Vehicle Seat Height Adjustment Play Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing height adjustment apparatus for vehicle seats experiences interference and play issues with the rack gear due to fixed pinion and bracket rollers, leading to reduced vibration performance and inconsistent operating force during height adjustments.
Innovation Solution
A height adjustment apparatus is designed with a play adjustment bracket that includes first and second rack gear guides, which exert repulsive forces to guide the rack gear's motion, and a stopper to block pinion gear rotation, ensuring constant operating force and reduced interference and play.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the pinion gear and bracket rollers are fixedly installed, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but interference and clearance occur in the rack gear during height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket roller is changed from a fixed installation to a movable one that can move along the link. This dynamic configuration allows the roller to adapt to changes in the rack gear's position and angle during height adjustment, maintaining continuous contact and preventing interference and clearance issues while keeping the structure relatively simple
2Device complexity
If the rack gear moves between fixed pinion gear and closing bracket rollers, then the height adjustment mechanism is simple, but vibration performance deteriorates due to interference and clearance
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket roller is designed to move along the link rather than being fixed, enabling it to track the rack gear's motion dynamically. This reduces impact and clearance during operation, significantly improving vibration performance while adding minimal complexity to the overall mechanism
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rack gear is allowed to move freely, then the operating range is large, but operating force becomes inconsistent during height adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The movable bracket roller provides continuous contact with the rack gear, creating a feedback mechanism that automatically adjusts the roller's position to maintain proper engagement. This ensures consistent operating force throughout the height adjustment range while preserving the full operating range of the 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
The solution effectively reduces interference and play in the rack gear, enhancing vibration performance and maintaining constant operating force during seat height adjustments by using repulsive forces from the guides and the stopper to manage the rack gear's motion.
Implementation Method 1
a rack gear engaged with a top end of the pinion gear and coupled with the seat bracket via an hinge, the rack gear moving according to driving of the pinion gear such that the rack gear raises and lowers the side frame
Implementation Method 2
a play adjustment bracket for guiding up and down motion of the moving rack gear by providing repulsive force to a top portion of the rack gear
Implementation Method 3
a stopper to block pinion gear rotation
Data Source
AI summary
A height adjustment apparatus for a vehicle seat may include a pinion gear mounted in a side frame having a front portion and a rear portion are connected to a seat bracket by links; a rack gear engaged with a top end of the pinion gear and coupled with the seat bracket via an hinge, the rack gear moving according to driving of the pinion gear to raise and lower the side frame; and a play adjustment bracket for guiding up and down motion of the moving rack gear by providing repulsive force to a top portion of the rack gear, the play adjustment bracket being fixedly positioned by being fastened with a plurality of support pins provided in the pinion gear and the side frame.