Seat Depth Adjuster Locking Slider Noise Elimination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat depth adjusters often produce rattling and grinding noises due to unnecessary play between components, which affects user experience and handling.

Innovation Solution

A seat depth adjuster with a base plate and support plate that includes a locking slider with a tooth structure, an energy storage device such as a rubber buffer or spring, and a rail system to eliminate play and noise, while maintaining easy handling and manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the locking slider is pressed into the toothed base plate using an energy storage device, then play and noise are eliminated, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise eliminationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking slider is integrated with the slider in a unified component design, eliminating the need for separate locking and sliding mechanisms. This merging reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the noise elimination function through the energy storage device that presses the locking slider into the toothed base plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The energy storage device automatically maintains pressing force on the locking slider against the toothed base plate, eliminating the need for additional active control mechanisms. The system self-regulates to eliminate play and noise without requiring external intervention or complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the support plate is made displaceable relative to the base plate for ease of adjustment, then ease of operation improves, but unnecessary play and noise are generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of adjustmentVSAvoidnoise generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support plate is designed to be dynamically adjustable during operation but statically locked during use. The locking slider engages with the toothed base plate to create a stable, noise-free locked position while allowing easy displacement when the locking mechanism is actuated, thus combining ease of operation with noise elimination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If manual operation of the handle is required to overcome the blocking force, then ease of operation is maintained, but the force required increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual operationVSAvoidforce required
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The energy storage device applies a continuous partial force to press the locking slider into the toothed base plate, eliminating play and noise during normal operation. When adjustment is needed, the user applies excessive force through the handle to temporarily overcome this blocking force, allowing the locking slider to disengage from the toothed section. This approach maintains noise-free operation during use while enabling manual adjustment when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 effectively reduces noise and play between components, ensuring smooth operation and enhanced user experience by using an energy storage device to press the locking slider into the base plate teeth, preventing rattling and squeaking.

Implementation Method 1

the energy storage device can, for example, be provided in the form of a rubber buffer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

The locking slider incorporates the energy storage device, which, in its operating position, presses the locking slider into the toothed base plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Implementation Method 3

The slider has a slider spring. This slider spring ensures that the handle always returns to its starting position after manual operation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP3431330B1Seat depth adjuster
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 KOKINETICS GMBH
  • EP3431330B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3431330B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3431330B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a seat depth adjuster for a motor vehicle seat with a base plate (10) and a support plate (1), wherein the support plate (1) is displaceable and lockable relative to the base plate (10), wherein the support plate (1) comprises a handle (2), wherein the handle (2) comprises a locking slider (5) via a slider (3), wherein the locking slider (5) is slideable into and extendable from a base plate toothing (12) of the base plate (10), wherein the locking slider (5) comprises a power storage device (11) and the power storage device (11) in working position presses the locking slider (5) into the base plate toothing (12).