Balanced Locking Plate for Seat Slide Adjuster
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing seat slide adjusters suffer from biased force distribution between the locking plate and lower rail during locking, leading to durability issues and rattling, especially when thinner materials are used, which can result in a less reliable locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A seat slide adjuster with a locking mechanism that includes multiple wedge structures on the locking plate and elastic support members, allowing for balanced engagement with locking tooth parts on both sides of the lower rail, reducing rattling and enhancing durability even with thinner materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the steel material for the lower rail and upper rail is made thinner to achieve a lighter product, then the weight is reduced, but the lower rail and upper rail become more likely to warp, making it easier for the locking plate and locking tooth part to rattle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a locking mechanism comprising a locking plate with locking teeth that engage with grooves on the lower rail, acting as an intermediary component to secure the upper rail to the lower rail. This locking mechanism compensates for the reduced structural rigidity of thinner rails by providing a dedicated engagement system that prevents relative movement and rattling between the rails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the locking mechanism, specifically designing locking teeth with inclined surfaces that engage with corresponding grooves. The inclination angle and tooth geometry are optimized to provide sufficient locking force while accommodating the flexibility of thinner rail materials, thereby maintaining reliability without requiring increased material thickness.
2Device complexity
If the engaged portion is only formed near one side edge of the locking plate and only engages with one of the left and right locking tooth parts, then the structure is simpler, but the force that works between the locking plate and the lower rail is biased toward the locking tooth part on the one engaged side, affecting the durability of the locking tooth part and causing the locking plate to rattle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the locking engagement into multiple segments by providing locking teeth on both the locking plate and the lower rail, with corresponding grooves on the lower rail. This segmentation distributes the locking function across multiple engagement points (left and right sides), ensuring balanced force distribution and preventing rattling while maintaining structural simplicity.
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 balanced force distribution and elastic support mechanism effectively suppress rattling and improve durability, ensuring a reliable locking function and suitability for use with thinner materials, contributing to a lighter and more stable seat slide adjuster.
Implementation Method 1
a wedge structure 153 having an inclined surface 153d that protrudes inward along a downward direction
Implementation Method 2
a locking plate spring 152c that is disposed on the locking plate guide shaft 152a and comprises the elastic support means; and a wedge spring 152d that is disposed on the wedge guide shaft 152b and constitutes the another elastic support means
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~1(c)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A seat slide adjuster suited to weight-saving has a structure in which two rows of engaged portions are provided at a predetermined interval in a direction orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of a locking plate (151) that constitutes a locking mechanism (15), and the engaged portions engage with locking tooth parts (11e, 11e) on both sides of a lower rail (11) during locking. Force that works between the locking plate (151) and the lower rail (11) acts on the locking tooth parts (11e, 11e) on both sides in a well-balanced manner and is not biased to either side. As a result, the durability of the components thereof can be improved. In addition, because two rows of hole portions (151b, 151b) in the locking plate (151) engage, rattling of the locking plate (151) is not likely to occur.