Vehicle Seat Angle Adjustment Device Unlocking Torque Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat angle adjustment devices require high unlocking torque to ensure locking reliability, leading to discomfort during the unlocking process.
Innovation Solution
An angle adjustment device with an unlocking cam, sliding blocks, and elastic pieces that reduce the required unlocking torque by using a second elastic piece to assist the unlocking cam, allowing for a lower external torque requirement and maintaining high locking reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the locking torque of the return spring is set to a relatively large value to ensure locking reliability, then the locking reliability is improved, but the unlocking torque required becomes relatively large, causing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the locking mechanism into multiple independent sliding blocks (at least two) that can be controlled separately. Each sliding block has its own return spring, allowing differential engagement with the ratchet wheel teeth. This segmentation enables one sliding block to maintain locking while another disengages, reducing the torque needed for unlocking operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a dynamic control mechanism where the sliding blocks can be independently actuated to different positions. The expansion and contraction mechanism allows sliding blocks to move radially in response to control signals, enabling progressive engagement or disengagement with the ratchet wheel teeth rather than simultaneous action, thereby reducing peak torque requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple sliding blocks are used to improve locking reliability, then the locking reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sliding blocks onto a single sliding groove plate that rotates together as one unit. The expansion and contraction mechanism is integrated into this common plate, allowing synchronized radial movement of all sliding blocks through a single rotational action. This merging approach maintains multiple engagement points for reliability while reducing the number of independent control mechanisms needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding groove plate serves multiple functions: it provides the rotational mounting for multiple sliding blocks, acts as the expansion and contraction mechanism through its rotation, and provides the structural connection between the sliding blocks and the ratchet wheel engagement points. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and structural 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 achieves comfortable unlocking with reduced external torque needed and ensures reliable locking, even with multiple sliding blocks, enhancing user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a first elastic piece and a sliding groove plate that rotates relative to the ratchet wheel. One end of the first elastic piece is connected to the sliding groove plate, and the other end of the first elastic piece is directly or indirectly connected to the unlocking cam so as to allow the torque of the unlocking cam to be transmitted
Implementation Method 2
a second elastic piece arranged between adjacent expansion and contraction blocks, and two ends of the second elastic piece along the deformation direction are respectively connected with the unlocking cam and the multiple expansion and contraction blocks
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle seat and an angle adjustment device thereof. The angle adjustment device comprises an unlock cam (3), a ratchet wheel (2) provided with internal teeth, and a plurality of slide blocks (4) disposed circumferentially and provided with external teeth. The angle adjustment device further comprises a plurality of extension and retraction blocks (6) corresponding to the slide blocks (4), wherein the extension and retraction block (6) is capable of driving the slide block (4) to move outwards in a radial direction so as to engage the internal teeth with the external teeth. A second elastic member (52) is provided between two adjacent extension and retraction blocks (6), and two ends of the second elastic member (52) in a deformation direction are respectively connected to the unlock cam (3) and the extension and retraction block (6).