Long Rail Assembly Side Opening Power Drive Module

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat slide mechanisms are susceptible to contamination and debris due to their open cross-sections and lack a power-driven mechanism for automatic repositioning along a fixed rail.

Innovation Solution

A long rail assembly with a side opening and a power rail drive module that travels within the rail, featuring strikers extending laterally through the side opening to couple with a seat latch assembly, providing a power-driven mechanism for seat repositioning while minimizing contamination and debris entry.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an open cross-section fixed rail is used, then the seat mechanism is accessible and easy to manufacture, but contamination and debris can enter the rail system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturability of fixed railVSAvoidcontamination and debris entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed rail is segmented into an open cross-section portion for manufacturability and a closed cross-section portion for contamination protection. The power rail drive module travels within the closed portion, isolating it from contaminants while maintaining ease of manufacture for the open portions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The power rail drive module is nested within the closed cross-section portion of the fixed rail, creating a protected internal environment that shields the drive mechanism from external contamination while allowing the overall structure to remain manufacturable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If a C-shaped or omega-shaped fixed rail with upwardly-facing longitudinal opening is used, then the movable rail can be easily positioned and adjusted, but the open structure allows contamination and debris to enter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanual positioning of movable railVSAvoidcontamination and debris entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixed rail structure is divided into open cross-section portions that allow easy positioning and closed cross-section portions that prevent contamination. The power rail drive module operates within the protected closed portion while the open portions remain accessible for positioning operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The closed cross-section portion acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the need for accessibility (open structure) and contamination protection (closed structure), allowing the power rail drive module to operate in a protected environment while the overall system remains easy to position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If no power rail drive mechanism is included, then the device complexity is reduced, but automatic repositioning of the vehicle seat is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of rail structureVSAvoidautomatic seat repositioning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The power rail drive module is nested within the fixed rail structure, integrating the automation mechanism into the existing rail without requiring a separate external system. This maintains relative simplicity while enabling automatic repositioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The power rail drive mechanism is merged with the fixed rail structure, combining the support function and the automation function into a single integrated system. The drive module travels along the rail while being contained within it, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the power rail drive mechanism is contained within the long rail, then contamination protection is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination protection of drive mechanismVSAvoidcomplexity of integrated drive system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The power rail drive module is nested within the closed cross-section portion of the fixed rail, providing contamination protection while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure. The nesting approach allows the drive mechanism to be protected without requiring separate external housings or complex sealing systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS11584264B2Long rail assembly with side opening for vehicle seat adjustment

Publication Date: 2023.02.21 MAGNA SEATING INC

AI summary

A long rail assembly attached to a vehicle floor for repositioning vehicle seats in a vehicle between a plurality of seating positions. The long rail assembly includes a fixed long rail having a C-shaped cross-section in profile and an elongated opening in a side wall of the long rail, a power rail drive module configured to travel along an interior of the long rail and having at least one striker extending laterally away from the rail drive module through the elongated opening in the side wall of the long rail, and a vehicle seat having at least one leg releasably coupled to the at least one striker by a seat latch assembly.