Vehicle Seatback Raising Control With Automatic Stop Lock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat systems face challenges in safely and efficiently raising and folding seatbacks, often resulting in user discomfort, increased power consumption, and potential damage due to excessive force or improper alignment, especially when using electric motors for both functions.
Innovation Solution
A device that incorporates an electric motor for raising the seatback, a momentary manipulation switch, and a compulsory cutting mechanism to ensure the seatback stops at a predetermined position, along with a biasing member for forward folding, preventing electric motor interference and allowing manual control for precise positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a stopper is provided to stop the seat back at a predetermined raised position, then the seat back can be stopped at the desired position, but large force is applied to the seat back and stopper causing potential breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by introducing a buffer member between the seat back and stopper that deforms elastically upon contact. This buffer member absorbs the impact force when the seat back reaches the predetermined position, preventing large forces from being applied to the stopper and seat back structure while still achieving accurate positioning through the stopper's location.
2Extent of automation
If the electric motor is used for both raising and folding the seat back, then automation is improved, but power consumption increases and folding time is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the seat back positioning function into two separate mechanisms: an electric motor for raising the seat back to the predetermined position, and a biasing member for folding the seat back forward. This segmentation allows each mechanism to perform its specific function efficiently, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining high automation for the raising operation and enabling quick manual folding.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies inversion by using a biasing member that naturally folds the seat back forward rather than using the electric motor to actively push it forward. The biasing member stores potential energy when the seat back is raised and automatically releases it to fold the seat back, effectively inverting the approach from active motor-driven folding to passive spring-driven folding.
3Extent of automation
If the electric motor is used for folding the seat back forward, then automation is improved, but the seat back may fold forward carelessly when an object is placed on it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies taking out by removing the electric motor from the folding function entirely and extracting only the raising function to the motor. The folding function is assigned to a biasing member that operates independently of the motor control system, eliminating the risk of careless automated folding when objects are present while maintaining automated raising capability.
4Ease of operation
If a mark indicating the predetermined position is provided, then the user can stop the electric motor at the desired position, but the user may release the hand too early or too late causing positioning errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by implementing an automatic stopping mechanism where the electric motor autonomously stops at the predetermined position through a sensor or switch detection system. The motor automatically detects when the seat back reaches the correct position and halts without requiring continuous user monitoring or manual timing, eliminating positioning errors caused by premature or delayed hand release.
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
Enhances user safety and comfort by allowing controlled raising and folding of seatbacks, reducing power consumption, and preventing damage by ensuring the seatback is securely stopped at the desired position, while allowing quick and efficient folding operations.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member for applying force in a direction where the seat back is folded forward
Data Source
AI summary
When a seat back in a forwardly folded state is raised to a predetermined raised state by activating an electric motor by turning on a switch, the electric motor is immediately stopped even if the switch is still turned on, and the seat back is retained in the raised state. There are provided a locking member which operates to retain the seat back in the raised state when the seat back is in the predetermined raised state and a lever which turns in association with the operation of the locking member. The lever turns on another switch to open a drive circuit for the electric motor.