Flat Cable Take-Up Layout for Compact Slide Seat Power Supply
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing slide seat power supply devices are bulky due to the parallel arrangement of the spiral spring and take-up part, making it difficult to reduce the size of the power supply device.
Innovation Solution
A cable take-up device with a compact structure that includes a take-up housing part, a take-up force generation part, and a take-up force application part, where the take-up force generation part is disposed opposite to the cable end output side, and the inner and outer installation portions of the flexible flat cable are wound in the same or opposite directions to regulate movement, using a spiral spring for take-up force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the spiral spring and take-up part are disposed parallel to each other, then the power supply device can function properly, but the size of the device becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the spiral spring and take-up part into a single integrated take-up housing part, where both components are disposed within the same housing space rather than being separate parallel units. This integration allows the spring and cable winding mechanism to share common structural space, reducing the overall device volume while maintaining both the power supply function and cable take-up function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested arrangement where the take-up force generation part (spiral spring) is disposed inside the take-up housing part that contains the housed portion of the cable. The spring is positioned concentrically or adjacently within the same housing space, allowing one component to be nested within or alongside the other, thereby optimizing space utilization and reducing the overall device footprint.
2Device complexity
If the take-up force generation part is disposed on the same side as the cable output, then the structure is simpler, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs an asymmetric arrangement where the take-up force generation part is disposed on the opposite side of the take-up housing part relative to the cable output side. This asymmetric positioning optimizes the internal space distribution, allowing the spring mechanism to be positioned where it can effectively generate take-up force while keeping the cable output accessible on the opposite side, thereby reducing overall device size without excessive structural complexity.
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 device provides a compact power supply solution that follows the movement of the slide seat by taking up and drawing the flexible flat cable, preventing excessive drawing or pull-back, and maintaining a compact form.
Implementation Method 1
a spring unit including a spiral spring inside
Data Source
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AI summary
[Object] An object is to provide a cable take-up device with a compact structure that can supply power to a slide seat, and a flat cable routing structure for a slide seat. [Solution] A cable take-up device (6) of a cable routing body (5) routed for a slide seat (4) slidably supported so as to be movable forward and backward along a fixed rail (2) fixed to the vehicle cabin floor includes a take-up housing part (7) that takes up a housed portion (56) in a drawable manner and houses the housed portion (56) inside with a front end portion (52) fixed to a rail front end portion (2X) and a rear end portion (55) fixed to the slide seat (4), a take-up force generation part (8) that generates a take-up force in a direction of take-up of the housed portion (56) through drawing of the cable routing body (5), and a slit (614) that applies the take-up force of the take-up force generation part (8) to the housed portion (56). The rear end portion (55) is output to the outside from the take-up center of the take-up housing part (7), and the take-up force generation part (8) is disposed on the vehicle width direction inside (Wi) of the take-up housing part (7).