Vehicle Seat Fitting with Misuse Protection Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat backrest adjustment mechanisms can lead to destruction of parts due to misuse, where the drive motor brings the fitting to the rearmost adjustment position before the backrest is manually pivoted backwards, causing internal self-locking and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A fitting system with a geared connection between first and second fitting parts, utilizing a rotatably mounted eccentric and drive motor, includes a third fitting part with a detent element and coupling elements that become active in misuse cases to prevent damage by allowing the backrest to pivot freely and lock before reaching the limit of inclination adjustment, using an eccentric planetary gear for stepless adjustment and a free-pivoting unit for non-use positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the drive motor is used to move the fitting to the rearmost adjustment position, then the backrest inclination can be adjusted to the maximum extent, but the drive motor may be destroyed due to internal self-locking when the backrest is manually pivoted backwards
Solution Approach 1:
A coupling element is introduced as an intermediary between the drive motor and the fitting mechanism. This coupling element can disengage from the drive shaft when the backrest is in the non-use position, preventing the transmission of self-locking forces from the drive motor to the fitting mechanism, thus protecting the drive motor from destruction while maintaining full adjustment capability
2Ease of operation
If the third fitting part is designed for free-pivoting the backrest into a non-use position, then the backrest can be quickly positioned, but the coupling elements must be designed to become active only in misuse cases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling elements are designed to automatically engage or disengage based on the position of the backrest and the state of the drive motor, without requiring external control or complex sensing mechanisms. The mechanism self-regulates to provide protection only when needed (misuse cases), maintaining simplicity while enabling quick positioning during normal operation
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
Prevents destruction of parts by ensuring the backrest can be safely pivoted into non-use positions without exceeding the drive motor's limit, maintaining the integrity of the adjustment mechanism and avoiding damage during misuse scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
A rotatably mounted eccentric is provided for being driven, and for causing the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part
Implementation Method 2
The third fitting part may pass the moving detent element by means of gravity
Implementation Method 3
A first coupling element and a second coupling element are provided between the third fitting part and the detent element and are inactive in a normal case and become active in a misuse case
Implementation Method 4
A drive motor is provided for driving the driver, the drive motor being attached to the backrest
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting (10) for a vehicle seat is provided having a seat part and a backrest. The fitting includes a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) in geared connection with the first fitting part (11) for a relative rolling for adjusting the inclination of the backrest between several use positions, a drive motor for driving the relative rolling, a third fitting part (74) for manually free-pivoting of the backrest into a non-use position, the third fitting part (74) being releasable locked with a detent element (75), and a first coupling element (104) and a second coupling element (105) between the third fitting part (74) and the detent element (75). The first coupling element (104) and the second coupling element (105) are inactive in the normal case and become active in the misuse case, when the third fitting part (74) is unlocked and the backrest is in the non-use position and the drive motor is moving the detent element (75) backwards.