Vehicle Seat Base Frame Height Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat base frames face challenges in simple and secure height adjustment, especially under heavy loads, due to unbalanced force transmission and the need for rigid connecting rods, which complicates the adjustment process and increases manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
A base frame design featuring synchronized actuator arms that pivot swing arms directly on both sides, eliminating the need for a connecting pipe, with a synchronization rod coordinating the movement of actuator arms to ensure balanced force distribution and easy height adjustment, and incorporating actuator pinions with toothing for mechanical synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If force is transmitted via a connecting rod to synchronize swing arms, then the rigidity and structural integrity are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the connecting rod from the system entirely. Instead of transmitting force from one swing arm to another through a connecting rod, each swing arm is independently actuated by its own actuator arm, eliminating the need for mechanical connection between opposite sides of the base frame.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a synchronization rod as an intermediary mechanism. This rod receives actuation from one side and mechanically synchronizes the movement of actuator arms on both sides, achieving coordinated swing arm movement without requiring a rigid connecting rod between the swing arms themselves.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid connecting rod is used to transmit force between swing arms, then the stability of height adjustment is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased power loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the force transmission system into separate segments. Instead of one long force transmission path through a connecting rod, the system uses two independent actuator arms that can be actuated separately, with synchronization achieved through the synchronization rod mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization rod acts as a mediator that enables coordinated operation of both actuator arms with reduced power loss. By providing a dedicated synchronization mechanism rather than relying on force transmission through a rigid connecting rod, the system achieves stable height adjustment while maintaining ease of operation.
3Strength
If force transmission through a connecting rod is used, then the crash resistance is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases due to rigid rod requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the expensive rigid connecting rod from the design. Crash resistance is achieved through the inherent strength of the independently actuated swing arms and base frame structure, rather than through a dedicated force-transmitting connecting rod.
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization rod provides a cost-effective alternative to a rigid connecting rod. It achieves the necessary coordination between sides while using simpler, less expensive components that can be manufactured more easily than a rigid connecting rod designed for force transmission.
4Ease of operation
If swing arms are actuated independently without synchronization, then the ease of operation is improved, but the adjustment balance deteriorates causing unbalanced movement
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization rod serves as a mediator that couples the operation of actuator arms on both sides. When one actuator arm is actuated, the synchronization rod ensures the corresponding actuator arm on the opposite side moves in coordination, maintaining balanced adjustment while keeping the operation simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the actuation mechanisms of both sides through the synchronization rod. This allows independent actuation capability on each side while combining their movement through the synchronization mechanism, achieving both ease of operation and adjustment balance.
Data Source
AI summary
A base frame for a vehicle seat comprising two lateral parts and swing arms pivoting in relation to the lateral parts. The base frame can be height adjusted by pivoting the swing arms. Pivoting the swing arms can be caused by operating at least one actuator arm. The actuator arm is rotatably mounted on an anchor point on one of the swing arms so that the swing arms, upon operation of the at least one actuator arm, can be pivoted along a direction of adjustment about a pivot point and, thereby, the lateral parts of the base frame are movable in a direction of height adjustment.