Vehicle Seat Backrest Erection Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat backrest systems require excessive time to fold up into an upright position due to the use of small, high-speed electric motors, and there is a need for a solution that allows for both comfortable and quick erection of the backrest from a loading position.
Innovation Solution
The system provides for both electromotive and manual erection of the backrest by decoupling the electromotive drive from the seat structure's movement kinematics, allowing selection between comfort and speed, using an electrically activatable unlocking mechanism that can be actuated independently of the electromotive driving device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a small, high-speed electric motor with reduction gear is used to fold up the backrest, then the motor size and cost are reduced, but the folding time becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two erection modes: electromotive mode for comfort and manual mode for speed. The manual mode is activated when rapid backrest erection is needed, bypassing the slow electromotive process. This dynamic selection resolves the contradiction by providing both a small motor for cost savings and fast erection capability through manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the actuation parameter from purely electromotive to manual when fast erection is required. By allowing parameter change between different actuation methods, the system overcomes the time limitation imposed by the small motor while maintaining the cost benefits of using a compact motor design.
2Device complexity
If the electromotive drive is coupled directly to the seat structure's movement kinematics, then the system is simpler, but the user cannot independently choose between comfort and speed modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the actuation function into two independent paths: electromotive actuation for comfort and manual actuation for speed. The electromotive drive and manual operation are decoupled, allowing independent selection of actuation modes. This segmentation enables both simplicity and versatility by providing distinct, non-interfering actuation pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary control mechanism that allows independent activation of manual erection without affecting the electromotive drive system. This intermediary enables mode selection flexibility while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying mechanical structure, resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and actuation versatility.
3Speed
If manual erection is provided as an alternative to electromotive erection, then fast erection is achieved, but the system requires additional unlocking mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The electromotive driving device serves multiple functions: it can both unlock the locking mechanism and perform the actual erection when activated. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated unlocking mechanisms, as the existing electromotive system handles both tasks, thereby minimizing additional complexity while enabling fast manual-style erection.
Solution Approach 2:
The unlocking function and erection function are merged into a single electromotive driving device. By combining these functions, the system avoids adding separate unlocking mechanisms, thus achieving fast erection capability while minimizing the increase in system 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
This solution enables fast and comfortable erection of the backrest from a loading position into an upright seating position, allowing users to choose between electromotive and manual actuation without functional overlap, improving efficiency and user convenience.
Implementation Method 1
A pretensioning means formed as spring exerts a force on the backrest in direction of the condition folded forwards
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat, in particular rear seat or rear bench, including a seat part, a backrest pivotally articulated to the seat part, whose position is variable between an upright seating or use position and a loading position folded forwards in direction of the seat part, a locking device arresting the backrest in the seating position, an unlocking device for unlocking the locking device for folding the backrest forwards from the seating position into the loading position, and an electromotive driving device for erecting the backrest from the loading position into the seating position. The unlocking device includes a manually actuatable release element and an electrically activatable unlocking means, so that electromotive erection or a fast manual erection of the backrest of a vehicle seat from the loading position into the upright seating is possible.