Vehicle Seat Rail Lock Mechanism with Segmented Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seat apparatuses require users to understand complex configurations for separate operations to memorize and change seat positions, leading to potential unintended actions due to unclear operational procedures.
Innovation Solution
A seat apparatus with a lock member, operational member, memory release member, and memory member that allows clear and separate utilization of operations for memorizing and changing seat positions, utilizing a lock plate, slide lock release lever, and memory slider to restrict and release movements of the upper rail relative to the lower rail, enabling intuitive adjustment of the seat position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single operational member is used to control both memory function and lock release function, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to unclear operational stages
Solution Approach 1:
The single operational member is divided into two distinct operational members: a first operational member (release lever) for lock release and a second operational member (memory lever) for memory control. This segmentation allows each member to have a dedicated function, improving operational clarity while maintaining acceptable device complexity through functional separation.
2Ease of operation
If separate operational members are used for memory function and lock release function, then the ease of operation is improved with clear separate operations, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The memory release function and lock release function are merged into a single integrated mechanism where the first operational member (release lever) controls both functions through a unified structural design. The memory member and lock member share common structural elements and control pathways, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining clear operational distinction through functional integration.
3Device complexity
If the memory member and lock member share the same operational control, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability deteriorates due to potential unintended actions
Solution Approach 1:
The operational control is segmented into two separate members: the first operational member for lock release and the second operational member for memory control. This segmentation eliminates the risk of unintended actions by ensuring that each operation (lock release and memory function) can only be activated by its dedicated control member, thereby improving operational safety while maintaining manageable device complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the seat apparatus requires understanding of complex configuration for separate operations, then the functionality is improved with distinct operations, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The functional capabilities are segmented into distinct operational members where the first operational member handles lock release and the second operational member handles memory functions. This segmentation preserves full functional capability while improving operational simplicity by making each member's purpose intuitive and self-evident, eliminating the need for users to understand complex configurations.
Data Source
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AI summary
A seat apparatus (1) for a vehicle includes a first rail (3) secured to a floor of the vehicle, a second rail (4) relatively movable to the first rail, a lock member (25) for restricting a movement of the second rail relatively to the first rail, an operational member (28) for engaging with the lock member, a memory release member (41) operable with the operational member, a release member (31) for engaging with the lock member, and a memory member (47) of which a movement relative to the floor of the vehicle can be restricted. When the restriction of the movement of the second rail is released by the operational member, the movement of the memory member is released. When the restriction of the movement of the second rail is released by the release member, the movement of the memory member is restricted.