Vehicle Seat Fitting with Integrated Latching and Eccentric Gear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat backrest adjustment mechanisms are inefficient in terms of weight, cost, and material usage, and lack sufficient solidity and continuous adjustability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat fitting system utilizing an eccentric epicyclic gear system with a toothed ring and wheel, where the latching element is integrated into the first fitting part, reducing material usage and weight while enhancing locking solidity through embossed teeth, and allowing continuous backrest inclination adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate latching element is used, then the locking mechanism is more reliable, but the weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The latching element is merged with the first fitting part by being formed directly on it, eliminating the need for a separate latching component. This integration maintains the locking function while reducing the overall weight and part count of the fitting assembly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a complete enclosing ring is used, then the structural stability is improved, but the material usage and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosing ring is segmented or partially configured rather than being a complete ring, allowing it to provide sufficient structural stability while using less material. This partial configuration reduces weight and material consumption while maintaining the necessary structural support.
3Device complexity
If simple locks are used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the locking solidity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The toothed lug features locally embossed teeth with optimized geometry, providing enhanced locking solidity at the critical engagement point without increasing overall device complexity. The embossed teeth create a robust toothed structure that improves locking reliability where needed most.
4Reliability
If a planetary gear system is used, then the adjustment mechanism is more reliable, but the wobbling movement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The central pinion from the planetary gear system is removed, extracting the source of wobbling movement. This modification maintains the continuous adjustability and reliability of the eccentric epicyclic gear system while eliminating the superimposed wobbling motion that occurs in complete planetary gear configurations.
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 reduces weight and cost, increases locking solidity, and enables continuous adjustment of the backrest inclination, improving dynamic operating characteristics and material efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an internally toothed toothed ring (17) is formed on the first fitting part (11), and an externally toothed toothed wheel (16) is formed on the second fitting part (12), the toothed wheel and the toothed ring meshing with each other
Implementation Method 2
the teeth thereof can be embossed, i.e. by non-cutting shaping, in such a way that the tooth spaces are configured in the axial direction at best partly, i.e. non-cut, and configured over the whole material thickness
Implementation Method 3
The basic component of retaining of the eccentric epicyclic gear is provided by friction between the eccentric and one of the two fitting parts
Data Source
AI summary
With a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part and a second fitting part, which are rotatable relative to one another and are in geared connection with each other, an enclosing ring, which axially holds together the first fitting part and the second fitting part, forming a disc-shaped unit, and which is fixed to the first fitting part and engages over the second fitting part radially outside, and a third fitting part which is pivotably mounted relative to the first fitting part and which can be locked by means of a toothed pawl with a latching element which is provided on the first fitting part, the toothed latching element is formed on the first fitting part.