Vehicle Seat Fitting Radial Bracing Spring

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat fittings experience noise due to radial play in the unlocked state, which affects the smooth operation and comfort during adjustment and use.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat design incorporating a spring element that braces the fitting parts against each other in specific angular positions to eliminate noise, allowing low-friction adjustment over defined ranges while maintaining the backrest's upright position for use and pivoting it forward for non-use, where the spring element provides radial bracing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the fitting is designed to allow radial play in the unlocked state, then the adjustment of the backrest is smooth and low-friction, but noise is generated during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesmooth adjustmentVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element dynamically changes its state based on the angular position of the backrest. In the upright position, the spring is relaxed allowing smooth low-friction adjustment. In the forward-pivoted position, the spring becomes active and braces the fitting parts radially to eliminate noise. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between smooth adjustment and noise reduction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The spring element provides radial bracing only in specific angular positions (when the backrest is pivoted forward), not continuously. This localized application of radial constraint eliminates noise in the non-use position while maintaining smooth adjustment in the use position, resolving the contradiction through spatially selective quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Object-generated harmful factors

If a spring element is added to brace the fitting parts radially, then noise is reduced in specific positions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidfitting structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the angular position of the backrest without external control. As the backrest pivots forward, the spring naturally braces the fitting parts radially; as it returns to upright, the spring relaxes. This self-regulating mechanism reduces noise without requiring complex control systems, resolving the contradiction between noise reduction and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the spring element braces the fitting parts in all angular positions, then noise is eliminated throughout the range, but friction increases and smooth adjustment is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidsmooth adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring element's bracing effect is dynamic and position-dependent rather than continuous. It provides radial bracing only when the backrest is in forward-pivoted positions, and remains relaxed in the upright position. This dynamic engagement pattern eliminates noise in non-use positions while preserving smooth low-friction adjustment in use positions, resolving the contradiction between noise elimination and smooth adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 spring element effectively reduces noise and enhances the adjustability of the backrest, ensuring quiet operation and improved comfort by minimizing friction during use and providing a stable, noise-free non-use position.

Implementation Method 1

in at least one angular position of the second structural part relative to the first structural part a spring element braces the first fitting part and the second fitting part against one another in the radial direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring element elasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3523157B1Vehicle seat, in particular motor vehicle seat
Publication Date: 2022.05.04 KEIPER SEATING MECHANISMS CO LTD
  • EP3523157B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3523157B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3523157B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1, 51), in particular a motor vehicle seat, having a first structural part (4), a second structural part (6) and at least one fitting (10) that can be locked and unlocked, the fitting (10) having a first fitting part (11), which is at least indirectly connected to the first structural part (4), and a second fitting part (12), which is at least indirectly connected to the second structural part (6), wherein, when the fitting (10) is unlocked, an angular position of the second structural part (6) relative to the first structural part (4) can be varied about an axis (A), wherein, in at least one angular position of the second structural part (6) relative to the first structural part (4), a spring element (100, 100.1, 200) braces the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12) with respect to each other in the radial direction and, in at least one further angular position of the second structural part (6) relative to the first structural part (4), the spring element (100, 100.1, 200) has no influence on the fitting (10).