Vehicle Seat Reclining Linkage for Single-Drive Bed Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats with reclining mechanisms are often complex, leading to high material consumption and production costs, while also requiring multiple drive units for smooth adjustment.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat with a reclining mechanism featuring two linkage mechanisms that remain uncoupled in the upright position and couple when actuated, allowing for a single drive unit to facilitate a combined movement from an upright seat position to a horizontal bed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple drive units are used for smooth seat adjustment, then the adjustment smoothness is improved, but the device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reclining mechanism is divided into two separate linkage mechanisms (first and second linkage mechanisms) that operate independently in the upright position but can couple together during reclinement. This segmentation allows each linkage to be actuated by separate drive units, enabling smooth coordinated movement while maintaining structural independence for easier manufacturing and maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The two linkage mechanisms are designed to couple together during the reclining process, merging their functions to achieve the combined movement of the seat pan and backrest. This merging allows a single drive unit to control both linkages simultaneously, reducing the total number of drive units needed while maintaining adjustment smoothness.
2Ease of operation
If multiple drive units are used for smooth seat adjustment, then the adjustment smoothness is improved, but the production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanisms are designed to couple only during the specific phase of reclinement when coordinated movement is needed, rather than being permanently coupled. This partial coupling action reduces the complexity of the drive system, allowing fewer drive units to suffice, thereby lowering production costs while maintaining smooth adjustment performance.
3Strength
If the seat support structure is made robust for heavy-duty use, then the strength is improved, but the weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage mechanisms transition between uncoupled and coupled states dynamically during operation. In the upright position, they remain uncoupled, reducing the effective weight and complexity of the moving structure. When reclining is actuated, they couple to provide the necessary structural strength for coordinated movement, thus achieving robust strength only when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat may have a seat support structure that may have at least a fixed base element, a seat pan and a backrest, which are adjustable relative to the base element. The seat support structure may also have a reclining mechanism which is designed to move the seat support structure between an upright seat position and at least a horizontal bed position. The reclining mechanism may have a first linkage mechanism with which the seat pan is coupled to the base element, and a second linkage mechanism with which the backrest is coupled to the base element. The two linkage mechanisms are or have been maintained in an uncoupled state relative to one another in the upright seat position, and when the reclining mechanism is actuated, adopt a coupled state to transfer the seat support structure into the horizontal bed position.