Vehicle Seat Connector Track Assembly for Reliable Electrical Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seats require efficient electrical coupling for power and data transfer, but existing solutions face challenges in maintaining reliable connections while allowing for seat adjustment and removal within vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A track assembly with a conductive rail and rail cartridge system, featuring a lateral channel and central channel configuration, where a support extends from the central channel into the lateral channel, allowing for sliding engagement with contact strips, enabling secure power and data transfer while accommodating seat movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If vehicle seats are made adjustable and removable, then operational flexibility is improved, but maintaining reliable electrical connection becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic electrical connection system where the rail cartridge slides along the conductive rail within the lateral channel, maintaining continuous electrical contact through spring-loaded contacts that adapt to movement. This dynamic mechanism allows the seat to be adjusted and removed while preserving reliable electrical connectivity throughout the range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail cartridge serves as an intermediary component between the fixed track and the movable seat. It houses the electrical contacts that engage with the conductive rail, mediating the electrical connection while accommodating mechanical movement. This intermediary structure enables the seat to move freely while maintaining stable electrical contact through the sliding engagement mechanism.
2Reliability
If electrical connectors are made rigid for stable connection, then connection reliability is improved, but flexibility for seat movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system transitions from rigid to dynamic through the sliding rail cartridge mechanism. The spring-loaded contacts within the rail cartridge maintain constant electrical pressure on the conductive rail, providing stable electrical connection while allowing the entire assembly to move freely along the lateral channel as the seat is adjusted or removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection system is segmented into fixed components (track and conductive rail) and movable components (rail cartridge with contacts). This segmentation allows the rigid conductive rail to provide stable electrical pathway while the movable rail cartridge accommodates seat movement, combining connection reliability with movement flexibility through divided functional zones.
3Ease of operation
If wiring is made flexible to accommodate movement, then ease of operation is improved, but wiring tangles and reliability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces flexible wiring with a mechanical sliding contact system. Instead of using flexible cables that could tangle, the electrical connection is maintained through spring-loaded contacts that slide along the conductive rail. This mechanical substitution eliminates wiring tangles while maintaining electrical connectivity throughout the seat's range of motion, improving both reliability and 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 solution ensures reliable and flexible electrical connectivity for vehicle seats, allowing for seamless adjustment and removal while preventing wiring tangles, thus enhancing the operational freedom of the seat within the vehicle.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of spring-loaded contacts configured to be biased toward a conductive rail
Data Source
AI summary
A track assembly for a vehicle seating assembly includes a track that defines a lateral channel and a central channel. The lateral channel is in communication with the central channel. A plurality of contact strips are coupled with the track and are positioned within the lateral channel. A rail cartridge is positioned within the central channel and is slidable along the track. The lateral channel is at least partially enclosed by the track and the rail cartridge. A support is operably coupled with the rail cartridge and extends from the central channel into the lateral channel. A plurality of contacts are operably coupled with the support and are configured to engage the plurality of contact strips.