Vehicle Seat Switching Bracket for Adjustable Control Console

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seats with control console elements are not easily accessible in all positions or degrees of inclination of the backrest and seat parts, limiting usability for drivers with varying body types.

Innovation Solution

The control console element is mounted on the seat frame laterally and is designed to be displaceable independently of the armrest, with a first section adjustable in the longitudinal direction via a sliding mechanism, and a second section rigidly connected to the seat frame, ensuring easy accessibility and alignment with seat movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed bracket is used to retain the headrest, then the headrest position is stable, but the headrest cannot be adjusted to different positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadrest position adjustabilityVSAvoidbracket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is designed with a movable arm that can switch between multiple discrete positions along the support rod. The arm is retained by switching brackets positioned at different locations, allowing the headrest to be adjusted to various heights while maintaining stability at each position. This dynamic structure enables position adjustment without requiring a completely complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a movable bracket is used to adjust the headrest position, then the headrest can be repositioned, but the bracket may become loose or unstable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadrest position adjustabilityVSAvoidbracket retention stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket system uses movable arms that can be positioned at different locations along the support rod, with each position maintained by switching brackets. The arm can move between positions during adjustment but becomes stable when retained by a switching bracket, thus achieving both adjustability and stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The switching bracket acts as an intermediary component that temporarily retains the movable arm at specific positions. It engages with the arm to prevent loosening during normal use, while allowing the arm to be repositioned when needed. This intermediary mechanism ensures reliability without preventing adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate brackets are used at different positions, then the headrest can be adjusted to multiple positions, but the number of parts and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadrest position adjustabilityVSAvoidnumber of bracket parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The switching bracket is designed as a universal component that can be positioned at multiple locations along the support rod. A single type of switching bracket structure serves multiple functions by being relocatable to different positions, rather than requiring a unique bracket for each position. This reduces the variety of parts needed while maintaining multi-position adjustability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3552874B1Vehicle seat with adjustable switching bracket
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 GRAMMER AG
  • EP3552874B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3552874B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3552874B1 patent drawingFigure 2c~3a

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat for a vehicle comprising a seat part, including a seat part frame, and a backrest part, wherein the seat part and/or the backrest part is adjustable with respect to a degree of inclination, and comprising at least one switching console element, comprising at least one control element for controlling at least one function of at least one actuator element of the vehicle, wherein the switching console element is mounted on the seat part frame laterally of the seat part, wherein a first section of the switching console element is designed to be displaceable at least in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat.