Compact Step-by-Step Mechanism for Motor Vehicle Seat Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing step-by-step mechanisms for motor vehicle seat adjustment require significant installation space and include unnecessary components like spring carriers and friction brakes, which complicate the design and increase weight.
Innovation Solution
A compact step-by-step mechanism with a housing featuring an outer ring with double clamp ramps and a driven element with an inner clamping track, where clamping bodies interact with the ramps and are spring-loaded by sleeve-supported spring elements, eliminating the need for a spring carrier and additional friction brake, and utilizing a plastic sleeve to reduce weight and improve bearing support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring carriers are used to support spring elements for clamping bodies, then the clamping bodies can be reliably spring-loaded, but the axial installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the spring carrier function directly into the housing structure by providing bearing surfaces on the housing itself, merging two separate components (spring carrier and housing) into one. This eliminates the need for a dedicated spring carrier component, reduces the number of parts, and decreases axial installation space while maintaining the reliable spring-loading of clamping bodies.
2Reliability
If additional friction brakes are included in the step-by-step mechanism, then the driven element can be effectively braked, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the separate friction brake component from the mechanism. Instead, it utilizes the existing clamping bodies and clamping gaps to provide both the step-by-step advancement and the braking function. The clamping bodies, when engaged with the clamping surfaces, naturally prevent reverse movement and hold the driven element in position, thereby extracting the braking function from a separate component and integrating it into the core clamping mechanism.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate components are used in the step-by-step mechanism, then each component can be optimized for its specific function, but the overall installation space and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components. The housing serves both as a structural enclosure and as a spring carrier with integrated bearing surfaces. The clamping bodies perform both the step-by-step advancement function and the braking/holding function. This merging of functions reduces the total number of components and decreases installation space while maintaining functional optimization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality in its components. The housing is not just a container but also provides spring support and bearing surfaces. The clamping bodies serve dual purposes: enabling step-by-step movement and providing braking capability. This universality allows each component to perform multiple tasks, reducing the need for separate specialized components and thereby reducing overall 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 design optimizes installation space, reduces noise from the stick-slip effect, and simplifies the mechanism by eliminating redundant components, resulting in a lighter and more efficient seat adjustment system.
Implementation Method 1
spring elements that spring-load the clamping bodies against the double clamp ramps
Data Source
AI summary
A step-by-step mechanism with a housing (2) in which an outer ring (3) and an output element (4) are disposed, the outer ring (3) including double-clamp ramps (6) and the output element (4) including an inner clamping track (7), and, in an annular space (8) formed between the outer ring (3) and the output element (4), clamping bodies (9) being disposed which cooperate with the double-clamp ramps (6), the clamping bodies (8) being spring-loaded. Provided in the housing (2) is a housing-fixed sleeve (10) and spring elements (13) that spring-load the clamping bodies (9) are supported on the sleeve (10).