Vehicle Recline Assembly Sidewall Mounting and Torsion Spring Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle rear seat recline mechanisms are costly due to high manufacturing costs, prone to weariness from excessive torque, and aesthetically unappealing with components like handles and plastic housings at the bottom of the seatback, also complicating installation.
Innovation Solution
A recline assembly with a recline mechanism and guide bracket mounted on the vehicle body, a latch mechanism on the seatback, and a striker that reduces the number of high-strength mechanisms needed by integrating components into the sidewall and using a torsion spring and pivot connections for adjustable reclining, with a latch mechanism for locking and unlocking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the recline mechanism is disposed on the bottom of the seatback, then the seatback can be adjusted for reclining, but the mechanism is subject to greater torque which results in easy weariness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the recline mechanism from the bottom of the seatback to the sidewall of the vehicle body, changing the spatial dimension of mechanism placement. This dimensional shift moves the mechanism away from the high-torque zone at the seatback bottom to a more favorable location on the vehicle body sidewall, reducing torque exposure and weariness while maintaining reclining functionality.
2Ease of operation
If the recline mechanism is disposed on the bottom of the seatback, then the seatback can be adjusted, but handles and plastic housing need to be disposed at the bottom which affects appearance and causes uncomfortableness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the recline mechanism, handles, and plastic housing from the seatback bottom area and relocates them to the vehicle body sidewall. This extraction removes the visually intrusive and uncomfortable components from the seatback surface, improving appearance and passenger comfort while preserving the reclining adjustment function through the relocated mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the seat bracket and seat are preassembled together, then the structure is integrated, but they need to be carried into the vehicle and fixed in a narrow space which increases cost and installation difficulty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seat assembly into separate components: the seat bracket is installed on the vehicle body first, and then the seat is separately assembled and fixed to the bracket. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and prepared independently, facilitating easier installation in the narrow vehicle space and reducing overall installation cost while maintaining structural stability through proper connection interfaces.
4Ease of operation
If 4 high strength recline mechanisms are installed at the bottom of seatback, then the reclining angle can be adjusted, but the manufacture cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the recline mechanism from the seatback bottom and relocates it to the vehicle body sidewall. This relocation enables a reduction in the number of mechanisms required from 4 high-strength mechanisms to fewer mechanisms with lower strength requirements, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the reclining angle adjustment function.
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
This design reduces manufacturing costs, minimizes weariness, enhances appearance by eliminating bottom-mounted components, and simplifies installation by reducing the number of recline mechanisms while maintaining strength and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
The first plate and the second plate are loaded via a torsion spring
Implementation Method 2
the second plate is connected to the connection arm via a pivot
Data Source
AI summary
A recline assembly used in a vehicle seat is provided. The recline mechanism comprises a recline mechanism and a guide bracket disposed on a vehicle body; a latch mechanism disposed on a seatback of the vehicle seat; and a striker coupled to the recline mechanism. One end of the strike is connected to the recline mechanism and another end of the strike passes through a guide slot of the guide bracket and is selectively locked to the latch mechanism.