Reversible Seat Striker Layout to Prevent Link Buckling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Reversible seat assemblies in automotive vehicles face issues with large compressive loads on reversing links during forward loading, leading to potential buckling, which is mitigated by increasing material usage, adding weight and expense.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an additional striker that prevents the seat back latch and latch bracket from rotating about the primary striker, reducing compressive loads on reversing links without requiring bulkier or more expensive materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If more material is used to strengthen the reversing links, then the buckling resistance is improved, but the weight and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single striker is segmented into two separate strikers positioned at different locations. The first striker handles normal operating loads while the second striker specifically addresses forward loading conditions, dividing the load-bearing function into specialized components rather than requiring one oversized striker.
Solution Approach 2:
The second striker acts as an intermediary element that mediates the interaction between the seat back latch bracket and the seat riser during forward loading. It provides an additional contact point that prevents rotation about the first striker, thereby reducing compressive loads on the reversing links without requiring the links themselves to be stronger.
2Strength
If more material is used to strengthen the reversing links, then the buckling resistance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The load-bearing function is segmented between two strikers rather than requiring a single complex or oversized striker. This allows each striker to be simpler and more cost-effective to manufacture while collectively providing the necessary support.
Solution Approach 2:
The second striker serves as an intermediary that reduces the mechanical stress on the reversing links during forward loading. By preventing rotation about the first striker, it reduces the compressive loads that would otherwise require more expensive, heavily reinforced links.
3Device complexity
If the seat back latch and latch bracket are allowed to rotate on the striker, then the mechanism simplicity is maintained, but large compressive loads are generated on the reversing links
Solution Approach 1:
The rotation prevention function is segmented between two strikers rather than requiring a complex single-point constraint. The first striker allows normal operation while the second striker specifically constrains forward rotation, dividing the functional requirements into simpler, specialized elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The second striker acts as an intermediary constraint that specifically addresses the forward loading condition without interfering with normal operation. It mediates the interaction by providing an additional contact point that prevents harmful rotation while maintaining mechanism simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A reversible seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has an inboard seat riser, an outboard seat riser, a seat cushion, a seat back, a plurality of inboard reversing links, a plurality of outboard reversing links, a plurality of inboard strikers coupled to the inboard seat riser and a plurality of outboard strikers coupled to the outboard seat riser. The seat cushion is coupled to the inboard and outboard seat risers, and extends between a front end and a rear end. The seat back comprises an inboard latch bracket and an outboard latch bracket. The plurality of inboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the inboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the inboard seat riser, and the plurality of outboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the outboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the outboard seat riser. When the seat back is adjacent the rear end of the seat cushion, the inboard latch bracket engages the plurality of inboard strikers and the outboard latch bracket engages the plurality of outboard strikers.