Seat Swivel Locking Pin Assembly for Impact-Stable Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing swivel assemblies in vehicle seats are prone to unintentional movement during vehicle impact events and normal operation, causing noise and discomfort, and there is a need to restrict such movement without impairing the intended operation.
Innovation Solution
A swivel assembly with a locking pin mechanism that includes a lower plate, rotating plate, gear ring, motor, and locking pin assembly, where the locking pin moves between locked and unlocked positions to restrict or allow movement of the rotating plate, using an actuator and connecting link to control the pin's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a swivel assembly allows free movement of the seat in angular direction, then the ease of operation is improved, but the stability of the seat position deteriorates during vehicle impact events and normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin assembly dynamically transitions between locked and unlocked positions based on operational needs. During normal operation, the pin remains unlocked to allow free seat adjustment. During impact events or when position fixation is needed, the pin automatically engages to lock the seat in place, providing dynamic adaptability between movement freedom and position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin serves as an intermediary element between the swivel assembly components. It mediates between the rotating plate and the fixed structure, selectively engaging or disengaging to control the transmission of movement. This intermediary mechanism allows the system to switch between locked and unlocked states without compromising either the ease of operation or the stability of the seat position.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a locking mechanism is added to restrict unintentional movement, then the stability of the seat position is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin assembly is merged with the existing swivel assembly components rather than being a completely separate system. The locking pin integrates with the rotating plate and gear ring structure, sharing common mounting points and mechanical interfaces. This merging approach adds locking functionality while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity by utilizing existing structural elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin assembly is designed to operate automatically based on the operational state of the swivel mechanism. The system self-regulates the locking state without requiring external control systems or additional actuators. The locking pin engages or disengages based on inherent mechanical conditions during normal operation, allowing the system to service its own stability needs without adding complex control architecture.
3Reliability
If the locking pin engages the gear ring to restrict movement, then the reliability of the seat position is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to additional locking/unlocking steps
Solution Approach 1:
The locking pin assembly maintains continuous readiness to engage or disengage during the entire range of seat adjustment motion. The locking mechanism does not interrupt the continuous angular movement of the seat but rather provides seamless transition between locked and unlocked states. This ensures that the useful action of seat adjustment remains continuous while reliability is enhanced through selective locking.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pin engages only partially with the gear ring teeth - just enough to restrict unintentional movement while allowing full intentional adjustment when unlocked. The mechanism applies just the necessary degree of constraint (partial action) to prevent chucking and impact movement, without overly restricting the intended adjustment operation. This partial engagement provides sufficient reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A swivel assembly is provided for moving a vehicle seat in an angular direction. The swivel assembly may include a lower plate, a rotating plate, a gear ring, a motor, and a locking pin assembly. The lower plate may be attached to a vehicle floor. The rotating plate may be attached to the vehicle seat. The gear ring may be fixedly attached to the rotating plate. The motor may be coupled to the gear ring and drive the gear ring to move in the angular direction to cause corresponding movement of the rotating plate and the vehicle seat. The locking pin assembly may include a locking pin that is movable relative to the lower plate between an unlocked position and a locked position. The locking pin may move into and out of engagement with the rotating plate to selectively restrict and allow movement of the rotating plate.