Easy-entry vehicle seat with sliding pivot joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats with easy-entry mechanisms often require complex arrangements and memory devices to adjust longitudinally, leading to slow displacement and increased complexity, while also lacking height-adjustment capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a pivotably supported backrest and seating portion with an easy-entry mechanism that includes a sliding pivot joint and height-adjustment mechanism, allowing for independent longitudinal and height adjustments without interfering with each other, and optionally powered by a self-locking or non-self-locking motor, enabling quick and intuitive access without the need for complex memory devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the easy-entry mechanism uses a complex arrangement with separate support for backrest and seating portions, then the easy-entry function is achieved, but the device complexity increases and height-adjustment becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the backrest portion and seating portion onto a single common pivot axis that is integrated with the seat base. This merging of support structures eliminates the need for separate support mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining the easy-entry function. The single pivot axis allows both portions to move together during easy-entry operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The common pivot axis serves multiple functions: it supports both the backrest and seating portions, enables easy-entry movement, and provides a mounting point for height-adjustment mechanisms. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate support structures and height-adjustment mechanisms, reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If the vehicle seat is adjusted by an electric motor for longitudinal displacement, then the seat position can be adjusted, but the displacement becomes slow and occupants have to wait
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a mechanical linkage system with arms and pivot joints that enables rapid, dynamic movement of the seat assembly during easy-entry operation. The linkage translates small input movements into large output displacements, achieving fast seat repositioning without relying on slow electric motor displacement.
3Ease of operation
If the easy-entry mechanism is designed to return the seat to its previously adjusted longitudinal position, then comfort is maintained, but complex memory devices become necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical linkage system automatically returns the seat to its original position through the reverse operation of the same linkage that performed the easy-entry movement. The system uses its own mechanical structure to achieve position recall without requiring external memory devices, sensors, or control systems.
4Device complexity
If the sliding pivot joint is designed with a pivot axis that intersects the sliding path, then the mechanism becomes simpler, but the geometric constraints become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric arm lengths and pivot joint positions in the mechanical linkage system. This asymmetric design allows the pivot axis to intersect the sliding path while accommodating manufacturing tolerances through the geometric relationships built into the linkage geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle seat comprising: a seating portion having a seat frame; a backrest portion pivotably supported on the seating portion; a seat base for supporting the seating portion; and an easy-entry mechanism for displacing the seating portion and the backrest portion with respect to the seat base at least along a longitudinal axis between a use position and an easy-entry position, the easy-entry mechanism comprising: at least one arm pivotably connected with the seat frame and pivotably connected to the seat base at a first position; and at least one sliding pivot joint for supporting the seat frame on the seat base at a second position, the first position being spaced apart from the second position along the longitudinal axis.