Recliner Locking Assembly With Deformable Pawls Under Load
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recliner assembly designs face difficulties in transitioning between locked and unlocked orientations due to manufacturing variations, leading to challenges in reclining seats and maintaining secure locking under varying load conditions.
Innovation Solution
The proposed locking mechanism incorporates a housing with a cam and pawls that translate along guide channels, engaging with teeth on a tooth plate to lock or unlock the recliner assembly, featuring notches on the pawl profiles to facilitate deformation and prevent disengagement under load, ensuring secure locking and smooth operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking mechanisms are used without deformation features, then the structure is simpler, but the locking reliability deteriorates under varying load conditions and manufacturing variations
Solution Approach 1:
The pawl structure incorporates notches that enable plastic deformation under load, changing the mechanical properties of the pawl from rigid to semi-flexible. This allows the pawl to deform and engage more securely with the gear teeth, maintaining reliable locking even under varying load conditions and manufacturing tolerances.
Solution Approach 2:
The notched pawl design anticipates potential loading conditions by incorporating deformation capacity in advance. When loads are applied, the notches allow controlled deformation that cushions the engagement between pawl and gear, preventing sudden failures and ensuring continuous reliable locking despite manufacturing variations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the pawls are designed to be rigid for precise engagement, then the manufacturing precision can be maintained, but the ability to accommodate manufacturing variations and load conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The introduction of notches fundamentally changes the mechanical parameter of the pawl from rigid to deformable. This allows the pawl to maintain precise engagement geometry while simultaneously adapting to manufacturing variations through controlled plastic deformation, resolving the contradiction between precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The notches convert the potential harm of manufacturing variations and unexpected loads into a beneficial deformation mechanism. Instead of rigid failure or binding, the notches allow controlled deformation that accommodates imperfections and ensures reliable engagement, turning manufacturing tolerances from a problem into a feature.
3Ease of manufacture
If the locking mechanism uses simple pawl design without notches, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the ability to prevent disengagement under load deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The notched configuration changes the structural parameter of the pawl to enable deformation under load. This simple geometric modification maintains ease of manufacture through standard forming processes while dramatically improving anti-disengagement strength by allowing the pawl to flex and conform to the gear teeth under operational loads.
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 solution enhances the recliner assembly's ability to securely lock and unlock, accommodating manufacturing variations and load conditions, improving the seat's reclining functionality and stability.
Implementation Method 1
The first notch and the second notch are configured to facilitate deformation of the first side profile and the second side profile, respectively, as at least one of the first side profile or the second side profile engages with a sidewall of a respective guide channel under certain loading conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A locking mechanism includes a housing, a cam disposed within the housing, and pawls disposed within the housing. The housing includes a first plate defining channels and a second plate received by the first plate. Each of the pawls is positioned within a respective channel. Each of the pawls has a first side profile defining a first notch and a second side profile defining a second notch. The cam is configured to engage with the pawls to translate the pawls along the channels such that the pawls engage with the second plate. The first notch and the second notch are configured to facilitate deformation of the first side profile and the second profile, respectively, as at least one of the first side profile or the second side profile engages with a sidewall of a respective channel under certain loading conditions to prevent disengagement of the pawls from the second plate.