Vehicle Seat Memory Module Cam-Controlled Safety Catch
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing adjusting system for vehicle seats lacks an effective mechanism to enhance the locking force between the safety catch and the bottom rail during temporary longitudinal adjustments, particularly when the seat is returning to its original position, without increasing the overall volume or material costs.
Innovation Solution
The safety catch is mounted in a cam-controlled manner with a rolling bearing, allowing translatory movement of the bearing axis during rotation, which intensifies the locking force by altering the lever action and penetration depth, and is guided between a cam-controlling bearing and a rolling bearing to achieve a restricted sequence of movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the safety catch is configured with a longer lever arm to increase locking force, then the locking effect is improved, but the overall volume increases and material costs rise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the bearing axis movable rather than fixed. The bearing axis translates along the cam surface during rotation, allowing the lever arm length to dynamically change. This enables the safety catch to generate high locking force when needed while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between locking force and volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the lever arm dynamically through the cam mechanism. As the safety catch rotates, the cam controls the bearing axis position, effectively changing the lever arm length from a static dimension to a dynamic parameter that adapts to the operational requirements, achieving high force without proportional volume increase.
2Device complexity
If the safety catch is mounted with a fixed bearing axis to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the locking force cannot be intensified without increasing volume
Solution Approach 1:
The cam acts as an intermediary element between the fixed mounting structure and the rotating safety catch. It translates the simple rotational motion into complex bearing axis movement, providing the desired lever arm variation without requiring a complex multi-component mechanism, thus balancing structural simplicity with functional performance.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing a movable bearing axis guided by a cam, the patent transforms a static structure into a dynamic one that adapts its geometry during operation. This dynamic configuration allows the system to achieve high locking force while maintaining relatively simple overall structure, as the complexity is confined to the cam profile rather than the entire mechanism.
3Ease of manufacture
If the bearing axis is fixed during rotation, then the mounting is simplified, but the lever action and penetration depth cannot be optimized for enhanced locking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically movable bearing axis that translates along a cam-guided path during rotation. This dynamic positioning optimizes the lever arm length and penetration depth at different rotation angles, enhancing locking force while maintaining manufacturability through a single cam component that defines the entire motion trajectory.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism enables continuous change of the bearing axis position parameters during operation. The lever arm length and penetration depth are not fixed but vary dynamically according to the cam profile, allowing optimization of locking characteristics without complicating the mounting process, as the entire parameter variation is achieved through the cam's geometric design.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the holding force of the positional locking mechanism, ensuring the memory module remains securely deposited on the bottom rail during seat return, even under strong forces, while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
The safety catch is mounted in a cam-controlled manner so as to be able to rotate in rolling bearing, the rolling bearing being formed by a bearing journal which is non-positively linked with an open surface
Implementation Method 2
The safety catch is mounted in a cam-controlled manner so as to be able to rotate in rolling bearing
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an adjusting system for a vehicle seat, wherein the adjusting system includes a bottom rail that is attached to the vehicle, a top rail that can be rigidly attached to the seat and that can move along the bottom rail, and a memory module that is attached alternately to the seat or to the vehicle and that can move along the bottom rail. The memory includes a movable safety catch for forming a positional locking mechanism with the bottom rail, and a means for forming a positional locking mechanism with a movable seat-mounted control lever. The safety catch can be actuated by the seat-mounted control lever and is mounted in a cam-controlled manner so as to be able to rotate in an open bearing.