Vehicle Seatback Latch Mechanism for Adjustable Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seatback restraint devices for vehicles, particularly in rear seats, face challenges with constant restraint locking by the striker, limiting seat position changes and inclination angle adjustments, leading to discomfort during long rides.
Innovation Solution
A seatback restraint device featuring first and second latches with recesses, a main hinge for rotation and scissoring operation, and elastic bodies, allowing the striker to be freely restrained and released without a separate fixing unit, enabling seatback adjustment and movement with the seat sliding device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a free hinge-type folding seat is used with constant latch restraint by the striker, then the structure is simple and installation costs are reduced, but the seat position cannot be changed and the seatback inclination angle cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The latch structure is transformed from a static constant-restraint mechanism to a dynamic system where the latch can rotate and scissor relative to the striker. The main hinge enables the latch to change its orientation and position dynamically, allowing the seat to slide forward and backward while maintaining restraint capability at different positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The restraint mechanism is divided into multiple independent components: the striker fixed to the vehicle body, the latch with rotating and scissoring capabilities, and the main hinge connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, enabling both structural simplicity and positional adaptability.
2Reliability
If the latch is restrained by the striker at a fixed position, then the restraint locking is constant, but the seatback inclination angle cannot be adjusted causing discomfort during long rides
Solution Approach 1:
The latch-striker connection is made dynamic through the main hinge, allowing the latch to rotate and scissor as the seatback inclination changes. This dynamic connection maintains reliable restraint locking while accommodating various inclination angles, eliminating the discomfort caused by fixed-angle restraint.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate fixing unit is added to enable seat position changes while maintaining restraint, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity and installation costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch structure is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides restraint locking when engaged with the striker, enables seat position adjustment through rotation and scissoring movements, and maintains structural simplicity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate fixing units while achieving position adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of restraint locking and position adjustment are merged into a single integrated latch mechanism. The same latch that engages with the striker for restraint also rotates and scissors to enable seat position changes, combining multiple functions into one structure to avoid increased complexity.
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
Enables secure restraint and release of the striker, allowing for adjustable inclination and position changes of the seatback, enhancing passenger comfort and cargo space utilization by simplifying the structure and reducing installation costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic body having both ends connected to and supported by one end of the first latch and one end of the second latch
Data Source
AI summary
A seatback restraint device for a vehicle allows a seatback to be freely restrained by and released from a striker by rotation and a scissoring operation of first and second latches. The first latch and the second latch are connected to be rotated and operated in a scissoring motion about a main hinge, one side of the first latch and one side of the second latch are connected to each other by a first elastic body, and other sides of the first and second latches are connected to each other by an operating cable, so that the striker inserted into first and second latch recesses is restrained by the scissoring operation of the first and second latches due to elastic force of the first elastic body, and restraint of the striker is released through mutual operation of the first latch or the second latch by pulling the operating cable.