Vehicle Seat Rail Drive Locking for Secure Seat Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat longitudinal adjustment devices face challenges in secure installation and removal, particularly in preventing unintentional lowering due to external stress or weight.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat with a longitudinal adjustment device featuring a drive wheel driven by a unit that rolls on a friction surface of a fixed lower rail, and a locking mechanism that secures the drive unit in a raised position when the seat is removed, preventing unintentional lowering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the drive unit is not provided with a locking mechanism, then the device complexity is reduced, but the drive unit may be unintentionally lowered due to external stress or weight when the vehicle seat is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple independent components: a locking element with a locking surface, a spring element providing biasing force, and a drive wheel with a friction surface. Each component performs a specific function, and their modular arrangement allows the locking mechanism to be integrated into the existing drive unit structure without requiring a completely new design.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element acts as a counterweight mechanism that continuously applies a biasing force to the locking element, pressing it against the locking surface. This counteracts the external stress and weight forces that could cause unintentional lowering, ensuring the drive unit remains securely locked in the raised position when the vehicle seat is removed.
2Ease of operation
If the drive wheel rolls on the friction surface of the lower rail, then the upper rail can be adjusted relative to the lower rail, but external stress may cause unintentional lowering of the drive unit
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to preemptively counteract external stress before it can cause unintentional lowering. The spring element continuously biases the locking element against the locking surface, creating a pre-applied counterforce that prevents external stress from moving the drive unit from the raised position, even before the vehicle seat is removed.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism automatically engages when the drive unit reaches the raised position during normal operation. The drive wheel's movement along the friction surface of the lower rail naturally triggers the locking element to engage with the locking surface, securing the position before any removal or external stress occurs.
3Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to hold the drive unit in raised position, then protection against unintentional lowering is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged with the existing drive unit structure. The locking element is integrated into the drive wheel assembly, and the spring element is positioned within the same housing. This combining of functions reduces the need for separate locking components and simplifies the overall structure despite adding locking functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the spring element's biasing force. The spring automatically engages and disengages the locking element based on the drive unit's position, eliminating the need for external actuators, sensors, or control systems. The mechanism serves itself by using the existing mechanical movements to trigger locking and unlocking actions.
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 ensures secure installation and removal of the vehicle seat by preventing unintentional lowering of the drive unit, thus protecting it from external stress and ensuring reliable operation.
Implementation Method 1
at least one drive wheel which can be driven by a drive unit and which is designed to roll on a friction surface of the lower rail facing the drive wheel
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle seat (100) in combination with a longitudinal adjustment device (110), which comprises a rail arrangement (112) with a fixed lower rail (116) and an upper rail (114) that can be adjusted relative to the lower rail (116), wherein the vehicle seat (100) comprises at least one drive wheel (124) that can be driven by a drive unit (120) and that is designed, when the vehicle seat (100) is installed, to roll on a friction surface (126) of the lower rail (116) facing the drive wheel (124) and to adjust the upper rail (114) relative to the lower rail (116), wherein at least one locking mechanism (130) is provided and designed to at least hold and optionally lock the drive unit (120) in a raised position (200) when the vehicle seat (100) is removed.