Power Supply Rail Guide Belt Locking to Suppress Vehicle Seat Noise
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power supply rails in vehicles generate abnormal noise due to contact between the guide belt and the casing when the guide belt is deformed by gravity or vehicle vibration.
Innovation Solution
A power supply rail design featuring a holding member that locks the guide belt between its fixed and curved portions, stabilizing the guide belt's posture to prevent contact with the casing, using a locking portion that overlaps the guide belt in the width direction and extends from the base portion in the thickness direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the guide belt is allowed to move freely in the casing, then the flexible flat cable can accommodate expansion and contraction movement, but the guide belt contacts the casing inner surface causing abnormal noise
Solution Approach 1:
A holding member is introduced as an intermediary component between the guide belt and the casing. This holding member includes a locking portion that selectively engages with the guide belt, preventing it from contacting the casing inner surface while still allowing the flexible flat cable to expand and contract. The holding member thus mediates between the need for movement accommodation and the need to prevent noise-generating contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is positioned at a specific location within the casing rather than constraining the entire guide belt uniformly. This localized constraint allows the guide belt to maintain its guiding function in other areas while preventing contact only where it would generate noise against the casing inner surface.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the guide belt is constrained to prevent contact with the casing, then abnormal noise is suppressed, but the guide belt may deform due to gravity
Solution Approach 1:
The holding member acts as a support intermediary that prevents the guide belt from deforming under gravity while also preventing contact with the casing. By providing localized support at strategic positions, the holding member maintains the guide belt's structural integrity without over-constraining it.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding member is pre-installed in the casing at positions where the guide belt is most susceptible to deformation or contact. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the guide belt is installed, it is immediately supported and guided correctly, preventing both deformation and noise-generating contact throughout operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A power supply rail capable of suppressing abnormal noise caused by contact between a guide belt and a casing is provided. A power supply rail includes a cylindrical casing, a sliding portion which is attached to the casing to be movable along a predetermined direction, a flexible flat cable which is accommodated in the casing and extends in the predetermined direction, a movable terminal portion which is attached to the sliding portion, a fixed terminal portion which is attached to the casing, a guide belt which guides the flexible flat cable, and a holding member that holds the guide belt. The holding member includes a locking portion which locks at least one end of the guide belt in the width direction and holds the guide belt by the locking portion.