Integrated Seat Lock Case Design for Assembly Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing seat lock device faces difficulties in assembly efficiency and size due to separate cases for the lock and unlock mechanisms, which require precise positioning and adjustment, leading to potential enlargement of the mechanisms and decreased efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An integrated case design for the seat lock device, where the lock and unlock units are housed within a single, synthetic resin case, with the lock unit at the side portion and the unlock unit at the upper end portion, utilizing a rod to couple the mechanisms and an indicator for state visibility, simplifying assembly and reducing size variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate cases are used for the lock mechanism and unlock knob mechanism, then the mechanisms can be independently designed and assembled, but the assembly process becomes complex and working efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lock mechanism case and unlock knob mechanism case into a single integrated case structure. The lock mechanism is disposed in a first case portion while the unlock knob mechanism is disposed in a second case portion of the same case, eliminating the need for separate cases and reducing assembly complexity. This integration directly addresses the contradiction by combining previously separate components to improve assembly efficiency while maintaining independent functional design capability.
2Ease of operation
If separate cases are used for the lock mechanism and unlock knob mechanism, then each mechanism can be positioned independently, but the number of assembly steps increases and working efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The case is divided into a first case portion and a second case portion that are integrally formed or rigidly connected. The lock mechanism and unlock knob mechanism are positioned in their respective portions, maintaining positioning flexibility while reducing the number of separate assembly operations. The integrated case structure allows both mechanisms to be assembled simultaneously or in sequence without requiring separate case assembly steps.
3Manufacturing precision
If the relative positions of lock mechanism and unlock knob mechanism are adjusted to accommodate assembly variations, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but assembly time increases and working efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The case is designed with pre-determined positioning features including positioning protrusions and positioning grooves that are integrally formed during case manufacturing. These features automatically align and position the lock mechanism and unlock knob mechanism in their correct relative positions, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustment operations during assembly. The positioning accuracy is built into the design rather than achieved through post-assembly adjustment.
4Ease of manufacture
If separate cases are used for the lock mechanism and unlock knob mechanism, then each case can be manufactured independently, but the overall device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The first case portion and second case portion are integrated into a single case structure that houses both the lock mechanism and unlock knob mechanism. This integration consolidates the volume required for both mechanisms and their enclosures, reducing the overall device size compared to using completely separate cases. The integrated design allows for optimized space utilization while maintaining the manufacturing advantage of modular mechanism design.
Data Source
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AI summary
A seat lock device (10) provided to a tiltable seat back (2) comprises: a locking part (11) capable of switching among a locked state wherein a striker (3) installed in a vehicle body is locked, an unlocked state wherein the striker (3) can be disengaged, and a free state wherein the striker (3) is disengaged; an unlocking part disposed at a position different from the locking part (11) on the seat back (2) and having a lever member (14) and a coupling member (15) for coupling the lever member (14) and locking part (11), and which switches the locking part (11) from the locked state to the unlocked state in response to manipulation of the lever member (14); and an integrally-molded case (13) which holds the locking part (11) and unlocking part (12) and is fastened to the seat back (2).