Transverse Vehicle Seat Assembly With Single-Motor Synchronous Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat adjustment systems for adjacent seats are often complex and heavy, making them inefficient for adjusting transverse spacing between seats for enhanced comfort in vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat assembly with a drive assembly that includes a motor, gearing mechanisms, and adjustment devices, allowing for synchronous adjustment of both seats along a transverse axis using a single motor, thereby reducing weight and complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a single motor with gearing mechanisms is used to adjust both vehicle seats along the transverse axis, then weight and device complexity are reduced, but the reliability of synchronous adjustment may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight of drive assemblyVSAvoidreliability of synchronous adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate motors into a single motor that drives both vehicle seats along the transverse axis. The drive assembly includes one motor coupled to two adjustment devices via gearing mechanisms, reducing the total number of motors from two to one while maintaining the ability to adjust both seats synchronously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces gearing mechanisms as intermediary components between the single motor and the two adjustment devices. These gearing mechanisms enable the motor to transfer rotational motion to both adjustment devices, ensuring synchronized movement of both vehicle seats while allowing for mechanical advantage and precise control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If a single motor is used to adjust both vehicle seats, then device complexity is reduced, but the precision of synchronous adjustment may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomplexity of drive assemblyVSAvoidprecision of synchronous adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The gearing mechanisms serve as intermediary components that precisely transmit rotational motion from the single motor to both adjustment devices. The gearing mechanisms include gears that engage with drive spindles, ensuring synchronized and precise movement of both vehicle seats along the transverse axis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces a complex electrical control system with multiple independent motors with a simpler mechanical system using a single motor and gearing mechanisms. This mechanical approach ensures inherent synchronization through the physical connection of the gearing mechanisms to both adjustment devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Manufacturing precision

If one motor per adjustment device is used, then adjustment precision is maintained, but weight and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadjustment precisionVSAvoidcomplexity of drive assembly

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two separate motor systems into a single integrated drive assembly. Instead of having one motor per adjustment device, the system uses one motor that is coupled to both adjustment devices through gearing mechanisms, reducing the total number of motors from two to one while maintaining adjustment precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single motor in the drive assembly performs multiple functions by driving both adjustment devices simultaneously. The motor is universally coupled to both vehicle seats through the gearing mechanisms, allowing one motor to perform the work that would otherwise require two separate motors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The solution enables efficient and synchronized adjustment of vehicle seats along a transverse axis using a single motor, reducing weight and complexity while enhancing comfort by allowing for customizable seat spacing.

Implementation Method 1

a drive assembly, having a motor, at least one gearing mechanism coupled to the motor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

at least one gearing mechanism coupled to the motor, wherein a drive force generated by the motor can be transferred via the gearing mechanism

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS20250153615A1Vehicle seat assembly comprising two vehicle seats which can be mutually spaced in a transversal direction

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 BROSE FAHRZEUGTEILE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

It is provided a vehicle seat assembly comprising two vehicle seats which are arranged adjacently to one another along a transverse axis, the spacing of which relative to one another along the transverse axis can be adjusted. In order to adjust the spacing between the vehicle seats, a drive assembly is provided, having a motor, at least one gearing mechanism which is coupled to the motor, and two adjustment devices which are coupled to the gearing mechanism, wherein a first adjustment device for adjusting one vehicle seat along the transverse axis and a second adjustment device for adjusting the other vehicle seat along the transverse axis are provided, and wherein a drive force generated by the motor can be transferred to the two adjustment devices via the gearing mechanism.