Vehicle Seatback Latch Mechanism for Service Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seatback latching mechanisms in vehicles do not efficiently allow for access behind the seatback for service while maintaining secure engagement with the striker, and they lack integration with child seat tethers for infant or child carriers.
Innovation Solution
A truck cab wall latch with a three-layer sandwiched arrangement of a fixed sector, pivotally supported hook, and slide plate, where upward displacement of the slide plate causes forward pivoting of the hook to disengage the striker, and a child seat tether for securing infant or child carriers, all constructed from grade steel with spring biasing for secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional seatback latching mechanism is used, then secure engagement with the striker is maintained, but access behind the seatback for service is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The latching mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: a release tool accessible through the gap, a release member with cam surface, and a latch member with strikers. This segmentation allows the engagement and release functions to be separated spatially, enabling service access while maintaining secure engagement during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A cam surface acts as an intermediary between the release member and latch member. When the release tool moves the release member, the cam surface translates this linear motion into rotational motion of the latch member, effectively mediating the force transmission to achieve disengagement without requiring direct access to the latch mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the latch structure is made more complex to enable service access, then access behind the seatback is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch member serves multiple functions: it provides secure engagement with the striker during normal operation, enables service access when actuated by the release tool, and maintains structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanisms for each function, thereby limiting complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member is designed to be dynamically switchable between engaged and disengaged states. The cam surface enables smooth transition between these states through rotational motion, allowing the system to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements without adding significant structural complexity.
3Reliability
If the hook is made more robust to maintain secure engagement, then reliability is improved, but the ease of disengagement for service access deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cam surface is pre-configured with its inclined geometry to facilitate easy disengagement. When force is applied to the release member, the cam surface automatically guides the latch member through the disengagement motion, performing the complex action of releasing a robust hook as a preliminary step before service access can begin.
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 engagement and easy disengagement of the seatback from the striker, allowing access behind the seatback while providing a secure attachment point for child seats, enhancing usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
spring biased and vertically displaceable slide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a latch for securing a seatback to an elevated rear wall of a vehicle passenger compartment, and in which a striker having a crosswise engaging portion extends rearwardly from the seatback. The latch includes a fixed sector adapted to being mounted to the rear wall. A hook is pivotally supported to the sector, with a slide plate sandwiching the hook between the slide plate and the fixed sector such that upward displacement of the slide plate causes forward pivoting of the hook. Rearward pressing of the seatback and striker causes rearward rotation of the hook to receive the striker, the slide plate being upwardly displaced to cause forward rotation of the hook to disengage the striker.