Vehicle Seat Height Adjustment Handle with Deformable Sections
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat height adjustment devices are complex, prone to errors, and require many components, leading to reliability issues and increased space requirements, particularly in small vehicles like forklifts and tractors.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat height adjustment device featuring a handle element with interconnected sections that deform in specific directions to actuate switches for upward and downward adjustments, utilizing film hinges for a compact, intuitive, and cost-effective design, minimizing mechanical interactions and positional tolerances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a complicated mechanism with numerous components is used for height adjustment, then the adjustment function can be achieved, but the reliability decreases and the device becomes error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complicated intermediate mechanical components from the height adjustment mechanism. By using a direct switch actuation system where switches are mounted on the scissor mechanism members themselves, the design removes unnecessary intermediate components that caused tolerance accumulation and reliability issues, while maintaining the height adjustment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the switch mounting function directly into the scissor mechanism structure. The switches are mounted on the scissor mechanism members, combining the structural support function with the control actuation function, thereby reducing the total component count and eliminating separate mounting mechanisms.
2Reliability
If numerous components interact mechanically, then the adjustment mechanism can function, but the positional tolerances add up and the adjustment becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate mechanical transmission components that caused tolerance accumulation. By having switches mounted directly on the scissor mechanism members and actuated by direct movement of these members, the design eliminates multiple mechanical interaction points where positional tolerances could add up, ensuring reliable adjustment.
3Reliability
If a complicated mechanism with many components is used, then the height adjustment can be achieved, but the space requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the scissor mechanism structure itself. The scissor mechanism members serve both as structural support elements and as actuation surfaces for the switches. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting brackets, linkages, and intermediate components, thereby reducing the overall space requirement while maintaining the height adjustment function.
Solution Approach 2:
The scissor mechanism members are designed to perform multiple functions: providing structural support for the seat, enabling height adjustment through their scissoring motion, and serving as actuation surfaces for the switches. This multi-functionality reduces the total component count and minimizes the space required for the height adjustment mechanism.
4Reliability
If many components are assembled, then the adjustment mechanism can be built, but the assembly becomes expensive and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the complicated intermediate components from the assembly. By mounting switches directly on the scissor mechanism members and using direct actuation, the design reduces the number of parts that need to be assembled, simplified the assembly process, and reduced costs associated with complex assembly procedures.
Data Source
Figure 1~2a
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 2d~2e
AI summary
A vehicle seat (1) with an upper part (2) which is adjustably mounted relative to a lower part (3) by means of a height adjustment device (4) in the height direction (1z) of the vehicle seat (1), wherein the height adjustment device (4) comprises a first switch (51) by means of the actuation of which the upper part (2) can be adjusted upwards (1z1), and a second switch (52) by means of the actuation of which the upper part (2) can be adjusted downwards (1z2), wherein a handle element (6) of the height adjustment device (4) is provided with several interconnected and mutually movable sections (61, 62, 63), wherein, starting from a basic state (A) of the handle element (6), a first deformation state (B1) of the handle element (6) is achieved by means of a displacement of the sections (61, 62, 63) relative to each other in a first direction (1z1), and by means of a displacement of the sections (61, 62,63) a second deformation state (B2) of the handle element (6) can be achieved in a second direction (1z2) opposite to the first direction (1z1), wherein in the first deformation state (B1) the first switch (51) can be actuated by means of the handle element (6) and in the second deformation state (B2) the second switch (52) can be actuated by means of the handle element (6).