Vehicle Seat Armrest Free Play Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat and armrest assemblies experience free play movement when the armrest is in the storage position due to manufacturing tolerances, which can lead to undesirable movement during vehicle acceleration or deceleration.
Innovation Solution
A free play adjustment mechanism with a threaded adjustment actuator is introduced to minimize or eliminate the space between the locking pin and the frame, ensuring secure retention of the armrest in the storage position by adjusting the position of a movable element relative to the frame.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a retainer mechanism with frictional engagement or lock is used to prevent armrest movement, then the armrest is securely held in place, but free play movement still occurs due to manufacturing tolerances and the retainer mechanism cannot completely eliminate the space between components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the position of the movable element along the guide surface by modifying the geometric parameters of the assembly, specifically the distance between the locking pin and the movable element. This allows elimination of free play while maintaining secure retention, resolving the contradiction between reliability and manufacturing precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If the movable element is positioned to eliminate free play space, then manufacturing precision is improved, but the complexity of adjusting and positioning the components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer mechanism itself serves the dual function of securing the armrest and eliminating free play. The movable element's position is adjusted through the existing locking mechanism without requiring separate adjustment devices, thereby reducing overall device complexity while achieving precise positioning.
3Manufacturing precision
If the space between the movable element and locking pin is reduced, then free play movement is eliminated, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the precise position increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide surface acts as an intermediary element that provides a defined geometric relationship between the movable element and the locking pin. This intermediary structure facilitates precise positioning and makes the relationship between components measurable and detectable, even when the space between them is minimized.
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
The mechanism effectively eliminates free play movement, providing a secure and stable armrest position during storage, enhancing safety and comfort by preventing unintended movement during vehicle operations.
Implementation Method 1
The free play adjustment mechanism may include an adjustment actuator having a threaded outer surface that cooperates with a correspondingly threaded inner surface of an aperture extending through the frame.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat and armrest assembly includes a seat including a frame having a movable element that is supported on the frame in a position. An armrest is supported on the frame and is movable relative to the seat between a first position and a second position. The armrest includes a locking pin that is disposed adjacent to the movable element of the frame to retain the armrest in the first position. A free play adjustment mechanism is provided to adjust the position of the movable element relative to the frame to minimize or eliminate space between the movable element and the locking pin. The free play adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment actuator having a threaded outer surface that cooperates with a correspondingly threaded inner surface of an aperture extending through the frame.