Seat Depth Adjuster Vertical Locking Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat depth adjusters for vehicle seats face challenges in secure locking and controlled adjustment, particularly during accidents, due to lateral movement mechanisms that increase the risk of uncontrolled unlocking and unintended seat depth adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A seat depth adjuster with a base plate and carrier plate that are longitudinally movable along guide tracks, featuring a locking unit with an unlocking lever that moves upwards out of and then back into locking receptacles, assisted by a restoring spring element for secure locking and controlled displacement, reducing the risk of uncontrolled adjustments during accidents.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lateral locking mechanism is used for seat depth adjustment, then the device can achieve locking and unlocking functionality, but the risk of uncontrolled unlocking during accidents increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional lateral locking mechanism by implementing a vertical locking direction. The locking element moves vertically into and out of locking receptacles instead of laterally, which prevents accident-induced uncontrolled unlocking while maintaining reliable locking functionality. This directional inversion fundamentally addresses the safety issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The restoring spring element is pre-loaded to continuously press the locking element against the locking receptacle in the vertical direction. This preliminary anti-action counteracts any forces that might cause uncontrolled unlocking during accidents, ensuring the locking remains secure unless intentionally released.
2Reliability
If a vertical locking mechanism with restoring spring is used, then secure locking and controlled adjustment are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking element, unlocking lever, and restoring spring into a single integrated assembly that moves as one unit. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall structure while maintaining secure locking functionality through the vertical mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element serves multiple functions: it provides secure locking when engaged with the locking receptacle, enables controlled unlocking through the unlocking lever, and works with the restoring spring to maintain constant pressure. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function.
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 solution provides a secure and controlled seat depth adjustment mechanism that minimizes the risk of unintentional unlocking and uncontrolled seat depth changes during accidents, ensuring safer vehicle occupant protection by using a direct action restoring element and optimized toothing geometry for intentional and controlled movement.
Implementation Method 1
The seat depth adjuster (1) comprises at least one restoring element (6) which acts on the locking unit (4) for the latched position
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a seat depth adjuster (1) for a vehicle seat, comprising: a base plate (2) that can be connected to a seat structure (17) of the vehicle seat and comprises a detent unit (8); a carrier plate (3) arranged above the base plate (2) and movable in relation to the base plate (2); a locking unit (4) that detachably engages in the detent unit (8); and a drive unit (11) acting on the carrier plate (3) in the direction (L) of movement, the carrier plate (3) being fixed in relation to the base plate (2) in an engaged position of the locking unit (4) and able to move between a retracted position and an extended position in a released position of the locking unit (4), and the drive unit (11) causing the carrier plate (3) to move into the extended position, in the released position of the locking unit (4). The detent unit (8) is arranged on the upper side (2.5) of the base plate (2), which faces the carrier plate (3), and comprises detent receiving elements (8.1) staggered in the direction (L) of movement, and the locking unit (4) comprises an unlocking lever (5) with at least one locking tooth (5.1) that engages in one of the detent receiving elements (8.1) in the engaged position.