Vehicle Seat Recliner Adapter for Locking Status Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat fittings lack a reliable and cost-effective non-locking indicator that can be easily integrated into manually operable systems without requiring additional space or weight, especially for fittings with limited angular position differentiation between locked and unlocked states.
Innovation Solution
A fitting design that includes an adapter connected to the operating lever, which is returned to a starting position by a return spring, allowing a sensor to detect changes in the indicator's position and convert them into an electrical signal, eliminating the need for additional components in constrained spaces and enabling reliable locking status detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a radially protruding pointer indicator is used to show the angular position of the driver, then the locking status can be indicated, but the angular position change between locked and unlocked states is visually hardly perceptible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter as an intermediary component between the driver and the sensor. The adapter includes a sensor mounting portion that allows the sensor to be attached without requiring additional space on the fitting itself. This intermediary structure enables the sensor to detect the angular position of the driver through the adapter's positioning, resolving the issue of insufficient angular position differentiation by providing a reliable detection mechanism rather than relying on visual perception of small pointer movements.
2Ease of manufacture
If a sensor clip is used to attach the sensor to the fitting, then the sensor can be mounted, but additional installation space, costs, and weight are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor mounting function into the existing adapter structure. The adapter already serves to transmit rotational movement from the driver, and now also provides a sensor mounting portion for attaching the sensor. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate sensor clips or additional mounting components, thereby reducing weight and cost while simplifying the overall structure. The adapter's sensor mounting portion is integrated into the existing design, avoiding additional installation space requirements.
3Ease of operation
If the operating lever is held during the entire free pivoting process, then the backrest can be pivoted freely, but operating comfort is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the driver and indicator to rotate freely during the pivoting process without requiring the operating lever to be held continuously. The play in the profile connection between the transmission rod and the driver enables the driver to rotate back into its initial position even when the fitting is unlocked, while the sensor continuously detects the angular position to determine locking status. This dynamic approach maintains reliability through sensor detection rather than mechanical constraint, improving operating comfort.
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 solution provides a secure, clear, and cost-optimized non-locking indicator that enhances operating comfort by facilitating the detection of small changes in the indicator's position, ensuring accurate locking status detection and reducing the weight and cost of the fitting.
Implementation Method 1
an adapter (55) connected to the operating lever (5) is returned to a starting position by means of a return spring (71)
Implementation Method 2
the sensor (61), which is kinematically coupled to the operating lever (5) via the adapter (55), always correctly and reliably detects the locking status
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a recliner (10) for a vehicle seat (1), in particular for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a) a first recliner part (11) and a second recliner part (12), which can be rotated relative to each other about an axis (A), wherein a toothed ring (17) is formed on the first recliner part (11) and guide segments (14) are formed on the second recliner part (12), b) bolts (16), which are movably guided between a locked state and an unlocked state by means of the guide segments (14) and which interact with the toothed ring (17) in the locked state in order to lock the recliner (10), c) a spring-loaded, rotatably supported eccentric (27), which acts on the bolts (16) in order to cause the bolts to interact with the toothed ring (17), d) a rotatably supported driver (21) for rotating the eccentric (27), e) an indicator (51), which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the driver (21) or to a fastening ring (24) fastened to the driver (21), and f) a sensor (61), which is connected to the recliner (10) and which detects a position change of the indicator (51) and converts said position change into an electrical output signal, wherein according to the invention g) an adapter (55) connected to an operating lever (5) is rotatably supported on the driver (21) or on the fastening ring (24) fastened to the driver (21), h) the adapter (55) is returned to the initial position by means of a restoring spring (71) regardless of the locking state of the recliner (10) if the operating lever (5) is not actuated, and i) the sensor (61) is fastened to the adapter (55).