Walk-In Seat Locking Mechanism for Torsional Load Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional locking devices for walk-in seats in vehicles are prone to unintended unlocking due to deformation caused by torsional loads from seat belt buckles, leading to safety issues for passengers.
Innovation Solution
A locking device with a buckle hinge pin that enters a slot extension hole when a load is applied, preventing the drive plate from rotating in the unlocking direction and maintaining the locked state, even if the connection frame deforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional locking device with pawl and sector gear is used, then the walk-in seat can be locked and unlocked, but the locked state is unstable when torsional load is applied to the connection frame
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into two independent functional components: (1) the pawl-locking gear mechanism for normal locking/unlocking operations, and (2) the buckle hinge pin-slot extension hole mechanism for preventing unintended unlocking under torsional load. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between operability and stability under deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The buckle hinge pin acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the buckle assembly and the drive plate. When torsional load deforms the connection frame, the buckle hinge pin can move within the slot extension hole to accommodate the deformation while still maintaining the locked state through its engagement with the drive plate, preventing unintended unlocking.
2Reliability
If the connection frame is made flexible to accommodate torsional load, then the locked state stability improves, but the structural strength decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The slot extension hole provides a dynamic adjustment mechanism that allows the buckle hinge pin to move along the extended path when torsional load is applied. This dynamic capability enables the connection frame to accommodate deformation without compromising the locked state, as the pin can shift position to maintain engagement with the drive plate while the frame deforms elastically.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a locking device for a walk-in seat of a vehicle capable of stably maintaining the locked state of the walk-in seat prior to a walk-in operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a locking device for a walk-in seat of a vehicle capable of stably maintaining the locked state of the walk-in seat prior to a walk-in operation (that is, the locked state of a drive plate for the walk-in operation of the seat) even if the engagement between the drive plate and a pawl is released due to deformation caused by a torsional load applied to a connection frame of the seat by additionally providing a separate component configured to prevent the drive plate from being rotated in an unlocking direction when a load is applied to a seat belt buckle.