Seat Connection Assembly with Self-Aligning Electrical Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat connection systems lack an efficient and automatic method for establishing and maintaining electrical connections between vehicle components and adjustable/removable seats, leading to complexity and potential misalignment issues.
Innovation Solution
A seat connection assembly featuring a rail cartridge with a locating hole and a carriage bracket with a protrusion, where an actuation member moves a second electrical connector between engaged and disengaged positions to form an electrical connection with a first connector, ensuring automatic connection and disconnection as the seat is installed or removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual connection methods are used for electrical connectors, then the connection process becomes complex and time-consuming, but automatic connection mechanisms increase device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connectors are pre-positioned and pre-aligned using the locating protrusion and locating hole mechanism before the actual connection is made. This preliminary alignment action ensures that when the carriage engages with the rail cartridge, the electrical connectors are already in the correct position for automatic engagement, eliminating the need for complex manual alignment procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single engagement action: the locating protrusion guides alignment, the actuation member triggers connection, and the electrical connectors engage simultaneously. This merging of alignment, actuation, and connection functions into one integrated mechanism simplifies the overall operation while maintaining automatic connection
2Reliability
If electrical connectors are always engaged, then continuous electrical connection is maintained, but the ability to easily remove and adjust seats is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system is designed to be dynamic rather than static. The connectors can automatically engage when the carriage is installed and automatically disengage when removed, allowing the system to adapt between two states: connected during normal operation and disconnected during adjustment or removal. This dynamic capability maintains reliability during use while enabling versatility during maintenance
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connectors are designed to self-engage and self-disengage based on the physical presence or absence of the carriage. When the carriage is installed, the locating protrusion guides the connectors into engagement; when removed, they automatically disengage. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for separate manual connection/disconnection actions, maintaining reliable connection during operation while enabling easy seat adjustment and removal
3Manufacturing precision
If precise alignment features are added to prevent misalignment, then connection reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locating protrusion is designed with an asymmetric geometry that provides precise alignment in the critical direction while being simple to manufacture. The protrusion fits into a corresponding locating hole, creating a unique orientation that prevents misalignment during carriage installation. This asymmetric design achieves high alignment precision through a simple geometric feature rather than complex multi-component alignment mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat base. A carriage is coupled to a lower surface of the seat base and includes a locating protrusion on a bottom surface thereof. The track assembly includes a rail. A rail cartridge is slidably engaged with the rail. The rail cartridge defines a locating hole for receiving the locating protrusion. A first electrical connector is coupled to the rail cartridge. A second electrical connector is coupled to the carriage and operable between engaged and disengaged positions. An actuation member is configured to move the second electrical connector between the engaged and disengaged positions. When the second electrical connector is in the engaged position, an electrical connection is formed between the first and second electrical connectors.