Seat Assembly Fold Assist Mechanism Spring Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat assemblies lack an efficient mechanism for easily transitioning between occupied and folded positions, requiring manual effort and lacking a reliable biasing force to facilitate smooth folding.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a fold assist mechanism comprising a shaft, drive plate, and spring, where the spring exerts a biasing force on the seat back frame to pivot it from an occupied position to a folded position, utilizing a drive plate flange to engage and disengage the spring's biasing force as the seat back rotates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a manual latch system is used for seat back folding, then structural simplicity is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complexity and difficulty in operating the latch
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism automatically biases the seat back toward the folded position without requiring manual intervention to engage or disengage latches. The system serves itself by using the spring's stored energy to perform the folding action, eliminating the need for complex manual latch operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical latch systems with a simpler spring-based biasing mechanism. The spring provides continuous biasing force to move the seat back, substituting the need for intricate latch engagement and disengagement mechanisms with a straightforward elastic force-based system.
2Force
If no assist mechanism is used, then device complexity is minimized, but force required for folding increases due to manual effort requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The spring acts as a counterweight mechanism, providing a biasing force that opposes the weight and resistance of the seat back during folding. This spring force reduces the net force required from the user by counterbalancing the resistive forces, making the folding operation easier.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring is pre-loaded to store elastic potential energy before the folding operation begins. This preliminary action of pre-compressing or pre-extending the spring allows it to release stored energy during folding, reducing the force needed at the moment of operation.
3Reliability
If a simple pivot mechanism is used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to lack of assisted folding control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static pivot mechanism to a dynamic system with a spring that provides active biasing force. This dynamic element continuously adjusts to the seat back's position, providing controlled assistance throughout the folding range of motion and improving reliability without significantly complicating manufacturing.
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 mechanism allows for effortless folding of the seat back into a horizontal position, reducing manual effort and enhancing user convenience by utilizing a spring's biasing force to assist in the pivoting motion, while the latch mechanism controls the folding and unfolding process.
Implementation Method 1
The spring may be rotatably disposed on the shaft. The spring may exert a biasing force on the seat back frame that biases the seat back toward the second position when the spring engages the drive plate flange.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly having a seat back and a fold assist mechanism. The fold assist mechanism may have a drive plate and a spring. The spring may bias the seat back from a first position toward the second position when the spring engages a drive plate flange.