Inertial Latch Anti-Reverse Lock for Vehicle Seatback Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seatbacks in vehicles are prone to rotating forward during collisions due to dynamic oscillation forces, which can lead to instability and potential injury from impacting cargo.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat assembly with an inertial latch system that includes a guide latch and a biasing mechanism, allowing the inertial latch to transition from an idle to a deployed position, securing the seatback in place by engaging with a securing pin, thereby preventing forward rotation and absorbing oscillation forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seatback is made rotationally operable to provide adjustable positioning and cargo space, then the adaptability and cargo space are improved, but the stability during vehicle impact deteriorates as the seatback may rotate forward during collision
Solution Approach 1:
The latching assembly transitions from an idle state during normal operation to a deployed state during impact, dynamically adapting the seatback's rotational freedom based on operational conditions. The inertial latch allows rotation during normal use but automatically engages to prevent forward rotation when impact forces are detected
Solution Approach 2:
The latching assembly is pre-configured with an inertial mechanism that anticipates impact forces and automatically activates the anti-rotation locking feature before the seatback can rotate forward during collision, preventing the harmful motion in advance
2Device complexity
If a simple rotational mechanism is used for seatback operation, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability during impact deteriorates as basic mechanisms lack anti-reverse locking capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a simple rotational mechanism with an inertial latching mechanism into an integrated assembly. The latching assembly merges the rotational operation capability with automatic impact-responsive locking, achieving both simplicity and reliability through functional integration
Solution Approach 2:
The latching assembly is self-activating through its inertial mechanism that automatically detects impact forces and engages the locking feature without external intervention. The system serves itself by using the impact force to trigger its own protective action
3Ease of operation
If the inertial latch is biased distal from the securing pin in the idle position, then the ease of operation is improved allowing free rotation, but the stability deteriorates as the latch must be reliably engaged during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The inertial latch dynamically transitions between a biased distal position during normal operation that allows free rotation and an engaged position during impact that provides reliable locking. The mechanism adapts its state based on the operational phase
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 inertial latch system effectively maintains the seatback in a predetermined position during collisions, reducing the impact of dynamic oscillation forces and protecting occupants from cargo impacts by securing the seatback in place.
Implementation Method 1
An inertial latch is operable about a latch pivot to define an idle position defined by the inertial latch biased distal from the securing pin, and a deployed position defined by an opposing directional force biasing the inertial latch into selective engagement with the securing pin
Implementation Method 2
The guide latch is in continual sliding engagement with the inertial latch; the inertial latch slides along a notch surface of the guide latch from the idle notch to the deployed notch in response to the opposing directional biasing force
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat assembly includes a seatback rotationally coupled to a base at a seat pivot. A securing pin is coupled with the seatback. An inertial latch is operable about a latch pivot to define an idle position defined by the inertial latch biased distal from the securing pin, and a deployed position defined by an opposing directional force biasing the inertial latch into selective engagement with the securing pin wherein the seatback is maintained in a predetermined rotational position. A guide latch is biased against the inertial latch and having an idle notch and a deployed notch. The idle notch selectively maintains the inertial latch in the idle position. The deployed notch secures the inertial latch in the deployed position in response to the opposing directional biasing force.