Vehicle Seat Longitudinal Adjuster With Electromechanical Latch Return

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing longitudinal adjusters for vehicle seats require manual effort to adjust the seat from an easy-entry position back to a locked position, which is inefficient and labor-intensive.

Innovation Solution

The longitudinal adjuster incorporates an electromechanical device coupled with a latch mechanism and an adjustment device, allowing for automated adjustment of the seat between positions. The electromechanical device biases the latch mechanism between release and latch positions, enabling the adjustment device to drive the upper track relative to the lower track, thereby reducing manual effort.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual adjustment is used to move the seat from easy-entry position back to locked position, then the structure remains simple, but user effort and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of seat adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of adjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electromechanical device enables the seat adjustment system to perform the return-to-position operation autonomously without requiring manual user intervention. The system self-actuates to move the seat from easy-entry position back to locked position, eliminating the need for user effort while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the purely manual mechanical adjustment system with an electromechanical system. The electromechanical device converts electrical energy to mechanical motion to drive the seat adjustment, substituting human physical effort with an automated actuation mechanism while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated electromechanical adjustment is implemented, then productivity and speed improve, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of seat adjustmentVSAvoidcomplexity of electromechanical system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automation by replacing manual mechanical operation with an electromechanical device that converts electrical energy to mechanical motion. This substitution enables high-speed powered rearward motion of the seat and automated return to locked position, significantly improving productivity while maintaining reasonable system complexity through efficient design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromechanical device operates in periodic cycles: actuating to move the seat to easy-entry position, then automatically returning it to locked position. This periodic automated operation enhances productivity by eliminating manual intervention between adjustment cycles while keeping the system design manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of operation

If electromechanical device with spring element is used to bias latch mechanism, then ease of operation improves, but weight of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of latch operationVSAvoidweight of electromechanical device

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element in the electromechanical device serves as a counterbalancing mechanism that offsets the weight and force requirements of operating the latch mechanism. The spring provides biasing force to assist the electromagnetic actuator, reducing the overall weight that the motor must move and improving ease of operation while minimizing additional weight through efficient spring design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 significantly reduces the effort required to return the seat from an easy-entry position to a locked position, enabling a high level of automation and efficiency in seat adjustment, while also allowing for high-speed powered rearward motion of the seat.

Implementation Method 1

the electromechanical device is configured as a solenoid having at least one electromagnetic actuator to bias the latch mechanism in one direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic actuation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

at least one spring element to bias the latch mechanism in an opposite direction, particularly when power is interrupted

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring elasticity: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS12214700B2Longitudinal adjuster for a seat and seat

Publication Date: 2025.02.04 KEIPER SEATING MECHANISMS CO LTD

AI summary

A longitudinal adjuster for a seat, in particular vehicle seat, may have at least a fixed lower track and an upper track slidable coupled to the lower track, an adjustment device for longitudinally adjusting the upper track relative to the lower track, a latch mechanism to latch the upper track relative to the lower track, and an electromechanical device relatively coupled to the latch mechanism. The electromechanical device may be configured to bias the latch mechanism between a release position and a latch position, and upon release of the latch mechanism the adjustment device is actuated to drive the upper track relative to the lower track.