Folding Rear Seat Locking Mechanism with Striker Wire and Hinged Hook
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing folding rear seat systems in motor vehicles face challenges such as increased weight due to heavy and complex fastening mechanisms, fragility in rear impacts, and complexity in manufacturing and assembly, which counteract the need for lightening and ease of use.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with a folding rear seat system featuring a tubular frame backrest, a striker wire, and a hook mechanism that is lightweight, easy to handle, and simple to manufacture, where the hook is pivotally mounted on a support piece and engages with a striker wire for secure locking and easy unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If heavy and complex fastening mechanisms are used for the folding rear seat, then mechanical strength in rear impacts is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening mechanism is segmented into separate functional components: a support piece integrated with the quarter panel lining, a hinged attachment piece on the backrest, and a locking mechanism with a latch wire and hook. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for both strength and weight, eliminating the need for heavy monolithic fastening structures while maintaining mechanical strength in rear impacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system uses a hinged connection between the support piece and attachment piece, allowing dynamic movement between locked and unlocked positions. The hinged design provides mechanical advantage, enabling the lightweight components to achieve sufficient locking strength while maintaining ease of operation and reducing overall weight compared to rigid heavy-duty fasteners.
2Ease of operation
If removable fastening mechanisms are used for easy operation, then ease of use is improved, but mechanical strength in rear impacts deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-latching through the interaction between the hook and latch wire, eliminating the need for complex actuators or multiple fastening steps. The user simply needs to manually position the backrest, and the self-service locking mechanism automatically secures it, providing both ease of operation and sufficient strength for rear impact protection.
3Reliability
If complex fastening mechanisms are used for sufficient mechanical strength, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential fastening function needed for rear impact protection, eliminating unnecessary components found in complex conventional systems. By using a simple hinged connection with a latch wire and hook, the design achieves reliable mechanical strength without the complexity of multiple fasteners, adjustment mechanisms, or heavy-duty components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support piece is merged with the quarter panel lining through integration, and the attachment piece is merged with the backrest structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, simplifying the overall device while maintaining the mechanical strength needed for reliable rear impact protection.
4Strength
If integrated support pieces are used for rear impact protection, then mechanical strength is improved, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support piece serves multiple functions: it is integrated with the quarter panel lining for structural support, provides the mounting point for the hinged attachment piece, and forms part of the locking mechanism through its interaction with the latch wire. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reinforcement structures, achieving mechanical strength without additional weight.
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 system provides enhanced mechanical strength in rear impacts without increasing vehicle weight, is user-friendly, and simplifies manufacturing and assembly, while maintaining loading capacity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
the hook being mounted hinged to the side wall around an axis of rotation
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Motor vehicle (1) comprising: a body (2) provided with a lateral wall (3) and a rear bench seat of which a backrest, comprising a tubular framework (10) and a plate (22) secured to the framework (10), is articulated with respect to the body (2) between a raised position and a folded down position, a mechanism (30) for locking the backrest with respect to the lateral wall (3), which comprises a striker wire (31) secured to the plate (22) and a catch (32) secured to the lateral wall (3), the catch (32) being mobile relative to the lateral wall (3) between a locking position in which the catch (32) engages with the striker wire (31) and an unlocked position in which the catch (32) is held away from the striker wire (31).