Vehicle Seat Latch Mechanism for Entry and Comfort
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat motion-control mechanisms do not adequately accommodate passengers of varying heights and do not maximize entry and exit openings for rear passengers, limiting flexibility and convenience.
Innovation Solution
A passenger support system with a foundation frame that allows the vehicle seat to slide back and forth, featuring a latch unit with a comfort latch unit and an easy-entry latch unit, enabling the seat to be configured between slid-back, slid-forward, and easy-entry positions, with the easy-entry latch unit blocking further movement beyond the easy-entry configuration for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the vehicle seat is allowed to slide freely back and forth, then passenger comfort for different heights is improved, but the entry and exit opening for rear passengers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The latch unit is divided into two independent components: a comfort latch unit for adjusting seat position and an easy-entry latch unit for maximizing entry opening. This segmentation allows each latch to independently control different aspects of seat movement, enabling the seat to be positioned for passenger comfort while maintaining maximum entry opening when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat is designed with dynamic positioning capability through the dual-latch system, allowing it to be moved between multiple fixed positions (slid-back, slid-forward, and easy-entry configurations). This dynamic adjustment enables the seat to adapt to different passenger needs while maintaining safe entry/exit configurations when required.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle seat is moved to maximize entry opening, then rear passenger access is improved, but passenger comfort for tall passengers is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The dual-latch unit provides multi-functionality by enabling three distinct seat configurations: slid-back configuration for tall passengers, slid-forward configuration for short passengers, and easy-entry configuration for maximizing rear passenger access. Each latch unit serves specific functions that can be independently activated based on the required configuration.
3Reliability
If additional latch units are added to control seat movement, then safety and configuration control are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The comfort latch unit and easy-entry latch unit are merged into a single integrated latch assembly that controls seat movement. This combining approach allows two separate safety functions to be implemented within one unified structure, reducing overall complexity compared to having completely separate latch mechanisms while maintaining comprehensive safety control.
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger support includes a vehicle seat and a foundation frame having a lower track and an upper track. The lower track is coupled to a floor of a vehicle in a fixed position relative the floor. The vehicle seat is coupled to the upper track to slide back and forth relative to the lower track.