a composite member (46). The reinforcement member (40; 140; 240; 340) may be configured to reinforce the vehicle seat structural member in the reinforcement region (38).
Abstract:
A method of locally heat treating a structural member (346) for a vehicle component, comprising placing the structural member into a fixture including a first element (761) having a first layer that is electrically conductive and a second element (762) having a first layer that is electrically conductive; moving at least one of the first and second elements into contact with the structural member; imparting a pressure into the structural member by at least one of the first and second elements; passing a current through the electrically conductive first layers of the first and second elements to effect at least one heat treated area in the structural member; and stopping the current and releasing the pressure from the structural member.