Seat Recliner Brake Engagement for Low-Noise Reverse Locking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brake devices for vehicle seat recliners generate braking force through friction between metal materials, leading to increased part count, operational issues like noise, vibration, and harshness, and require a more reliable mechanism to engage and release braking force.
Innovation Solution
A brake device for a vehicle seat recliner that uses a housing with key and protrusion portions to engage and disengage, allowing rotation with a forward input and preventing rotation with a reverse input, utilizing a spring-supported fixture and a release lever to control the engagement of these components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If braking force is generated through friction between metal materials, then braking force is produced, but the number of parts increases and operational problems (noise, vibration, harshness) occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional friction-based mechanical braking system with a cam-based mechanical engagement system. The cam mechanism converts rotational motion into linear motion to directly engage and disengage the brake shoe from the brake drum, eliminating the need for friction-based braking components and reducing part count while maintaining braking effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the friction-generating metal-to-metal contact components from the braking system. By using a cam mechanism that leverages the existing brake drum and shoe structure, the patent eliminates unnecessary friction-based parts while preserving the essential braking function through direct mechanical engagement.
2Force
If braking force is generated through friction between metal materials, then braking force is produced, but noise and vibration occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the friction-based mechanical system with a cam-based engagement system that uses controlled mechanical contact. The cam mechanism provides precise engagement points that minimize impact and vibration, replacing the continuous friction contact that generates noise and harshness while maintaining effective braking force through direct mechanical engagement.
3Reliability
If a brake unit is separately mounted to the outside of the recliner, then braking function is added, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the braking function with the existing recliner structure by integrating the cam mechanism into the recliner's housing. The cam is mounted on the housing and works with the brake shoe that is part of the recliner assembly, combining the braking function with the structural components rather than adding a separate external brake unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the recliner, houses the cam mechanism, and acts as the mounting structure for the braking system. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate brake mounting structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable braking function.
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
Enhances operational stability by ensuring intended recliner movements occur while preventing unintended movements, reducing noise and vibration, and maintaining device durability.
Implementation Method 1
a fixture provided in the accommodation space of the housing to be coupled to the shaft, supported upwards by a spring
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A brake device of a recliner for a vehicle seat includes: a housing having a through-hole through which a shaft of a seat recliner passes; a fixture provided in an accommodation space of the housing to be coupled to the shaft, having a protrusion portion formed on the outer side thereof, and configured to be prevented from rotating by engagement of the protrusion portion and the key portion while being supported upwards; and a release lever installed above the fixture and configured to press, if a rotational force is applied from the outside, the fixture downwards so as to release the engagement of the protrusion portion and the key portion.