Vehicle Seat Longitudinal Adjuster Memory Device Extraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing longitudinal adjusters for vehicle seats often require a memory device located within the seat rails, which can compromise stability and load-bearing capacity, and lack efficient braking mechanisms for precise positioning.

Innovation Solution

A longitudinal adjuster with a memory device attached to the first seat rail, utilizing a friction wheel that contacts the second seat rail, allowing for detection of the memory position and subsequent braking to prevent further movement, eliminating the need for levers or linkages through the seat rail and enhancing load-carrying capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the memory device is arranged within the seat rails, then the structure is compact, but the stability and load-bearing capacity of the seat rail is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory device arrangementVSAvoidseat rail stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The memory device is extracted from the interior of the seat rails and mounted externally on the first seat rail. This extraction eliminates the need for internal mounting structures that would compromise the seat rail's structural integrity and load-bearing capacity, while still achieving compact integration through external attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If a blocking element is used to stop the seat rail, then positioning is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex with additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidbraking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The traditional mechanical blocking element system is replaced with a friction-based braking mechanism. The friction wheel applies friction force to the contact surface on the second seat rail, creating a braking effect that achieves precise positioning without requiring complex blocking elements, holes, or additional linkage mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If levers or linkages are passed through the seat rail to actuate the locking device, then the locking function is achieved, but the seat rail's load-bearing capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking device actuationVSAvoidseat rail load-bearing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation mechanism for the locking device is extracted from the seat rail interior and mounted externally on the first seat rail. This eliminates the need for levers or linkages to pass through the seat rail, preserving its structural integrity and load-bearing capacity while maintaining full actuation functionality through external mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If the friction wheel continuously contacts the second seat rail, then precise position detection is enabled, but friction and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory position detectionVSAvoidfriction loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The friction wheel engages in periodic contact with the second seat rail - continuous contact during position detection and movement, then disengagement when positioning is complete. This periodic action enables precise memory position detection during adjustment while minimizing friction and wear during the stationary phase, reducing energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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 configuration improves stability and load-bearing capacity by allowing precise positioning and higher speed braking, reducing the risk of instability and enhancing the overall performance of the longitudinal adjuster.

Implementation Method 1

a relative movement between the first seat rail and the second seat rail starting from a seat longitudinal position referred to as the memory position being detectable by means of a friction wheel of the memory device, with the friction wheel contacting a contact surface that can be moved relative to the memory device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

a braking element can be brought into contact with the contact surface... it is possible, in particular due to the friction between the friction wheel and the contact surface, to shift the first seat rail relative to the second seat rail in the direction of the memory position and to prevent the first seat rail from moving beyond the memory position

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3290259B1Length adjuster for a vehicle seat and vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HLDG SARL
  • EP3290259B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3290259B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3290259B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a longitudinal adjuster (10) for a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat part (3) and a backrest (5), wherein the longitudinal adjuster (10) has a first seat rail (12) and a second seat rail (14), wherein the first seat rail (12) is displaceable relative to the second seat rail (14) in a longitudinal direction (x), wherein a memory device (20) associated with the first seat rail (12) and cooperating with the second seat rail (14) is provided, wherein a relative movement between the first seat rail (12) and the second seat rail (14) originating from a seat longitudinal position designated as a memory position can be detected by means of a friction wheel (22) of the memory device (20), wherein the friction wheel (22) for this purpose contacts and moves along a contact surface (14a) movable relative to the memory device (20).wherein the friction wheel (22) of the memory device (20) can be locked when the memory position is reached again, thereby bringing a brake element (100) into contact with the contact surface (14a). Furthermore, the invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) comprising a seat part (3), a backrest (5) and a longitudinal adjuster (10) connected to the seat part (3).