A flip-locking mechanism for car seat backrests

Abstract

This invention relates to a flip-locking mechanism for a car seat back, comprising a seat frame and two hinge assemblies symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the seat frame. Each hinge assembly includes a hinge bar rotatably connected to the outer wall of the left or right side of the seat frame, and a locking shaft laterally fixed to the corresponding outer wall of the seat frame and located behind the axis of rotation of the hinge bar for supporting and positioning the hinge bar. It also includes a locking assembly disposed between one of the hinge bars and the seat frame. The locking assembly includes a locking piece, the middle of which is rotatably connected to the outer wall of one of the hinge bars and always has a tendency to spring back and rotate clockwise. This invention eliminates the need for an adjuster while ensuring the safety performance of the car seat, thereby effectively reducing manufacturing costs and improving assembly efficiency by reducing assembly difficulty.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of automotive seat technology, and more specifically, to a flip-locking mechanism for an automotive seat back. Background Technology

[0002] In recent years, the global new energy vehicle industry has developed rapidly. With the entry of various new car manufacturers, price competition in the automotive industry has become increasingly fierce. Manufacturers have begun to focus on cost control of new energy vehicles in order to produce products that meet the needs of various income groups at the lowest cost, thereby increasing the core competitiveness of their products.

[0003] To ensure the safe driving performance of a car, components related to safe driving performance cannot be downgraded. Therefore, manufacturers can only reduce the cost of car manufacturing by focusing on other components that do not affect the safe driving performance. Car seats are one such aspect where manufacturing costs can be controlled.

[0004] Similar to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, the seat cushions in current new energy vehicles can also be flipped forward and laid flat when needed to temporarily expand the interior space for transporting larger items. However, to achieve this flipping and flattening effect, existing car seat cushions require the installation of an adjuster. Although the adjuster is relatively common, its complex internal structure results in high manufacturing costs and difficult assembly. It requires multiple welding and riveting processes to fix it to the seat frame, making the operation cumbersome and resulting in low assembly efficiency.

[0005] Therefore, a solution is urgently needed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the current state of the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a car seat back flip-locking mechanism that can effectively reduce manufacturing costs while ensuring the safety performance of the car seat, and also effectively reduce assembly difficulty to improve assembly efficiency.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows: a flip-locking mechanism for a car seat back, characterized in that it includes a seat frame and two hinge assemblies symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the seat frame. The hinge assembly includes a hinge bar rotatably connected to the outer wall of the left or right side of the seat frame and a locking shaft laterally fixed to the corresponding outer wall of the seat frame and located behind the rotation axis of the hinge bar for supporting and positioning the hinge bar.

[0008] It also includes a locking assembly located between one of the hinge bars and the base;

[0009] The locking assembly includes a locking plate, the middle of which is rotatably connected to the outer wall of one of the hinge bars and always has a tendency to spring back to rotate clockwise.

[0010] When the hinge bar rotates clockwise to above a locking shaft on the same side and is blocked by the locking shaft and cannot continue to rotate, the lower end of the locking piece is located behind the locking shaft and can be detachably fixed to the locking shaft by using its own clockwise elastic force to restore the rotation tendency.

[0011] When the upper end of the locking piece rotates counterclockwise, the lower end of the locking piece can overcome its own clockwise elasticity and return to its original rotational tendency and disengage from the locking shaft.

[0012] The locking assembly also includes a handle fixed to the upper end of the locking plate.

[0013] Preferably, the lower end of the locking piece has a locking groove on one side edge facing the locking shaft, the inner width of the locking groove matches the outer diameter of the locking shaft, and the opening of the locking groove matches the position of the locking shaft.

[0014] Preferably, when the hinge bar rotates clockwise to above a locking shaft on the same side and is blocked by the locking shaft and cannot continue to rotate, the locking groove on the locking plate can be detachably fastened to the outside of the locking shaft by utilizing the clockwise elastic force of the locking plate to restore the rotational tendency; when the locking groove is fastened to the outside of the locking shaft, the opening of the locking groove is arranged laterally forward or inclined forward and upward.

[0015] Preferably, the locking assembly further includes a limiting pin that is laterally fixed on the outer wall of the hinge bar near the locking piece and located above and behind the rotation axis of the locking piece. Correspondingly, a V-shaped notch higher than the rotation axis of the locking piece is provided on the edge of the locking piece facing the limiting pin. The upper inner wall of the V-shaped notch cooperates with the limiting pin. A first arc-shaped limiting surface that cooperates with the limiting pin is formed between the lower edge of the opening of the V-shaped notch and the outer wall of the side where the V-shaped notch is located.

[0016] Preferably, the locking assembly further includes a laterally rotatable rotating shaft that is inserted into the locking piece, the central axis of the rotating shaft coinciding with the rotation axis of the locking piece, and one end of the rotating shaft facing the hinge bar being fixed to the outer wall of the hinge bar near the locking piece.

[0017] Preferably, the locking assembly further includes a torsion spring sleeved on the rotating shaft and located between the hinge bar and the locking plate, wherein the two ends of the torsion spring are respectively fixed to the locking plate and the limiting pin so that the locking plate always has a tendency to spring back to rotate clockwise.

[0018] Preferably, the locking assembly further includes a safety switch, which includes a sleeve concentrically and dampedly rotatably connected to the rotating shaft and located outside the side of the locking piece facing away from the hinge bar; a first connecting rod fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the front side of the sleeve; a slider movably connected in the hinge bar to have the function of moving back and forth radially along the rotating shaft; a second connecting rod rotatably connected to the slider and located on the same side as the locking piece; and a limiting post laterally fixed to the slider and located behind the second connecting rod, wherein the end of the second connecting rod is rotatably connected to the end of the first connecting rod.

[0019] Preferably, the front edge of the middle part of the locking piece has an arc-shaped guide surface that is concentric with the rotation axis of the locking piece and located in front of and below the rotation axis of the locking piece. The arc-shaped guide surface is also provided with radially distributed limiting notches. The position and width of the limiting notches are matched with the position and outer diameter of the limiting post.

[0020] Preferably, a through hole is provided in the middle of the hinge bar, and one end of the rotating shaft facing the hinge bar is inserted and fixed in the through hole. A radially distributed guide groove is also provided on the lower front inner wall of the through hole, and the slider is movably embedded in the guide groove.

[0021] Preferably, the safety switch further includes two pressure plates that are respectively fixed on the outer walls of the left and right sides of the slider and respectively slidably attached to the outer walls of the left and right sides of the hinge bar, and the second connecting rod is rotatably connected to a pressure plate located on the same side as the locking piece.

[0022] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are as follows: The present invention achieves the locking and unlocking control effect of the flip state of the car seat cushion by means of a simple and easy-to-manufacture locking component, and can effectively support and position the seat cushion to ensure the firmness of the seat and prevent the seat cushion from being loosened by external force. Thus, while ensuring the safety performance of the car seat, the necessity of installing an adjuster is eliminated, thereby effectively reducing manufacturing costs and also effectively reducing assembly difficulty to improve assembly efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0023] The above and other features, advantages, and aspects of the embodiments of this application will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description; throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements; it should be understood that the drawings are schematic, and the originals and elements are not necessarily drawn to scale; in the drawings:

[0024] Figure 1 This is a right-side structural diagram of the present invention.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a right-side structural view of the locking piece of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3This is a right-side structural view of the hinge bar of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 4 This is a right-side structural view of the safety switch of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a front view of the slider and pressure plate of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a right-side view of the locking plate of the present invention when its rotation is restricted by a safety switch. Detailed Implementation

[0030] The embodiments of this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although some embodiments of this application are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this application can be implemented in various forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and complete understanding of this application. It should be understood that the accompanying drawings and embodiments of this application are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0031] It should be understood that the various steps described in the method embodiments of this application may be performed in different orders and / or in parallel. Furthermore, the method embodiments may include additional steps and / or omit the steps shown, and the scope of this application is not limited in this respect.

[0032] The term "comprising" and its variations as used herein are open-ended inclusions, meaning "including but not limited to". The term "based on" means "at least partially based on". The term "one embodiment" means "at least one embodiment"; the term "another embodiment" means "at least one additional embodiment"; the term "some embodiments" means "at least some embodiments"; the relevant definitions of other terms will be given in the description below.

[0033] It should be noted that the concepts of "first" and "second" mentioned in this application are only used to distinguish different devices, modules or units, and are not used to limit the order of functions performed by these devices, modules or units or their interdependencies.

[0034] It should be noted that the terms "a" and "a plurality of" used in this application are illustrative rather than restrictive, and those skilled in the art should understand that, unless otherwise expressly indicated in the context, they should be understood as "one or more".

[0035] like Figures 1-6As shown, a flip-locking mechanism for a car seat back includes a seat frame 1 and two hinge assemblies symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the seat frame 1. The hinge assembly includes a hinge bar 2 rotatably connected to the outer wall of the left or right side of the seat frame 1 and a locking shaft 4 laterally fixed to the corresponding outer wall of the seat frame 1 and located behind the rotation axis of the hinge bar 2 for supporting and positioning the hinge bar 2.

[0036] When the end of the hinge bar 2 rotates clockwise to the top of the locking shaft 4, the hinge bar 2 will be blocked by the locking shaft 4 and will not be able to continue rotating to play a positioning role. The outer wall of the hinge bar 2 facing the locking shaft 4 will press against the locking shaft 4. When the hinge bar 2 is subjected to pressure from the passenger's back, the locking shaft 4 can effectively support the hinge bar 2.

[0037] It also includes a locking assembly located between one of the hinge bars 2 and the base 1;

[0038] The locking assembly includes a locking piece 3, the middle of which is rotatably connected to the outer wall of one of the hinge bars 2 and always has a tendency to spring back to rotate in a clockwise direction;

[0039] When the hinge bar 2 rotates clockwise to the top of a locking shaft 4 on the same side and is blocked by the locking shaft 4 and cannot continue to rotate, the lower end of the locking piece 3 is located behind the locking shaft 4 and can be detachably fixed to the locking shaft 4 by using its own clockwise elastic force to restore the rotation tendency.

[0040] When the upper end of the locking piece 3 rotates counterclockwise, the lower end of the locking piece 3 can overcome its own clockwise elasticity and return to its original rotational tendency and disengage from the locking shaft 4.

[0041] The lower end of the locking plate 3 is provided with a locking groove 31 on one side edge facing the locking shaft 4. The inner width of the locking groove 31 matches the outer diameter of the locking shaft 4, and the opening of the locking groove 31 matches the position of the locking shaft 4.

[0042] When the hinge bar 2 rotates clockwise to above a locking shaft 4 on the same side and is blocked by the locking shaft 4 and cannot continue to rotate, the locking groove 31 on the locking piece 3 can be detachably fastened to the outside of the locking shaft 4 by utilizing the clockwise elastic force of the locking piece 3 to reset the rotation trend.

[0043] When the locking groove 31 is engaged with the outside of the locking shaft 4, the opening of the locking groove 31 is set horizontally forward or tilted forward and upward, but it cannot be tilted forward and downward. This is because if the hinge bar 2 is accidentally pushed forward, this push will generate a pulling force on the locking piece 3 in the forward and upward direction through the rotational connection between the hinge bar 2 and the base 1. If the opening of the locking groove 31 is tilted forward and downward, the locking shaft 4 will force the lower end of the locking piece 3 to rotate counterclockwise on its own, thereby causing the locking groove 31 to disengage from the locking shaft 4.

[0044] The locking assembly also includes a limiting pin 5 that is laterally fixed on the outer wall of the hinge bar 2 near the locking piece 3 and located above and behind the axis of rotation of the locking piece 3. Correspondingly, a V-shaped notch 32 higher than the axis of rotation of the locking piece 3 is provided on the edge of the locking piece 3 facing the limiting pin 5.

[0045] The upper inner wall of the V-shaped notch 32 cooperates with the limiting pin 5, and a first arc-shaped limiting surface 33 is formed between the lower edge of the opening of the V-shaped notch 32 and the outer wall of the side where the V-shaped notch 32 is located, which cooperates with the limiting pin 5.

[0046] The locking assembly also includes a lateral and rotatable rotating shaft 7 that is inserted into the locking piece 3. The central axis of the rotating shaft 7 coincides with the rotation axis of the locking piece 3. One end of the rotating shaft 7 facing the hinge bar 2 is fixed to the outer wall of the hinge bar 2 near the locking piece 3.

[0047] The locking assembly also includes a torsion spring 6 sleeved on the rotating shaft 7 and located between the hinge bar 2 and the locking plate 3. The two ends of the torsion spring 6 are fixed to the locking plate 3 and the limiting pin 5 respectively, so that the locking plate 3 always has the tendency to spring back to rotate clockwise.

[0048] The locking assembly also includes a safety switch 8, which includes a sleeve 81 that is concentrically and dampedly rotatably connected to the rotating shaft 7 and located outside the side of the locking piece 3 facing away from the hinge bar 2; a first connecting rod 82 fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the front side of the sleeve 81; a slider 85 movably connected in the hinge bar 2 to have the function of moving back and forth radially along the rotating shaft 7; a second connecting rod 83 rotatably connected to the slider 85 and located on the same side as the locking piece 3; and a limiting post 86 that is laterally fixed to the slider 85 and located behind the second connecting rod 83. The end of the second connecting rod 83 is rotatably connected to the end of the first connecting rod 82.

[0049] The front edge of the middle part of the locking piece 3 has an arc-shaped guide surface 34 that is concentric with the rotation axis of the locking piece 3 and located in front of and below the rotation axis of the locking piece 3. The arc-shaped guide surface 34 is also provided with radially distributed limiting notches 35. The position and width of the limiting notches 35 are matched with the position and outer diameter of the limiting post 86.

[0050] A through hole 21 is provided in the middle of the hinge bar 2. The end of the rotating shaft 7 facing the hinge bar 2 is inserted and fixed in the through hole 21. A radially distributed guide groove 22 is also provided on the inner wall of the lower front side of the through hole 21. The slider 85 is movably embedded in the guide groove 22.

[0051] The safety switch 8 also includes two pressure plates 84 that are fixed on the left and right outer walls of the slider 85 and slidably attached to the left and right outer walls of the hinge bar 2. The second connecting rod 83 is rotatably connected to one of the pressure plates 84 located on the same side as the locking piece 3.

[0052] The locking assembly also includes a handle 9 fixed to the upper end of the locking plate 3.

[0053] How to use:

[0054] A seat cushion is installed on top of the seat frame 1, and a backrest is installed between the two hinge bars 2 above the seat cushion. The passenger can use the seat normally by sitting on the seat cushion and leaning against the backrest. At this time, the pressure of the passenger's back is applied to the backrest. Since each hinge bar 2 is pressed against a locking shaft 4 on the same side, the pushing force on the backrest is transmitted to the locking shaft 4 through the hinge bar 2, and then to the seat frame 1 to achieve the offset. The backrest can effectively support the passenger's back.

[0055] Since the two ends of the torsion spring 6 are fixed to the locking plate 3 and the limiting pin 5 respectively, the torsion spring 6 will always apply a clockwise rotational force to the locking plate 3, thereby causing the lower end of the locking plate 3 to always exert a forward pressure on the locking shaft 4 on the same side, so that the locking groove 31 on the locking plate 3 is always engaged with the outside of the locking shaft 4; at this time, even if the cushion is subjected to a forward pushing force, this pushing force will generate a forward and upward pulling force on the locking plate 3 through the rotational connection between the hinge bar 2 and the seat frame 1, but Since the locking shaft 4 is located inside the locking groove 31, the locking piece 3 will not rotate, so the two hinge bars 2 and the cushion will not swing, thus achieving an effective locking function. Furthermore, since the opening of the locking groove 31 is set horizontally forward or tilted forward and upward, no matter how much unexpected pushing force the hinge bar 2 exerts, the locking shaft 4 cannot force the lower end of the locking piece 3 to rotate counterclockwise on its own, thus effectively preventing the locking groove 31 from disengaging from the locking shaft 4 to unlock accidentally, thereby improving the stability and reliability of the lock.

[0056] To unlock, hold the handle 9 and push it forward to rotate the locking plate 3 counterclockwise. This causes the locking groove 31 on the locking plate 3 to swing backward to disengage from the locking shaft 4 until the first arc-shaped limiting surface 33 contacts the limiting pin 5. At this point, the locking plate 3 can no longer rotate, thus completing the unlocking operation. Afterward, push the cushion forward to swing the ends of both hinge bars 2 forward until the cushion contacts the seat cushion, thus reclining the cushion. When the ends of the two hinge bars 2 swing forward, release the handle 9. The rebound force of the torsion spring 6 causes the locking plate 3 to rotate clockwise to reset until the upper inner wall of the V-shaped notch 32 contacts the limiting pin 5. At this point, the locking plate 3 can no longer rotate, and the handle 9 also tends to be horizontal as the locking plate 3 rotates to avoid protruding upward.

[0057] However, before rotating the locking plate 3, since the limiting post 86 is located within the limiting notch 35, the locking plate 3 cannot rotate. It is necessary to hold the rotating sleeve 81 in the safety switch 8 and rotate it counterclockwise. Then, with the help of the first connecting rod 82, the second connecting rod 83 moves forward and downward while rotating clockwise. This causes the slider 85 to move along the guide groove 22 away from the locking plate 3, thereby causing the limiting post 86 to come out of the limiting notch 35. At this time, the locking plate 3 is released from the restriction, and then the rotating sleeve 81 can be released. The rotating sleeve 81 will automatically stop due to its damped rotation relationship with the rotating shaft 7 and will not shift.

[0058] When the locking plate 3 is in the locked state and the cushion is in the unfolded use state, in order to effectively prevent the handle 9 from being accidentally pushed forward, you need to hold the rotating sleeve 81 and rotate it clockwise. Similarly, the second connecting rod 83 will rotate counterclockwise and move backward and upward, thereby driving the slider 85 to move along the guide groove 22 towards the locking plate 3 until the limiting post 86 is fully inserted into the limiting notch 35. At this time, if the handle 9 is accidentally pushed forward, the locking plate 3 will be restricted by the limiting post 86 through the limiting notch 35 and therefore cannot rotate counterclockwise. This effectively prevents the locking plate 3 from being accidentally rotated and unlocked, thus fully ensuring safety and making the operation simple and convenient.

[0059] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A flip-locking mechanism for a car seat backrest, characterized in that, It includes a seat frame and two hinge assemblies symmetrically arranged on the left and right sides of the seat frame. The hinge assembly includes a hinge bar rotatably connected to the outer wall of the left or right side of the seat frame and a locking shaft laterally fixed to the corresponding outer wall of the seat frame and located behind the rotation axis of the hinge bar for supporting and positioning the hinge bar. It also includes a locking assembly located between one of the hinge bars and the base; The locking assembly includes a locking plate, the middle of which is rotatably connected to the outer wall of one of the hinge bars and always has a tendency to spring back to rotate clockwise. When the hinge bar rotates clockwise to above a locking shaft on the same side and is blocked by the locking shaft and cannot continue to rotate, the lower end of the locking piece is located behind the locking shaft and can be detachably fixed to the locking shaft by using its own clockwise elastic force to restore the rotation tendency. When the upper end of the locking piece rotates counterclockwise, the lower end of the locking piece can overcome its own clockwise elasticity and return to its original rotational tendency and disengage from the locking shaft. The locking assembly also includes a handle fixed to the upper end of the locking plate; The locking assembly also includes a limiting pin that is laterally fixed on the outer wall of the hinge bar near the locking piece and located above and behind the rotation axis of the locking piece. Correspondingly, a V-shaped notch higher than the rotation axis of the locking piece is provided on the edge of the locking piece facing the limiting pin. The upper inner wall of the V-shaped notch cooperates with the limiting pin. A first arc-shaped limiting surface that cooperates with the limiting pin is formed between the lower edge of the opening of the V-shaped notch and the outer wall of the side where the V-shaped notch is located. The locking assembly also includes a laterally rotatable rotating shaft that is inserted into the locking piece. The central axis of the rotating shaft coincides with the rotation axis of the locking piece, and one end of the rotating shaft facing the hinge bar is fixed to the outer wall of the hinge bar near the locking piece. The locking assembly also includes a torsion spring sleeved on the rotating shaft and located between the hinge bar and the locking plate. The two ends of the torsion spring are fixed to the locking plate and the limiting pin respectively so that the locking plate always has the tendency to rotate clockwise in a spring-forced return direction. The locking assembly further includes a safety switch, which includes a sleeve concentrically and dampedly rotatably connected to the rotating shaft and located outside the side of the locking piece facing away from the hinge bar; a first connecting rod fixed to the outer circumferential surface of the front side of the sleeve; a slider movably connected in the hinge bar to have the function of moving back and forth radially along the rotating shaft; a second connecting rod rotatably connected to the slider and located on the same side as the locking piece; and a limiting post laterally fixed to the slider and located behind the second connecting rod. The end of the second connecting rod is rotatably connected to the end of the first connecting rod. The locking piece has an arc-shaped guide surface formed on the front edge of the middle part, which is concentric with the rotation axis of the locking piece and located in front of and below the rotation axis of the locking piece. The arc-shaped guide surface is also provided with radially distributed limiting notches. The position and width of the limiting notches are matched with the position and outer diameter of the limiting post. A through hole is provided in the middle of the hinge bar, and the end of the rotating shaft facing the hinge bar is inserted and fixed in the through hole. A radially distributed guide groove is also provided on the inner wall of the lower front side of the through hole, and the slider is movably embedded in the guide groove.

2. The flip-locking mechanism for a car seat backrest according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower end of the locking plate has a locking groove on one side edge facing the locking shaft. The inner width of the locking groove matches the outer diameter of the locking shaft, and the opening of the locking groove matches the position of the locking shaft.

3. The flip-locking mechanism for a car seat backrest according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the hinge bar rotates clockwise to above a locking shaft on the same side and is blocked by the locking shaft and cannot continue to rotate, the locking groove on the locking plate can be detachably fastened to the outside of the locking shaft by utilizing the clockwise elastic force of the locking plate to restore the rotational tendency; when the locking groove is fastened to the outside of the locking shaft, the opening of the locking groove is set laterally forward or inclined forward and upward.

4. The flip-locking mechanism for a car seat backrest according to claim 1, characterized in that, The safety switch also includes two pressure plates that are fixed to the outer walls of the left and right sides of the slider and slidably attached to the outer walls of the left and right sides of the hinge bar, respectively. The second connecting rod is rotatably connected to a pressure plate located on the same side as the locking piece.

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