Vehicle Seat Locking Indicator with Overlapping Status Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat locking systems lack a clear and redundant visual indication of locking status, making it difficult for users to confirm that multiple locks are securely engaged without manual verification.
Innovation Solution
A locking indicator system with overlapping display parts for multiple locking elements, using color coding and spring-preloaded status displays within a display opening, ensuring visibility of locking status only when all locks are engaged, providing redundant and secure visual feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple separate locking indicators are provided for each locking element, then the locking status of each lock can be clearly indicated, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate locking indicators into a single integrated indicator element. Each locking element's status is represented by a segment of the unified indicator, which can be individually actuated but appears as one cohesive display component. This merging approach maintains clear status indication for each lock while reducing overall device complexity and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The unified locking indicator is segmented into multiple independent sections, each corresponding to a specific locking element. Each segment can be independently actuated by its associated locking element, allowing individual status display while maintaining the appearance of a single integrated component. This segmentation enables reliable status indication without requiring separate physical indicators for each lock.
2Ease of operation
If the display part is always visible in the display opening, then the user can easily check the locking status, but security is reduced as the non-locking state is constantly indicated
Solution Approach 1:
The locking indicator employs a dynamic display mechanism where the visibility of the non-locking indicator part changes based on the locking state. When a locking element is engaged, its corresponding indicator part is moved out of the display opening, making it invisible. When unlocked, the indicator part becomes visible. This dynamic behavior provides ease of checking while maintaining security, as the constant visibility of the non-locking state is prevented.
3Device complexity
If manual verification of locking status is required, then the system can be simple, but user safety and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a visual feedback mechanism that automatically indicates the locking status of each locking element. When a locking element is engaged or disengaged, the corresponding indicator part moves in or out of the display opening, providing immediate visual feedback to the user. This eliminates the need for manual verification while maintaining system simplicity, thereby enhancing user safety without significantly increasing complexity.
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
Enhances user safety and security by allowing direct visual confirmation of the locking status without manual checks, ensuring all locks are engaged before indicating a fully locked state, and allowing for easy integration into existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
The status display is pretensioned with a spring in such a way that the display part for non-locking is arranged visibly in the area of the display opening
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking indicator (10) for a vehicle seat (1) having a plurality of locking elements (5, 6), said locking indicator comprising an indicator opening (23) having a status indicator visible therein. According to the invention for each locking element (5, 6), a status indicator (18, 19) having an indicator part (21, 22) for the non-locking of the locking element (5, 6) is provided, and at least part of the indicator part (21, 22) is visibly arranged in the region of the indicator opening (23) when the locking element (5, 6) is not locked, wherein the indicator parts (21, 22) of non-locked locking elements (5, 6) at least partially overlap with each other.