Vehicle Seat Front Tilting Gear Layout for Lighter Cushion Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seats with front tilting mechanisms have a weight issue due to the pinion gear drive mechanism, which increases the weight of the tiltable portion, affecting the overall design and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A drive mechanism using a small gear and a large gear with vertically offset rotation centers, where the large gear rotates upwardly and downwardly, reducing the vertical travel distance and incorporating a lever portion to extend opposite to the geared portion, allowing the tiltable portion to move vertically while maintaining stability and support for the passenger's femoral portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pinion gear drive mechanism is attached to the tiltable portion, then the front tilting mechanism can be implemented, but the weight of the tiltable portion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The drive mechanism (small gear and large gear) is extracted from the tiltable portion and relocated to the main portion of the seat cushion. This separation removes the heavy driving components from the moving tiltable portion, thereby reducing its weight while preserving the front tilting functionality through the gear train connection.
2Device complexity
If the rotation centers of the small gear and large gear are positioned on the same level, then the gear meshing is simplified, but the vertical travel distance increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical offset between the rotation centers of the small gear and large gear, moving the problem from a two-dimensional horizontal alignment to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. This vertical dimensioning allows the gear train to achieve the desired tilting motion with reduced vertical travel distance, as the offset creates a more efficient mechanical leverage relationship.
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
This configuration reduces the vertical travel distance of the drive mechanism, enhances the adjustability of the seat height, and ensures stable support for passengers by maintaining the femoral portions in parallel with the tiltable panel, preventing pressure concentration on the seat cushion and minimizing the risk of wrinkling.
Implementation Method 1
a drive mechanism having a small gear and a large gear. The small and large gears are respectively attached to the main portion while meshing with each other
Implementation Method 2
the large gear may include a geared portion meshing with the small gear and a lever portion. Further, the lever portion extends in a direction opposite to the geared portion across the rotation center of the large gear and is coupled to the tiltable portion
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seat can include a seat cushion having a main portion and a tiltable portion, and a drive mechanism having a small gear and a large gear. The small and large gears are respectively attached to the main portion while meshing with each other. The tiltable portion is arranged and constructed to vertically move when the large gear is rotated upwardly and downwardly with respect to a rotationally reference position based on rotation of the small gear. The small gear and the large gear are positioned such that rotation centers thereof are vertically offset from each other.