Vehicle Seat Locking Unit Axial Apex Force Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat locking units face challenges in efficiently managing forces introduced by locking bolts, particularly when the bolt twists or tilts, leading to excessive shear or bending forces and potential structural inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A locking unit design featuring a pivotable locking pawl with a retention contour and a separate pivotable claw, where the retention contour or surface has an apex in the axial direction, allowing for optimal force absorption and distribution of loads, reducing constructional space and enabling the use of lightweight materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the locking bolt twists or tilts relative to the axial direction, then the locking unit can accommodate misalignment, but excessive shear or bending forces occur
Solution Approach 1:
The retention contour is designed with an apex in the axial direction, creating a three-dimensional force distribution pathway. This allows the locking bolt to twist or tilt by distributing forces along the axial dimension rather than concentrating them in the radial plane, thereby accommodating misalignment without generating excessive shear or bending forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention contour's apex position in the axial direction changes the geometric parameters of the contact surface. This parameter modification enables the contact point to shift along the axial axis, allowing the locking mechanism to adapt to bolt misalignment while maintaining optimal force distribution and avoiding excessive stresses.
2Strength
If traditional locking unit designs are used, then structural strength is maintained, but the constructional space is large and weight is high
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pawl is separated into distinct functional elements: the claw for actuation and the locking pawl with retention contour for force bearing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, enabling the use of lightweight materials in non-critical areas while maintaining structural strength in load-bearing regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The retention contour is designed with an apex positioned in the axial direction at the location of maximum stress concentration. This local quality enhancement concentrates material and structural reinforcement precisely where needed to withstand shear and bending forces, while other parts of the locking unit can use lighter materials, thereby reducing overall weight without compromising strength.
3Strength
If the retention contour is designed with an apex in the axial direction, then force absorption is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retention contour with its apex in the axial direction is integrated directly into the locking pawl as a single molded or machined feature rather than being a separate component. This merging of the retention contour with the locking pawl body simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of parts and assembly steps, while still achieving optimized force absorption through the apex geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking unit (10), for a vehicle seat (1), includes a locking pawl (80) which is mounted so as to be pivotable about a pivot axis between an open position and a closed position and which has a retention contour (27) for securing a locking bolt (12) in the closed position. At least one claw (90, 91, 92), offset in the axial direction with respect to the locking pawl (80), is mounted so as to be pivotable about the same pivot axis. The claw (90, 91, 92) has a closure contour (25). The locking pawl (80) can be pivoted from the open position to the closed position by the closure contour (25) being acted upon by the locking bolt (12).