Expansion Plug Fastening for Seat Motor Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat adjustment apparatuses for motor vehicles are complex and costly to mount, with limited flexibility in using the same electric motor/gear unit across different seats and high replacement costs due to the need to replace the entire unit in case of a fault in the fastening system.
Innovation Solution
A fastening element with an expansion plug part and an expansion element that securely attaches the electric motor/gear unit to a seat fitting part using a radially expanding mechanism, allowing for easy mounting and replacement of only the fastening element, reducing parts and logistics costs, and minimizing noise from vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional fastening system is used to attach the electric motor/gear unit to the seat, then the connection is secure, but the mounting process becomes complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening element is divided into distinct functional parts: an expansion plug part for insertion into the fitting part, a retaining element for attachment to the motor/gear unit, and an expansion element for securing the connection. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall mounting process while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion plug part acts as an intermediary component between the electric motor/gear unit and the fitting part of the seat. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process, allowing the motor unit to be mounted easily without requiring complex direct fastening mechanisms.
2Reliability
If the entire electric motor/gear unit is replaced when the fastening system fails, then reliability is restored, but costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the fastening element from the electric motor/gear unit, the system allows independent replacement of the fastening component without discarding the functional motor unit. This reduces replacement costs significantly while maintaining reliability, as only the worn fastening element needs to be replaced rather than the entire assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The design enables recovery and reuse of the expensive electric motor/gear unit while discarding only the relatively inexpensive fastening element. This selective replacement strategy reduces waste and lowers overall replacement costs while maintaining system reliability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the same electric motor/gear unit is designed for multiple seat configurations, then versatility improves, but the fastening system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion plug part is designed with a standardized geometry that can be universally applied across different seat configurations and motor units. This universal interface allows the same electric motor/gear unit to be adapted to various seats simply by using the same fastening element, achieving versatility without increasing fastening system complexity.
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 solution simplifies the mounting process, reduces costs by allowing the same electric motor/gear unit to be used across different seats, and minimizes noise from vibrations, while enabling cost-effective replacement of faulty fastening elements.
Implementation Method 1
an expansion element, radially expanding the expansion plug part, is able to be inserted
Implementation Method 2
the expansion plug part may comprise one or more resiliently deformable catches protruding radially outward
Data Source
AI summary
A seat adjustment apparatus for adjusting seat elements of a seat in a motor vehicle comprises a gear mechanism housing of an electric motor/gear mechanism unit attached to a fitting part of a first seat element by an attachment element. A rotation movement can be transmitted to a rotation axis by the gear mechanism unit of the electric motor/gear mechanism unit. The attachment element can be attached to the gear mechanism housing by an end region and has an expansion plug part which projects through a recess in the fitting part, and has a passage opening axial to the recess in the fitting part and an identical cross section. An expansion element, which radially expands the expansion plug part, can be inserted into the passage opening.