Motor Vehicle Backrest Electric Latch with Integrated Transmission Lever
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric seat latches for motor vehicles are bulky, uncomfortable to use, and require human activation, often with complex mechanical systems involving cables or rods, which can be prone to failure and impractical in terms of access.
Innovation Solution
A compact, integrated electric latch module with a motorized actuator and transmission lever system that allows for both manual and remote operation without cables or switches, featuring a worm screw and toothed wheel mechanism to optimize space and reduce complexity, enabling autonomous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a remote motor-driven actuator is used for electric unlocking, then automation is improved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the actuator, transmission mechanism, and latch components into a single integrated module. The motor-driven actuator is directly coupled with the transmission lever and blocking element within a common housing, eliminating the need for separate control devices and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full automation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated module serves multiple functions: the actuator provides motorized actuation, the transmission lever converts rotational motion to linear displacement, the blocking element provides mechanical locking, and the spring offers reset functionality. All these functions are contained within a single universal component assembly that replaces multiple separate devices
2Ease of operation
If cables or rods are used to connect handle to latch, then mechanical transmission is achieved, but reliability decreases due to prone-to-failure components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the vulnerable cable or rod transmission elements from the system. Instead of using flexible connectors that can fray or disconnect, the design employs a rigid integrated structure where the transmission lever is directly mounted to the housing and connected to the blocking element through fixed mechanical joints, removing the failure-prone intermediate components
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission lever serves as a robust intermediary element between the actuator and the blocking mechanism. It provides a solid mechanical connection that translates actuator motion into latch operation without requiring flexible cables or external rods, thereby improving reliability while maintaining manual operability
3Measurement precision
If switches and position sensors are added to determine actuator position, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system is self-regulating through the mechanical characteristics of the worm screw and toothed wheel engagement. The system inherently knows its position through the mechanical state of engagement (engaged or disengaged) without requiring external sensors or switches to detect and report position information to a control system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces electrical sensing systems (switches, position sensors, and associated control electronics) with a purely mechanical indication system. The engagement state of the worm screw with the toothed wheel directly provides positional information through its mechanical configuration, eliminating the need for complex electrical measurement and control infrastructure
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 provides a compact, reliable, and user-friendly electric latch that can be easily integrated into motor vehicle seats, eliminating the need for manual activation and reducing the risk of mechanical failure, while allowing for efficient folding and locking of rear bench seats without requiring access to the passenger compartment.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator (30) includes a worm screw (32) driven in rotation by the motor, the screw driving in rotation a driving toothed wheel in turn adapted to drive in rotation a driven toothed wheel
Implementation Method 2
a driven toothed wheel (35) having at least one radially eccentric drive element projecting axially with respect to its axis of rotation A4
Implementation Method 3
an actuator (30) including an electric motor, the actuator being adapted to displace the transmission lever
Data Source
AI summary
An electric lock for a fold-down seat of a motor vehicle is situated inside a housing. The lock includes a locking means, a blocking element, a transmission lever attached to the blocking element so as to move it between a position of blocking the locking means in the catch retention position and a position in which it is effaced with respect to the movement of the locking means. The lock includes an actuator comprising an electric motor, the actuator being able to move the transmission lever. The transmission lever of the lock is able to move about an axis of rotation and has two arms extending radially from the axis, the first arm at its end having a handle and the second arm at its end having a means of attachment to the blocking element.