Walk-in Apparatus with Compensator Bracket for Vehicle Seat
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing walk-in apparatus for vehicle seats often fails to maintain the unlocking state of the seat rail during the walk-in operation due to the seatback rebound phenomenon, preventing the seat from moving forward to the desired position.
Innovation Solution
A walk-in apparatus that includes a walk-in bracket, a compensator bracket, and a compensator spring, where the compensator bracket is connected to the walk-in bracket through a hinge and the walk-in cable, allowing the compensator bracket to rotate and maintain the unlocking state of the seat rail even after the walk-in cable is released, ensuring continuous forward movement of the seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the walk-in cable is pulled to unlock the seat rail during walk-in operation, then the seatback can rotate forward and fold, but the seatback rebound phenomenon causes the cable to loosen and the seat rail to lock again prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a walk-in bracket as an intermediary component between the walk-in cable and the fixing member. The bracket includes a pressing portion that contacts the fixing member and a rotating portion that rotates about a crossbar. This intermediary mechanism converts the cable's pulling force into sustained pressing force on the fixing member, preventing premature locking even when the cable loosens due to seatback rebound.
Solution Approach 2:
The walk-in bracket is designed to engage the fixing member in advance before the seatback completes its folding motion. The pressing portion of the bracket contacts the fixing member early in the walk-in sequence, maintaining continuous pressure to keep the seat rail unlocked throughout the entire operation, including during the rebound phase when the cable loosens.
2Speed
If the seatback rotates forward quickly during walk-in operation, then the walk-in function can be activated, but the impact causes the seatback to rebound and lock the seat rail again
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful rebound effect into a beneficial sustained pressing action. The walk-in bracket's pressing portion continues to contact the fixing member throughout the seatback's forward rotation and rebound motion. The bracket's geometry and pivot point are designed so that the rebound motion does not reduce the pressing force on the fixing member, thereby maintaining the unlocked state despite the rapid seatback movement.
3Device complexity
If a simple cable mechanism is used for walk-in operation, then the device complexity is low, but it cannot maintain the unlocking state during seatback rebound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a static cable-pulley mechanism to a dynamic linkages system. The walk-in bracket rotates about the crossbar and its pressing portion dynamically adjusts its contact with the fixing member during seatback motion. This dynamic mechanism maintains continuous pressing force through the entire range of motion, including the rebound phase, without requiring complex additional components.
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
This solution enables the vehicle seat to move smoothly to a desired position while maintaining the unlocking state of the seat rail, enhancing durability and vehicle quality by preventing the seat rail from locking prematurely.
Implementation Method 1
a compensator spring configured to support the walk-in bracket and the compensator bracket, rotate at least one of the walk-in bracket and the compensator bracket, and operate in such a manner as to return the compensator bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A walk-in apparatus for a vehicle seat includes a walk-in bracket rotatably coupled to a crossbar of a cushion frame and operable to release a fixing member by contacting the fixing member of a seat rail; a compensator bracket operably connected to the walk-in bracket through a hinge, the compensator bracket also being connected to a walk-in cable; and a compensator spring configured to support the walk-in bracket and the compensator bracket, rotate at least one of the walk-in bracket and the compensator bracket, and operate in such a manner as to return the compensator bracket. Even when the walk-in cable is released due to a seatback rebound phenomenon during a walk-in operation, the walk-in bracket maintains a pressing state of the fixing member to maintain continuously an unlocking state of the seat rail, allowing the vehicle seat to move forward smoothly to enable a walk-in operation.