Vehicle Seat Adjustment Device with Pivoting Support and Linear Guide Rail
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle seat adjustment devices are limited in their ability to achieve large longitudinal displacement without increasing space requirements, are difficult to operate, and require significant effort to move due to their design, which restricts the loading of wheelchairs in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle adjustment device featuring a pivotable front support and a guide rail with a sliding carriage that allows for extensive longitudinal displacement of the seat, reducing the need to overcome seat weight and incorporating a locking and release mechanism for easy actuation, enabling larger adjustment paths and effortless operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a curved guide groove is used to limit seat movement, then the seat can be fixed in position, but the longitudinal adjustment range is limited and the guide rail must be made excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is divided into two independent functional components: a linear guide rail that provides the movement path and a separate pivoting mechanism that enables the seat to rotate and slide along the rail. This segmentation allows the guide rail to be short while achieving large adjustment ranges through the combination of linear movement and pivoting action.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism transitions from purely linear movement to two-dimensional movement by introducing a pivoting degree of freedom. The seat can both slide along the guide rail and pivot at an angle, effectively increasing the adjustment range in the longitudinal direction without requiring a longer guide rail.
2Ease of operation
If a foot lever is positioned at the side in the cargo area, then the pivoting mechanism can be actuated, but the lever is difficult to reach and requires considerable force
Solution Approach 1:
A foot pedal positioned in the passenger compartment serves as an intermediary control element. When the foot pedal is actuated, it triggers a release mechanism that allows the seat to move along the guide rail and pivot, eliminating the need for direct manual manipulation of the pivoting mechanism in the cargo area.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism is designed to move the seat along a path that minimizes the work required against gravity. By combining linear sliding with pivoting motion, the seat follows a trajectory that reduces the force needed compared to purely vertical lifting, making the operation more effortless.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a curved guide groove with detent ends is used, then the seat can be locked in position, but incremental adjustments are not possible and only two end positions are achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism transitions from a static, fixed-position system to a dynamic, continuously adjustable system. The seat can be positioned at any point along the guide rail by actuating the foot pedal, which releases the locking mechanism and allows free movement, rather than being constrained to predetermined discrete positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism is designed to be self-locking through friction and gravity when the foot pedal is released, eliminating the need for complex locking mechanisms at each position. The seat automatically maintains its position once adjusted, providing incremental adjustment capability without significantly increasing device complexity.
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
The device allows for significant enlargement or reduction of the rear loading space, facilitating the loading and securing of wheelchairs, while providing easy and accessible operation, reducing the effort required to move the seat and enhancing usability.
Implementation Method 1
the slide can be moved into a sliding engagement with the guide rail (11)... allowing the slide (9) to be moved relative to the guide rail (11) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
a front support (7) to be attached to the seat (3), which is pivotally mounted on a cargo floor (13) or a passenger compartment floor (19)... by pivoting around the pivot-movable bearing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an adjusting device for moving a seat or a seat bench of a motor vehicle in the vehicle longitudinal direction in order to enlarge or reduce a rear cargo area having a tub-like cargo area floor, the lateral tub edges of which lead into a common tub base, on which a wheelchair can be stowed in the cargo area, the adjusting device comprising: a front support, which is to be fastened to the seat and is to be pivotably mounted on the cargo area floor or a passenger compartment floor adjoining the cargo area floor; a guide rail, which is to be fastened to a tub edge; and a rear, seat-side slide, which is in sliding engagement with the guide rail in such a way that the slide can be moved predominantly, preferably completely, linearly relative to the guide rail and the support pivots bearings about the pivot bend line as the slide moves relative to the guide rail.