Vehicle Interior Adjustment Drive With Assisted Manual Unlocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior adjustment systems require complex sensor technology and sophisticated control systems for reliable user gesture recognition, making them cumbersome and prone to misinterpretation.
Innovation Solution
A drive device with a self-locking adjustment kinematics mechanism that is unlocked by an auxiliary current, allowing manual adjustment based on simple trigger criteria, such as door state or occupancy, without the need for gesture detection sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If sensor technology and sophisticated control systems are used for gesture recognition, then adjustment functionality can be enabled, but device complexity increases and reliability decreases due to potential misinterpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the complex sensor technology and gesture recognition control system from the adjustment mechanism. Instead of using sensors to detect user intent, the system uses a simple self-locking mechanism that responds directly to physical forces applied to the interior assembly, eliminating the need for complex detection and interpretation systems while maintaining adjustment functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The self-locking adjustment kinematic mechanism serves itself by automatically locking and unlocking based on the direction and magnitude of applied forces. The mechanism detects user intent through the physical act of pulling or pushing the interior assembly, eliminating the need for external sensor systems to interpret user gestures
2Reliability
If self-locking adjustment kinematics are used to hold position, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation worsens due to high manual adjustment effort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the self-locking mechanism dynamic rather than static. The adjustment kinematic mechanism automatically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on the direction of applied force: it locks when force is applied in one direction and unlocks when force is applied in the opposite direction. This dynamic behavior allows the mechanism to maintain reliable position holding during normal operation while enabling easy manual adjustment when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism employs periodic action through alternating locking and unlocking phases. During normal operation, the mechanism remains in a locked state to maintain position. When the user applies force in the unlocking direction, the mechanism transitions to an unlocked state, allowing movement. Once the user releases the force, the mechanism automatically returns to the locked state, creating a periodic cycle of locking and unlocking that combines reliability with ease of operation
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 intuitive and comfortable manual adjustment of vehicle interior components with minimal user effort, simplifying control and reducing the risk of misinterpretation.
Implementation Method 1
an electromechanical adjustment drive (20) for generating an adjustment force
Implementation Method 2
a self-locking adjustment kinematic mechanism (21, 23-25) driven by the adjustment drive for transmitting an adjustment force generated by the adjustment drive to the interior assembly
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a drive apparatus (2) for adjusting an interior assembly (11, 12) of a vehicle (1), comprising: - an electric-motor adjustment drive (20) for producing an adjustment force; - a self-locking adjustment kinematic mechanism (21-25) for transmitting an adjustment force produced by the adjustment drive (20) to the interior assembly (11, 12), which adjustment kinematic mechanism can be driven by means of the adjustment drive (20); and - a control device (3) for controlling the adjustment drive (20). The control device (3) is designed to activate an adjustment mode for adjustment of the interior assembly (11, 12) in dependence on at least one trigger criterion and, when the adjustment mode is activated, to actuate the adjustment drive (20) with a support current of a magnitude such that the interior assembly (11, 12) can put into motion by means of a user force produced manually on the interior assembly (11, 12) by a user, the self-locking of the adjustment mechanism (21-25) being overcome.