Vehicle Seat Rail Gap Cover for Foreign Substance Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing seat rail systems in vehicles allow foreign substances to enter the fixed rail through gaps between the fixed and moving rails, leading to breakdowns and reduced durability, especially in longer rails found in SUVs and MPVs.

Innovation Solution

A seat rail system that includes a fixed rail, a moving rail, a guide bracket, a rail gap cover, and a slit cover, where the rail gap cover and slit cover move with the moving rail to close the gap between the fixed and moving rails, preventing foreign substances from entering and improving durability and commercial value.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a gap is formed between the fixed rail and moving rail to allow the moving rail to slide, then the moving rail can move forward and backward along the fixed rail, but foreign substances enter the fixed rail through the gap causing breakdown

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovability of moving railVSAvoiddurability of seat rail

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A cover member is introduced that functions as a flexible barrier, sliding along with the moving rail while covering the gap between the fixed rail and moving rail. This thin film-like structure prevents foreign substances from entering the fixed rail through the gap, thereby improving reliability without compromising the movability of the moving rail.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Length of moving object

If the fixed rail is made longer to accommodate second or third seats in SUVs or MPVs, then the seat rail can support longer seating positions, but the section with the gap between fixed rail and moving rail becomes longer increasing foreign substance entry

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelength of fixed railVSAvoidamount of foreign substances entering fixed rail

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cover member acts as a continuous protective barrier along the entire length of the fixed rail, preventing foreign substances from entering through the gap. This solution is particularly effective for longer fixed rails in SUVs and MPVs, as it maintains protection throughout the extended length without compromising the sliding function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The cover member serves as an intermediary element between the fixed rail and moving rail, filling the gap and preventing foreign substance entry. This mediator component allows the moving rail to slide while blocking the pathway for contaminants, effectively resolving the issue of increased foreign substance entry in longer rail configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11639119B2Seat rail for vehicle

Publication Date: 2023.05.02 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A seat rail for a vehicle includes: a rail gap cover combined with a moving rail, and a slit cover combined with the rail gap cover to close the gap between a fixed rail and the moving rail regardless of movement of the moving rail, whereby it is possible to prevent foreign substances from entering into the fixed rail.