Low Profile Seat Track With Horizontal Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat track systems for vehicles lack a low profile design with a reliable positive engagement locking mechanism that prevents longitudinal movement of the seat after adjustment, especially during vehicle impacts.
Innovation Solution
A manual positive engagement locking mechanism is integrated into a low profile seat track system, featuring a U-shaped lower track member and an upper track member with overlapping flanges, allowing for minimal play between locking elements and apertures, ensuring secure locking at any arbitrary seat slide position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional seat track system with positive engagement locking mechanism is used, then the seat position is securely locked, but the track profile height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism transitions from a vertical engagement approach to a horizontal engagement approach. The locking element engages the locking member through lateral movement along the track, allowing the locking function to be achieved without increasing the vertical profile height of the track structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element is designed to be movable relative to the upper track member, enabling it to transition between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic capability allows the locking mechanism to function within the constrained vertical space by utilizing horizontal displacement for engagement rather than vertical movement.
2Length of stationary object
If a low profile track design is implemented, then the track height is reduced, but the positive engagement locking mechanism becomes difficult to implement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking element is integrated directly into the upper track member structure, eliminating the need for separate locking housings or complex actuation mechanisms. This merging of functions allows the locking capability to be achieved within the existing low profile track geometry without adding significant structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking function is extracted from the vertical profile dimension and implemented through horizontal engagement features on the side walls of the track members. This extraction allows the locking mechanism to operate independently of the track's vertical height, enabling positive engagement in a low profile configuration.
3Strength
If the locking element engages deeply through the lower track member, then the locking strength increases, but the track profile height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking engagement is shifted from vertical penetration through the lower track member to horizontal engagement along the side walls of the track members. This dimensional shift allows sufficient locking strength to be achieved through lateral engagement distance rather than vertical engagement depth, maintaining a low profile height.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking member incorporates localized engagement features such as apertures or recesses on its side walls that provide concentrated locking points. These localized features distribute the locking force across multiple contact points along the horizontal direction, achieving high locking strength without requiring deep vertical penetration that would increase profile height.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat track system for a seat of a vehicle includes at least one seat track having a lower track member adapted to be fixed to a vehicle structure and an upper track member adapted to be connected to a seat and moveable relative to the lower track member. The seat track system also includes a manual positive engagement locking system cooperating with the at least one seat track to allow longitudinal adjustment of the upper track member relative to the lower track member and to positively engage the at least one seat track such that a locking element does extend through the locking plate but does not extend below the lower track member.