Hidden Powered Rail for Vehicular Seat Floor Planarization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional powered long rail apparatuses for vehicular seats hinder floor panel planarization due to exposed stationary rails and power cables, which obstruct smooth movement and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A powered rail apparatus with a hidden stationary rail using a rack-and-pinion mechanism, where the power cable is embedded within the floor panel to facilitate seamless movement of the movable rail and conceal the power supply, ensuring the rail and cable are embedded and do not protrude.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the stationary rail is mounted on the floor panel in a conventional exposed manner, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the floor panel cannot be planarized and the appearance is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary rail is embedded within a groove formed in the floor panel, nesting the rail structure inside the floor panel volume. This allows the rail to be hidden from view while maintaining its structural function, achieving floor panel planarization without sacrificing rail functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The power cable is routed through the groove in the floor panel and connected to the movable rail via a cable connector, transitioning the cable from a surface-level exposed component to a three-dimensionally routed element within the floor panel structure. This dimensional repositioning eliminates visual obstruction while maintaining electrical connectivity.
2Length of moving object
If the power cable length increases to accommodate larger anteroposterior stroke, then the movable rail can travel further, but the exposed cable hinders floor panel planarization
Solution Approach 1:
The power cable is routed through the groove in the floor panel, transitioning from a surface-level exposed component to a three-dimensionally embedded element. This allows the cable to accommodate the full anteroposterior stroke length while remaining hidden within the floor panel structure, maintaining both functional range and aesthetic planarization.
3Strength
If the stationary rail projects upwards for structural support, then the rail provides adequate support, but it obstructs smooth movement and planarization of the floor panel
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary rail is nested within a groove formed in the floor panel, allowing the rail to maintain its structural support strength while being positioned below the floor panel surface. This eliminates the protruding obstacle that would impede passenger movement, achieving both structural integrity and smooth floor panel surface for ease of operation.
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
This design allows for the complete planarization of the floor panel by hiding the stationary rail and power cable, enhancing the convenience and aesthetics while enabling smooth anteroposterior movement of the seat.
Implementation Method 1
a roller, which is rotatably mounted to the rail-supporting plate of the movable rail and is disposed in the roller transfer path in the stationary rail so as to be rolled
Implementation Method 2
a movable rail, which is to be assembled with a seat, is coupled to the stationary rail via a rack-and-pinion mechanism so as to be moved anteroposteriorly
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a powered rail apparatus for a vehicular seat. A stationary rail is mounted to a floor panel so as to be hidden, and a movable rail, which is to be assembled with a seat, is coupled to the stationary rail via a rack-and-pinion mechanism so as to be moved anteroposteriorly. A power cable, which is configured to supply the power required to move the movable rail anteroposteriorly, to a motor, is disposed in the stationary rail so as to be hidden and so as to be moved together with the movable rail such that the movable rail can be smoothly moved forwards and backwards. Since the stationary rail and the power cable are embedded in the floor panel, it is possible to realize planarization of the floor panel.