Floating Spindle Support in Vehicle Seat Adjustment Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adjustment devices for vehicle subassemblies, such as vehicle seats, face issues with increased friction and noise due to spindle contact with retaining element edges, and reduced strength during collisions when large adjustment paths are required, especially with long guide rails and potential spindle bending or tolerance issues.
Innovation Solution
The adjustment device incorporates a supporting element that allows the mechanism housing to move in a floating manner perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, limiting the bearing travel to prevent spindle contact with retaining element edges, using resilient or form-fitting elements to compensate for tolerances and gravity-induced deflections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the opening in the retaining element is enlarged to prevent spindle contact during normal operation, then friction and noise are reduced, but the strength of the adjustment device in the event of a collision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element acts as an intermediary component between the mechanism housing and the retaining element. It provides a separate support function that prevents the spindle from contacting the retaining element edge during normal operation, while allowing the opening to remain small for collision protection. The supporting element mediates the conflict by taking over the support function that would otherwise require a larger opening.
Solution Approach 2:
The support function is segmented from the retaining element and assigned to a separate supporting element. This segmentation allows the retaining element to maintain its small opening for collision resistance while the supporting element independently provides the necessary support to prevent spindle contact during normal operation.
2Length of moving object
If a long guide rail is used to enable large adjustment paths, then the adjustment range is increased, but the spindle may bend or deviate from straightness due to gravity and tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element modifies the operational parameters of the mechanism housing by providing additional support points. This changes the load distribution and positional stability parameters, compensating for the spindle's potential bending or deviation over long adjustment paths while maintaining the long guide rail for large adjustment ranges.
3Measurement precision
If the mechanism housing is fixed rigidly to prevent movement, then positioning precision is improved, but the ability to compensate for tolerances and gravity-induced deflections is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the mechanism housing and the adjustment assembly is made dynamic through the supporting element. The supporting element provides a form-fitting or resilient connection that allows controlled movement and adaptation, enabling the system to compensate for tolerances and gravity-induced deflections while maintaining sufficient positioning precision for normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The supporting element changes the positional parameters of the mechanism housing by allowing controlled displacement. This enables the system to adapt to tolerance variations and gravitational effects while maintaining adequate positioning precision through the limited bearing travel provided by the supporting element.
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
This design reduces friction and noise during normal operation while maintaining collision resistance by preventing spindle contact with retaining element edges, ensuring smooth and quiet adjustment with enhanced structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The supporting element is configured as a resilient element and, in particular, is elastically resilient at least in portions
Data Source
AI summary
It is provided an adjustment device for a vehicle subassembly comprises a guide rail which extends along a longitudinal direction, an adjustment assembly which is guided on the guide rail so as to be displaceable along the longitudinal direction and which is assigned to the vehicle subassembly, a spindle which is arranged on the guide rail, and an adjustment mechanism which is operatively connected to the spindle, is arranged on the adjustment assembly and has a mechanism housing and is able to be driven so that the adjustment mechanism can be displaced, together with the adjustment assembly, along the longitudinal direction relative to the guide rail. On the adjustment assembly there is arranged at least one retaining element, which has an opening which is delimited by an edge and through which the spindle extends. The at least one retaining element supports the mechanism housing on the adjustment assembly in a floating manner in such a way that the mechanism housing, together with the spindle, is movable with respect to the at least one retaining element with a bearing travel along a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.