Integrated Spring Pivot Axis for Vehicle Seat Actuator Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle seat actuating units require significant assembly effort and additional space due to multiple components, including a separate pivot axis and spring, which complicates the assembly process.
Innovation Solution
The spring element serves as both the pivot axis and a support, eliminating the need for a separate abutment and reducing the number of components by using a rod material with a sufficient cross-section, and incorporating a holding device to secure the spring element, allowing for a simpler assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate pivot axis and spring are used, then the actuating unit achieves reliable pivoting movement, but the assembly effort increases and additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element and pivot axis are merged into a single integrated component. The spring element serves dual functions: providing the elastic force for pivoting movement and acting as the pivot axis itself. This eliminates the need for a separate pivot axis and reduces the number of components that need to be assembled.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the elastic restoring force, acts as the pivot axis, and serves as a support structure. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the assembly process while maintaining reliable pivoting movement.
2Force
If a separate pivot axis with spring is used, then the actuating unit achieves proper elastic preload, but additional space on the pivot axis is required
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element and pivot axis are combined into one component, eliminating the need for separate space allocation for both elements. The spring element generates the elastic preload while occupying the space of what would have been two separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element serves as both the force-generating element and the pivot axis, eliminating the need for additional space that would be required for a separate pivot axis. The multi-functional design optimizes space utilization.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple individual components are used, then the actuating unit achieves proper functional separation, but the number of assembly steps increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring element and pivot axis are merged into a single component, reducing the total number of assembly steps. The functional separation is maintained through the design of the spring element itself, which inherently provides both the pivoting function and the elastic preload function.
Solution Approach 2:
While merging the spring element and pivot axis, the design maintains functional segmentation through the spring element's structure, which separates the elastic deformation zone from the pivot contact zone, achieving functional separation without requiring separate physical components.
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 design simplifies the assembly of the actuating unit by integrating the spring element as both the pivot axis and support, reducing the overall assembly effort and eliminating the need for additional axial fixation, resulting in a more efficient and streamlined assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (40) which serves as a pivot axis and has a bearing part which is elastically contactable with the actuating element (30) and elastically preloads the actuating element (30) into a rest position relative to the base part (29)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to an actuating unit of a motor vehicle seat having a) an actuating element (30), having b) a base part (29), having c) a pivot axis disposed between the base part (29) and the actuating element (30) and allowing a pivot motion of the actuating element (30) relative to the base part (29), and having d) a spring disposed between the actuating element (30) and the base part (29) and elastically pre-loading the actuating element (30) in a rest position relative to the base part (29), characterized in that the pivot axis and the spring are of a single piece and form a spring element (40) comprising an axis part (38) and a spring region (46).