Hinge assembly for vehicle seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seating assemblies experience unintended movement during dynamic events, such as front impacts, due to a lack of effective mechanisms to maintain the seat in fixed positions.
Innovation Solution
A hinge assembly with a link and retention assembly that allows the seat to pivot between fixed and released positions, utilizing a spring-biased extension member and activation strap to lock or unlock the seat's position, enabling secure seating in both horizontal and vertical configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional fixed mounting mechanism is used, then the seat remains stable during dynamic events, but the seat cannot be adjusted between horizontal and vertical positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dynamic retention system where the retention assembly can transition between locked and unlocked states. The extension member moves between retracted and extended positions to engage or disengage from the linkage, allowing the seat to be dynamically adjusted between fixed and movable states. This enables the seat to provide stability when needed while allowing position changes when required.
2Reliability
If a retention assembly with extension member is added, then the seat can be locked in fixed position, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into integrated components. The retention assembly is integrated with the hinge assembly, sharing common structural elements. The extension member utilizes the existing linkage structure, and the spring mechanism is incorporated within the available space of the hinge assembly. This merging approach adds locking capability while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-biased extension member provides automatic engagement and disengagement functionality. When force is applied to the activation strap, the extension member moves to disengage from the linkage, allowing seat rotation. When the force is released, the spring automatically returns the extension member to its engaged position, providing self-service locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control mechanisms.
3Ease of operation
If the extension member is spring biased toward extended position, then automatic locking is achieved, but more energy is required to maintain the unlocked position
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The extension member is spring-biased to automatically return to the locked position, but during the unlocking and rotation process, the spring force acts in the same direction as the user's input force. This dynamic configuration means the user only needs to overcome the spring force temporarily during rotation, not continuously maintain it, reducing the overall energy requirement compared to systems requiring continuous force application.
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 hinge assembly effectively restricts seat movement during impacts while allowing convenient adjustment between seating and storage positions, enhancing safety and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the extension member is spring biased toward an extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat hinge assembly includes a first pivoting member that defines a first axis and is coupled to a first bracket disposed on a vehicle floor. The hinge assembly also includes a second pivoting member that defines a second axis and is disposed on a seat. The first pivoting member is pivotable about the first axis between at least first and second positions. The second pivoting member is pivotable about the second axis between at least fixed and released positions.