Automobile Seat Rotation Assembly With Rack-Limited 180° Travel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric rotation mechanisms for automobile seats have complex structures, large space occupation, non-modularity, high production costs due to heavy machined parts, and low release force, limiting their applicability and mass production.
Innovation Solution
An electric rotation device with a rotary support, rotary disc, fixed disc, platen, upper and lower ball assemblies, and a driving motor assembly featuring a semicircular rack with special-shaped teeth to prevent over-rotation, reducing processing costs and increasing strength by eliminating gaps and weight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a semicircular arcuate groove is provided on the rotary support to control rotation angle, then the rotation angle is controlled in a range of 0-180°, but processing costs increase and strength of the rotary support reduces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation control function from the rotary support structure by using the engagement between the fixing block and the semicircular arcuate groove. This separates the control mechanism from the load-bearing structure, allowing the rotary support to maintain its strength while still achieving rotation angle control.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing block acts as an intermediary element that engages with the semicircular arcuate groove to control rotation. This intermediary mechanism allows rotation control without directly modifying the rotary support structure, thereby preserving its strength and reducing processing costs.
2Ease of operation
If a fixing block is mounted to the fixed disc to control rotation angle, then the rotation angle is controlled in a range of 0-180°, but weight and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the rotation control function from the main structural components and implements it through a dedicated fixing block mechanism. This allows for precise rotation control without adding significant weight to the overall assembly, as the fixing block is a relatively small component compared to the main structural elements.
3Ease of operation
If rolling rotation mechanisms with multiple hard balls are used, then rotation is achieved, but the structure becomes complex with a large quantity of parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rotation function with the existing structural components of the seat mechanism. By integrating the rotation capability into the fixed disc, rotary support, and ball assembly that already exist in the seat structure, the design avoids adding separate complex rotation mechanisms with multiple parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The existing ball assembly and disc structures are designed to serve multiple functions: supporting the seat, enabling rotation, and controlling rotation angle through the fixing block engagement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated rotation mechanism components.
4Ease of operation
If multistage transmission mechanisms are used for rotation, then rotation control is achieved, but space occupation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the rotation control into two simple stages: the driving gear meshing with the semicircular rack for actuation, and the fixing block engaging with the semicircular arcuate groove for angle limitation. This segmented approach achieves effective rotation control without requiring complex multistage transmission mechanisms that would occupy more space.
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 device achieves efficient 0-180° reciprocating rotation with reduced space occupation, increased strength, and lower costs, preventing wire harness breakage and enhancing the release force, facilitating modular design and mass production.
Implementation Method 1
an upper ball assembly, located between the platen and the rotary disc, an upper ball in the upper ball assembly being configured for rolling contact with the platen and the rotary disc; a lower ball assembly, located between the rotary disc and the fixed disc, a lower ball in the lower ball assembly being configured for rolling contact with the rotary disc and the fixed disc
Data Source
AI summary
An electric rotation device for an automobile seat disclosed in the present invention includes a rotary support, a rotary disc, a fixed disc, a platen, an upper ball assembly, a lower ball assembly, a driving motor assembly, and a semicircular rack. A center of the semicircular rack coincides with a center of rotation of the rotary support. The semicircular rack is meshed with the driving gear. The driving gear in the driving motor assembly is configured to drive, by using the semicircular rack, the rotary support to perform reciprocating rotation in a range of 0-180°. A special-shaped tooth configured to prevent the driving gear from rotating out of the semicircular rack is disposed at each of extreme positions on two ends of teeth in the semicircular rack, so that the driving gear is gradually snapped with the special-shaped teeth to stop further rotation when rotating to the extreme positions on the two ends of the semicircular rack. The present invention has advantages such as an increased strength, reduced costs, and elimination of a gap between extreme positions. In addition, a wire harness of a seat is prevented from being broken as a result of unlimited rotation.