Vehicle Seat Locking Lever With Integrated End Stop
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seats are prone to unintended misuse, leading to potential trapping or damage due to complex constructions that require numerous additional parts to prevent unwanted movements.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design with a lever that includes a section to contact seat components, acting as an end stop and locking mechanism, preventing unintended movements without additional parts, and allowing dual functionality for seat adjustment and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If end stop arrangements are provided to restrict unintended movements, then the vehicle seat can be protected from misuse, but the construction becomes complex with numerous additional parts
Solution Approach 1:
The lever is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as both the adjustment mechanism for moving the seat part and as the locking means with end stop function to prevent unintended movements. The section of the lever that makes contact with seat part components serves dual purposes in controlling movement and providing mechanical locking, thereby eliminating the need for separate end stop parts and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability
2Reliability
If a lock is mounted on the lever to lock the vehicle seat in seatable use position, then the seat can be secured, but the construction becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is merged into the lever itself rather than being a separate component. The lever's section that contacts the seat part components serves as both the adjustment mechanism and the locking means. When the lever is in the locked position, this contact section mechanically prevents unintended movement of the seat part, combining the adjustment and locking functions into a single integrated component
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 design effectively prevents accidental misuse by using a simple construction to control seat movements, ensuring safe and reliable operation in various positions.
Implementation Method 1
the lever has a section that is adapted to make contact with at least one component of the seat part when the lever is rotated with respect to the seat part element
Implementation Method 2
This cooperation of the lever with the at least one component allows to provide an end stop for a movement of the vehicle seat without, or with only very few, additional parts
Implementation Method 3
When an occupant occupies the vehicle seat in the seatable use position, a weight force of the occupant is transmitted via the seat part into the lever, and from the lever into the basis
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided a vehicle seat which comprises a seat part having a seat part element, a basis and a lever, rotatably connected with the seat part element and by means of which the seat part element is supported on the basis movably relative to the basis. It is provided that the lever has a section adapted to make contact with at least one component of the seat part by rotation of the lever with respect to the seat part element.