Vehicle Seat Easy-Entry System with Loop-Disk Tension Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing easy-entry systems for vehicle seats lack an efficient mechanism to pivot the backrest into a loading floor position while maintaining comfort and ease of assembly, often requiring tensioned cables that complicate the unlocking process.
Innovation Solution
An integrated easy-entry system with a tension element, such as a Bowden cable, articulatedly connected to an unlocking lever, where the tension element is not tensioned when the backrest is folded down, using a loop-disk connection for simple assembly and suspension, and a transmission arrangement that transforms translational movement into rotational movement to unlock the fitting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the tension element is articulatedly connected to the unlocking lever, then the assembly is simplified and the center of rotation is maintained close to the backrest pivot axis, but the mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The loop-disk connection integrates the tension element directly into the unlocking lever structure, with the loop nested within the disk's receiving element. This nested arrangement simplifies assembly by eliminating separate mounting steps while containing the articulation mechanism within the existing structural boundaries, thus improving ease of manufacture without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated connection acts as an intermediary between the tension element and the unlocking lever, providing a pivot point that maintains the center of rotation close to the backrest pivot axis. This intermediary articulation simplifies the force transmission path and reduces the need for additional alignment components, thereby improving assembly simplicity while introducing only minimal additional complexity to the mechanism.
2Ease of operation
If the tension element is not tensioned when the backrest is folded down, then the suspension is improved and comfort is enhanced, but the unlocking mechanism becomes less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The tension element's articulation allows it to dynamically adjust its tension state based on the backrest position. When the backrest is folded down, the articulation geometry naturally reduces tension to improve comfort and suspension characteristics. When unlocking is required, the same articulation mechanism allows the tension to be effectively transmitted to actuate the unlocking lever, thus maintaining reliability through dynamic adaptation rather than static tensioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the tension parameter of the Bowden cable based on the backrest position. In the folded-down position, the tension is minimized for comfort, while during the unlocking operation, the tension is temporarily increased through the articulation mechanism's geometry to ensure reliable actuation. This parameter change allows the system to optimize both comfort and reliability at different operational states.
3Ease of manufacture
If the loop-disk connection is used for suspending the tension element, then the assembly is simplified, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The loop-disk connection is segmented into distinct functional elements: the loop portion of the tension element and the receiving element on the disk. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and assembled independently, simplifying the overall assembly process. The receiving element is provided with a groove that guides the loop, which reduces the precision requirements compared to a fully integrated connection, as the groove provides natural alignment during assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
An easy-entry system (EE) for a vehicle seat (1) with a backrest (1.1) and a seat cushion (1.2), in arrangement with a fitting (2) for adjusting the inclination of the backrest (1.1) relative to the seat cushion (1.2) at least within a comfort range and optionally with an extended comfort function for positioning the backrest (1.1) beyond an easy-entry position into a loading floor position. The system includes, for initiating an easy-entry function, at least one actuating lever (4) which is coupled via at least one tension element (6) to an unlocking lever (8) for unlocking the inclination adjustment of the backrest (1.1). A translatory movement of the tension element (6) is transformed by means of a sliding element (7.2) of a transmission arrangement (7) into a rotatory movement of the unlocking lever (8) for opening the fitting (2).