Vehicle Seat Release Mechanism Lever Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing reclining seat activation mechanisms in vehicles are difficult to locate and use, often interfere with seat belts, and can be unintentionally activated under load, leading to inefficient and unsafe operation.
Innovation Solution
A release mechanism featuring a lever-activated wire and gear transmission system positioned within the seat assembly, allowing the lever to be placed in a convenient location relative to the passenger's hip point, avoiding interference with seat belts and minimizing space usage, with a housing-supported gear system that rotates the seat back recliner shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the activation mechanism is positioned in direct contact with the shaft, then the mechanism can directly control the seat back rotation, but the mechanism becomes difficult to locate and utilize
Solution Approach 1:
A wire is introduced as an intermediary element connecting the activation mechanism to the transmission system. The wire transmits the activation force from the lever over distance without requiring direct mechanical contact between the lever and the shaft, enabling the lever to be positioned away from the shaft while maintaining functional connection
Solution Approach 2:
The activation system is divided into separate functional components: the activation mechanism (lever), the transmission element (wire), and the transmission system (gears and shaft). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with the lever positioned for ease of access and the transmission components positioned for mechanical efficiency
2Ease of operation
If the activation mechanism is positioned between the seat side shield and the vehicle side, then the mechanism can be accessible, but the mechanism interferes with the seat belt
Solution Approach 1:
The activation mechanism is extracted from the traditional position between the seat side shield and vehicle side and relocated to a position away from the seat belt path. The wire serves as a flexible connection that allows the lever to be positioned in an accessible location without interfering with seat belt operation
Solution Approach 2:
The wire acts as a mediator that decouples the spatial relationship between the activation lever and the transmission system, allowing the lever to be positioned in a location that does not interfere with the seat belt while still effectively transmitting activation force to the transmission components
3Reliability
If the activation mechanism is in direct contact with the shaft, then the mechanism can release the seat back, but the mechanism can be unintentionally released under load
Solution Approach 1:
The wire and transmission system serve as intermediaries between the activation lever and the shaft, providing mechanical advantage and control. The gear system multiplies the force from the lever, allowing a gentle pulling motion to reliably release the latch without requiring excessive force that could cause accidental activation
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission system dynamically transforms the small force applied to the lever into sufficient torque on the shaft through gear multiplication. This dynamic force transformation ensures reliable activation with minimal input force, reducing the risk of accidental activation while maintaining ease of operation
4Ease of operation
If the activation mechanism occupies space between the seat side shield and the vehicle side, then the mechanism can be positioned for access, but the mechanism uses excessive space
Solution Approach 1:
The transmission components (gears and wire) are nested within the seat assembly structure, utilizing existing spaces and mounting points. The lever is positioned to access the transmission system through available openings without requiring additional external space, effectively nesting the activation mechanism within the existing seat structure
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 mechanism allows for easy and intuitive adjustment of the seat back, avoiding interference with seat belts and optimizing space usage, ensuring the lever is easily accessible and usable while maintaining structural integrity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
an activation mechanism, and a transmission coupled to the activation mechanism via a wire for rotating the seat back recliner shaft
Implementation Method 2
the transmission includes a housing, supported by the seat base, through which the seat back recliner shaft extends, and a plurality of gears
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of gears. In yet another possible embodiment, at least a portion of the seat back recliner shaft includes a plurality of teeth, and the plurality of gears includes a first gear having a central aperture and internal teeth for receiving the seat back recliner shaft and meshing with the plurality of teeth
Data Source
AI summary
A release mechanism for a reclining vehicle seat assembly includes an activation mechanism, for example a lever or handle, and a transmission. The transmission is coupled to the activation mechanism via a wire for releasing a seat back of the vehicle seat assembly. The transmission includes a plurality of meshed gears for transmitting a torque created by movement of the activation mechanism from a gear of the plurality of gears attached to the wire to a shaft associated with the seat back. Rotation of the shaft releases the seat back for rotation. A shield partially covers a side of the base and seat back, and covers the transmission and wire. The activation mechanism is uncovered allowing the passenger to activate the release mechanism and is positioned in a readily accessible zone relative a passenger hip point. The position avoids interference with the seat belt and occupies minimal space between the side shield and vehicle side.