Vehicle Seat Recliner Ring Structure for Collar Load Dispersion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The existing recliners for vehicle seats suffer from deformation and damage of the collar part due to concentrated loads, leading to deteriorated engagement performance and increased friction, which is exacerbated by non-uniform surface roughness and scratches on the collar part.
Innovation Solution
A ring member is coupled to the collar part to disperse applied loads, featuring a first protruding portion for leakproofing and a second protruding portion for socket contact, with optimized surface roughness through polishing, ensuring smooth operation and enhanced engagement performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the thickness of the collar part is increased to prevent deformation under load, then the strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases and surface roughness becomes non-uniform causing increased friction
Solution Approach 1:
The collar part is segmented into two components: the original collar part and a separate ring member. This segmentation allows the ring member to bear the load and prevent collar part deformation, while the collar part itself maintains its original thin profile and manufacturing simplicity. The ring member acts as a reinforcement element that distributes stress without requiring the entire collar part to be thickened.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring member serves as an intermediary element between the load source and the collar part. It mediates the load transmission by distributing the applied forces around the collar part, preventing stress concentration and deformation. This intermediary structure allows the collar part to remain thin and easily manufacturable while still achieving the required strength.
2Ease of manufacture
If the collar part is produced by burring or forming process, then the manufacturing ease is improved, but the surface roughness becomes non-uniform and scratches are formed increasing friction
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the collar part and the ring member, where the ring member's outer surface is specifically optimized for low friction. This allows the collar part to be manufactured easily by burring or forming processes, while the ring member's polished surface compensates for the friction issue, creating a low-friction interface with the wedges.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system have different surface quality requirements. The collar part can have a rougher surface from burring or forming processes since it's not in direct contact with friction elements. The ring member's outer surface, which contacts the wedges, is polished to achieve low friction. This local quality differentiation allows easy manufacturing of the collar part while maintaining low friction where needed.
3Ease of manufacture
If the collar part is made thinner to reduce manufacturing complexity, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the load-bearing capacity decreases causing deformation and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The collar part is segmented from the reinforcement function, which is provided by the separate ring member. This allows the collar part to be thin and easy to manufacture, while the ring member provides the necessary structural support and load-bearing capacity to prevent deformation and ensure reliable operation.
4Ease of manufacture
If the surface roughness is increased to improve manufacturing ease, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the friction of the wedges increases adversely affecting operation
Solution Approach 1:
The friction interface is segmented from the collar part and relocated to the ring member. The ring member's outer surface is specifically polished to achieve low roughness and low friction, while the collar part can have a rougher surface that is easier to manufacture. This segmentation allows optimization of each component for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The surface quality is differentiated locally: the ring member's outer surface that contacts the wedges is polished to achieve low friction, while other surfaces can have higher roughness for easier manufacturing. This local quality optimization ensures low friction where it matters most without compromising manufacturing ease elsewhere.
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
The ring member disperses loads, preventing collar part deformation and ensuring smooth operation by minimizing friction and maintaining engagement performance, while preventing foreign substances and coating liquids from entering the recliner.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of wedges 103 interposed between a bushing 108 and a collar part 101b of the first gear 101 and elastically supported by a spring 109
Implementation Method 2
a ring member 230 coupled to surround the collar part 212... The ring member disperses loads, preventing collar part deformation
Implementation Method 3
A flange portion 234 is formed on an outer diameter portion of the ring member 230, and the flange portion 234 is coupled to an accommodation groove 213 formed along a periphery of the collar part 212 of the first gear 210
Implementation Method 4
A first protruding portion 235 is formed on one surface 230a of the ring member 230, and the first protruding portion 235 is in contact with a relative assembling surface of the socket 250... preventing a coating liquid from entering the ring member
Implementation Method 5
a pair of wedge cams 240 disposed between the ring member 230 and the second gear 220 and configured to restrain or release the ring member 230 and the second gear 220
Implementation Method 6
a first gear 210 having a collar part 212... a second gear 220 configured to eccentrically engage with the first gear 210... the second gear 220 is rotated by a rotation of a socket 105 connected to the shaft 110
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention provides a recliner for a vehicle seat, the recliner including a first gear having a collar part extending from a center of one surface, a second gear configured to eccentrically engage with the first gear while being internally in contact with the first gear, a ring member coupled to surround the collar part, a socket coupled to surround the ring member, and a pair of wedge cams disposed between the ring member and the second gear and configured to restrain or release the ring member and the second gear.