Pivotable Seatback Support Link Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seatback structures for vehicle seats with pivotable upper support mechanisms face interference issues between moving components and occupy significant space, complicating design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A compact seatback structure design featuring a pair of lower and upper side frames with a link mechanism, where the link is partly covered by the frames to prevent interference and an actuator with a linear output end, minimizing the lateral dimension and ensuring unobstructed movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conventional drive mechanism with transmission components is used to tilt the upper seatback support, then the tilting function is achieved, but the mechanism occupies large space and components may interfere with surrounding members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary transmission components from the drive mechanism. By directly connecting the actuator output to the link mechanism, complex transmission elements such as gears, belts, and intermediate shafts are removed, achieving the tilting function with a compact structure that occupies minimal space and eliminates interference with surrounding members.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a conventional actuator that rotates and requires transmission mechanisms to convert motion, the patent inverts the approach by using a linearly moving actuator output that directly drives the link mechanism. This inversion of the motion type eliminates the need for complex transmission components while achieving the same tilting function.
2Ease of manufacture
If various component parts are arranged over a large area of the seatback, then the drive mechanism can accommodate all necessary parts, but component parts may interfere with the seatback pad and surrounding members
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drive mechanism components into a compact integrated assembly. The actuator, link, and pivot mechanism are combined in a space-efficient arrangement that fits within the seatback frame structure, preventing components from protruding into the seatback pad area and eliminating interference with surrounding members.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where the link mechanism is positioned within the space between the upper and lower side frames. The actuator is mounted on the lower side frame, and the link connects to the upper side frame, creating a nested configuration that utilizes available space efficiently while preventing interference with external components.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact actuator design is used, then the drive mechanism size is reduced, but the actuator must be efficiently integrated with the link mechanism to ensure unobstructed movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the conflict between compact size and unobstructed movement by utilizing the vertical dimension between the upper and lower side frames. The link is arranged vertically to connect the actuator on the lower side frame to the upper side frame, allowing the compact actuator to operate without interfering with lateral components while maintaining full range of motion through the vertical space available in the seatback structure.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a seatback structure for a seatback provided with a lower seatback support and an upper seatback support pivotably connected to the upper end of the lower seatback support. An actuator (17) is fixedly secured to one of a pair lower side frames (6) of a seatback frame (F), and an output end (17a) of the actuator is configured to move linearly along a length of the lower side frame, and a link (25) is provided with an upper end pivotally connected to a part of a corresponding upper side frame (7) and a lower end pivotally connected to the output end of the actuator. The upper end portion of the lower side frame and the lower end portion of the corresponding upper side frame comprise plate members facing laterally each other in an overlying relationship, and at least partly interposing the link therebetween.