Plastics Holding Device for Vehicle Seat Spindle Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing adjustment devices for vehicle seats require complex and costly fixation methods for the spindle to the guide rail, increasing assembly time and product costs due to the need for multiple parts, such as metal brackets, to securely hold the spindle in place during abnormal loads.
Innovation Solution
A holding device made from plastics material, potentially with an elastomeric body and a more rigid insert element, is used to securely fasten the spindle to the guide rail, reducing the complexity and number of parts required, while also providing acoustic isolation to minimize noise and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal holding brackets are used to fix the spindle to the guide rail, then the fixation reliability is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal to plastics, transforming the holding device into a single-piece injection-molded component that integrates the functions of metal brackets while simplifying the overall structure and reducing assembly complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple metal holding brackets into a single plastics holding device that can be produced as one piece through injection molding, thereby reducing the number of parts and simplifying the assembly process while maintaining fixation reliability
2Strength
If multiple metal brackets are used to secure the spindle, then the fixation strength is improved, but the assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple metal brackets into a single plastics holding device produced by injection molding, reducing the number of assembly steps and significantly decreasing assembly time while maintaining the necessary fixation strength through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical assembly of multiple metal brackets with a single plastics component manufactured through injection molding, substituting a complex mechanical assembly process with a more efficient molding process that reduces assembly time
3Reliability
If metal brackets are used to fix the spindle, then the fixation reliability during abnormal loads is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from metal to plastics, utilizing the properties of plastics materials that can provide sufficient fixation reliability while being more cost-effective to manufacture through injection molding processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a plastics holding device that is more economical to manufacture than metal brackets, using cost-effective plastics materials and injection molding technology to reduce manufacturing costs while maintaining adequate fixation reliability
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
This solution simplifies the assembly process, reduces costs, and ensures secure fixation of the spindle during normal and abnormal loads, while also reducing noise and vibrations through effective acoustic isolation.
Implementation Method 1
providing acoustic isolation to minimize noise and vibrations
Data Source
AI summary
An adjustment device for adjusting a longitudinal position of a vehicle seat comprises a first guide rail, a spindle extending along a longitudinal axis, a holding device connecting the spindle to the first guide rail, a second guide rail being linearly movable along the longitudinal axis with respect to the first guide rail, and a gearing fixed to the second guide rail, the gearing being in operative connection with the spindle to move the second guide rail relative to the first guide rail. The holding device herein comprises a body fixed to the first guide rail and made from a plastics material. In this way an adjustment device is provided which may reduce the complexity in particular of the fixation of the spindle to its associated, first guide rail.