Sliding unit for vehicle

Abstract

A sliding unit for a vehicle includes: a rail having a bottom surface, two side surfaces, and a top surface, the rail being configured to extend in a front-to-rear direction, bend, and then extend in a left-to-right direction; a moving component slidably provided on the rail and sliding along the rail to move in the front-to-rear direction or the left-to-right direction; a magnetic component provided in the moving component and configured to be locked to or unlocked from the rail by magnetic force; and a grounding component provided on the moving component, electrically connected to the magnetic component, grounded to the rail, and supplying power from the rail to the magnetic component.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a sliding unit for a vehicle, wherein a movable component to which a seat, a console, a table, etc. can be coupled can move along a track that extends in a front-to-rear direction, bends, and then extends in a left-to-right direction, and the movable component is locked or unlocked on the track based on a magnetic path of a magnetic component provided in the movable component. Background Art

[0002] In vehicles, seats can be adjusted forward and backward to suit the occupant's physical condition or to ensure space in front of or behind the seat. Traditionally, the user manually operates a lever, causing the seat to slide forward and backward along tracks set on the vehicle floor and then be secured. Recently, various power seats have been developed that slide forward or backward at the push of a button. Power seats primarily require a drive system and a locking mechanism. Traditional drive systems and locking mechanisms have complex structures, taking up a large amount of space and also requiring wiring for power supply.

[0003] Therefore, there has been a need for a power rail that can not only easily supply power while being simple in structure and occupying minimal space, but also be easily applied to various components and seats in a vehicle, such as a console.

[0004] The contents provided as the related art description are only for helping understanding the background of the present disclosure, and should not be considered as corresponding to the related art known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a sliding unit for a vehicle, in which a locking mechanism is implemented using a magnetic component, so that when a moving component slides along a track that extends in the front-rear direction, bends, and then extends in the left-right direction, the moving component is locked to or unlocked from the track, while having a simple and slim structure, and the moving component can be coupled to any of various devices as well as seats, thereby enabling the sliding unit to be widely applied inside a vehicle.

[0006] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a sliding unit for a vehicle includes: a track having a bottom surface, two side surfaces, and a top surface, the track being configured to extend in a front-to-rear direction, be bent, and then extend in a left-to-right direction; a moving component slidably provided on the track, sliding along the track to move in the front-to-rear direction or the left-to-right direction; a magnetic component provided in the moving component and locked to or unlocked from the track by magnetic force; and a grounding component provided on the moving component, electrically connected to the magnetic component, and grounded to the track, supplying power from the track to the magnetic component.

[0007] A plurality of supporting members may be provided on an outer side surface of the moving member, and the plurality of supporting members are respectively supported by a bottom surface, a side surface, and a top surface of the rail.

[0008] The moving member may be in the shape of a rectangular frame, the magnetic member may be provided in an inner space of the frame, and each grounding member may be provided on the frame facing one of the side surfaces of the rail.

[0009] The support member may be an upper surface support positioned on the upper surface of the moving member, the upper surface support may rotate while being supported by the top surface of the rail, and when the moving member slides, the upper position of the moving member may be adjusted by the upper surface support.

[0010] The support member may be a lower surface support positioned on the lower surface of the moving member, the lower surface support may rotate while being supported by the bottom surface of the rail, and when the moving member slides, the lower position of the moving member may be adjusted by the lower surface support.

[0011] The supporting part may be a side surface support positioned on a side surface of the moving part, the side surface support may rotate while being supported by the side surface of the rail, and when the moving part slides, the left and right positions of the moving part may be adjusted by the side surface support.

[0012] A fixing member formed of a material allowing magnetic flow may be provided on a bottom surface of the rail, and the magnetic member may be provided to face the fixing member, forming a magnetic path.

[0013] When magnetic paths are formed in both the magnetic member and the fixing member, the magnetic member may be locked to the fixing member, and when the magnetic path is formed only in the magnetic member, the magnetic member may be unlocked from the fixing member.

[0014] Two or more electric wires forming the positive electrode and the negative electrode may be connected to each ground member, and electric power may be supplied to the magnetic member through the electric wires while the moving member slides along the inner side surface of the rail.

[0015] The grounding members may be arranged on the outer side surface of the moving member at points spaced apart from each other, and when the moving member slides, a point at which one of the grounding members is grounded to the rail may be switched at a curved portion of the rail.

[0016] A slit hole may be formed in a top surface of the rail, a rail cover may be provided to extend along the rail, and a connecting member may be provided over the rail cover while being connected to the moving member through the slit hole.

[0017] Tracks may be provided on the floor of the vehicle, and a seat, console, or table may be coupled to the connecting member, allowing the seat, console, or table to slide along the tracks on the floor of the vehicle.

[0018] The rail may be provided in a rectangular ring shape on a floor of the vehicle, and the moving member may have a rectangular shape and slide in a front-rear direction or a left-right direction along the rail on the vehicle floor.

[0019] The seat, console, or table may be coupled to the moving member, allowing the seat, console, or table to slide in a front-to-back direction or a side-to-side direction along tracks on the vehicle floor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a view illustrating moving parts on a rail in a sliding unit of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 2 is a side view illustrating moving parts in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 3 is a side view illustrating a rail cover and a connecting member in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 4 is a view illustrating a rail having a rectangular ring shape and a moving part located on the rail in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] Figure 1 is a view illustrating moving parts on a rail in a sliding unit of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a side view illustrating moving parts in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 is a side view illustrating a rail cover and a connecting member in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 is a view illustrating a rail having a rectangular ring shape and a moving part located on the rail in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 1 is a view illustrating moving parts on a rail in a sliding unit of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 21 is a side view illustrating a moving component in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a rail 100 having a bottom surface, two side surfaces, and a top surface, the rail 100 extending in the front-to-back direction, being curved, and then extending in the left-to-right direction; a moving component 200 located on the rail 100 and sliding along the rail 100 to move in the front-to-back direction or the left-to-right direction; a magnetic component 400 disposed in the moving component 200 and locked to or unlocked from the rail 100 by magnetic force; and a grounding component 500 disposed on the moving component 200, electrically connected to the magnetic component 400, and grounded to the rail 100, supplying power from the rail 100 to the magnetic component 400. In addition, a plurality of supporting components 310, 320, and 330 may be disposed on the outer surface of the moving component 200, and the plurality of supporting components 310, 320, and 330 may be supported by the bottom surface, side surface, and top surface of the rail 100, respectively. The rail 100 may extend and bend in a predetermined direction on the floor of the vehicle, such as a length direction of the vehicle or a width direction of the vehicle, thereby forming a closed path.

[0026] The sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is able to minimize the space occupied by the track 100 by adopting a locking mechanism using a magnetic component 400 while having a simple structure, thereby effectively using the space inside the vehicle. Specifically, conventional track locking mechanisms are generally of a lead screw type or a fork type. When the seat is locked in this manner, the track has an excess height of about 47 mm or about 57 mm. When the height of the track is too high, most of the limited space on the floor of the vehicle is occupied by the track, making it difficult to effectively utilize the space. Therefore, the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure adopts a new locking mechanism that uses a magnetic component to implement the track into a slim structure so that the track has a height of approximately 30 mm.

[0027] In the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the moving part 200 may be in the shape of a rectangular frame. The magnetic part 400 may be disposed in the interior space of the frame, and each grounding part 500 may be disposed on the frame, facing one of the side surfaces of the track 100. The number of grounding parts 500 may be four, and each of the four grounding parts 500 may be disposed on a corresponding surface of the rectangular frame of the moving part 200. When the corresponding surface of the rectangular frame of the moving part 200 contacts the side surface of the track 100, the grounding part 500 is grounded to the track 100, supplying power to the magnetic part 400.

[0028] In addition, in the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supporting member may be an upper surface support 310 located on the upper surface of the moving member 200. The upper surface support 310 may be rotated while being supported by the top surface of the rail 100, and when the moving member 200 slides, the upper position of the moving member 200 may be adjusted by the upper surface support 310. The number of the upper surface supports 310 may be four, and each of the four upper surface supports 310 may be provided at a corresponding vertex on the upper surface of the moving member 200, which is in the shape of a rectangular frame and can be rotated while being supported by a rail cover covering the top surface of the rail, thereby adjusting the upper position of the moving member 200 when the moving member 200 slides.

[0029] On the other hand, in the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supporting member may be a lower surface support 320 located on the lower surface of the moving member 200. The lower surface support 320 can rotate while being supported by the bottom surface of the rail 100, and when the moving member 200 slides, the lower position of the moving member 200 can be adjusted by the lower surface support 320. The number of the lower surface support 320 may be four, and each of the four lower surface supports 320 may be provided at a corresponding vertex on the lower surface of the moving member 200, which is in the shape of a rectangular frame and can rotate while being supported by the bottom surface of the rail 100 or the fixed member 110, thereby adjusting the lower position of the moving member 200 when the moving member 200 slides.

[0030] In addition, in the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supporting member may be a side surface support 330 located on the side surface of the moving member 200. The side surface support 330 can rotate while being supported by the side surface of the rail 100, and when the moving member 200 slides, the left and right positions of the moving member 200 can be adjusted by the side surface support 330. The number of the side surface supports 330 may be four, and each of the four side surface supports 330 may be provided at a corresponding vertex on the side surface of the moving member 200, which is in the shape of a rectangular frame and can rotate while being supported by the side surface of the rail 100, thereby adjusting the front and rear positions or the left and right positions of the moving member 200 when the moving member 200 slides and preventing eccentricity between the front and rear of the moving member 200 or between the left and right of the moving member 200.

[0031] In a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fixed component 110 formed of a material that allows magnetic flow can be provided on the bottom surface of a rail 100, and a magnetic component 400 can be provided facing the fixed component 110 to form a magnetic path. In the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when a magnetic path is formed in both the magnetic component 400 and the fixed component 110, the magnetic component 400 can be locked to the fixed component 110, and when a magnetic path is formed only in the magnetic component 400, the magnetic component 400 can be unlocked from the fixed component 110. The magnetic component 400 can be annular and can contact the fixed component 110. The magnetic component 400 can include a fixed permanent magnet disposed therein near the fixed component 110 and an electromagnet disposed therein opposite the fixed component 110, and the magnetic component 400 can be locked to or unlocked from the fixed component 110 by changing the polarity of the electromagnet. In other words, when current is applied to the electromagnet, the magnetic member 400 forms a magnetic path, and the magnetic path formed in the magnetic member 400 is changed by changing the magnetic pole of the electromagnet.

[0032] Specifically, when current is applied to the electromagnet so that the electromagnet has the same magnetic pole as the adjacent fixed permanent magnet at a portion adjacent to the fixed permanent magnet, a magnetic path is formed that passes through both the magnetic component 400 and the fixed component 110, and thus, the magnetic component 400 is locked to the fixed component 110, fixing the moving component 200 to the track 100. When current is applied to the electromagnet so that the electromagnet has a different magnetic pole than the adjacent fixed permanent magnet at a portion adjacent to the fixed permanent magnet, a magnetic path is formed that passes only through the magnetic component 400 and not through the fixed component 110, and thus, the magnetic component 400 is unlocked from the fixed component 110, releasing the moving component 200 from the track 100.

[0033] Furthermore, since a magnetic path is formed by applying current to the electromagnet, even if the application of current is stopped after the magnetic member 400 is locked to or unlocked from the fixed member 110, the magnetic member 400 maintains the pre-formed magnetic path and remains locked to or unlocked from the fixed member 110. Therefore, when a locking mechanism is implemented using the magnetic member 400 in the track, current needs to be supplied to the magnetic member 400 only at the time of locking or unlocking, thereby minimizing power consumption.

[0034] In the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, two or more electric wires forming a positive electrode and a negative electrode may be connected to the grounding member 500, and while the moving member 200 slides along the inner surface of the rail 100, power may be supplied to the magnetic member 400 through the electric wires. In the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the grounding members 500 may be arranged at points spaced apart from each other on the outer surface of the moving member 200, and when the moving member 200 slides, the point at which one of the grounding members 500 is grounded to the rail 100 may be switched at a curved portion of the rail 100.

[0035] Specifically, in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the moving member 200 is in the shape of a rectangular frame and the rail 100 is in the shape of a rectangular ring with four curved portions, the number of grounding members 500 can be four, with each of the four grounding members 500 being provided on a corresponding surface of the rectangular frame of the moving member 200. When the corresponding surface of the rectangular frame of the moving member 200 contacts the side surface of the rail 100, the grounding member 500 is grounded to the rail 100, supplying power to the magnetic member 400. Therefore, even if the sliding direction of the moving member 200 changes at each curved portion of the rail 100, any side surface of the moving member 200 contacts the side surface of the rail 100 provided with a power supply for supplying power from the vehicle's power unit, thereby continuously supplying power to the magnetic member 400 as the moving member 200 slides. However, the grounding member 500 makes point contact with both side surfaces of the rail 100 at the curved portions of the rail 100. In this regard, the moving part 200 includes a voltage sensor and a switch so that the voltage sensor can check the voltage from each side surface and the switch can cut off one of the two power supplies not used for the side surface point of the rail 100 to which the moving part 200 slides, thereby shifting the point at which one of the grounding parts 500 is grounded to the rail 100.

[0036] Figure 3 is a side view illustrating a rail cover and a connecting member in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 1 is a diagram illustrating a rectangular ring-shaped track and a moving component located on the track in a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a slit hole may be formed in the top surface of the track 100, a track cover 600 may be provided to extend along the track 100, and a connecting component 700 may be provided above the track cover 600 while being connected to the moving component 200 through the slit hole.

[0037] Specifically, the moving part 200, the magnetic part 400, and the plurality of supporting parts 310, 320, and 330 occupying a minimum space can be positioned in the inner space of the track 100, and the moving part 200 can be connected to the connecting part 700 passing through the slit hole provided in the track cover 600, thereby implementing the track 100 in a simple and slim manner.

[0038] In a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a track 100 may be provided on the floor of the vehicle, and a seat, console, or table may be coupled to a connecting member 700, allowing the seat, console, or table to slide along the track 100 on the floor of the vehicle. When the moving member 200 slides along the track 100 in the front-to-rear or left-to-right directions, the seat, console, or table coupled to the connecting member 700 connected to the moving member 200 may move along with the moving member 200. The seat, console, or table may be locked to or unlocked from the fixed member 110 using a magnetic member 400. Furthermore, the seat, console, or table may be electrically connected to a grounding member 500, when applicable, to receive power from the grounding member 500, which is grounded to the track 100, which is connected to the vehicle's power unit.

[0039] In addition, in the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the rail 100 can be set on the floor of the vehicle in the shape of a rectangular ring, and the moving part 200 can have a rectangular shape and slide in the front-to-rear direction or the left-to-right direction along the rail 100 on the vehicle floor.

[0040] In a sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a seat, a console, or a table can be coupled to a moving member 200 to allow the seat, console, or table to slide in the front-to-rear direction or the left-to-right direction along a track on the vehicle floor. When the moving member 200 slides in the front-to-rear direction or the left-to-right direction along the rectangular ring-shaped track 100, the moving member 200 can be grounded to a power supply located on a side surface of the track 100 via a grounding member 500 located on a corresponding side surface of the moving member 200 to continuously supply power to the magnetic member 400 or the seat, console, or table coupled to the upper end of the moving member 200.

[0041] As described above, the simple and slim structure of the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure makes it possible to implement not only a seat but also another in-vehicle device, such as a console or a table, coupled to the upper end of the rail 100 in a simple manner to slide along the rail 100. In addition, if autonomous vehicles are widely used in the future, the concept of a driver's seat will gradually disappear, and the need to utilize the space inside the vehicle will arise. It is expected that if the sliding unit for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is used, it will be easy to secure the necessary space by simply sliding devices such as a seat, a console or a table in the vehicle in the front-rear direction or the left-right direction.

[0042] In the sliding unit for a vehicle according to the present disclosure, a locking mechanism is implemented using a magnetic component, so that when the moving component slides along a track that extends in the front-to-rear direction, bends, and then extends in the left-to-right direction, the moving component can be locked to or unlocked from the track, while having a simple and slim structure, the moving component can be coupled to various devices and any one of the seats, thereby enabling the sliding unit to be widely applied inside the vehicle.

[0043] While the present disclosure has been shown and described with respect to the particular embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sliding unit for a vehicle, comprising: a rail having a bottom surface, two side surfaces, and a top surface, the rail being configured to extend in a front-to-rear direction, be curved, and then extend in a left-to-right direction; a fixing member, arranged on the bottom surface of the track, composed of a material that allows magnetic flow, a moving member having a rectangular frame shape and slidably provided on the rail to slide along the rail and thereby move in a front-rear direction or a left-right direction; a magnetic component provided in the movable component and locked to or unlocked from the track by a magnetic force generated between the fixed component and the magnetic component; and a grounding member provided on the moving member and spaced apart from each other on the outer surface of the moving member, electrically connected to the magnetic member and grounded to the rail, supplying power from the rail to the magnetic member, When the moving part slides, a point where one of the grounding parts is grounded to the track is switched on or off at a curved portion of the track.

2. The sliding unit according to claim 1, wherein A plurality of supporting members are provided on an outer side surface of the moving member, and the plurality of supporting members are supported by the bottom surface, the side surface, and the top surface of the rail, respectively.

3. The sliding unit according to claim 2, wherein: The magnetic member is provided in an inner space of the moving member, and each of the grounding members is provided on the moving member to face one of the side surfaces of the rail.

4. The sliding unit according to claim 2, wherein: The plurality of support members include an upper surface support positioned on an upper surface of the moving member, and Wherein, the upper surface support is configured as follows: rotates while being supported by the top surface of the track, and The vertical movement of the moving part is adjusted to adjust the upper position of the moving part when the moving part slides.

5. The sliding unit according to claim 4, wherein The plurality of support members include a lower surface support positioned on a lower surface of the moving member, Wherein, the lower surface support is configured as follows: rotates while being supported by the bottom surface of the rail, and The vertical movement of the moving part is adjusted to regulate the lower position of the moving part when the moving part slides. The sliding unit according to claim 2 , wherein: The plurality of support members include side surface supports positioned on side surfaces of the moving member, and Wherein, the side surface support is configured as follows: rotates while being supported by the side surfaces of the rail, and The lateral movement of the moving part is adjusted to adjust the left and right positions of the moving part when the moving part slides.

7. The sliding unit according to claim 1, wherein The magnetic member is disposed to face the fixed member to define a magnetic path.

8. The sliding unit according to claim 7, wherein: The magnetic member is configured to be locked to the fixing member when the magnetic path is formed in the magnetic member and in the fixing member, and The magnetic member is configured to be unlocked from the fixing member when the magnetic path is formed only in the magnetic member.

9. The sliding unit according to claim 1, wherein: Two electric wires forming a positive electrode and a negative electrode are connected to each of the ground members, and The magnetic member is configured to supply power through the two electric wires while the moving member slides along the inner surface of the rail.

10. The sliding unit according to claim 1, wherein The track includes: a slit aperture defined in the top surface of the track; a track cover extending along the track; and A connecting component is provided above the track cover, wherein the connecting component extends through the slit hole and is connected to the moving component. The sliding unit according to claim 10 , wherein: The track is provided on the floor of the vehicle, and The connecting component is configured to couple an object on the connecting component to slide along the track on the floor of the vehicle together with the moving component.

12. The sliding unit according to claim 1, wherein The track has a rectangular ring shape and is provided on the floor of the vehicle, and The moving member slides in a front-to-rear direction or a left-to-right direction along the track on the floor of the vehicle.

13. The sliding unit according to claim 12, wherein: The moving member is configured to couple an object thereto to allow the object to slide along the track on the floor of the vehicle in a front-rear direction or a left-right direction together with the moving member.

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