Vehicle Seat Rail Structure With Direct Impact Load Path
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat rail systems in vehicles have complex load paths that are inefficient in absorbing loads during vehicle impact events, leading to heavy and costly constructions, which compromise safety and meet legal requirements.
Innovation Solution
The seat rail system incorporates an upper rail with a cavity and a stationary lower rail with lateral side elements, along with an elongated load member that connects the upper rail to the floor structure, creating a straightforward load path and preventing large deformations during impacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If conventional seat rail systems use complex load paths, then the construction can absorb loads, but the system becomes heavy and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The seat rail system is divided into distinct functional components: an upper rail for seat attachment, a lower rail for floor attachment, and separate lateral side elements for constraint. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall weight while maintaining load absorption capabilities through the simplified direct load path from upper to lower rail.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex indirect load paths through multiple intermediate structures, the invention inverts the approach by creating a direct load path where the load member connects the upper and lower rails straightforwardly. This reversal of the conventional complex path design eliminates unnecessary structural elements, reducing weight while preserving strength.
2Strength
If conventional seat rail systems use complex load paths, then the construction can absorb loads, but the construction cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the system into standardized components (upper rail, lower rail, load member, lateral side elements), each part can be manufactured independently using optimized processes, reducing overall construction cost while maintaining the required load absorption capability through the efficient direct load path.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral side elements serve multiple functions: they constrain lateral movement of the rails, provide attachment points for the load member, and contribute to the overall structural integrity. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, lowering construction cost while maintaining strength.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the upper rail is rigidly connected to the floor structure, then large deformations are prevented, but the system stiffness may be excessive for normal operation
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the upper rail and floor structure is designed to be dynamic rather than statically rigid. The load member allows controlled deformation during impact events to absorb energy, while the lateral side elements provide conditional constraints that maintain stability when needed but permit movement during normal seat adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the connection system have different mechanical properties: the load member provides flexible vertical load transmission allowing controlled deformation, while the lateral side elements provide rigid lateral constraints. This local differentiation of mechanical properties enables both deformation control during impacts and ease of operation during normal use.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat rail system for a vehicle includes an upper rail and a stationary lower rail attached to a floor structure. The upper rail is attached to a vehicle seat and is movable relative to the lower rail. The upper rail comprises first and second side sections with a cavity between the side sections. The lower rail includes first and second lateral side elements respectively connected to the first and second side sections. An elongated load member is attached to the lower rail, where an upper part of which extends into the cavity. A lower part of the load member is connected to the floor structure. The first lateral side element blocks lateral movement of the first side section and the second lateral side element blocks lateral movement of the second side section upon deformation of the upper rail in a vehicle impact event.