Vehicle Seat Adjuster Brake Ring Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat adjustment devices require complex and space-consuming attachment mechanisms that poorly transfer loads between the seat and the adjustment device, leading to inefficiencies in design and material usage.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat adjustment device featuring a brake ring with positive and non-positive connection means to a housing, which includes a releasable locking mechanism and a compact design, allowing for improved load transfer and reduced material expenditure, with the brake ring directly connected to the seat or backrest using snap connections or threads.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If complex attachment means are used to connect the adjustment device to the seat part structure, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity and space consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidattachment means complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake ring is integrated directly with the seat part structure (seat cushion or backrest) to form a unified component, eliminating the need for separate complex attachment mechanisms. The adjustment device connects directly to the brake ring, which is already part of the seat structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining connection reliability through direct structural integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The brake ring serves multiple functions: it is part of the adjustment gear mechanism, provides a mounting interface for the adjustment device, and is integrated with the seat part structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated attachment means, reducing complexity while ensuring reliable load transfer through a single integrated component.

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

2Reliability

If complex attachment means are used to connect the adjustment device to the seat part structure, then the connection reliability is improved, but the material expenditure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmaterial expenditure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By merging the brake ring with the seat part structure into a single integrated component, the number of separate parts requiring material is reduced. The attachment device connects directly to this integrated brake ring, eliminating the need for additional attachment hardware and thereby reducing total material expenditure while maintaining connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the separate attachment means from the system by integrating their function directly into the brake ring and seat part structure. This extraction of unnecessary components reduces material expenditure while the essential connection function is maintained through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If the adjustment device is designed with space-consuming attachment means, then the connection reliability is improved, but the compactness of the adjustment device deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidadjustment device volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The brake ring is merged with the seat part structure, allowing the adjustment device to connect directly to the seat without requiring space-consuming intermediate attachment mechanisms. This integration enables a compact adjustment device design while maintaining reliable load transfer through the directly connected brake ring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Ease of manufacture

If loads are poorly transferred between the vehicle seat and the adjustment device, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the strength of the connection deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing easeVSAvoidload transfer strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The brake ring is integrated with the seat part structure to form a unified load-bearing component. This integration creates direct load transfer paths from the adjustment device through the brake ring to the seat structure, improving connection strength while the modular adjustment device itself remains easy to manufacture and assemble.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2603396B1Vehicle seat with an adjuster device
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HLDG SARL
  • EP2603396B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP2603396B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (100), comprising an adjusting device (2), for example for adjusting the height and/or tilt of a seat part structure (20) and/or of a backrest structure connected to the seat part structure (20), wherein the adjusting device (2) is fastened to the seat part structure.