Vehicle Seat Slideway Retraction for Rear Access Robustness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats lack robustness and ease of access in configurations that facilitate both usage and easy entry, particularly when actuator failure occurs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat design featuring a slideway system with a latch and elastic elements, allowing the seat to transition from a usage configuration to a retracted configuration through a retracting movement, ensuring robustness and easy access even in the event of actuator failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the seat is designed to remain in the extreme forward position for easy rear seat access, then ease of operation is improved, but the slideway's robustness deteriorates due to excessive stress concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by defining a specific retracted configuration position that is predetermined to be spaced from the extreme forward position. This predetermined position is designed in advance to balance two conflicting requirements: it provides sufficient forward movement to facilitate rear seat access, while simultaneously maintaining adequate stress distribution on the slideway to preserve its robustness. The retracted configuration is not simply the extreme forward position but a carefully designed intermediate position that preemptively resolves the contradiction between accessibility and structural integrity.
2Device complexity
If a single actuator is used to control both forward translation and retraction, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to potential actuator failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the seat to transition between two distinct operational states: a usage configuration where the seat is held in position during normal operation, and a retracted configuration where the seat moves forward to facilitate access. This dynamic reconfiguration capability allows a single actuator to perform multiple functions - both maintaining the seat in its operational position and retracting it when needed. The system adapts its configuration based on operational requirements, allowing the same actuator to reliably control both the extended and retracted states without requiring redundant actuators.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lower rear hinge axis is fixed in position, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to perform retracting movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the hinge axis system into two distinct functional components: a fixed lower front hinge axis that provides stable rotational support and maintains manufacturing precision, and a movable lower rear hinge axis that can translate forward and rearward along the longitudinal direction to enable the retracting movement. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in its respective function - the fixed axis ensures precise positioning and stable operation, while the movable axis provides the necessary adaptability for configuration changes. The two segmented elements work together to resolve the contradiction between precision and versatility.
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 seat achieves improved robustness of the slideway and facilitates easy access by allowing the seat to be placed in a retracted configuration, ensuring functionality even if the actuator fails.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic element... the elastic element urges the lower rear hinge axis to move forward along the longitudinal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat comprising a squab, a slideway, a front connecting rod, a rear connecting rod, a linking rod, a latch and an elastic element, wherein: the slideway comprises a first element and a second element, the front connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the second element of the slideway about a lower front hinge axis, the rear connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the first element about a movable lower rear hinge axis, the linking rod is rotatably mounted on the front connecting rod and on the rear connecting rod, the elastic element urges the lower rear hinge axis to move, the seat is configured to move to a retracted configuration by moving the lower front hinge axis closer to the lower rear hinge axis.