Vehicle Seat Latching System Using Resilient Strap Tension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing latching systems for movable vehicle seats are complex, costly, and heavy due to the numerous working parts required to maintain seat positions, which affects reliability and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A seat latching system utilizing elongated resilient straps with couplings at each end, attached to fasteners, that extends and becomes tensioned to pivot the seat base and back between positions, reducing the number of components and relying on camming action for stable positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mechanical latches and gas shocks are used to maintain seat positions, then the seat positioning function is achieved, but the number of working parts increases, leading to increased cost, weight, complexity, and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes traditional mechanical latches and gas shocks from the seat positioning system, extracting only the essential function of maintaining seat position. This is achieved by using an elongated resilient strap that provides continuous tension to hold the seat base and back in desired positions without requiring complex mechanical latching mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical latching system and gas shock absorbers with a resilient strap system that uses elastic deformation and tension forces. The elongated resilient strap substitutes for traditional mechanical components by providing the necessary holding force through material elasticity rather than mechanical interlocking or hydraulic/pneumatic mechanisms.
2Reliability
If traditional mechanical latches and gas shocks are used to maintain seat positions, then the seat positioning function is achieved, but the weight of the latching system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple resilient strap that can be replaced if needed, rather than expensive and heavy mechanical latches and gas shocks. The strap is a simple elastic component that provides sufficient function without the complexity and weight of traditional automotive latching mechanisms.
3Reliability
If traditional mechanical latches and gas shocks are used to maintain seat positions, then the seat positioning function is achieved, but the cost of the latching system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient strap is a simple, inexpensive component compared to mechanical latches and gas shocks. It can be manufactured from elastomeric materials using straightforward molding processes, eliminating the need for precision-machined metal parts, assemblies, and complex mechanical mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental approach from mechanical force transmission to elastic deformation. By selecting appropriate elastomeric materials with specific durometer values and strap dimensions, the desired holding force is achieved through material properties rather than mechanical design parameters.
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 system simplifies the latching mechanism, reduces weight and complexity, enhances reliability, and maintains seat positions effectively by using tensioned straps to create camming action, thereby eliminating the need for multiple parts and mechanisms like gas shocks.
Implementation Method 1
An elongated resilient strap extends from a first end to a second end. The elongated resilient strap has a first coupling at the first end that attaches to the first fastener and a second coupling at the second end that attaches to the second fastener. The elongated resilient strap allows the movable seat portion to move between a first position and a second position while the elongated resilient strap is under tension.
Implementation Method 2
The elongated strap has a first untensioned length and a second tensioned length when the strap is attached to the first and second fasteners at the first and second locations such that the second tension length is greater than the first untensioned length. The elongated strap enables the movable seat portion to move between the first position and the second position with the strap under tension.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat latching system for use in moving a movable seat portion between a first position and a second position. The seat latching system includes a first fastener that is attached to a first location and a second fastener that is attached to a second location. An elongated resilient strap extends from a first end to a second end and has a first coupling at the first end and a second coupling at the second end. The first coupling is attached to the first fastener and the second coupling is attached to the second fastener. The elongated resilient strap allows the movable seat portion to move between the first position and the second position while the strap is under tension.