Vehicle Seat Recliner Bushing for Compact Hinge Pin Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing vehicle seat designs require a large space and mass for supporting the hinge pin due to the size of the hinge bracket and rotating operation member, which is inefficient in terms of component size and weight reduction.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle seat configuration includes a bushing with a block shape and a through hole to support the hinge pin, a cable operation bracket that is rotatable around the hinge pin's center axis, and a cover member to inhibit the hinge pin from falling out, allowing for reduced component size and mass while maintaining high positional accuracy of the cable operation bracket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a hinge bracket and rotating operation member are used to support the hinge pin, then the hinge pin can be rotatably supported, but the mass and size of the components increase and more space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates unnecessary components (hinge bracket and rotating operation member) from the system, retaining only the essential bushing for rotational support. This simplification reduces component mass while maintaining the core function of supporting the hinge pin rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of the hinge bracket and rotating operation member into a single integrated bushing component. The bushing simultaneously provides rotational support and structural mounting functions, reducing the total number of parts and overall component mass.
2Reliability
If a hinge bracket and rotating operation member are used to support the hinge pin, then the hinge pin can be rotatably supported, but the size of components increases and more space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes unnecessary components (hinge bracket and rotating operation member) that occupy excessive space, retaining only the compact bushing. This extraction reduces the overall volume required for the supporting structure while maintaining rotational support functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention combines multiple functions into the single bushing component, eliminating the need for separate hinge bracket and rotating operation member assemblies. This merging significantly reduces the total volume occupied by supporting components.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cable operation bracket position is determined by internal dimensions, then assembly is flexible, but positional accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical positioning method (based on internal dimensions and assembly flexibility) with a geometric constraint system. The cable operation bracket's position is determined by external dimensions and contact points with the bushing, providing precise positional control through geometric relationships rather than flexible mechanical adjustment.
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 effectively reduces the mass and size of components supporting the hinge pin, achieving high positional accuracy and simplifying the attachment process, thereby optimizing space usage in vehicle seats.
Implementation Method 1
a bushing forming a plain bearing that rotatably supports the hinge pin
Implementation Method 2
an elastically deforming portion configured to apply an elastic force to the cable operation bracket
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat includes: a recliner plate with a recliner attached thereto, the recliner plate being fixed to a cushion frame; a hinge pin configured to cause the recliner to perform a release operation; and a bushing forming a plain bearing that rotatably supports the hinge pin, and being fixed to the recliner plate. The bushing has a block shape with a through hole which the hinge pin passes through, and is directly fixed to the recliner plate.