Motor Vehicle Seat Lever Decoupling for Handle Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing motor vehicle seat systems often experience unwanted movement of the actuation handle during the easy-entry function, which is not desired and complicates the adjustment process.
Innovation Solution
A manually longitudinally adjustable motor vehicle seat design that includes a pivot shaft secured to the upper rail, with a first lever connected to the control member for comfort-longitudinal adjustment and a second lever connected to the backrest for easy-entry adjustment, featuring a Bowden cable and an abutment to prevent tension on the cable during comfort-release, thus uncoupling the control member from the easy-entry function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the Bowden cable is connected to both the first lever and second lever for easy-entry function, then the backrest folding forward can release the locking means, but the actuation handle moves unintentionally during easy-entry position establishment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lever system into two independent levers (first lever and second lever) that are both pivotably seated on the common pivot shaft. The first lever is connected to the Bowden cable core for comfort-release, while the second lever is connected to the Bowden cable sheathing for easy-entry release. This segmentation allows the two functions to operate independently without causing unwanted handle movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an abutment as an intermediary element that the first lever rests upon in its neutral position. This abutment prevents the first lever from moving when tension is applied to the Bowden cable during easy-entry function, thereby eliminating the unwanted handle movement while still allowing the second lever to function properly.
2Reliability
If the first lever and second lever are both connected to the Bowden cable for synchronized movement, then the locking means can be released, but the control member becomes coupled to the easy-entry function causing operational complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the Bowden cable connection into two independent pathways: the core connects to the first lever and the sheathing connects to the second lever. This segmentation decouples the control member from the easy-entry function, allowing the locking means to be released reliably without creating operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the easy-entry function from the control member by connecting the Bowden cable sheathing directly to the second lever, which is independent of the control member. This extraction eliminates the unwanted coupling while maintaining the reliability of the locking release mechanism.
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 ensures that the control member remains stationary during easy-entry position establishment, preventing unwanted handle movement and maintaining precise control over seat adjustments, enhancing user experience by decoupling comfort-release from easy-entry release mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the Bowden cable, which is connected with the backrest, exerts tension upon the second lever, which consequently pivots upon the pivot shaft
Implementation Method 2
The first lever is connected to an actuation handle that is disposed in the front, lower region of the seat component, and that serves for the comfort-longitudinal adjustment of the seat. To effect a comfort-longitudinal adjustment of the seat, an occupant sitting on the seat grabs the actuation handle and pulls it up. This pivot movement is transmitted to the first lever that is connected with the actuation handle. The first lever consequently pivots on the pivot shaft that is secured to the upper rail
Implementation Method 3
The core of a Bowden cable that is connected with the backrest of the seat is mounted in the second lever. The sheathing of this Bowden cable is secured to a support that is secured to the upper rail. When the actuation handle is not actuated, the first lever rests upon an abutment that is formed by an angled-off portion of the second lever
Data Source
AI summary
Longitudinally adjustable motor vehicle seat comprising opposite rail pairs; a lower rail for securement to a chassis and an upper rail secured to a seat component, displaceable in the lower rail. Two pivotable levers are associated with the rail pairs. A second lever is connected to a locking mechanism for securing the upper rail; both levers are connected to a seat backrest. Upon operation of a control member connected to the levers for comfort-longitudinal seat adjustment, a first lever synchronously pivots the second lever to release the locking mechanism. A Bowden cable is connected to the backrest for adjustment when the backrest is folded forward into an easy-entry-position. A Bowden cable core is attached to the first lever, and a sheathing thereof is secured to the second lever. In a neutral position, the sheathing presses the first lever against an abutment secured to the upper rail.