Vehicle Seat Lock Resin Buffer for Noise and Strength
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat locks generate metal noise and suffer from reduced locking strength when the seat is in the second standing position due to deformation of engagement portions, leading to instability and potential failure in holding the seat back firmly.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat lock design featuring a hook member with synthetic resin molding and a U-shaped engaging member with striker-engaging grooves, where the first and second engagement portions engage securely, and a buffer portion to absorb excessive load, preventing deformation and noise, ensuring stable engagement and locking strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the first engagement portion contacts the front edge of the second engagement groove to stop the striker, then the seat back can be held in the second standing position, but metal sound is generated causing deterioration of quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a synthetic resin molded part that covers the metal engagement groove. This resin part acts as an intermediary between the metal striker and the metal engagement groove, absorbing the impact and preventing direct metal-to-metal contact. The resin material dampens the metal sound while still allowing the engagement portion to contact and stop the striker effectively.
2Reliability
If the second engagement portion engages in the first engagement groove under great load, then the seat back can be held in the second standing position, but the engagement portion deforms causing play and reducing locking strength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where a synthetic resin is molded to cover the metal engagement groove. This composite design combines the strength of metal with the load-distributing properties of synthetic resin. The resin layer prevents localized stress concentration on the metal engagement portion, distributing the great load more evenly and preventing deformation that would cause play and reduce locking strength.
3Device complexity
If metal parts are exposed in the hook member and striker for engagement, then the locking mechanism can be simple, but metal sound is generated causing deterioration of quality
Solution Approach 1:
The synthetic resin molded part serves as a covering layer that interfaces between the exposed metal parts. This intermediary resin layer maintains the simple locking mechanism structure while eliminating the harmful metal sound, as it absorbs the impact noise without adding complex damping mechanisms or noise-canceling systems.
Data Source
AI summary
In a vehicle seat lock, a striker is mounted to a vehicle body and a hook member is mounted to the seat back. The striker comprises the first and second engagement portions which selectively engage in first and second engagement grooves of the hook member to hold the seat back in two kinds of standing positions. The hook member is pivotally secured on a pivot to open and molded with synthetic resin to buffer impacting of the striker.