Vehicle Seat Brake Unlocking with Stable Roller Release

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing brake devices for vehicle seats require manual rotation of an operating lever to release the locked state, making them difficult to manipulate, and the unlocking mechanism tilts rollers when releasing the lock, causing instability.

Innovation Solution

A brake device with a button-activated unlocking mechanism that uses unlocking protrusions to push rollers from wedge surfaces to release surfaces, assisted by elastic members and pressing protrusions to stabilize roller movement, allowing for a compact design with fewer components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an operating lever is rotated to release the locked state, then the braking member can be unlocked, but the manipulation becomes very difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of unlockingVSAvoidmanipulation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional lever rotation mechanism into a button pressing mechanism. Instead of rotating an operating lever to unlock, the user simply presses a button that activates the unlocking member, which then pushes the rollers onto the release surfaces. This inversion dramatically simplifies the manipulation from a complex rotational operation to a simple linear pressing action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential unlocking function from the complex lever rotation mechanism. By isolating the core function of pushing rollers onto release surfaces and implementing it through a button-activated unlocking member, the design removes unnecessary rotational components and simplifies the overall manipulation process while maintaining the unlocking capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the unlocking protrusion with wedge structure is used to push rollers, then the locked state can be released, but the rollers tilt toward one side

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunlocking capabilityVSAvoidroller stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing multiple pressing protrusions positioned at specific locations on the housing that correspond to multiple rollers. Each pressing protrusion is strategically positioned to push its corresponding roller onto the release surface without causing tilt. This localized positioning ensures that each roller is pushed at the correct point to maintain stability while achieving unlocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing protrusions are pre-positioned on the housing in locations that will correctly push the rollers onto the release surfaces when the unlocking member activates them. This preliminary positioning ensures that when unlocking occurs, the rollers are pushed at the optimal points to prevent tilting, eliminating the need for complex roller support structures during the unlocking process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple covers and coupling pieces are used to secure components, then the braking members and gear member can be secured, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent securityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple separate covers and coupling pieces into a single integrated housing structure. The housing is designed with built-in pressing protrusions that perform the securing function, eliminating the need for separate coupling pieces and multiple covers. This merging maintains the reliability of component security while significantly reducing the number of discrete parts and simplifying the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

The device allows easy release of the locked state by pressing a button, providing convenience and stability during seat height adjustment, reducing component count and enhancing operational simplicity.

Implementation Method 1

a first elastic member disposed inside the unlocking protrusion and configured to elastically support the unlocking member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the brake ring having release surfaces and wedge surfaces alternately formed along an inner-diameter portion of the brake ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWedge: Wedge

Data Source

PatentEP4477464B1Brake device for vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 HYUNDAI TRANSYS INC
  • EP4477464B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4477464B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4477464B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Proposed is a brake device for a vehicle seat, in which when a button part is pressed, an unlocking protrusion is inserted between braking members and pushes rollers of the braking members, which are positioned on wedge surfaces, to release surfaces, such that an unlocked state is implemented.