Vehicle Seat Actuator Assembly With Guided Bowden Cable Fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuators for vehicle seats face challenges during assembly, particularly with the complex and manual connection of cables to handle pieces, which can lead to seat cover damage due to the engagement of fastening means.
Innovation Solution
The actuator design includes a base with a guiding element that positions a terminal fitting for the Bowden cable, allowing for blind assembly of the handle piece without additional manual steps, and features clamping and frictional connections to secure the seat cover, reducing assembly complexity and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fastening means are used to connect the seat cover to the actuator, then the seat cover is secured to the actuator, but the seat cover may tear due to the engagement of fastening means
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the fastening means (screws, clips, or other fasteners) from the connection between the seat cover and the actuator. Instead, the seat cover is directly integrated with the actuator housing through a recess-recess configuration, eliminating the need for separate fastening components that could cause damage during engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the seat cover attachment function with the actuator housing structure itself. The recess in the actuator housing and the corresponding recess in the seat cover work together as an integrated connection system, combining the functions of structural support and cover attachment without requiring separate fastening mechanisms.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual connection steps are required to connect the Bowden cable to the handle piece, then precise alignment can be achieved, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-aligning connection system where the terminal fitting of the Bowden cable automatically positions itself relative to the handle piece during assembly. The recess-recess configuration guides the components into proper alignment without requiring manual intervention, allowing the assembly process to be completed by simply pushing the components together.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates pre-formed recesses in both the actuator housing and the seat cover that are designed to guide and align components during assembly. These pre-prepared structural features ensure that when the components are brought together, they automatically assume the correct relative positions, eliminating the need for subsequent alignment adjustments.
3Reliability
If multiple assembly steps are required to connect components, then each connection can be secured properly, but the overall assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple connection functions into a single integrated structure. The recess-recess configuration between the actuator housing and seat cover simultaneously provides structural support, cover attachment, and alignment guidance, allowing all these connections to be established in a single assembly action rather than through multiple separate steps.
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator (1) for a vehicle includes a base (4), a covering element (5), a handle piece (6) arranged rotatably in the covering element (5), and a cable (25) with a terminal fitting (26). The actuator (1) is insertable into a metal structure of a vehicle seat backrest. The base (4) has a guiding element (32) that moves the terminal fitting (26) into an initial position for assembling the handling piece (6) to the terminal fitting (26). The guiding element (32) is between a core (24) of the cable (25) and prevents the terminal fitting (26) from rotating.