Seat Frame Actuator Bracket Design to Avoid Shaft Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing reclining mechanisms for vehicle seats face challenges in attaching actuators to side frames without interference with the rotation shaft, require a large number of components, and struggle with maintaining a stable positional relation between bolts and shafts during welding, while also needing to consider the rigidity and load generated by armrest rotation.
Innovation Solution
A seat frame design featuring a side frame with a rotation shaft that penetrates the side wall, an actuator attachment bracket with a C-shape following the outer edge of the reclining mechanism, and a connection frame that integrates the attachment bracket, reducing components and ensuring stability and rigidity by positioning welding areas to avoid interference with the rotation shaft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a reinforcement bracket is bonded to the side frame to fix the actuator, then the actuator can be securely attached, but the shaft may interfere with the reinforcement bracket
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment bracket is merged with the side frame by bonding them together, eliminating the need for a separate reinforcement bracket. This integration maintains attachment strength while reducing structural complexity and avoiding interference with the shaft.
Solution Approach 2:
The side frame is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides structural support, acts as the attachment surface for the actuator bracket, and positions the shaft. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a dedicated reinforcement bracket.
2Productivity
If the number of components is decreased to simplify the structure, then manufacturing efficiency improves, but the rigidity of the attachment bracket may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By bonding the attachment bracket to the side frame, the two components function as a unified rigid structure. This merging maintains the required rigidity while reducing the total number of components and simplifying manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment bracket is designed with a C-shape curvature that follows the outer edge of the reclining mechanism attachment area. This curved geometry provides structural rigidity while accommodating the shaft rotation and avoiding interference.
3Manufacturing precision
If the welding area is set to stabilize the positional relation between the bolt and shaft, then positioning accuracy improves, but the welding operation becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment bracket is designed with pre-determined positioning features and a C-shape geometry that naturally guides the shaft into the correct position. This preliminary positioning action ensures accurate bolt-shaft alignment while simplifying the welding operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment bracket serves as an intermediary element that mediates between the side frame and the actuator. It provides a stable bonding surface and positioning reference, ensuring accurate shaft alignment while facilitating easy welding operations.
4Ease of operation
If the attachment bracket is designed to avoid interference with the shaft, then the shaft can rotate freely, but the bracket shape becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment bracket is designed with a C-shape curvature that follows the outer edge of the reclining mechanism attachment area. This curved geometry naturally accommodates the rotating shaft, providing clearance and avoiding interference while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bracket for attaching an actuator is easily bonded to a side frame while avoiding the interference with a shaft for driving a reclining mechanism. In a vehicle seat S including a side frame 11 which is provided at each of both ends of a seat back frame F1 in the width direction, a reclining mechanism 10 which is operated by the rotation of a penetration shaft 3b, and an actuator 50 which is driven so as to rotate the penetration shaft 3b, the reclining mechanism 10 is attached to a side wall 12 of the side frame 11, and the actuator 50 is fixed to an attachment bracket bonded to an inner surface of a portion to which the reclining mechanism 10 is attached in the side wall 12 in the width direction. Additionally, an upper portion 36 which is disposed above the attachment portion of the reclining mechanism 10 in the side wall 12 and a lower portion 37 which is disposed below the attachment portion thereof in the attachment bracket are connected to each other at the rear ends thereof and are separated from each other at the front ends thereof.