Seat Rail Lock Mechanism With Shift Restrictor Against Bounce Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sliding devices for automobile seats fail to ensure reliable locking and are prone to unintended locking release, especially due to vertical vehicle bounce, and excessive engagement force can lead to operation failures.
Innovation Solution
A sliding device with a lock mechanism that includes an engagement member with lock teeth, a first urging member to maintain locking, an operation member for releasing, and a shift restrictor to prevent unintended release, ensuring the engagement member remains locked without excessive force.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wedge angle of lock teeth is decreased to increase friction force, then engagement force is improved, but operation feeling deteriorates due to excessive engagement force
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the lock tooth by introducing an inclined surface with a controlled angle (α) between 5-15 degrees. This inclined surface modifies the force transmission characteristics, allowing the lock tooth to engage reliably while reducing the excessive resistance during operation. The parameter optimization balances engagement force and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The lock mechanism transitions from a static engagement to a dynamic one where the inclined surface allows controlled movement. During normal operation, the inclined surface provides gradual engagement, and during release, it facilitates smooth disengagement. This dynamic characteristic improves operation feeling while maintaining reliable locking.
2Device complexity
If conventional locking mechanism is used, then structure is simple, but unintended locking release occurs due to vertical vehicle bounce
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface on the lock tooth acts as a preliminary anti-action mechanism. When vertical bounce occurs, the inclined surface geometry prevents the lock tooth from disengaging by converting the vertical force into a component that presses the lock tooth further into the engaged position, thereby preventing unintended locking release.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific angle range (5-15 degrees) of the inclined surface is optimized to provide sufficient resistance against vertical bounce forces while maintaining ease of operation. This parameter optimization ensures locking stability without requiring a complex additional anti-release mechanism.
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
The solution effectively prevents unintended locking release and maintains reliable locking of the seat without requiring excessive engagement force, enhancing operational stability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member that urges the locking member in a locking direction
Implementation Method 2
decrease a wedge angle of each lock tooth (i.e., to make opposite side edge sections of the lock tooth parallel so that the lock tooth has a substantially rectangular shape) for ensuring a friction force between the lock tooth and the lock hole
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sliding device which can avoid unintended locking release without depending on an excessive engagement force of an engagement member. The sliding device includes a lock mechanism that locks an upper rail to a lower rail. The lock mechanism includes: an engagement member that shifts in the upper rail between a locking position and a release position; a first urging member that gives an urging force to the engagement member in a direction from the release position to the locking position; and an operation member for shifting the engagement member from the locking position to the release position. The operation member comprises a shift restrictor that keeps the engagement member from shifting to the release position when the engagement member is in the locking position.