Motor Vehicle Seat Thigh Support Adjustment Mechanism

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle seat adjusters are complex, expensive, and heavy, failing to efficiently adapt to individual physiognomy while absorbing unnecessary supporting torques.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle seat part with a base and adjustable thigh support, featuring a transverse support that directs forces centrally, utilizing a linear drive mechanism with compressive and tensile loads only, and an energy accumulator to ensure optimal adjustment without dead centers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional seat adjusters are used to adapt the thigh support to individual physiognomy, then the seat can be adjusted to different positions, but the adjusters are complex, expensive, and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to individual physiognomyVSAvoidcomplexity of adjuster construction

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the problematic torque-absorbing function from the adjustment mechanism by redirecting all forces to act centrally on the transverse support. This separates the adjustment function (linear drive) from the support function (transverse support), eliminating the need for complex torque-resistant structures while maintaining adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of designing the adjustment mechanism to resist torques, the patent inverts the approach by ensuring forces are directed centrally so that no torques are generated in the first place. The transverse support becomes purely a force transmission element rather than a torque-bearing structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional seat adjusters are used to adapt the thigh support to individual physiognomy, then the seat can be adjusted to different positions, but the adjusters are expensive and heavy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to individual physiognomyVSAvoidweight of adjuster

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the unnecessary torque-absorbing mass from the adjustment system. By redirecting forces to act centrally on the transverse support, the design eliminates heavy structural components that would be required to resist bending moments and torques, significantly reducing the weight of the moving adjustment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the adjustable part is adjusted to adapt to individual physiognomy, then optimal thigh support is achieved, but supporting torques must be absorbed by the transverse support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to individual physiognomyVSAvoidsupporting torque on transverse support

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by designing the adjustment mechanism so that forces are directed centrally on the transverse support, preventing torque generation entirely. This is achieved through careful positioning of the linear drive and force application points to ensure all forces pass through the central axis of the transverse support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the torque-absorbing requirement from the transverse support by redirecting forces to act centrally. The transverse support is relieved of its torque-bearing function and becomes purely a force transmission element, allowing for a lighter and simpler design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of operation

If a linear drive mechanism is used for adjustment, then the adjustment is smooth and continuous, but the drive must be subjected only to compressive and tensile loads without dead centers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesmoothness of adjustmentVSAvoidconstraint on drive loading

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional approach by designing the adjustment mechanism to prevent torque generation, thereby eliminating dead centers. By ensuring all forces act centrally on the transverse support, the linear drive operates exclusively in compression and tension, avoiding the complexity of mechanisms designed to handle multi-directional loads.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 efficient, cost-effective, and weight-reduced seat adjustments that optimize thigh support without torque absorption, ensuring comfortable fit and reduced manufacturing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The seat part preferably has an energy accumulator, which supports the adjustment of the adjustable part, in particular against the force of gravity. Such an energy accumulator can be a spring, for example.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP2496440B1Seat cushion inclination adjustment system

Publication Date: 2018.01.03 ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HLDG SARL

Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a seat part of a motor vehicle seat, comprising a base part having a transverse supporting element and an adjustable part.