Vehicle Seat Long Rail Drive for Channel Variation Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat sliding mechanisms lack a power rail drive assembly and a lateral driving wheel to automatically reposition vehicle seats along a long rail, and they do not have spring-loaded stability rolling elements to absorb vertical and lateral channel variations.
Innovation Solution
A power rail drive assembly with a lateral driving wheel and spring-loaded stability rolling elements is integrated into a long rail system, where an electric motor operates the lateral driving wheel to move the assembly along the rail, and the stability rolling elements are designed to absorb channel variations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a manual seat sliding mechanism is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the extent of automation is insufficient for automatic repositioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with an electric motor-driven system. The motor operatively couples to the lateral driving wheel to provide automated propulsion along the rail, eliminating the need for manual force application while maintaining mechanical simplicity through direct drive coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The stability rolling elements are spring-loaded to automatically adjust and absorb channel variations without external intervention. The springs self-regulate the contact force between the rolling elements and the rail channel, providing automatic compensation for manufacturing tolerances and wear.
2Reliability
If traditional rolling elements are used, then the device complexity is low, but the stability and noise reduction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The stability rolling elements are designed with spring loading to dynamically adjust to channel variations. The springs allow the rolling elements to maintain optimal contact force while accommodating vertical and lateral deviations in the rail channel, providing dynamic stability rather than rigid constraint.
Solution Approach 2:
The rolling elements are configured to handle both vertical and lateral channel variations simultaneously. By positioning rolling elements to contact the channel walls in multiple directions, the system compensates for variations in both dimensions, effectively adding dimensional redundancy to the stabilization mechanism.
3Productivity
If a lateral driving wheel is added for automatic repositioning, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral driving wheel serves multiple functions: it provides propulsive force for seat repositioning, maintains lateral alignment with the rail channel, and works in conjunction with the stability rolling elements to navigate channel variations. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate alignment and positioning mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The stability rolling elements act as intermediaries between the driving wheel and the rail channel. They absorb the impacts and variations from the channel, protecting the driving wheel from excessive lateral forces while enabling smooth propulsion along the rail.
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 enables automatic repositioning of vehicle seats along a long rail with reduced noise and improved stability, as the lateral driving wheel provides quiet operation and the stability rolling elements effectively manage channel variations.
Implementation Method 1
spring-loaded stability rolling elements to absorb both vertical and lateral channel variation
Implementation Method 2
lateral driving wheel inside a channel in the long rail such that rotation of the lateral driving wheel transposes the rail drive assembly along the long rail
Data Source
AI summary
A long rail assembly attached to a vehicle floor for repositioning vehicle seats in a vehicle between a plurality of seating positions. The long rail assembly includes a fixed long rail having an internal channel, and a power rail drive assembly configured to travel along the internal channel of the fixed long rail. The power rail drive assembly has a rail main body having a lateral driving wheel configured to frictionally and/or meshingly engage with the fixed long rail, an electric motor operatively coupled to the lateral driving wheel, and spring-loaded stability rolling elements attached to the rail main body configured to absorb channel variation as the power rail drive assembly travels along the internal channel of the fixed long rail.