Vehicle Seat Adjustment Device Friction Structuring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat adjustment devices face challenges in achieving high static friction to prevent unintentional adjustments due to vibrations while maintaining low sliding friction for easy intentional adjustments, often requiring complex coatings or lubricants.
Innovation Solution
The adjustment device features structuring on surfaces made from the same material, optimizing friction conditions with high static friction and low sliding friction, utilizing direct laser interference structuring for cost-effective and efficient production, and incorporating lubricants in structured areas for improved lubrication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a coating that reduces sliding friction is applied to the brake and/or component, then sliding friction is reduced for easier adjustment, but static friction is also reduced which compromises prevention of unintentional adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different contact areas: the brake surface has a coating for low sliding friction, while the component surface has a structured surface (micro-pyramids or grooves) that maintains high static friction. This local differentiation allows the brake to slide easily during intentional adjustment while the structured component surface prevents unintentional movement through high static friction grip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surface structure combining a coated brake surface with a structured component surface. The brake is made of one material with a low-friction coating, while the component is made of the same material but with a micro-structured surface that enhances static friction. This composite approach allows simultaneous optimization of both sliding and static friction characteristics.
2Reliability
If the brake and component are made of the same material to increase static friction, then unintentional adjustment is prevented, but sliding friction increases making adjustment more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different contact areas: the brake surface has a coating for low sliding friction, while the component surface has a structured surface (micro-pyramids or grooves) that maintains high static friction. This local differentiation allows the brake to slide easily during intentional adjustment while the structured component surface prevents unintentional movement through high static friction grip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the surface geometry parameter of the component by introducing micro-structures (micro-pyramids with 10-100 μm height or grooves with 10-50 μm depth). This parameter change increases the effective contact area and interlocking, thereby maintaining high static friction even when both parts are made of the same material, while the coated brake surface ensures low sliding friction.
3Ease of operation
If a coating is applied to reduce sliding friction, then adjustment is easier, but the coating reduces static friction which compromises stability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different contact areas: the brake surface has a coating for low sliding friction, while the component surface has a structured surface (micro-pyramids or grooves) that maintains high static friction. This local differentiation allows the brake to slide easily during intentional adjustment while the structured component surface prevents unintentional movement through high static friction grip.
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 approach results in a low-wear, easy-to-use adjustment device with reduced lubricant requirements, providing enhanced operational safety and simplicity by maintaining high static friction while minimizing sliding friction during intentional adjustments.
Implementation Method 1
the coefficient of static friction is high in this case
Implementation Method 2
the coefficient of sliding friction should be as low as possible
Implementation Method 3
two coherent and collimated laser beams being superimposed on the surfaces to be structured in the area of a structuring zone
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an adjusting device, in particular for the backrest inclination adjustment of a vehicle seat, said adjusting device having a first fitting part (5) and a second fitting part (6), wherein the first fitting part can be rotated in relation to the second fitting part about an axis of rotation, wherein the adjusting device has at least one coupling means (4) for coupling the first fitting part and the second fitting part and wherein at least part of a surface of the coupling means and/or of the first fitting part and/or of the second fitting part has structuring.