Vehicle Seat Adjustment Fitting With Friction Relocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat backrest adjusters face challenges in accommodating high loads and extended adjustment ranges due to increased installation space and weight requirements, especially in autonomous driving vehicles, while maintaining occupant safety and comfort.
Innovation Solution
An adjustment fitting system with a first and second fitting part, a latch mechanism, and a drive mechanism that includes an input disc, retaining disc, and spring assembly, allowing for high-load operation and extended adjustment range with frictional locking and unlocking, enabling two-directional rotation of the backrest relative to the seat part.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the adjustment fitting uses a traditional locking mechanism with brake elements extending to the outer radius of wedge segments, then the braking function is provided, but the device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the braking function from the traditional brake element that extended to the outer radius of wedge segments. Instead, a simplified braking element is used that only needs to contact the projection on the toothing, separating the locking function (handled by latches and toothing engagement) from the braking function, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The braking element is positioned to act on the projection before the latches fully engage the toothing during the locking process. This preliminary braking action prevents unintended rotation during the adjustment process, ensuring reliable locking without requiring a complex brake element structure that extends to the outer radius
2Strength
If the adjustment fitting accommodates high loads with extended adjustment range, then the load capacity increases, but the installation space and weight requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The toothing structure serves multiple functions: it provides the locking engagement surface for latches, acts as a brake contact surface via its projection, and enables the adjustment range limitation through controlled engagement. This multi-functionality allows high load capacity without proportionally increasing weight, as the same structural elements perform multiple roles
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the radial dimension of the toothing projection for braking function, rather than extending the brake element radially outward to the wedge segment outer radius. This dimensional optimization reduces weight while maintaining the braking capability needed for high-load operation
3Device complexity
If the adjustment fitting uses a simplified braking element without extension to outer radius, then the device complexity reduces, but the braking effectiveness may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The projection on the toothing acts as an intermediary element that transfers the braking force from the simplified braking element to the rotation system. This intermediary structure enables effective braking without requiring the brake element to extend to the outer radius of wedge segments, maintaining reliability while reducing complexity
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 system provides secure, high-load operation and extended adjustment range for vehicle seats, ensuring occupant safety and comfort, even in accident scenarios, by using stored energy from a spring assembly to relock the adjustment fitting after drive deactivation.
Implementation Method 1
The adjustment fitting (100, 200) has a spring assembly (160) acting between the input disc (140) and the control disc (150), the spring assembly (160) being preloaded in the activated state of the drive (141), the spring assembly (160) being less preloaded in the deactivated state of the drive (141) than in the activated state of the drive (141)
Implementation Method 2
a retaining disc (170), the retaining disc (170) being connected to the input disc (140) by frictional force, the retaining disc (170) holding the at least one latch (130) in the unlocked position in an activated state of the drive (141)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6A
AI summary
The invention relates to an adjustment fitting (100) for a vehicle seat having a first fitting part (110) and at least one second fitting part (120) pivotable relative to the first fitting part (110) about an axis of rotation (A) and at least one latch (130) for locking the first fitting part (110) to the second fitting part (120), wherein the adjustment fitting (100) comprises an input disc (140) connectable to a drive (141 ) and a retaining disc (170) frictionally connected to the input disc (140), and wherein the retaining disc (170) holds the at least one latch (130) in an unlocked position in an activated state of the drive (141 ).