Vehicle Seat Slide Lock Release Mechanism Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat slide devices have a large lock release mechanism that occupies space, affecting mountability and operability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat slide device with a compact lock release mechanism featuring an input lever and a release lever that includes longitudinal, widthwise, and vertical extensions, allowing the release lever to press the unlock element efficiently, reducing the mechanism's size while maintaining superior operability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional lock release mechanism with multiple levers is used to achieve stable unlocking with small operating force, then operability is improved, but the mechanism occupies large space affecting mountability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the input lever and release lever into a single integrated lever structure. The lever includes both an input portion that receives operating force and a release portion that actuates the lock mechanism, eliminating the need for separate lever components and reducing the overall space required for the lock release mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated lever serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the input lever for receiving operating force and the release lever for actuating the lock mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed while maintaining the stable unlocking performance previously requiring separate levers.
2Area of stationary object
If the lock release mechanism size is reduced to improve mountability, then space occupation is decreased, but operability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the input lever and release lever into one integrated component, the patent achieves compact dimensions suitable for improved mountability while preserving the mechanical advantage and stable unlocking action through the integrated lever's geometry and pivot point design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the integrated lever, including the positions of the pivot point, input portion, and release portion, to achieve the desired mechanical advantage and unlocking force multiplication within a compact form factor, ensuring both small size and effective operability.
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 compact design enhances mountability and operability by reducing the size of the lock release mechanism while maintaining effective unlocking functionality, improving the adjustment and positioning of the vehicle seat.
Implementation Method 1
a release lever that presses an unlock element of the lock mechanism and performs the unlocking action with the lock mechanism when pressed and pivoted by the input lever that is pivoted based on the operating force
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat slide device includes an upper rail, a lower rail, a lock mechanism that restricts movement of the upper rail relative to the lower rail, and a lock release mechanism that performs an unlocking action with the lock mechanism. The lock release mechanism includes an input lever and a release lever. The release lever includes a longitudinal extension, a widthwise extension, and a vertical extension. The release lever is configured so that the vertical extension presses an unlock element as the input lever presses the widthwise extension from above.