Seat Lifter Clutch Angle-Regulating Layout for Lower Outer Ring Weight
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing clutch unit designs for automobile seat lifters face issues with increased weight and limited flexibility in the layout of the angle regulating part due to the radial extension of the claw and the restriction imposed by crimping parts, which limits the allowable rotation angle of the operation lever.
Innovation Solution
The clutch unit incorporates an angle regulating part disposed radially inside the outer peripheral edges of the outer ring member and stationary member, allowing the claw to be accommodated and locked within the stationary member, reducing the weight of the outer ring and enhancing layout flexibility without the need for radial extension or avoiding crimping parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the claw extends radially outside to the outer periphery of the cover, then the angle regulating part can be disposed on the outer periphery, but the weight of the outer ring increases and the claw becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the claw radially outside to the outer periphery of the cover, the invention inverts the arrangement by disposing the angle regulating part radially inside the outer peripheral edges. The claw is positioned inside the stationary member, and the locked part is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the stationary member, thereby achieving layout flexibility without increasing the outer ring weight.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial dimension of the angle regulating part arrangement from radial outward extension to radial inward positioning. By utilizing the inner peripheral surface of the stationary member instead of the outer periphery of the cover, the design achieves flexible layout without adding radial length to the outer ring structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the cutout recess is provided on the outer periphery of the cover to accommodate the claw, then the angle regulating part can function, but the crimping part arrangement is restricted and layout flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the locked part on the inner peripheral surface of the stationary member instead of forming a cutout recess on the outer periphery of the cover. This allows the crimping part to be disposed on the outer periphery without conflict, eliminating the layout restriction and reducing device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A clutch unit includes a lever-side clutch section configured to control transmission and interruption of rotational torque input by a rotation of an operation lever, and a brake-side clutch section configured to transmit the rotational torque from the lever-side clutch section to an output side and interrupt rotational torque that is reversely input from the output side, the lever-side clutch section including a side plate to which the operation lever is fixed and an outer ring member 14 that fits with the side plate, the brake-side clutch section including a cover 24 whose rotation is restricted, in which an angle regulating part 32 configured to regulate a rotation angle of the operation lever is disposed radially inside of outer peripheral edges of the outer ring member 14 and the cover 24 and includes a claw 14c of the outer ring member 14 and a through hole 24b of the cover 24.