Road Compactor Seat Decoupling Mechanism for Rapid Manual Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat adjustment systems in construction machines, such as road rollers, face inefficiencies in adjusting the driver's seat over large travel distances, particularly when transitioning from extreme left to extreme right positions, as electric drives require excessive time.

Innovation Solution

The seat adjustment system allows for manual quick adjustment by decoupling the drive motor and/or seat carriage from the gear element, enabling both manual and electrical adjustment options, with a position detection device providing continuous feedback and a decoupling mechanism using a lever or electric lifting magnet.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If electric drive is used for seat adjustment, then adjustment convenience is improved, but adjustment speed for large travel distances deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat adjustment convenienceVSAvoidadjustment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic adjustment system where the drive motor can be selectively coupled and decoupled from the gear element. During manual quick adjustment, the motor is decoupled allowing rapid repositioning; during normal operation, the motor is coupled for electric adjustment. This dynamic switching resolves the contradiction by providing both fast manual adjustment capability and convenient electric adjustment capability depending on the situation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustment system is segmented into two independent modes: electric adjustment mode and manual quick adjustment mode. The decoupling device separates the drive motor from the gear element, allowing the seat carriage to be adjusted manually without motor interference. This segmentation enables the system to switch between electric convenience and manual speed, resolving the time-convenience contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of time

If manual adjustment is used for seat, then adjustment speed is improved, but adjustment convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment timeVSAvoidseat adjustment convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The decoupling device acts as an intermediary between the electric drive system and the manual adjustment mechanism. It allows the operator to easily switch between electric and manual modes without complex operations. The position detection device serves as another intermediary, providing continuous feedback to ensure accurate positioning regardless of the adjustment mode used, thereby maintaining convenience while enabling fast manual adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Extent of automation

If electric drive motor is coupled to gear element, then electric adjustment functionality is maintained, but manual quick adjustment capability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectric adjustment functionalityVSAvoidmanual quick adjustment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between coupled and decoupled states of the drive motor. When electric adjustment is needed, the motor is coupled to the gear element for automated positioning. When quick repositioning is needed, the motor is decoupled allowing manual operation. This dynamic state change resolves the contradiction between maintaining electric functionality and enabling manual capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The decoupling device is positioned locally between the drive motor and the gear element, allowing selective disconnection of the power transmission path. This local decoupling capability enables the system to maintain electric adjustment functionality in normal operation while providing easy access to manual adjustment capability when needed, without compromising either function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If decoupling device is added for manual adjustment, then manual adjustment capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual adjustment capabilityVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The decoupling device is designed with multi-functionality: it serves as the switching mechanism between electric and manual modes, acts as a mechanical interface for manual operation, and provides a mounting structure for the position detection device. By consolidating multiple functions into a single component, the patent minimizes the increase in device complexity while maximizing manual adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the decoupling function with the mounting structure for the position detection device and the interface for manual operation into a single integrated assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while still providing full manual adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables rapid seat adjustments over large distances, allowing drivers to choose between manual and electrical modes, ensuring convenience and efficiency without sacrificing either option.

Implementation Method 1

or electrically with the aid of an electric lifting magnet that can be actuated via a switch

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP2946966B1Road compactor and method for adjusting a seat of a road compactor
Publication Date: 2018.08.01 HAMM AG
  • EP2946966B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2946966B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

In a seat (1) for an operator of a construction machine, in particular for a road roller, with a movable seat carriage (8) with an electric seat adjustment in at least one displacement direction via a drive motor (12) which is coupled to the seat carriage (8) via a transmission element (14), and with a control device (16) for the seat adjustment, it is provided that, for manual adjustment of the seat carriage (8), the drive motor (12) and/or the seat carriage (8) can be decoupled from the transmission element (14).