Vehicle Seat Backrest Mounting With Self-Aligning Pivot Bearings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening devices for vehicle seat backrests with independently pivotable elements require complex and time-consuming assembly processes, involving multiple screws and alignment steps, which complicates the assembly and compromises crash safety.
Innovation Solution
A fastening device that enables tool-free, quick assembly of backrest elements using a plug-in solution between bearing axles and counter-bearing points, with pre-assembly bearing sections guiding the bearing axes into final recesses, eliminating the need for additional screwing and ensuring crash-safe installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional screw connections and clip connections are used for mounting bearing axes to counterbearings, then secure and aligned mounting is achieved, but assembly time increases and component complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the screw connection from the mounting process. The bearing axis is designed with an integrated mounting structure that directly engages with the counterbearing through a plug-in connection, removing the need for separate fastening elements and reducing assembly steps while maintaining secure mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting function and the bearing axis function are merged into a single integrated component. The bearing axis includes a mounting section with a plug-in connection that combines the bearing support and mounting attachment into one element, eliminating the need for separate clips or screws
2Reliability
If conventional screw connections and clip connections are used for mounting bearing axes to counterbearings, then secure and aligned mounting is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting function and the bearing axis function are merged into a single integrated component. The bearing axis includes a mounting section with a plug-in connection that combines the bearing support and mounting attachment into one element, eliminating the need for separate clips or screws
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing axis serves multiple functions: it supports the backrest element for pivoting, provides alignment through its geometric design, and enables secure mounting through the integrated plug-in connection. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed
3Manufacturing precision
If bearing axes are manually aligned and secured with screws, then precise alignment is achieved, but assembly process becomes time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing axis performs self-alignment during the plug-in insertion process. The geometric design of the mounting section and counterbearing ensure that the bearing axis automatically orients itself correctly as it is inserted, eliminating the need for manual alignment operations while maintaining precise positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting section of the bearing axis is pre-configured with the correct geometry and orientation features before assembly. This preliminary design ensures that when the bearing axis is inserted into the counterbearing, the alignment is already predetermined and achieved automatically, eliminating the need for post-installation adjustment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a fastening arrangement with a backrest element (1) of a backrest of a seat arrangement for motor vehicles, wherein the backrest element (1) comprises an outer bearing point (20) and a middle bearing point (40) to form a pivot axis (4) extending transversely to the direction of travel, wherein the outer bearing point (20) comprises a bearing axis (21) fixed to the backrest element (1) and a counter bearing element (30) that can be fixed to the body of the motor vehicle, and the middle bearing point (40) comprises a bearing axis (51) fixed to the backrest element (1) and a counter bearing element (60) that can be fixed to the body of the motor vehicle.Both bearing axes (21, 51) are fixed to the backrest frame of the backrest element (1) with an end section (22, 52), have a rectangular guide section (26, 56) as a pre-assembly section (24, 54) in a pre-assembly position of the backrest element (1) in a first slot area (35, 65) of the counter bearing elements (30, 60) and have a cylindrical bearing section (23, 53) for bearing in the final assembly position of the backrest element (1) in a corresponding cylindrical bearing recess (34, 64) of the counter bearing elements (30, 60).Additionally, the bearing axis (21) of the outer bearing point (20) comprises an alignment section (25) eccentrically formed on the rectangular guide section (26), which is conically designed with an inclined sliding surface (28) that tapers towards the bearing section (23). This sliding surface (28) slides in operative engagement along an associated side surface (35a) of the first slot region (35) of the counter bearing element (60) during movement from the pre-assembly position to the final assembly position. This causes the entire backrest element (1) to move axially and the respective cylindrical bearing sections (23, 53) to move into the corresponding cylindrical bearing recesses (34, 64) of the counter bearing elements (30, 60). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a corresponding method for assembling a backrest.