Lead Screw Seat Cushion Support to Prevent Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat support devices for vehicles are heavy due to a large number of components and lack a structure that can efficiently support occupants in limited spaces while being deformable, which affects comfort and fuel efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A support driver system for a seat that includes a lead screw connected to a motor, nuts, and links that pivotally push a cushion, allowing for minimal power usage and deformation prevention within a limited space, with a bracket-shaped support bracket and guides to ensure reliable support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing seat support devices use multiple components to support occupants, then support reliability is improved, but weight increases and fuel efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple support functions into a single integrated support driver assembly. The lead screw mechanism integrates motor drive, nut translation, and linkage actuation into one unified structure, eliminating the need for separate actuators and linkages that would otherwise be required to achieve the same support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The support driver assembly performs multiple functions simultaneously: the motor provides rotational motion, the lead screw converts rotation to linear motion, the nuts translate along the lead screw, and the links transfer motion to the cushion. This multi-functional integration reduces the overall component count and weight while maintaining support reliability.
2Ease of manufacture
If seat support devices are designed with fixed structures, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to various vehicle seat sizes and occupant positions decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic elements including a rotatable motor, a lead screw that converts rotational motion to linear motion, nuts that slide along the lead screw, and links that pivot to adjust cushion position. This dynamic mechanism allows the support device to adapt to various seat configurations and occupant positions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support driver is segmented into modular components (motor, lead screw, nuts, links, cushion) that can be independently manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows for standardized mass production of individual parts while enabling flexible assembly to accommodate different vehicle seat sizes and requirements.
3Ease of operation
If support assembly components are increased to improve support comfort, then occupant comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple support functions into a single integrated assembly where the motor, lead screw, nuts, and links work together as one coordinated system. This integration provides comfortable support through multi-point contact while avoiding the complexity of multiple independent adjustment mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead screw mechanism automatically converts motor rotation into precise linear positioning of the nuts and cushion, eliminating the need for complex control systems or additional actuators. The mechanism self-regulates the motion and positioning, providing comfortable support with minimal control 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 system effectively supports occupants with minimal power consumption and prevents cushion deformation, allowing for comfortable support in various positions and reducing the weight and complexity of the support assembly.
Implementation Method 1
a lead screw disposed at the rear of the cushion, connected to a drive shaft of a motor, and including threads provided on one side and the other side to extend in opposite directions; nuts screw-coupled to one side and the other side of the lead screw
Implementation Method 2
links each including one end coupled to a corresponding nut of the nuts so as to be pivotable about a shaft extending in a top-bottom direction and the other end extending from one end toward the support block
Data Source
AI summary
Proposed is a support driver for a seat and a support assembly including the same. The support driver is configured to operate within a limited space while supporting an occupant comfortably and safely. The support assembly has a structure in which the links push the central portion of the cushion in close contact therewith while remaining in intersection with each other. Advantageously, the links are able to push the cushion with a minimum amount of power within a limited space.