Vehicle Seat Locking Unit Bearing Bolt Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat locking units lack sufficient strength and load-bearing capacity, particularly in withstanding shearing stresses during crashes, and have complex assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat locking unit design featuring a bearing bolt with varying axial sections and a hollow cylinder around a bearing bore, which absorbs loads and simplifies assembly by providing a guided fastening mechanism, enhancing the connection's strength and load-carrying capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a conventional bearing bolt with uniform diameter is used, then the assembly process is simple, but the load-bearing capacity and strength of the connection are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveload-bearing capacityVSAvoidbearing bolt structure
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing bolt is designed with different diameters in different axial sections. The first axial section has a larger first outer diameter to provide high load-bearing capacity and strength in the connection region, while the second axial section has a smaller second outer diameter to reduce material usage and weight. This local differentiation of geometric properties optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio of the bearing bolt.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If screws are used to fasten the locking unit to the structural part, then the connection can be secured, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly processVSAvoidconnection strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is extracted from the bearing bolt itself. The bearing bolt is designed with a through-opening that receives a separate fastening means (such as a screw or rivet). This allows the bearing bolt to focus on providing structural support and load-bearing capacity, while the fastening means provides the securing function, simplifying the overall assembly process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing bolt is pre-positioned in the locking unit and structural part alignment holes before final fastening. The through-opening in the bearing bolt is designed to guide the fastening means, ensuring proper alignment and reducing assembly complexity. This preliminary positioning action facilitates easier and more reliable assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Manufacturing precision

If the bearing bolt protrudes into the fastening opening, then radial fixation is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradial fixationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing bolt features a localized protrusion in the first axial section that extends into the fastening opening of the lock connection plate. This protrusion provides radial fixation and alignment, ensuring precise positioning of the locking unit relative to the structural part. The localized nature of this feature minimizes the impact on overall manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3010752B1Vehicle seat with locking unit
Publication Date: 2019.04.17 ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HLDG SARL
  • EP3010752B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3010752B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) comprising a structural part (3) which has a lock connecting plate (60), and a locking unit (10) secured to said lock connecting plate (60). Said locking unit (10) comprises at least one bearing bolt (51, 52) having a through opening (55) through which securing means (65) pass. The at least one bearing bolt (51, 52) projects through a securing opening (61) of the lock connecting plate (60).