Vehicle Seat Fitting Decoupling Transmission Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat fitting systems face issues where the actuation of one operating element can be unintentionally triggered by the pivoting movement, leading to unintended unlocking or locking of the backrest, especially when multiple controls are involved or when adjusting the inclination and free pivoting positions.

Innovation Solution

A transmission module decouples the rotation of fitting parts from the transmission rod, using geometrically identical planetary gears and ring gears to maintain the locking state even with spatially different initial positions, ensuring that the locking state is retained during angular changes, and allowing for modular integration with other components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the transmission rod is directly connected to the fitting parts without decoupling, then the structure is simple, but the locking state cannot be retained during angular changes and unintentional actuation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking state retentionVSAvoidtransmission structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A transmission module is introduced as an intermediary component between the transmission rod and the fitting parts. This module includes a first differential gear unit with two ring gears, two sun gears, and a common web that couples them kinematically. The transmission module decouples the rotation of the fitting parts from the transmission rod, allowing the locking state to be retained even when the control element and transmission rod have initial positions with spatially different assignments to the fitting parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple operating elements are used for different adjustments, then the functionality is enhanced, but one operating element can be unintentionally actuated by pivoting movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment functionalityVSAvoidcontrol accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission module segments the control functions by providing separate differential gear units for different adjustments. Each ring gear can be independently actuated by different operating elements, while the common web couples them kinematically. This allows independent control of inclination adjustment and free pivoting without unintentional actuation of one control by the movement associated with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the fitting system allows free pivoting and inclination adjustment, then the versatility is improved, but the locking state may be unintentionally changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition adjustment rangeVSAvoidcontrol predictability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The transmission module enables dynamic control where the locking state is maintained during normal pivoting movements through the decoupling mechanism. The differential gear units allow the system to adapt between locked and unlocked states based on the actuation of specific operating elements, providing predictable control behavior across different operational modes including inclination adjustment and free pivoting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 prevents unintentional actuation of operating elements during angular changes, maintaining the locking state and enhancing the functionality of vehicle seat adjustments by allowing precise control over inclination and free pivoting positions without premature unlocking or locking.

Implementation Method 1

the gear module (70) has two geometrically identical planetary gears, which are kinematically coupled by means of a common web (73)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Data Source

PatentEP2755853B1Fitting system for a vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2016.11.30 JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2755853B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2755853B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2755853B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a fitting system for a vehicle seat, more particularly a motor vehicle seat, having at least one fitting (10) which has a first fitting part (11) and a second fitting part (12), which can be interlocked and rotated relative to one another around an axis (A), a transmission bar (7), the rotation of which unlocks the fitting (10), and at least one control element (5, 8), the actuation of which effects the rotation of the transmission bar (7). According to the invention, the fitting system comprises a gearbox module (70) which is designed as a differential gearbox, arranged concentric to the axis (A), and as a pre-mounted unit which decouples the rotation of the fitting parts (11, 12) and the rotation of the transmission bar (7) from each other, and whose components, mechanically actuated by manually operated control elements (5, 8), act on the first fitting part (11) or the second fitting part (12) of the at least one fitting (10).