Seat cushion length adjuster
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive seat assemblies lack additional adjustment features and require higher effort to activate existing electo-mechanical adjustments, failing to accommodate varying driver and passenger preferences efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat assembly incorporating a seat frame, sub frame, electric motor, transmission, and flexible drive shaft, where the electric motor is fixedly mounted to the seat frame and connected to a screw gear through the transmission, enabling efficient activation of adjustments with reduced effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional adjustment features are added to seat assemblies, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electric motor assembly serves multiple functions: it provides both lumbar support adjustment and seat cushion length adjustment through a single motor unit. The motor can rotate the screw gear to adjust lumbar support while also enabling fore-aft movement of the subframe for cushion length adjustment, making one component perform multiple adjustment tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the lumbar support adjustment mechanism and seat cushion length adjustment mechanism into a single integrated assembly. Both adjustment functions share common components including the electric motor, screw gear, and drive shaft, merging what could have been separate mechanisms into one unified system.
2Ease of operation
If electo-mechanical systems are used for seat adjustments, then ease of operation is improved, but activation effort remains high for some features
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms with an electric motor-driven system. Instead of requiring users to manually pull or push components to adjust seat cushion length or lumbar support, an electric motor performs the adjustment automatically when activated by a button, eliminating the need for high activation effort.
Solution Approach 2:
The screw gear acts as an intermediary mechanism between the electric motor and the adjustment components. The motor rotates the screw gear, which converts rotational motion into linear motion to move the subframe and adjust lumbar support, providing smooth and controlled adjustment with minimal user effort.
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 solution provides enhanced flexibility and reduced effort in activating seat adjustments, accommodating diverse user preferences while maintaining existing functionality.
Implementation Method 1
an electric motor including a first output member and fixedly mounted to the front support portion of the seat frame
Implementation Method 2
The flexible drive shaft is drivingly connecting the first output member of the electric motor to the input member of the transmission
Implementation Method 3
The top plate supports a front cushion and rotatably supports a screw gear
Implementation Method 4
enabling efficient activation of adjustments with reduced effort
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly includes a seat frame, a sub frame, an electric motor, a transmission, and a flexible drive shaft. The seat frame includes a front support portion and supports a bottom cushion. The sub frame has a top plate and a base plate. The top plate supports a front cushion and rotatably supports a screw gear. The electric motor includes a first output member and is fixedly mounted to the front support portion of the seat frame. The transmission includes an input member and a second output member. The transmission is fixedly mounted to the base plate of the sub frame. The second output member of the transmission is drivingly connected to the screw gear of the sub frame. The flexible drive shaft is drivingly connecting the first output member of the electric motor to the input member of the transmission.