Device for releasing a gas spring and seat unit with adjustable backrest with a gaz spring and said device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gas spring actuation systems require significant forces to trigger and lack precise control over gas spring speed due to mechanical complexity and inefficiency, particularly in applications where space and power supply are limited.

Innovation Solution

A device with a programmable control unit and electric magnet system that adjusts voltage levels and activation times, coupled with a compact actuator design using a linear lifting magnet and elastic units, allowing for variable force application and reduced mechanical components, and a central deactivation/activation unit for enhanced safety and power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a simple lever actuating element is used to press directly on the gas spring trigger, then the device structure is simple, but considerable forces are required to trigger the gas spring and the triggering action is difficult to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuating element structureVSAvoidtriggering force
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the simple mechanical lever actuating element with an electrically operated lifting magnet. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical force transmission through levers and directly actuates the gas spring trigger through magnetic force, thereby reducing the triggering force requirement while improving controllability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a control device that can vary the electrical parameters (voltage, current, pulse duration) supplied to the lifting magnet. By changing these parameters, the magnetic force can be precisely controlled, enabling smooth and adjustable triggering of the gas spring without requiring considerable mechanical force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Force

If additional levers and Bowden cable are added to reduce triggering force, then the required force decreases, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetriggering forceVSAvoidactuating element structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the complex mechanical system of additional levers and Bowden cable by substituting it with an electrically operated lifting magnet. This single component performs the function of force reduction and transmission that previously required multiple mechanical elements, thereby reducing both force requirements and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Force

If a lifting magnet is used to actuate the gas spring, then the triggering force is reduced and control is improved, but the space required and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetriggering forceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a control device that supplies electrical energy to the lifting magnet in the form of controlled pulses rather than continuous power. By activating the magnet only for the brief duration needed to trigger the gas spring, energy consumption is minimized while still achieving the desired force reduction and control improvement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

Enables reliable, space-efficient, and adaptable gas spring control with reduced operational forces, improved safety through centralized power control, and efficient energy use, suitable for diverse applications including aircraft seating where power supply capacity is limited.

Implementation Method 1

the actuating device has an electric magnet unit that is supplied with electrical energy via a power supply and can be activated via a switching unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnet: Electromagnet

Implementation Method 2

the device has an elastic unit, in particular a spring unit, under the action of which the anchor body is longitudinally displaceable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3303052B1Device for releasing a gas spring and seat unit with adjustable backrest with a gaz spring and said device
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 WANDSCHNEIDER GUIDO
  • EP3303052B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3303052B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3303052B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A device for triggering a gas spring (1) comprising an actuation device (2), an actuating element (4) which is operatively connected to the actuating device (2) and which acts directly on an end trigger (3) of the gas spring (1), wherein the actuating element (4) is configured as a lever arrangement (5) which reduces or multiplies the force or path, wherein one of the levers (trigger lever (6)) presses directly onto the trigger (3), wherein the actuating device (2) comprises an electrical magnet unit (30), which is provided with electric energy via an electrical supply and can be activated via a switch unit (60), characterised in that there is a control unit (40) which can be activated via the switching unit (60) and activates the electric magnet unit (30) according to the signals of the switch unit (60), wherein the the magnet unit (30) is actuated such that for a predetermined time interval an override phase of the magnet unit (30) with an increased voltage and a subsequent holding phase with a reduced voltage are produced.