Vehicle Seat Inclination Adjustment Device Inside Frame
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat inclination adjustment devices with spindle drives face challenges due to space constraints, increased wear, and reduced service life, as well as complex assembly and high manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The seat inclination adjustment device and drive unit are positioned inside the seat frame side element below the seat surface, eliminating the need for a spindle motor and utilizing external space for additional adjustments, with a support element and non-positive connections ensuring safety and easy assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a spindle motor is used to adjust seat inclination, then the seat inclination can be adjusted, but it requires a large amount of space and increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adjustment function from the traditional spindle motor located outside the seat frame and relocates a compact drive unit inside the seat frame side element. This removes the bulky external components while retaining the inclination adjustment capability, directly resolving the space contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit is nested within the seat frame side element structure, utilizing the internal cavity space. This nesting approach allows the drive mechanism to be housed within the existing structural boundaries, eliminating the need for additional external space.
2Ease of operation
If a spindle motor is used for seat inclination adjustment, then the adjustment function is achieved, but the spindle is exposed to large forces leading to increased wear and reduced service life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional spindle-motor mechanical system with a drive unit that uses a pinion gear and rack mechanism. This substitution reduces the mechanical stress concentration on single components, distributing forces more evenly and reducing wear, thereby improving reliability and service life.
3Ease of operation
If the seat inclination adjustment device is arranged outside the vehicle seat, then it is easier to access, but it consumes valuable external installation space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the device location from the external horizontal space to the internal vertical space of the seat frame. By utilizing the depth dimension within the seat structure, the adjustment device becomes accessible from below while preserving all external surfaces for other vehicle interior components.
4Volume of moving object
If a complex new seat frame construction is used to accommodate the drive unit, then the drive unit can be integrated inside, but it increases manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The seat frame side element is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as the structural support and as the housing for the drive unit. This universal design eliminates the need for separate structural and housing components, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while achieving space optimization.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The vehicle seat (1) has a seat angle adjustment device (2) that is driven by a drive unit (3). The seat angle adjustment device and drive unit are arranged inside a seat frame side structure (4) and below a seat element (5). The drive unit is supported by a supporting element (6) provided on seat frame side structure. A toothed element (11) is arranged between supporting element and seat frame side structure. An independent claim is included for method for operating vehicle seat.