Spindle Drive Actuator for Simultaneous Seat Traction Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator assemblies for adjusting seat components, such as lumbar support and side bolsters, face challenges in efficiently managing tension with Bowden cables and wires, requiring high output torque and power from motors, and often result in complex configurations that are not compact or simple.
Innovation Solution
The use of a spindle drive actuator with a rotatable first member and a threadingly engaged second member that is displaceable in a translatory manner, allowing multiple traction devices to be coupled and adjusted simultaneously, enabling tension increase or decrease without significant bends and using a motor with lower output power for compact and simple configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a pulley-based actuator is used to adjust tension on Bowden cables, then the actuator can effectively control multiple traction devices, but the motor requires high output torque and power which increases device complexity and size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional pulley-based mechanical system with a spindle drive mechanism. The spindle drive uses a threaded spindle that converts rotational motion into linear motion, directly actuating multiple traction devices without requiring high-torque pulleys. This substitution reduces motor power requirements and simplifies the overall actuator configuration while maintaining the ability to control multiple traction devices simultaneously.
2Force
If high output torque motors are used to tension Bowden cables, then the traction devices can be effectively adjusted, but the actuator weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spindle drive mechanism replaces high-torque motor requirements with a mechanical advantage system. The threaded spindle converts low-torque rotational motion into high-force linear motion, effectively tensioning Bowden cables without requiring a heavy, high-output motor. This significantly reduces actuator weight while maintaining the necessary traction force.
3Ease of operation
If traditional actuator configurations are used for seat adjustment, then the components can be adjusted, but the installation space required is larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple actuation functions into a single spindle drive mechanism. One spindle drive can simultaneously control multiple traction devices, consolidating what would traditionally require separate actuators into one compact unit. This merging significantly reduces the total installation space required while maintaining full adjustment capability for various seat components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spindle drive is designed as a universal actuator that can perform multiple adjustment functions through a single mechanism. By coupling multiple traction devices to the same spindle drive, the system achieves multi-functionality, allowing adjustment of different seat components (lumbar support, side bolsters, etc.) using one actuator, thereby reducing installation space.
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 solution allows for simultaneous adjustment of multiple traction devices with reduced loads on the seat surface, enhancing comfort and reducing the complexity and weight of the actuator assembly, while maintaining a compact installation space.
Implementation Method 1
a second member which is threadingly engaged with the first member and which is displaceable in a translatory manner by rotation of the first member
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator assembly for adjusting at least one component of a seat comprises a first traction device, a second traction device, and an actuator which comprises a spindle drive. The spindle drive comprises a first member which is rotatably mounted and a second member which is threadingly engaged with the first member and secured against rotation. Both the first traction device and the second traction device are coupled to the second member of the spindle drive.