Vehicle Seat Fitting Wedge Segment Friction Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat fittings face inefficiencies due to high friction between steel components, leading to increased power requirements and potential self-locking issues during adjustment movements.
Innovation Solution
The fitting incorporates geared connection with wedge segments mounted on both sides by sliding or rolling bearings, reducing friction and allowing for efficient rolling movement, while a brake mechanism maintains self-locking functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wedge segments are mounted directly on steel components, then self-locking capability is maintained through high static friction, but friction losses increase and driving power requirements rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a collar extension as an intermediary component between the wedge segments and the fitting parts. This collar extension with its toothing enables geared connection, allowing the wedge segments to engage with teeth rather than sliding directly on steel surfaces. This intermediary mechanism maintains self-locking through gear engagement while reducing friction losses during movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct sliding friction mechanism with a geared rolling mechanism. Instead of wedge segments sliding directly on steel surfaces, they engage with toothing on the collar extension, converting sliding friction into rolling friction and gear engagement. This substitution reduces friction losses while maintaining the self-locking capability through the gear mechanism.
2Device complexity
If wedge segments slide directly on steel surfaces, then structural simplicity is maintained, but friction between components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collar extension serves as a mediating structure that adds toothing to the otherwise simple steel component. This addition enables the wedge segments to engage through gear teeth rather than direct sliding contact, reducing friction force while adding only one intermediate component to the structure.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high friction is used for self-locking, then stability is maintained, but driving power requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the direct sliding friction system with a geared engagement system. The wedge segments engage with toothing on the collar extension, creating a mechanical advantage through gear engagement. This substitution reduces the driving power required while maintaining stability through the self-locking gear mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs curved wedge segments that engage with curved gear teeth on the collar extension. This curved geometry enables smooth rolling engagement rather than sliding contact, reducing friction and driving power requirements while maintaining the self-locking capability through the curved gear engagement.
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 design reduces energy losses during adjustment, lowers driving power requirements, and ensures safe and efficient operation by minimizing friction and maintaining self-locking capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a first sliding bearing or rolling bearing, by way of which the wedge segments are mounted with little friction on the second fitting part
Implementation Method 2
a first sliding bearing or rolling bearing, by way of which the wedge segments are mounted with little friction on the second fitting part
Implementation Method 3
wedge segments, which at least partially define an eccentric that is rotatably mounted on the first fitting part and is for driving a rolling movement of first fitting part and the second fitting part on each other
Implementation Method 4
there is geared connection between the first fitting part and the second fitting part so that there can be relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, more particularly for a motor vehicle seat, comprises a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) that is in geared connection with the first fitting part (11), a driver (21) and wedge segments (27a, 27b), which at least partly define a cam that is rotatably mounted on the first fitting part (11) for driving a rolling movement of the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12) against one another, and with a first sliding bearing (28) or rolling bearing, by way of which the wedge segments (27a, 27b) are mounted on the second fitting part (12) with a small amount of friction, at least a first (27a) of the two wedge segments (27a, 27b) being mounted on the first fitting part (11) with a small amount of friction by way of a second sliding bearing (41) or rolling bearing.