Vehicle Seat Linkage for Smooth Cushion Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat apparatuses experience distortions and interruptions in smooth arm swing due to relative position slippage and assembly accuracy issues in the link mechanism, leading to unreliable and non-smooth variations in seating surface length.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat apparatus with a link mechanism comprising a sector gear, driving mechanism, and arm, where the link mechanism includes a first bracket, second bracket, and link bracket, allowing for rotation and linear movement to absorb locus errors and looseness, ensuring smooth operation by connecting the arm to the gear member through a series of pins and brackets, preventing torsion and ensuring reliable arm swing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the assembling accuracy of the driven link at the fixed point is enhanced, then the reliability of the connection is improved, but the smooth swing of the arm is more interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism is divided into multiple segments (drive link, driven link, first bracket, second bracket, link bracket) that can rotate relative to each other. This segmentation allows each component to accommodate positional deviations independently through rotation, maintaining both connection reliability and smooth arm swing without requiring high assembling accuracy at any single connection point.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the drive link and driven link are moved in the longitudinal direction to vary the seating surface length, then the adaptability of the seat is improved, but distortions and looseness are generated in the link mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The link mechanism employs dynamic rotational joints between the first bracket, second bracket, and link bracket that allow the mechanism to adapt its configuration during operation. As the seating surface length varies, these joints rotate to accommodate changing geometric relationships, maintaining stability and preventing distortions while enabling full range of motion for the arm.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat apparatus including a cushion body provided on a frame member, a seat cushion, a gear member, a driving mechanism, an arm, and a link mechanism having a first bracket rotatably supported at the gear member, a second bracket rotatably supported at the first bracket, and a link bracket, a first end of which is rotatably supported at the second bracket, and a second end of which is connected to the arm. The arm is connected to the gear member through the link mechanism, and with an up-and-down operation of a front-end portion of the cushion body relative to the frame member by means of a swing of the arm, a length of the seating surface is variable in a longitudinal direction.