Vehicle Seat Recliner Socket Structure for Collar Load Dispersion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing recliners for vehicle seats face issues with load concentration on the collar part of the first gear, leading to deformation and increased friction due to non-uniform surface roughness and gaps causing operational inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A socket with first and second coupling portions is designed to disperse the load and minimize friction by being coupled to the collar part, with polished surfaces to enhance smooth operation and improved responsiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the collar part is increased to prevent deformation under load, then the strength is improved, but the friction of the wedge cams is increased due to non-uniform surface roughness and scratches
Solution Approach 1:
A socket is introduced as an intermediary component between the wedge cams and the collar part. The socket includes a first coupling portion that connects to the inner diameter of the collar part and a second coupling portion that connects to the outer diameter of the collar part. This intermediary structure disperses the load and provides a smooth contact surface for the wedge cams, preventing direct contact between the wedge cams and the rough collar part surface, thereby reducing friction while maintaining structural strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If a gap is provided in the contact portion between the wedge cam and socket to compensate for dimension tolerance, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the responsiveness of the seatback is deteriorated due to time delay in rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The socket is designed with a second coupling portion that protrudes toward the wedge cam, and the wedge cam is designed with a corresponding groove that engages with this protrusion. This preliminary engagement structure ensures that the wedge cam is pre-positioned and maintains continuous contact with the socket, eliminating gaps and preventing rotation delays before the operational force is applied, thereby improving responsiveness while still allowing for manufacturing tolerances.
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 effectively disperses load on the collar part, maintains engagement performance, and reduces friction, ensuring smooth operation and enhanced responsiveness of the recliner mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of wedge cams 103 coupled to an outer portion of the collar part 101b... The wedge cams 103, which are in contact with the collar part 101b and rotate
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a recliner for a vehicle seat, the recliner including a first gear (210) having a collar part (212) at a center thereof, a second gear (220) being internally in contact with the first gear and configured to eccentrically engage with the first gear, a socket (250) including a first coupling portion (251) having an outer diameter portion coupled to an inner diameter portion of the collar part (212), and a second coupling portion (252) having an inner diameter portion coupled to surround an outer diameter portion of the collar part while being in contact with the outer diameter portion of the collar part (212), and a pair of wedge cams (240) disposed between the second coupling portion (252) of the socket (250) and the second gear (220) and configured to restrain or release the socket and the second gear.