Vehicle Seat Fitting Sealing Against Paint Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat backrest adjustment fittings face issues with paint penetration during dip painting, which can compromise the mechanical locking mechanism's functionality and crash resistance due to paint affecting the mechanical parts.
Innovation Solution
The use of elastic sealing elements between the drive element and fitting parts, along with an outer retaining ring, to prevent paint ingress and maintain the integrity of the locking mechanism, while also ensuring the fitting's lubrication is not washed out during the painting process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dip painting process is used to coat the fitting, then corrosion resistance is improved, but paint penetrates into the interior and compromises the locking mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
A seal element is introduced as an intermediary component between the drive element and the fitting parts. This seal element prevents paint from penetrating into the interior of the fitting while allowing the drive element to move axially for actuating the locking mechanism. The seal element thus mediates between the need for paint protection and the need for mechanical movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element is designed as a flexible component that can deform to accommodate the axial movement of the drive element while maintaining the seal. This flexible membrane structure allows the fitting to be dip-painted without paint penetration, as the seal element flexes during operation rather than creating a rigid barrier.
2Ease of operation
If axial gap is provided between drive element and fitting parts for movement, then ease of operation is improved, but paint can penetrate through the gap into the interior
Solution Approach 1:
The seal element serves as a mediator that fills the axial gap between the drive element and the fitting parts. It allows axial movement to occur while preventing paint from using this gap as an entry path into the interior, thus resolving the contradiction between movement freedom and paint protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element's parameters (such as its cross-sectional shape and material properties) are designed to allow axial displacement while maintaining sealing effectiveness. The seal element can compress or deform in the axial direction to permit movement, yet maintains sufficient radial contact pressure to block paint penetration.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing elements are added to prevent paint penetration, then protection against paint ingress is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is extracted as a separate, dedicated component (the seal element) rather than being integrated into the existing structural elements. This allows the seal to be optimized specifically for its sealing function while keeping the rest of the mechanical structure simple and unchanged.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal element is designed as a simple flexible ring or O-shaped component that can be easily manufactured and installed. This simple geometric form minimizes the increase in device complexity while effectively performing the sealing function across the axial gap.
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 effectively seals the axial gaps, preventing paint penetration and ensuring high torque transmission and crash resistance, while reducing costs by using simple and cost-effective sealing means.
Implementation Method 1
dichtmittel (35) in Form eines elastischen Dichtelements
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A fitting (1, 1') is specified, in particular for a vehicle seat, said fitting having a first fitting part (3), a second fitting part (4) which is rotatable about an axis of rotation (7) relative to the first fitting part (3), a locking bolt (10) which is guided displaceably in a radial direction of displacement on the first fitting part (3) and is intended for forming a locking mechanism with the second fitting part (4), and a driving element (11) which is arranged movably between the fitting parts (3, 4) and is intended for the radial deployment and retrieving of the locking bolt (10). In this case, it is provided that, in order to seal the respective axial gap between the driving element (11) and the fitting parts (3, 4), a separate sealing means (35) which provides a seal in relation to the axis of rotation (7) is used. In the case of a fitting (1, 1') of this type, paint is prevented from penetrating via a central opening during a dip-coating process.