Vehicle Seat Linkage Mechanism for Stability and Folding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle-seat apparatuses face instability and shaking issues when folded, particularly due to the movement of hinge portions, which compromises the seat's stability in the unfolded state.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-seat apparatus with a sliding member and guidance member that guide the linear movement of the front link, combined with an L-shaped main link and rear support link, along with a fixation bracket and intermediate link, ensures stable support and smooth folding/unfolding with reduced force requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the front link is divided into upper and lower links with a hinge portion, then the seat can be folded and accommodated, but the stability of the seat in the unfolded state decreases due to movement of the hinge portion
Solution Approach 1:
A sliding member with guidance member is introduced as an intermediary component between the front link and the seat cushion. The guidance member (sliding guide or rail) constrains the sliding member to move only in a linear backward-forward direction, preventing unwanted rotational movement of the hinge portion. This intermediary mechanism enables folding functionality while maintaining seat stability in the unfolded state.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a sliding member with guidance member is added to guide linear movement, then seat stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The front link is segmented into an upper link and a lower link, with the sliding member positioned between them. This segmentation allows the complex folding mechanism to be broken down into simpler, modular components that can be manufactured and assembled independently, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining stability.
3Device complexity
If the rear support link is directly coupled to the main link, then the structure is simpler, but more force is required for folding operations
Solution Approach 1:
An intermediate link is introduced as a mediator between the rear support link and the main link. This intermediate link acts as a mechanical advantage lever, reducing the force required to pivot the rear support link during folding operations. The intermediate link transfers and amplifies the applied force, making the folding operation easier while maintaining structural integrity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a vehicle-seat apparatus including: a front link whose upper end portion is connected to a front portion of a seat cushion; a sliding member connected to a lower end portion of the front link; a sliding guidance member installed on a bottom surface of the accommodation space to extend backward and forward and thus to guide linear backward and forward movements of the sliding member; an L-shaped main link whose front end portion is connected to a body of the front link and whose rear upper end portion is connected to a lower end portion of a seat back; a fixation bracket installed on an upper end portion of a rear wall of the accommodation space; and a rear support link whose front upper end portion is connected to a rear portion of the seat cushion, and whose rear lower end portion is connected to the fixation bracket.