Vehicle Seat Latch Integrating Hook and Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle latches for seating assemblies are costly and time-consuming to manufacture and assemble, lacking efficient mechanisms for secure and versatile anchoring within vehicle compartments.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seating assembly latch featuring an elongated member with an integrally defined hook portion, fixedly attached to a seatback and engaging with a striker on a rear wall bracket, allowing for semipermanent coupling and easy assembly, while enabling seatback rotation between horizontal and vertical positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional vehicle latches are used for seating assemblies, then secure anchoring is achieved, but manufacturing cost and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism merges multiple functions into a single integrated assembly. The elongated member combines the latch arm, mounting features, and engagement components into one piece that attaches to the seatback and engages with the striker simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate latch components and reducing assembly steps while maintaining secure anchoring
Solution Approach 2:
The elongated member serves multiple functions: it acts as the latch arm, provides mounting attachment points for the seatback, engages with the striker for securing, and allows for adjustable positioning. This multi-functional design replaces traditional multi-component latch systems, reducing manufacturing complexity and assembly time while ensuring reliable anchoring
2Reliability
If traditional vehicle latches are used for seating assemblies, then secure anchoring is achieved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated member is pre-configured with integrated mounting features and engagement components during manufacturing. The latch arm, mounting attachments, and striker engagement features are all prepared in advance as a single unit, allowing for rapid installation by simply attaching the pre-assembled elongated member to the seatback and engaging it with the striker, significantly reducing assembly time while ensuring secure anchoring
3Reliability
If semipermanent coupling is implemented, then secure anchoring is achieved, but ease of servicing decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism provides dynamic coupling that can transition between secured and released states. The elongated member's latch arm can be easily actuated to disengage from the striker for servicing, then re-engaged to restore secure anchoring. This dynamic design maintains reliable secure anchoring during normal operation while enabling quick release and reattachment for maintenance and servicing
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seating assembly latch is provided herein. The vehicle seating assembly latch includes an elongated member fixedly attached to a rear portion of a vehicle seatback. A bracket is disposed on a rear wall of a passenger compartment and includes a striker. The elongated member includes an integrally defined hook portion that retains the elongated member on the striker in an engaged condition.