Vehicle Seat Locking Unit With Nested Counter-Contour
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat locking units lack sufficient strength and load-bearing capacity, particularly in withstanding shearing stresses during crashes, and have complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a lock connection plate with a hollow-cylinder counter-contour that fits within the bearing bolt's through-opening, enhancing load-bearing capacity and simplifying assembly by providing a guide for the bearing bolt, and using a screw or rivet for fastening with an optional internal thread for reduced components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a locking unit is attached to a structural part using bearing bolts with through-openings, then the locking unit can be pivotably mounted and functionally operated, but the connection lacks sufficient strength and load-bearing capacity to withstand shearing stresses during crashes
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-contour is a hollow cylindrical structure that is nested within the through-opening of the bearing bolt. The bearing bolt passes through the counter-contour, creating a nested arrangement where the counter-contour is inside the bearing bolt's through-opening. This nested design allows the counter-contour to actively participate in bearing loads without requiring separate additional components, thereby increasing the load-bearing capacity while avoiding excessive structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The through-opening of the bearing bolt is segmented into two functional sections: an outer section that provides the primary mounting function and an inner section that accommodates the counter-contour. This segmentation allows the bearing bolt to serve dual purposes - both as a pivot mounting element and as a load-bearing component working in conjunction with the counter-contour, thereby improving strength without adding significant complexity.
2Reliability
If screws are used to fasten the locking unit to the structural part through bearing bolts, then the locking unit is securely attached, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-contour is pre-formed as an integral part of the lock connection plate, and the bearing bolts are designed with through-openings that accommodate this counter-contour. This preliminary preparation of the mounting structure allows for direct insertion and securing of the locking unit without requiring complex multi-step fastening procedures, thereby improving assembly speed while maintaining secure attachment through the robust counter-contour bearing bolt connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used for the locking unit mounting, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the number of parts increases and assembly becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The counter-contour is merged with the lock connection plate as an integral component, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets or additional reinforcement elements. The bearing bolt is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - serving as both the pivot mounting element and the load-bearing fastener that works with the counter-contour. This merging of functions into fewer components reduces part count and assembly complexity while maintaining functional optimization.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) comprising a structural part (3) which has a lock connection plate (60), and a locking unit (10) which is fixed to the lock connection plate (60). Said locking unit (10) has at least one bearing bolt (51) with a passage opening (55). Said lock connection plate (60) also comprises at least one mating contour (62) which projects into the passage opening (55) in the at least one bearing bolt (51).