Modular Spindle Gearbox for Electric Seat Drives
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spindle mechanisms for electric seat drives in vehicles are not modular, restricting their use to either left-hand or right-hand embodiments and limiting the ability to adjust for different operating and crash forces, necessitating multiple part designs.
Innovation Solution
A spindle mechanism with a modular design featuring a mechanism housing, threaded spindle, and interchangeable covers that allow for both left-hand and right-hand embodiments, enabling the use of identical parts and adjustable crash strength by varying material strength, with separate covers providing different connection geometries for different applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional non-modular spindle mechanism design is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot be used for both left-hand and right-hand embodiments and requires different mechanism housings for different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism housing is divided into a first cover and a second cover that can be attached to a central mechanism housing. The first cover has a first connection geometry for vehicle mounting, while the second cover has a second connection geometry for seat mounting. This segmentation allows the same central housing to be used with different covers for left-hand and right-hand embodiments, reducing the need for multiple unique parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The central mechanism housing is designed with universal mounting interfaces that can accommodate both left-hand and right-hand seat configurations. By making the central housing adaptable to different connection geometries through interchangeable covers, a single housing design serves multiple applications, increasing versatility while reducing part multiplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If different mechanism housings are provided for left-hand and right-hand embodiments, then each embodiment can be optimized for its specific application, but the cost increases due to the multiplicity of parts
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the housing into interchangeable covers and a central housing, the design allows mass production of common components (central housing, motor, spindle) while only the covers need to be varied for different applications. This reduces manufacturing complexity and cost compared to producing entirely different housing assemblies for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular cover design allows the central mechanism housing and internal components to be reused across different applications by simply replacing the covers. This recovery and reuse of expensive components significantly reduces the overall manufacturing cost while maintaining application-specific optimization capabilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single mechanism housing is used for different applications, then the multiplicity of parts is reduced and cost is lowered, but the ability to adjust for different operating and crash forces is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Different covers can be manufactured from materials with different strength properties tailored to specific applications. For example, a first cover for left-hand embodiment and a second cover for right-hand embodiment can have different material strengths optimized for the specific force directions and magnitudes encountered in each configuration, while sharing the same cost-effective central housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The covers can be made from different composite materials or material combinations to achieve the required strength and weight characteristics for different applications. This allows the same central housing to support covers with optimized material properties for specific operating and crash force requirements.
4Ease of operation
If the spindle is mounted perpendicularly to the spindle axis as in prior art, then the mounting direction is fixed, but the modularity and use of identical parts in different applications is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The perpendicular mounting direction is achieved through the connection geometries in the covers rather than being fixed in the central housing. This segmentation allows the central housing to remain orientation-neutral while the covers provide the perpendicular mounting interface, enabling the same central housing to be used in different orientations and configurations for different applications.
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 modular spindle mechanism reduces part complexity and cost, allowing for versatile use in various applications while ensuring secure and reliable connections, enabling efficient absorption of operating and crash forces.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanism housing is configured for mounting a worm gear and a worm, wherein the worm meshes in the worm gear
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a spindle gearbox (1) of an electric seat drive, comprising a gearbox housing (2) for mounting a worm gear (3) and a worm, the worm meshing with the worm gear (3), a threaded spindle (4, 5) connected to the worm gear (3), a first lid (6), and a second lid (7), wherein the first lid (6) and the second lid (7) are fastened parallel to one another on the gearbox housing (2). The threaded spindle (4, 5) is guided through the first lid (6), and the first lid (6) is fastened on the gearbox housing (2) independently of the second lid (7).