Retractable Seat Back Drive Link for Stand-Up Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat assemblies in automotive vehicles are cumbersome and difficult to maneuver when moved to access third row seating or rear storage areas, as they require a two-step process and limited ingress and egress space.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion, utilizing a drive link to pivot the seat back relative to the cushion between seating and stand-up positions, maintaining a vertical orientation and incorporating a latch mechanism for secure floor attachment without protrusion in the stand-up position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the second row seating is moved to a stand-up position to provide access to the third row seating, then access to rear areas is improved, but the mechanism becomes complex and requires a two-step process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the seat cushion pivot mechanism and seat back movement mechanism into a single integrated system. The drive link connects the pivoting seat cushion to the seat back, causing the seat back to automatically pivot forward as the cushion moves to the stand-up position. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate two-step operation while maintaining the accessibility benefit.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive link acts as an intermediary mechanism between the seat cushion and seat back. As the cushion pivots forward to the stand-up position, the drive link transfers this motion to automatically pivot the seat back forward, coordinating both movements through a single intermediate component rather than requiring independent control of each element.
2Ease of operation
If the seat back is moved forward and upward to the stand-up position, then access to third row seating is improved, but the latch mechanism protrudes rearwardly creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is designed to dynamically change its position relative to the seat back. In the seating position, the latch protrudes rearwardly to engage with the floor for secure attachment. When the seat assembly transitions to the stand-up position, the latch automatically retracts or pivots to align with the seat back contour, eliminating the harmful rearward protrusion and safety hazard while maintaining the engagement function.
3Reliability
If the seat cushion and seat back move independently to the stand-up position, then the seating position is maintained, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes a continuous motion transfer from the seat cushion to the seat back through the drive link. As the cushion pivots forward, the drive link continuously pushes the seat back forward, maintaining the seat back in a generally vertical orientation throughout the transition. This continuous coordinated action eliminates pauses or separate steps, reducing operation time while ensuring the seat back maintains proper orientation.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly is provided for supporting an occupant above a floor in a vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion extending between front and rear ends. The front end is adapted to be pivotally coupled to the floor for pivoting the seat cushion between a seating position and a kneeling position. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the rear end of the seat cushion and is adapted to be releasably secured to the floor. A drive link is pivotally coupled between the floor and the seat back. The drive link urges the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion as the seat cushion pivots between the seating and kneeling positions thereby maintaining the seat back in a generally vertical orientation.