Vehicle Seat Memory Mechanism With Variable Blocking Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat adjustment mechanisms are complex, expensive, and prone to malfunction due to reliance on spring-loaded locking devices, which can fail to guarantee correct locking, especially when transitioning between adjusting and functional positions.
Innovation Solution
A memory device utilizing a variable transmission mechanism, such as a wobble mechanism with a hypocycloid gear assembly, and a pin-slot connection to control the blocking element, allowing for effective blocking without relying on return springs, enabling a simple, robust, and cost-effective design for vehicle seats with a large adjusting area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If spring-loaded locking devices are used for seat positioning, then the seat can be automatically returned to its original position, but the device becomes complex, expensive, and unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the spring-loaded locking devices from the seat adjustment mechanism. Instead of using complex spring mechanisms to automatically return the seat to its original position, the invention uses a simpler transmission mechanism that transfers movement directly from the backrest folding action to the seat position adjustment, removing the need for springs and associated complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism is designed to automatically transfer the movement generated by folding the backrest forward into seat position adjustment. The system uses the energy and motion from the backrest folding action itself to drive the seat forward, creating a self-service mechanism that does not require external springs or additional power sources
2Ease of operation
If spring-loaded locking devices are used for seat positioning, then the seat can be automatically returned to its original position, but the reliability of correct locking is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the unreliable spring-loaded locking devices and replaces them with a transmission mechanism that provides positive mechanical engagement. The new system ensures reliable locking through direct mechanical coupling between the backrest and seat position, eliminating the failure modes associated with spring action
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism acts as an intermediary between the backrest folding action and the seat position adjustment. This intermediary mechanism ensures that the movement is reliably transferred and that the seat is correctly positioned, providing a dependable connection that eliminates the unreliability of direct spring-loaded locking
3Adaptability or versatility
If large gear wheels or other components are used to guide the component over the adjusting area, then the adjusting area can be large, but the space requirement on the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic transmission mechanism that adapts its gear ratio or mechanical advantage during the adjustment cycle. By varying the transmission ratio dynamically, the system can achieve large adjusting areas without requiring proportionally large mechanical components, as the mechanism optimizes its mechanical properties throughout the range of motion
Solution Approach 2:
The transmission mechanism changes its operational parameters during the adjustment cycle, such as varying the effective lever arm length or gear ratio. This allows the system to achieve large seat adjustment distances without requiring large fixed-size components, as the mechanical advantage is dynamically adjusted to match the required motion
Data Source
AI summary
A memory device for blocking a component configured to move between an adjusting position and a functional position is provided. The memory device includes a housing configured to be coupled to the component, a blocking element pivotally coupled to the housing and a variable transmission mechanism coupled to the housing. The variable transmission mechanism is configured to transfer the movement of the component to the blocking element as a variable transmission when the component is moved from the adjusting position toward the functional position. According to one exemplary embodiment, the component is an adjustable easy entry vehicle seat.