Vehicle Seat Locking Device Indicator Arm Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat locking devices are difficult to visually assess, particularly in their locked or unlocked state, due to small unlocking bolts located in hard-to-see areas, making it challenging for users to confirm the locking status, which is crucial for safety during crashes.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a display device featuring a pivotable indicator arm that changes position based on the locking state, providing visible locking and unlocking indicators, with color coding for enhanced visibility, and additional indicators on a retaining plate to ensure clear visual confirmation of the locking status from multiple angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a small unlocking bolt is used to indicate locking state, then the locking device structure is simple, but the visibility of the locking state is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator system is segmented into multiple independent indicators: a first indicator arm with first locking/unlocking indicators, a second indicator arm with second locking/unlocking indicators, and a retaining plate with additional indicators. This segmentation allows each indicator to be positioned for optimal visibility from different angles, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a single-point indication (small unlocking bolt) to multi-dimensional indication by placing indicators at different spatial locations: on the indicator arms that pivot, on the retaining plate, and at different heights. This dimensional expansion ensures that at least one indicator is always visible regardless of viewing angle, addressing the visibility problem while maintaining structural efficiency.
2Area of stationary object
If the unlocking bolt is positioned below the seat part, then the locking device structure is compact, but the locking state is difficult to detect visually
Solution Approach 1:
The indicator arms and retaining plate serve as intermediaries that transfer the locking state information from the internal mechanism (unlocking bolt) to visible locations. The indicator arms pivot to different positions based on locking state, and the retaining plate provides additional visual confirmation, making the hidden state visible without requiring the indicator to be at the actual bolt location.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution replaces direct visual inspection of the mechanical unlocking bolt with an optical indication system. Color-coded indicators (green for locked, red for unlocked) provide immediate visual feedback, substituting the need for users to locate and interpret the small mechanical bolt with an easily observable color-based signaling system.
3Reliability
If multiple locking devices are used to secure the vehicle seat, then the safety is improved, but the complexity of monitoring all locking states increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking devices are merged into a unified monitoring system where each locking device has its own indicator arm and retaining plate indicators that follow the same design pattern. This standardized merging allows users to monitor multiple locking states using a consistent visual language and spatial arrangement, reducing the cognitive complexity despite increased physical redundancy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses color changes (green for locked, red for unlocked) on all indicator elements across multiple locking devices. This consistent color-coding system allows users to rapidly assess the state of multiple locking devices simultaneously by scanning for color patterns, greatly simplifying the monitoring complexity while maintaining high safety through multiple locked points.
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 significantly improves the visibility of the locking status, allowing users to easily and reliably determine if the locking device is locked or unlocked, enhancing safety by ensuring clear indication of the locking state.
Implementation Method 1
the indicator arm (30) being in the locked position when the latch (11) is locked and which is in the unlocked position when the latch (11) is unlocked
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking device (10) for a vehicle seat (1). Said locking device comprises an indicating device (8) for indicating the locking state of the locking device (10). The indicating device (8) has at least one locking indicator (31, 32), which is visible when the locking device (10) is locked, and at least one release indicator (33, 34), which is visible when the locking device (10) is released, wherein the indicating device (8) has at least one indicator arm (30), which is in the locking position when the locking device (10) is locked and which is in the release position when the locking device (10) is released, wherein the indicator arm (30) comprises an indicating area (39), which has a first locking indicator (31) and a first release indicator (33). A second release indicator (34), which is concealed by the indicator arm (30) when the indicator arm is in the locking position, is provided on a retaining plate (20).