Vehicle Seat Guide Rail Reinforcement Device for Force Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat slide fixation systems on vehicle floors are inadequate for heavy bench seats, leading to stress concentration and potential detachment during impacts, and existing reinforcement solutions either fail to distribute forces effectively or increase weight and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A reinforcement device with a spacer having a proximal part fixed between the slide and floor and a distal part extending beyond the slide, featuring a fixing wedge and centering pin, distributes forces over multiple contact points and provides additional attachment points to the floor, enhancing the seat's stability and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If fixing lugs are used to reinforce the slide attachment to the floor, then the attachment strength is improved, but the device weight and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement device is divided into two separate parts: a proximal part that integrates with the slide and a distal part that attaches to the floor. This segmentation allows the reinforcement function to be added without significantly increasing the weight of the moving seat assembly, as only the distal part needs to be substantial for floor attachment while the proximal part remains lightweight for integration with the slide.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement device acts as an intermediary element between the slide and the floor, providing the necessary structural reinforcement without being permanently integrated into either component. This mediator approach allows the reinforcement to be added independently, avoiding the need to reinforce the entire seat assembly.
2Strength
If fixing lugs protrude from the slide, then the attachment strength is improved, but the handling and storage complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the reinforcement device into proximal and distal parts, the protruding element is isolated to only the distal part that attaches to the floor. The proximal part integrating with the slide maintains a compact profile, allowing the seat to be handled and stored efficiently without protruding elements interfering with conveyor systems or warehouse storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement device extends in the vertical dimension rather than protruding horizontally from the slide. The distal part extends downward toward the floor, allowing the reinforcement function to be achieved without increasing the horizontal footprint or interfering with the seat's handling and storage operations.
3Device complexity
If a single bolt attachment is used after centering pin breakage, then the device complexity is reduced, but the attachment reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism transitions from a two-point attachment (during normal operation with centering pin engaged) to a single-point attachment (after impact when centering pin breaks). The proximal part remains attached to the slide while the distal part remains attached to the floor, maintaining attachment reliability even after the centering pin fails, without requiring complex additional locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement device is designed with the understanding that the centering pin may break during impact. The proximal and distal parts are configured to maintain attachment reliability even after such failure, providing a backup attachment path that cushions against the complete loss of attachment without adding complex redundant systems.
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a reinforcement device (5) arranged between a guide rail (3) of a seat and the floor (4) of a vehicle, said reinforcement device comprising a spacer (11) including a proximal portion (12) to be secured between the guide rail (3) and the floor, and a distal portion (13) extending from the proximal portion. According to the invention, the distal portion extends beyond the guide rail and is intended to be secured to the floor.