Vehicle Seat Locking Unit with Offset Bearing Bolt for Pitch Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing locking units for vehicle seats require multiple components to adapt to different pitches, increasing production and storage costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The locking unit features bearing bolts with offset through-openings that can be rotated to adjust the pitch, allowing for adaptation to various pitches using identical components, with press-fit regions and grooves for secure alignment and fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used to adapt to different pitches, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bearing bolt is designed with an offset through-opening that can be rotated to different angular positions, allowing a single component to serve multiple pitch adaptation functions. The through-opening's offset position relative to the bearing axis enables the same bearing bolt to accommodate different pitch requirements simply by rotation, eliminating the need for multiple specialized components.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing bolt is made rotatable about its bearing axis, introducing dynamic adjustability to the locking unit. This rotation capability allows the pitch to be adapted during assembly or maintenance without requiring multiple static components for different pitch configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components are used for different pitches, then adaptability is improved, but production and storage costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single bearing bolt design with an offset through-opening serves multiple pitch requirements, reducing the variety of components that need to be manufactured and stored. The universal design allows one component type to replace multiple pitch-specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The pitch adaptation is achieved by changing the angular orientation parameter of the through-opening relative to the bearing axis, rather than changing the physical component itself. This parameter-based adaptation reduces manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the through-opening is aligned with the bearing axis, then manufacturing is simpler, but adaptability to different pitches is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The through-opening is deliberately positioned asymmetrically (offset) relative to the bearing axis. This asymmetric positioning is what enables pitch adaptation through rotation, as the offset creates different effective pitch distances depending on the rotational angle of the bearing bolt.
Solution Approach 2:
The bearing bolt's ability to rotate introduces dynamic adaptability. The offset through-opening remains easy to manufacture (circular cross-section), but its effective position changes dynamically with rotation, providing pitch adaptability without complicating the manufacturing of the through-opening itself.
Data Source
AI summary
A locking unit (10) for a vehicle seat (1) includes a housing with at least on side plate (16) and/or a cover plate (18), and at least one bearing bolt (51, 52) having a bearing axis (56). The at least one bearing bolt (51, 52), in an axial direction, is penetrated by a through opening (55) having a through axis (53). The through axis (53) of the through opening (55) extends offset to the bearing axis (56) of the bearing bolt (51, 52).