Electric Seat Angle Adjuster Damping Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electric seat angle adjusters suffer from operating idle strokes due to processing and assembling errors, leading to synchronization issues, adjustment lag, and noise during reversing operations, which compromise the comfort of the electric seat.

Innovation Solution

An angle adjustment device with an inner and outer toothed plate engagement, featuring an eccentric cavity and an eccentric ring with damping members in the accommodating zones, where the damping members are compressed to eliminate idle strokes and reduce noise by absorbing energy during contact with the driving matching surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a planetary gear transmission principle is adopted in the electric seat angle adjuster, then the transmission function is achieved, but processing and assembling errors cause operating idle strokes between driving members and driving matching surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealignment precision between driving member and driving matching surfaceVSAvoidcomplexity of planetary gear transmission structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A damping member is introduced as an intermediary element between the driving member and the driving matching surface. This damping member fills the gap caused by processing and assembling errors, eliminating the operating idle stroke while absorbing impact energy. The damping member acts as a mediator that compensates for manufacturing tolerances without requiring higher precision manufacturing or more complex adjustment mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the driving member passes through the operating idle stroke during reversing operation, then the reversal motion is achieved, but driving out-of-synchronization and adjustment lag occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresponsiveness of seat angle adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment lag during reversing operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The damping member is pre-installed in the driving cavity to occupy the space where the operating idle stroke occurs. When reversing operation begins, the damping member is already in position to immediately engage with the driving member, eliminating the time delay that would otherwise occur while the driving member travels through the idle stroke. This preliminary positioning of the damping member ensures immediate response during angle adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Power

If the driving member contacts the driving matching surface during reversing operation, then the driving force is transmitted, but impact noise is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission of driving forceVSAvoidimpact noise during reversing adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The damping member is positioned in advance within the driving cavity to provide cushioning before the driving member contacts the driving matching surface. As the driving member moves through the previously existing operating idle stroke, the damping member deforms and absorbs impact energy, cushioning the subsequent contact between the driving member and driving matching surface. This beforehand cushioning eliminates impact noise while maintaining effective force transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of manufacture

If the operating idle stroke exists in the angle adjuster, then assembly tolerance is accommodated, but the comfort of the electric seat deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly tolerance accommodationVSAvoidcomfort degradation due to adjustment lag and noise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The operating idle stroke, which was previously a harmful factor causing adjustment lag and noise, is converted into a beneficial space for placing the damping member. The damping member transforms the harmful idle stroke into a useful feature by occupying this space to provide damping and cushioning functions. This converts the manufacturing tolerance accommodation requirement into an opportunity to improve comfort by eliminating the negative effects of the idle stroke.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 damping members eliminate adjustment lag and reduce noise during reversing operations, enhancing the comfort and smooth operation of the electric seat by ensuring precise alignment and energy absorption.

Implementation Method 1

A damping member is arranged in the first accommodating zone and/or the second accommodating zone, and the damping member is in a compressed state during the working of the driving member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDamping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

the arrangement of the damping member can consume energy when the driving member is in contact with the driving matching surface, thereby reducing the noise during reversing adjustment of the seat and the backrest

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEnergy absorption: Absorption (physical)

Data Source

PatentEP3725587B1Electric seat and angle adjustment device thereof
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 HUBEI AVIATION PRECISION MASCH TECH CO LTD
  • EP3725587B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3725587B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3725587B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

An electric seat and an angle adjustment device thereof. The angle adjustment device comprises an inner toothed plate (11) and an outer toothed plate (12) engaging with each other, and an eccentric cavity formed therebetween. An eccentric ring (13) completely occupying a positive eccentric region of the eccentric cavity is provided in the eccentric cavity. The eccentric ring (13) has a first accommodating region (131) and a second accommodating region (132) along a circumferential direction. The angle adjustment device further comprises a driving component for driving rotation of the eccentric ring (13). A damping component (15) is provided in the first accommodating region (131) and/or the second accommodating region (132), and the damping component (15) is in a compressed state during operation of the driving component. The damping component eliminates a useless stroke in the above operation, thereby eliminating an adjustment lag experienced by a passenger during reverse adjustment of a seat and backrest, and consuming energy generated when the driving component comes into contact with a driving mating surface, thereby reducing noise during reverse adjustment of a seat and backrest, and improving comfort of the electric seat.