Vehicle Seat Spring Force Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seats with height-adjustable mechanisms are not optimally designed for either unoccupied or occupied states, leading to suboptimal spring force and potential rattling noises.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an occupancy sensor that adjusts the spring force based on the weight of the seat occupant, using a torsion spring and a cam mechanism to increase spring force proportionally with the occupant's weight, ensuring safer and more convenient adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed spring force is used in the height adjustment mechanism, then the mechanism is simple and reliable, but it cannot adapt to different occupancy conditions leading to rattling noises and suboptimal performance
Solution Approach 1:
The spring force is made dynamically adjustable based on occupancy conditions. The system transitions from a static spring force to a dynamic one that automatically adapts to whether the seat is occupied or unoccupied, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity by using sensor-based automatic adjustment rather than manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of spring force based on occupancy detection. The occupancy sensor and controller enable the system to automatically modify spring force without user intervention, making the system self-adapting to different occupancy conditions while maintaining simple operation for the user
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the spring force is increased to prevent rattling noises in occupied seats, then noise is reduced, but it becomes difficult to adjust the seat when unoccupied
Solution Approach 1:
The spring force is dynamically adjusted based on real-time occupancy detection. When occupied, higher spring force prevents rattling; when unoccupied, lower spring force enables easy adjustment. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making spring force conditional rather than fixed
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically or continuously monitors occupancy conditions and adjusts spring force accordingly. This periodic adaptation ensures that spring force is optimized for current conditions, preventing noise when occupied while maintaining adjustability when unoccupied
3Ease of operation
If the spring force is decreased to ease adjustment when unoccupied, then ease of operation is improved, but rattling noises occur in occupied seats
Solution Approach 1:
The occupancy sensor provides feedback to the controller about seat occupancy status. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust spring force to appropriate levels - lower when unoccupied for ease of adjustment, higher when occupied to prevent rattling - resolving the contradiction through condition-based adaptation
4Adaptability or versatility
If a single spring force setting is used for both occupied and unoccupied states, then the mechanism is simple, but it cannot optimize performance for both conditions simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The height adjustment mechanism is enhanced with multi-functionality to handle both occupied and unoccupied states optimally. By integrating occupancy sensing and automatic spring force adjustment, the system achieves universal optimization for different conditions without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms for each state
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines and adjusts spring force based on occupancy detection, eliminating the need for manual intervention or complex dual mechanisms. The self-service capability resolves the contradiction by using simple sensors and controllers to achieve optimized performance for both occupied and unoccupied states
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 solution allows for automatic, weight-dependent adjustment of the spring force, enhancing safety and convenience by ensuring easier height adjustments and reducing rattling noises, while adapting to the occupant's weight for optimal positioning.
Implementation Method 1
A lever arm, in the present case the rear lever arm 4, is connected to one end of a spring element 3, the other end of which is provided on the seat part 2. The spring element is a torsion spring. This spring element biases the vehicle seat into its raised position.
Implementation Method 2
The vehicle seat according to the invention has an occupancy sensor 7, which in the present case is non-rotatably connected to a spring prestressing means 8, here a rotatable cam, which interacts with the spring element 3
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a vehicle seat with a seat part and a backrest, which is provided to be height-adjustable, wherein the seat is pre-tensioned to a raised position by a spring element (3), wherein the spring force of the spring element (3) is adjustable.