Deformable Roller Guide for Vehicle Seats
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seat roller guides with open guide rails face issues of play and blocking due to roller movement, requiring complex and expensive dual-roller configurations to achieve play-free rolling, and are prone to rattling noises and manufacturing defects.
Innovation Solution
A roller guide with a single roller featuring a deformable circumferential surface divided into two functional regions, allowing for play-free rolling by compressing at the lower side and avoiding contact at the upper side when unoccupied, and automatic deformation for smooth rolling when occupied, using a combination of materials and shapes to ensure reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single roller is used in the guide rail, then the device complexity and manufacturing cost are reduced, but the roller exhibits play and blocking due to opposing movements at upper and lower sides
Solution Approach 1:
The roller cover part is divided into two distinct functional regions with different properties: a first region that is deformable by pressurization and a second region with undersized outer diameter. This local differentiation allows the roller to adapt its contact characteristics with the guide rail walls based on loading conditions, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller cover part transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one that automatically adjusts its geometry in response to pressurization. When pressurized, the first functional region deforms to change the contact points with the guide rail walls, enabling the roller to maintain stability without requiring a complex dual-roller configuration.
2Reliability
If two rollers are arranged per roller bearing to eliminate play, then the roller stability is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The functionality of two separate rollers is merged into a single roller by incorporating two functional regions within one roller cover part. This integration achieves the play-free rolling stability of dual rollers while maintaining the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of a single-roller configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The single roller cover part performs multiple functions that would traditionally require two separate rollers: it provides contact at both upper and lower sides of the guide rail, eliminates play, and adapts to loading conditions. The multi-functional design resolves the contradiction by making one component do the work of two.
3Ease of operation
If crowned contour rollers are used for smooth rolling, then the rolling behavior is improved, but the manufacturing tolerances must be very small to avoid rattling noises
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on tight tolerances of a crowned contour, the invention changes the geometric parameters of the roller cover part to create two functional regions with specific dimensional relationships. The undersized outer diameter of the second region and the deformability of the first region provide built-in compensation for manufacturing variations, achieving smooth rolling without requiring very small tolerances.
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 cost-effective, simple production of vehicle seat roller guides with reduced manufacturing issues, minimizing noise and wear, and providing reliable rolling and rest position functionality without the need for dual rollers, ensuring smooth and quiet operation.
Implementation Method 1
the first circumferential surface-like functional region of the roller cover part of the roller being deformable by pressurisation by means of seat occupation
Implementation Method 2
the roller is sufficiently compressed, and therefore deformed, at its lower side to no longer make contact at its upper side with the upper side inner wall of the guide rail
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a roller guide. The roller guide includes at least one guide rail, and at least one roller received in the guide rail. A roller cover part of the roller is rollable with a running surface of the roller. The roller cover part is divided into a first circumferential surface-like functional region and a second circumferential surface-like functional region which are arranged one behind the other in a direction of a shaft of the roller. The first region is deformable by pressurization by seat occupation. The first region is in contact with an inner wall on a lower side of the roller and with an inner wall on the upper side of the roller. An outer diameter of the second region has an undersize with respect to a spacing between the inner wall on the upper and lower sides of the roller.