Wave Washer Eccentricity Prevention for Vehicle Seat Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat pumping devices for vehicles experience eccentric movement of rotating parts due to excessive spring force, leading to operation noise and instability, as the pinion and rack gear become misaligned, causing friction and gaps between parts.
Innovation Solution
An eccentricity prevention apparatus is introduced, featuring a wave washer as an elastic member within the housing, providing an elastic restoring force to compensate for the tilt of the clutch device, ensuring coaxial alignment of the rotating axes of the clutch, brake, and pinion, thereby preventing eccentricity and stabilizing the operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spring force of the torsion spring is increased to push the pinion upward for secure engagement with the rack gear, then the engagement stability is improved, but the pinion becomes eccentric and tilted relative to its rotating axis, causing the rotating axes of the brake device and clutch device to become eccentric as well
Solution Approach 1:
A wave washer is introduced as an intermediary elastic component between the clutch device and the housing. The wave washer deforms elastically under the spring force to push the pinion upward, while simultaneously absorbing the excessive force that would cause eccentricity. This mediator allows the system to achieve both secure engagement and coaxial alignment by decoupling the force transmission function from the position constraint function.
Solution Approach 2:
The wave washer changes its physical state from a flat configuration to a deformed configuration under load, utilizing elastic deformation to adjust the position of the clutch device. This parameter change allows the system to accommodate the spring force while maintaining proper alignment, transforming a rigid position constraint into a flexible, adaptive connection.
2Reliability
If the pinion is pushed strongly upward by the torsion spring to ensure secure engagement, then the engagement between pinion and rack gear is improved, but gaps occur between parts and friction increases during initial rotation, causing operation noise
Solution Approach 1:
The wave washer serves as a cushioning element that absorbs excess spring force before it can cause harmful effects. By deforming elastically, the wave washer prevents the pinion from being pushed too far upward, thereby preventing gaps between parts and reducing friction during rotation. This beforehand cushioning eliminates the source of operation noise while maintaining secure engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The excessive spring force that would normally cause harmful effects (gaps, friction, noise) is converted into a beneficial function by the wave washer. The elastic deformation of the wave washer transforms the harmful excess force into a useful position-adjustment mechanism, ensuring proper engagement while preventing the harmful effects that would otherwise occur.
3Ease of operation
If the rotating parts are allowed to move freely under spring force, then the pumping operation is simplified, but gaps between parts occur and eccentric movements cause instability in the pumping operation
Solution Approach 1:
The wave washer automatically adjusts the position of the clutch device based on the spring force applied during operation. It self-regulates the engagement between the pinion and rack gear, maintaining proper alignment without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. This self-service function ensures both ease of operation and operational stability simultaneously.
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 effectively prevents operation noise and stabilizes the pumping operation by maintaining coaxial alignment of the rotating axes, reducing friction and gaps between parts, resulting in a more reliable seat height adjustment mechanism.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member provided inside the housing, and providing an elastic restoring force to the clutch device in a direction compensating for eccentric movement of the clutch device tilted relative to a rotating axis thereof
Data Source
AI summary
An eccentricity prevention apparatus for a pumping device is configured to prevent the eccentric movement of rotating parts operating for moving a seat up and down. The eccentricity prevention apparatus includes: a clutch device provided inside a housing; and an elastic member providing an elastic restoring force to the clutch device in a direction compensating for eccentric movement of the clutch device tilted relative to a rotating axis thereof.