Vehicle Seat Actuating Shaft Force Introduction Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat designs experience increased friction and wear in the fittings due to transverse forces acting on the actuating shaft during the easy-entry function, leading to higher actuating forces and compromised operating haptics.
Innovation Solution
A force introduction means with a double-ended lever system, featuring two lever arms extending in different directions from the actuating shaft, engages the pulling means to transmit torque while canceling out transverse forces, thereby reducing friction and wear at the fittings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional single-point force introduction method is used to actuate the actuating shaft, then the actuating mechanism is simple, but transverse forces occur on the actuating shaft leading to increased friction and wear at the fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The force introduction means is divided into two separate lever arms (first lever arm and second lever arm) that independently engage the pulling means. This segmentation allows the pulling force to be distributed across two engagement points, enabling torque transmission while canceling transverse forces through proper geometric arrangement of the lever arms relative to the actuating shaft.
2Ease of operation
If transverse forces act on the actuating shaft during easy-entry function, then the fittings can be actuated, but friction and wear increase leading to higher actuating forces required
Solution Approach 1:
The second lever arm is positioned and dimensioned to create a counterbalancing effect against the transverse forces generated by the first lever arm. By arranging the lever arms such that their transverse force components are equal and opposite, the net transverse force on the actuating shaft is reduced to approximately zero, eliminating the harmful side effect while preserving the useful torque transmission for actuating the fittings.
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 reduces transverse forces on the actuating shaft, minimizing friction and wear at the fittings, resulting in lower actuating forces and improved operating haptics for the vehicle seat.
Implementation Method 1
a force introduction means (6) which is arranged on the actuating shaft (4) and comprises a first lever arm (H1) and a second lever arm (H2), wherein the pulling means (50) engages the first lever arm (H1) and the second lever arm (H2) for introducing an actuating force into the actuating shaft (4)
Implementation Method 2
By means of such lever a torque is exerted on the actuating shaft
Implementation Method 3
the pulling means (50) is mounted on the two lever arms such that via both lever arms a force or a torque is introduced into the actuating shaft
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat comprises a seat part, a backrest part and at least one fitting which connects the backrest part with the seat part pivotally about a pivot axis and is formed to hold the backrest part in position to the seat part, when it is in a locked condition, and to permit pivoting of the backrest part relative to the seat part, when it is in an unlocked condition. An actuating shaft connected with the at least one fitting, which extends along a longitudinal axis, can be pivoted about its longitudinal axis for actuating the at least one fitting. An actuating element for pivoting the actuating shaft is connected with the actuating shaft via a pulling means. A force introduction means is provided, which is arranged on the actuating shaft and includes a first lever arm and a second lever arm, wherein the pulling means engages the first lever arm and the second lever arm, in order to introduce an actuating force into the actuating shaft.