Vehicle Seat Fitting Spring Mount Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat fitting systems face difficulties in assembly due to the visibility and positioning of spring ends, leading to potential assembly errors and increased complexity, particularly with the need for precise alignment of spring ends with limited visibility during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a spring end that can be fastened to a radially positioned receptacle outside the stop module, allowing for manual fine positioning and visibility during assembly, with a separate stop module and hand lever for easier installation and reduced tooling costs, and a pot-shaped stop module with markings to ensure correct spring alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If both spring ends are arranged inside the stop module to be hidden during assembly, then the appearance is clean and professional, but it becomes difficult to thread the spring ends into their respective positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing alignment marks on the stop module that indicate the correct positioning of spring ends before they are threaded into place. These marks guide the assembler to correctly position the first spring end at the first position and the second spring end at the second position, making the assembly process easier while maintaining the clean appearance of having both ends inside the module.
2Reliability
If multiple holes are provided in the stop module for spring attachment, then the spring can be securely attached, but it increases the risk of accidental misassembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing only a single first position for the first spring end on the stop module, rather than multiple positions. This asymmetric design with a unique, specific location eliminates the risk of misassembly while maintaining secure spring attachment. The single designated position ensures that the spring must be installed correctly, preventing accidental errors.
3Ease of manufacture
If the stop module is designed as a single standardized component for both sides of the seat, then production costs are reduced, but it may not accommodate side-specific assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the stop module as a standardized component that can be used on both the left and right sides of the vehicle seat. The module incorporates alignment marks and a single first position that work universally for both sides, eliminating the need for different left-specific and right-specific modules. This reduces production costs while maintaining the ability to correctly assemble springs on either side through the standardized marking system.
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 simplifies the assembly process by ensuring correct spring installation before connecting the hand lever, reduces assembly errors, and allows for cost-effective production by standardizing the stop module for both sides of the vehicle seat.
Implementation Method 1
A return spring, which is wound helically from spring wire, is arranged inside the stop module. The return spring is used to bias the stop module in the stop position relative to the fitting.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a fitting system for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, comprising at least one fitting (10), which has a first fitting part (11) and a second fitting part (12), which can be locked to each other and can be rotated in relation to each other about an axis (A), a transfer rod (7), the rotation of which unlocks the fitting (10), a hand lever (5), the operation of which rotates the transfer rod (7) at least indirectly in order to unlock the fitting (10), a stop module (50), which is supported on the fitting (10) such that the stop module can be rotated about the axis (A) and which is formed separate from the hand lever (5) and which is operatively connected to the hand lever (5) on one side and to the transfer rod (7) on the other side and which stops the hand lever (5) and one of the fitting parts (11, 12) in relation to each other in at least one rotational direction, wherein the stop module (50) has at least one stop (50b) and the one fitting part (11, 12) has at least one counter stop (51), which interact in a circumferential direction with respect to the axis (A) and define an angular range within which the stop module (50) can be rotated in relation to the one fitting part (11, 12), and a restoring spring (54) having a first spring end (54b) and a second spring end (54c), wherein the restoring spring (54) preloads the stop (50b) in the direction of the counter stop (51) in a rotational direction of the stop module (50). According to the invention, one of the two spring ends (54b, 54c) can be fastened to a spring mount (3b) of the fitting system or of the vehicle seat (1) arranged outside of the stop module (50) in a radial direction. The invention further relates to a vehicle seat having a fitting system according to the invention.