Vehicle Seat Adjusting Device Pivoting and Folding Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle seat adjusting devices do not adequately facilitate easy entry and exit, as they often require complex manual operations and do not efficiently utilize space for storage or access.
Innovation Solution
An adjusting device with a seat track arrangement and a supporting structure that allows the seat and backrest to pivot and fold, enabling multiple folding positions for enhanced entry access, including the option to upend the seat, with a locking mechanism to prevent unwanted pivoting and a switching arrangement for manual, automatic, or semi-automatic operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat structure is made pivotable and foldable to facilitate entry and exit, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple pivot arrangements and locking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The seat structure is divided into separate functional components: a seat structure with sitting part, a backrest structure with support elements, and a supporting structure with track arrangement. Each segment can move independently (pivoting seat, folding backrest) while being connected through defined interfaces (pivot arrangements, locking means), enabling simplified entry/exit operations without requiring a complete structural redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces dynamic movement capabilities to the seat system through pivot arrangements that allow the seat structure to rotate about a pivot axis, and folding mechanisms that enable the backrest to collapse. The locking means provides conditional stability, allowing the system to transition between fixed and movable states, thereby facilitating easy entry and exit while maintaining structural integrity when locked.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the backrest structure is made foldable to create larger entry opening and storage space, then versatility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional folding actions required
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest structure is pre-configured with folding capability and multiple predetermined folding positions through the second pivot arrangement. The support elements are designed to collapse along defined folding axes, allowing the backrest to be folded forward onto the seat structure in advance of entry/exit operations. This preliminary folding action creates the larger entry opening and storage space needed, while the structured design minimizes the complexity of the folding operation itself.
3Reliability
If locking means is provided to prevent unwanted pivoting, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional locking and releasing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking means is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the position and movement of the seat structure relative to the track arrangement. As the seat pivots or moves along the track, the locking mechanism self-activates to secure the seat in valid positions or self-releases when appropriate, reducing the need for separate manual locking operations. This self-service approach maintains position stability while minimizing the complexity of additional control mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
An adjusting device for a motor vehicle seat is provided. The adjusting device includes a seat track arrangement with a first track part on a motor vehicle side and with a second track part arranged displaceably to the first track part. A supporting structure capable of connecting with a seat structure is mounted pivotably on the second track part about a pivot axis of a first pivot arrangement. The supporting structure has a second pivot arrangement with a pivot joint for a backrest structure. The backrest structure is connected and/or capable of being connected with the supporting structure in a foldable manner about a folding axis on a rear side relative to the seat structure. A switching arrangement facilitates an optional pivoting about the pivot axis and/or about the folding axis.