Vehicle Seatback Latch With Remote Handle Flag
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seatbacks have high part counts and mass due to complex welding processes, and existing latch systems are not optimally designed for structural load management, with warning symbols often being non-intuitive and less effective.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle latch system with a housing and handle that transitions between extended and retracted positions to present a flag, integrated with a cable and spring mechanism for ergonomic operation, and a simplified welding process using thin-gauge steel stamped parts to reduce mass and part count, allowing for a central latch placement and intuitive user interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If complex welding processes are used to manufacture seatbacks, then structural strength is improved, but mass and part count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate welding operations into a single integrated welding process by positioning the latch at the center of the seatback, allowing all structural joints to be welded simultaneously in one operation, thereby reducing mass and part count while maintaining strength
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the seatback into thin-gauge steel stamped parts that can be efficiently joined through welding, reducing overall mass while maintaining structural integrity through optimized joint design
2Manufacturing precision
If multiple separate welding operations are performed on each seatback, then manufacturing precision is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple separate welding operations into a single welding operation by designing the latch to be centrally positioned on the seatback, allowing all structural joints to be welded simultaneously, thereby improving productivity without sacrificing welding precision
3Ease of operation
If the latch is positioned in an outboard location near the actuating handle, then ease of operation is improved, but structural load management deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional latch positioning by placing the latch at the center of the seatback rather than at the outboard edge, optimizing structural load management while the handle remains accessible at the outboard location for ease of operation
4Loss of information
If the warning symbol is positioned separately from the actuating handle, then visibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the warning symbol with the actuating handle by integrating it into the handle assembly, ensuring the warning is always visible and intuitively associated with the operation mechanism, improving both visibility and ease of operation
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 solution reduces the mass and part count of seatbacks through simplified assembly and optimizes latch system ergonomics and user safety by providing an intuitive warning mechanism, enhancing structural integrity and user awareness.
Implementation Method 1
a spring that biases the handle toward the extended position
Implementation Method 2
a spring-loaded cam configured to lock the handle in the extended position
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seatback includes: a first panel; a second panel coupled to the first panel so that a welding stitching pattern is exposed, each welding stitch of the welding stitching pattern accessible from a common direction; and a bracket, wherein at least one welding stitch included in the welding stitch pattern connects the bracket to one of the first or second panels. A vehicle latch system includes: a housing at a first edge of a movable vehicle seatback with a handle to assume an extended position outside the housing in which a flag on the handle is presented, and a retracted position inside the housing in which the flag is not presented; a latch configured for placement at a second edge of the movable vehicle seatback, the second edge opposite the first edge; and a cable connecting the handle and the latch to each other.