Vehicle Seat Backrest Adjuster Load Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat backrest adjusters often face issues with overloading and mechanical stress distribution, leading to inefficient and costly solutions for adjusting the inclination of the seat backrest.

Innovation Solution

A backrest adjuster design featuring a bracing element and a transmission element that connects the pivot bearing and fitting, with the bracing element being L-shaped and surrounded by the transmission element, allowing for a simple and cost-effective distribution of mechanical stresses by diverting loads into the substructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional transmission shaft with joint fittings is used to adjust backrest inclination, then the backrest can be adjusted, but the fitting is prone to overloading and mechanical stress concentration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefitting durabilityVSAvoidfitting load capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission shaft is segmented into multiple transmission elements (first transmission element and second transmission element) that are arranged at different locations along the backrest adjuster. This segmentation distributes the mechanical loads and stresses across multiple points rather than concentrating them at a single fitting location, thereby preventing overloading and improving the durability of the fitting connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a complex transmission mechanism is used to distribute loads, then the fitting is protected from overloading, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload distributionVSAvoidtransmission mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission elements are integrated directly into the adjuster structure, merging the transmission function with the structural framework. This eliminates the need for separate, complex load-distribution mechanisms while still achieving effective load distribution through the strategically positioned transmission elements, thereby maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If additional structural elements are added to prevent overloading, then the fitting is protected, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestress distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission elements serve multiple functions: they transmit the adjustment motion from the actuator to the backrest, distribute mechanical loads along the adjuster structure, and provide structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional separate components that would increase manufacturing cost, while still achieving the goal of preventing fitting overloading through integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3068663B1Backrest adjuster for a vehicle seat and vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2021.05.26 ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HLDG SARL
  • EP3068663B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3068663B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3068663B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat and a backrest adjuster (1) for a vehicle seat in order to adjust the inclination of a backrest (2.1) of a vehicle seat (2), said backrest adjuster comprising a transmission element (5) that is coupled to a fitting (4) and to a pivot bearing (3). A clamping element (11) is mounted in the region of the pivot bearing (3) and in the region of the fitting (4) lying opposite the pivot bearing. In the region between the pivot bearing (3) and the fitting (4), said clamping element (11) is arranged at least in part in the transmission element (5).