Seat Actuator Assembly With Blind Bowden Cable Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuating devices for vehicle seats require cumbersome assembly of the Bowden cable with the handle and risk damaging the seat cover during engagement of fastening means, leading to potential tears.
Innovation Solution
An actuating device design that allows for blind assembly of the Bowden cable with the handle, utilizing a defined end fitting and guide rib to connect the cable without additional assembly steps, and a clamping mechanism to distribute force and prevent cover tears, featuring a nose and tab design for secure fixation and a plug-in part for simplified assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the Bowden cable is connected to the handle in a traditional manner with separate assembly steps, then the connection can be secure, but the assembly process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cable connection and handle assembly into a single integrated operation. The cable end fitting is designed to connect to the handle during the same assembly step that the handle is mounted on the panel, eliminating the need for a separate cable attachment step. This merging of operations directly reduces assembly time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable end fitting is pre-positioned or pre-oriented in a defined starting position that allows it to automatically align with and connect to the handle during the mounting process. This preliminary positioning enables the cable to be connected without requiring additional manual adjustment or separate assembly operations.
2Strength
If fastening means are used to engage the seat cover, then the cover can be securely attached, but the cover may tear due to perforation during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clamping mechanism with collars and a clamping gap as an intermediary method to attach the seat cover. Instead of using fastening means that perforate the cover, the clamping mechanism secures the cover by applying distributed pressure along a surface, thereby achieving secure attachment without causing tears or damage to the cover material.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the attachment method from point-based perforation to surface-based clamping. By distributing the attachment force along a surface rather than concentrating it at specific perforation points, the mechanical stress on the cover is reduced, preventing tears while maintaining secure attachment.
3Productivity
If the Bowden cable is connected to the handle simultaneously during handle mounting, then assembly is simplified, but precise alignment and connection must be achieved in one step
Solution Approach 1:
The cable end fitting is designed with self-aligning features that enable it to automatically position itself correctly relative to the handle during assembly. The defined starting position and geometric features of the end fitting allow it to guide itself into the correct orientation and connection point, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment while maintaining connection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable end fitting and handle connection features are designed with asymmetric geometric features that provide a unique, predetermined orientation. This asymmetry ensures that the cable can only connect to the handle in the correct position, automatically achieving proper alignment during the assembly process without requiring additional alignment steps or high precision manual positioning.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an actuator for a vehicle, comprising a base (4), a covering element (5), a handle piece (6), and a Bowden cable (25) that is provided with a terminal fitting (26). The invention or a particular embodiment thereof also relates to an actuator comprising two collars (10, 13). A cover (16) is clamped between said collars.