Round Seat Latch With Dual Locking Apertures for Compact Folding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat latches are larger than recliner assemblies, necessitating modification of recliner assemblies to function as latches, which complicates the design and increases size.

Innovation Solution

A round latch design with a lock plate featuring two sets of locking apertures and a guide plate with pawls, allowing selective engagement for stowed and seating positions, and a cam to control pawl position, affixed to both seat cushion and back with brackets, reducing size and simplifying the mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional latches are used for vehicle seats, then reliable locking between seating and stowed positions is achieved, but the latch size becomes larger than recliner assemblies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidlatch size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The round latch mechanism is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides reliable locking between seating and stowed positions while maintaining a compact size that allows it to be integrated into seat structures where traditional latches would be too large. The mechanism achieves this by using a cam-based pawl engagement system that delivers robust locking in a space-efficient configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Volume of moving object

If recliner assemblies are modified to function as latches, then size reduction is achieved, but design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatch sizeVSAvoidmechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The round latch is designed as a distinct, self-contained mechanism with separated functional components: a lock plate with locking apertures, a guide plate with pawls, and a cam mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently without the complexity that would arise from modifying multi-functional recliner assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If a round latch design with multiple locking apertures and pawls is implemented, then size is reduced compared to traditional latches, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatch sizeVSAvoidmanufacturing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lock plate and guide plate are designed as integrated components that work together through cam-based pawl engagement. The locking apertures are strategically positioned on the lock plate to correspond with pawl engagement points on the guide plate, creating a unified locking system that achieves compact size while maintaining manufacturability through coordinated design of the two plates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12454204B2Round latch for a vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2025.10.28 GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC

AI summary

A vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat includes a seat cushion, a seat back, and a round latch connected to both the seat cushion and the seat back. The round latch includes a lock plate consisting of two sets of locking apertures and a guide plate including one or more pawls configured to selectively engage the two sets of locking apertures. A first of the two sets of locking apertures corresponds to a stowed position of the vehicle seat and a second of the two sets of locking apertures corresponds to a seating position of the vehicle seat.