Foldable Juvenile Vehicle Seat Backrest Lock for Compact Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing juvenile vehicle seats with foldable backrests lack a convenient and secure mechanism for caregivers to convert the backrest from an upright use position to a compact storage position, making space utilization inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A juvenile vehicle seat with a foldable backrest and a releasable backrest lock mechanism, featuring a latch actuator and pivot posts, allows caregivers to easily transition the backrest from an upright position to a compact folded storage position by disengaging the latch and utilizing a pivot rod for guided movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a foldable backrest is added to a juvenile vehicle seat to enable compact storage, then space utilization is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for additional locking and actuating mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest folds forward and nests against the seat base, with the latch mechanism integrated into the backrest structure itself. The latch actuator is mounted within the backrest and works in conjunction with a latch that engages with a receiver in the seat base, creating a compact nested configuration when folded.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch spring automatically engages the latch with the latch receiver when the backrest is in the upright position, providing self-locking functionality. The system uses the backrest's own weight and the spring force to maintain the locked position without requiring continuous external actuation.
2Reliability
If a secure locking mechanism is implemented to maintain the backrest in an upright position, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to the difficulty of disengaging the latch
Solution Approach 1:
The latch actuator serves as an intermediary mechanism that translates a simple upward pulling motion by the caregiver into the disengagement of the latch from the latch receiver. This intermediary device makes it easy to release the lock without requiring direct manipulation of the latch itself.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of requiring the caregiver to push or twist a traditional latch release, the system inverts the operation by having the caregiver pull upward on the latch actuator, which then automatically releases the latch. This inverted motion is more intuitive and easier to perform with one hand.
3Volume of moving object
If the backrest is made fully foldable to achieve compact storage, then space utilization is improved, but stability deteriorates during the folding and unfolding motion
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to be engaged and disengaged before the backrest completes its full folding or unfolding motion. The caregiver pulls the latch actuator to disengage the latch before folding, and the latch automatically re-engages as the backrest approaches the upright position, preventing instability during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the state parameter of the backrest from a continuous range of motion to two discrete stable positions (fully upright and fully folded) by using the latch mechanism to lock at specific angular positions. This parameter change from continuous to discrete states eliminates instability during transition.
Data Source
AI summary
A juvenile vehicle seat includes a seat base adapted to set on a vehicle seat and a foldable backrest associated with the seat base. The juvenile vehicle seat also includes a backrest lock coupled to the foldable backrest.