Vehicle Seat Back Frame Pivoting Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats with recliner mechanisms for second and third rows in vehicles are constrained by width limitations due to wheel wells and sidewalls, and these mechanisms are complex and costly to manufacture, limiting the installation of fold-flat functionality.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a pivot bracket, back frame, linear adjustment mechanism, striker, and latch allows the back frame to pivot between use and non-use positions without a recliner mechanism, using a fixed rail, translatable rail, and rack and pinion mechanisms for adjustable longitudinal positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a recliner mechanism is used to enable the back frame to pivot between use positions, then the back frame adjustability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of back frame pivoting from the complex recliner mechanism, isolating only the necessary components (pivot bracket, latch, striker) while removing unnecessary complexity. The back frame is decoupled from the cushion carrier, allowing independent pivoting action.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly is segmented into independent functional modules: cushion carrier, back frame, pivot bracket, and latch mechanism. This segmentation allows the back frame to pivot independently without being constrained by the cushion carrier position, simplifying the overall mechanism.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a recliner mechanism is installed to provide fold-flat functionality, then the cabin space flexibility is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs simple, inexpensive components such as a basic latch mechanism and striker instead of expensive recliner mechanisms. The latch and striker provide the necessary locking and pivoting functions at a fraction of the cost of traditional recliner systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a complex mechanism to actively move the back frame, the patent uses a passive latch mechanism that allows the back frame to be manually positioned and locked. The system inverts the approach from active mechanical assistance to passive user-controlled positioning.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the back frame is made wide to accommodate a recliner mechanism, then the mechanism functionality is improved, but the width constraints due to wheel wells and sidewalls are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the recliner mechanism entirely, extracting only the essential pivoting function. This elimination of the bulky recliner mechanism allows the seat to maintain a compact width that fits within vehicle constraints while preserving back frame adjustability.
Solution Approach 2:
The back frame is designed with dynamic positioning capability through the latch mechanism, allowing it to pivot between multiple positions (first use position, second use position, and non-use position) without requiring a wide static structure. This dynamic approach replaces the need for wide mechanism housing.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat including a pivot bracket, a back frame, a linear adjustment mechanism, a striker, and a latch. The back frame is pivotally connected to the pivot bracket and configured to pivot about a pivot axis. The back frame includes a first end spaced apart from the and disposed below the pivot axis. The latch is configured to selectively attach the linear adjustment mechanism to the first end of the back frame so that as the first linear adjustment mechanism translates, the back frame pivots from a first use position and a second use position, and selectively detach the linear adjustment mechanism from the first end of the back frame so that the back frame is pivotable to a non-use position.