Seatback Folding Control With Microswitch Lock-State Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seatback-folding mechanisms for emergency escape in vehicles fail to accurately recognize the locked or unlocked state of the seatback-locking device, leading to control errors and malfunctions in the motor operation, which hinders smooth folding during emergencies.
Innovation Solution
An electric seatback-folding device equipped with a microswitch that accurately recognizes the locked or unlocked state of the seatback-locking device, using a lever and switch system to control current application to the motor, ensuring proper operation in both normal and emergency situations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a manually-operated seatback-folding mechanism is applied for emergency escape, then occupants can fold the seatback to secure an escape route, but the controller cannot accurately recognize the locked or unlocked state leading to control errors
Solution Approach 1:
A microswitch is introduced to provide feedback to the controller about the locked or unlocked state of the seatback-locking device. The microswitch detects the position of a lever that is mechanically linked to the locking device, and sends this information to the controller, enabling accurate state recognition and preventing control errors.
Solution Approach 2:
A lever is introduced as an intermediary mechanical element that connects the seatback-locking device to the microswitch. When the locking device changes state, the lever moves and triggers the microswitch, which then communicates the state to the controller. This intermediary mechanism enables indirect detection of the locking state.
2Extent of automation
If motor control intervention is performed in response to a switch signal, then automatic folding can be achieved, but motor malfunction may occur during emergency escape due to incorrect control signals
Solution Approach 1:
The microswitch provides accurate feedback about the manual operation state to the controller. The controller uses this feedback to determine whether to allow motor control intervention, preventing motor malfunction by ensuring the motor only operates when appropriate and not when manual emergency folding is in progress.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the level of automation based on the detected state. When the microswitch indicates manual operation, the controller disables automatic motor control. When no manual operation is detected, automatic motor control is enabled. This dynamic adjustment prevents motor malfunction while maintaining automation benefits.
3Productivity
If the controller applies current to the motor based on switch signals, then automatic folding/unfolding is achieved, but control errors occur when the locking device state is not accurately recognized
Solution Approach 1:
The microswitch provides real-time feedback about the locking device state to the controller, enabling accurate control decisions. The controller receives this feedback and adjusts current application to the motor accordingly, preventing control errors and ensuring smooth, rapid folding operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric seatback-folding device for emergency escape enables a controller to accurately recognize whether a seatback (or a seatback frame) is in a locked state or an unlocked state using a microswitch. Folding of the seatback for emergency escape is smoothly performed without malfunction or a control error by operation of a motor in response to a current control signal of the controller.