Vehicle Seat Retaining Device with Inclined Insertion Ramp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing anti-submarining seat restraint systems for vehicles require difficult and risky assembly, especially in cramped spaces, due to the need for precise vertical positioning of hidden hooks, which can lead to poor engagement and safety issues.
Innovation Solution
A retaining device with an inclined insertion ramp that guides the securing member of the seat to snap-fasten behind a stop hook, allowing for horizontal assembly kinematics and assisted insertion, ensuring precise and safe lashing without visual inspection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If vertical folding assembly is used to engage seat with hooks, then engagement is achieved, but assembly becomes difficult and risky due to blind positioning and finger pinching hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanical guidance structure consisting of guide pins and corresponding guide holes that mediate between the seat base and the restraint mechanism. This intermediary structure provides physical alignment and positioning assistance, eliminating the need for blind finger positioning while ensuring reliable hook engagement. The guide pins act as mediators that translate the assembly motion and maintain proper alignment throughout the engagement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary positioning features in the form of pre-positioned guide pins and alignment marks that prepare the assembly path before the actual engagement occurs. These preliminary structures pre-establish the correct spatial relationship between components, allowing the assembler to simply follow the predetermined path without needing to visually locate or precisely position hidden hooks during the engagement process.
2Reliability
If vertical folding assembly is used, then seat engagement is achieved, but large clearance space is required for seat travel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical folding assembly motion to a horizontal sliding assembly motion. By changing the dimension of assembly movement from vertical to horizontal, the design eliminates the need for large vertical clearance space while maintaining reliable engagement. The guide pins and horizontal sliding path allow the seat base to engage the restraint mechanism in the horizontal plane, requiring minimal vertical clearance.
3Ease of manufacture
If hooks are positioned towards the front of bench seat, then vertical engagement is possible, but technique becomes unsuitable for modern split/folding seats requiring rear fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal restraint mechanism that can accommodate multiple seat types and configurations. The guide pin and horizontal sliding engagement system is designed to work with various seat base geometries and positions, including front, center, and rear fixation points. This universal design allows the same restraint mechanism to be effectively applied to traditional bench seats, split/folding seats, and modern modular seat configurations without requiring repositioning of the hooks.
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
Facilitates easier, safer, and more versatile seat assembly, suitable for various seat types, including modern split/folding seats, by enabling intuitive and precise positioning of the seat under the backrest, even in limited spaces, ensuring effective securing against inertial sliding.
Implementation Method 1
by causing, by reaction to the horizontal component, oriented front to rear, of the bearing force exerted on said ramp by the securing member under the effect of the insertion thrust of said seat, a progressive vertical displacement of said securing member
Data Source
Figure 1~6
AI summary
The invention relates to a holding device (1) for a vehicle seat, said device comprising a base (10) for securing to the body of the vehicle, and a detent hook (11) arranged to project from said base to provide a support for a securing member (12) integral with the seat base of said seat and thus to prevent said seat base from accidentally sliding forwards, said holding device comprising an inclined insertion ramp (13), designed to receive and guide the securing member when the seat base is pushed from the front (AV) to the back (AR), to be installed, causing, by reaction of the horizontal component to the pressure exerted by the securing member on said ramp under the effect of the thrust of inserting said seat base, a progressive vertical displacement of said securing member which is sufficient to enable said securing member (12) to travel over the hook (11) and latch into engagement behind same.