Bowden Cable Lumbar Support Co-Linear Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lumbar support systems in vehicles require high forces of actuation, making it inconvenient for passengers to adjust the lumbar support, often resulting in no individual adjustment being made as the high forces necessitate multiple rotations of actuation devices.
Innovation Solution
A lumbar support system with a flexible body and Bowden cables, where the Bowden cable conduit end fitting is mounted vertically and has a V-shaped receptacle allowing angular variations, ensuring the cable connecting the flexible body to the support structure remains co-linear, reducing friction and allowing easy adjustment with less effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional Bowden cable mounting is used with rigid receptacles, then structural stability is maintained, but high actuation forces are required making adjustment inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming the rigid, fixed-angle receptacle into a dynamic, angularly-adjustable receptacle. The receptacle can now adapt its angle to maintain cable co-linearity throughout the adjustment range, allowing the system to transition smoothly between positions without requiring excessive actuation force. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by enabling easy operation while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the angular parameter of the receptacle mounting. Instead of fixing the receptacle at a rigid angle, the system allows the receptacle angle to change dynamically, ensuring the cable remains co-linear with the Bowden cable conduit end fitting throughout the adjustment range. This parameter adaptation reduces friction and actuation force requirements while maintaining operational convenience.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple rotations of actuation devices are required, then sufficient adjustment range is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates and individual adjustment is rarely made
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the conventional mechanical actuation system requiring multiple rotations with an optimized cable-pulley mechanism. By ensuring cable co-linearity through the angularly-adjustable receptacle, the system reduces mechanical friction and resistance, allowing the same adjustment range to be achieved with significantly fewer actuation movements. This mechanics substitution maintains adaptability while dramatically improving user convenience.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high actuation forces are required, then structural stability is maintained, but Bowden cable wear increases and system lifespan decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of cable friction and misalignment into a beneficial self-adjusting mechanism. The angularly-adjustable receptacle automatically compensates for angular deviations, ensuring the cable remains co-linear throughout operation. This converts what would be a source of wear and instability into a feature that enhances both structural stability and reliability by minimizing cable stress and friction.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a lumbar support system 1, 100 comprising a flexible body 30, 130, a support structure 20, 120 wherein the flexible body 30, 130 is fixed at one extremity 38, 138 thereof at the support structure 20, 120 and displaceable at the other extremity 36, 136, at least one Bowden cable 40, 50, 140 comprising a cable 44, 144 and a conduit 42, 142, wherein the Bowden cable 40, 50, 140 comprises a Bowden cable conduit end fitting 46, 146 which is mounted vertically on the support structure 20 or the flexible body 130, the cable 44, 144 connecting the displaceable extremity 36, 136 of the flexible body 30, 130 with a fixed point 28, 128 on the support structure 20, 120, and wherein the portion of said cable 44, 144 connecting the displaceable extremity 36, 136 of the flexible body 30, 130 with the fixed point 28, 128 of the support structure 20, 120 is colinear to the corresponding Bowden cable conduit end fitting 46, 146 in every adjustment position of the flexible body 30, 130.