Vehicle Seat Lock Housing Integrated Damping Stop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat locking mechanisms lack effective damping and resilience to absorb impact without compromising structural integrity or increasing component complexity, and often require additional fastening elements and complex tooling.
Innovation Solution
A locking mechanism with an integrated damping stop within the lock housing, which deforms resiliently upon impact, and a secondary stop to prevent excessive deformation, combined with a cap to reduce noise and simplify material selection, and direct control of securing elements to eliminate intermediate components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a separate cushioning element is attached to the receiver, then impact damping is improved, but device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stop is integrated directly into the lock housing as a unified component, eliminating the need for separate cushioning elements. The lock housing itself is configured with the stop feature, combining the housing and damping function into one element, thereby reducing component count while maintaining impact protection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lock housing is made more resilient for damping, then impact absorption is improved, but structural strength and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The lock housing exhibits different mechanical properties at different locations: the region with the stop is configured to be flexible and resilient for impact absorption, while other regions maintain higher structural strength. This localized differentiation allows the housing to dampen impacts without compromising overall structural integrity
3Ease of operation
If intermediate elements like coupling rods are used for unlocking control, then unlocking mechanism functionality is improved, but device complexity and fastening requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The unlocking handle is directly articulated to the securing element, eliminating intermediate coupling rods or levers. This direct connection removes unnecessary intermediate components while maintaining the unlocking functionality, simplifying the overall mechanism
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 enhanced damping and resilience, reduces material requirements, simplifies tool design, and allows for customizable variants while maintaining crash safety and noise reduction, all while minimizing component complexity and fastening needs.
Implementation Method 1
the lock housing is specifically (resiliently) deformed, whereby the impact of the counter element is damped
Implementation Method 2
an integrated first stop for the counter element which acts in a damping manner when bearing against the counter element
Implementation Method 3
A cap resting on the latch, and which at least partially covers the edge of a hook opening of the latch, reduces the noise generation when the latch and counter element come into contact
Data Source
AI summary
A locking mechanism (1) for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, includes a latch that is to be interlocked with an opposite element (B) and is mounted to be pivotable about a first bearing bolt (13), at least one securing element (25, 31) that secures the latch (11) in the locked state, and a lock housing (5) which supports the latch (11) and the securing element (25, 31). The lock housing (5) has an integrated first stop (5a) for the opposite element (B). The stop (5a) has a damping effect when the opposite element (B) rests against the lock housing (5).