Seat Rail Locking and Contacting System for Automatic Electrical Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle seat systems face challenges in establishing a reliable and automatic electrical connection to the vehicle's on-board network, especially when the seat is removable and longitudinally displaceable, making it difficult to maintain contact at any position along the rail system without additional user operation.
Innovation Solution
A locking and contacting system that uses pivotably connected contacting elements to establish both power and data connections automatically when the motor vehicle seat is inserted, allowing for easy removal and reinsertion at any position, utilizing a combination of locking and contacting units with actuating levers and spring-loaded elements to ensure consistent electrical connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the motor vehicle seat is designed to be removable and longitudinally displaceable along the rail system, then the adaptability and loading area are improved, but the reliability of electrical connection deteriorates because contact must be maintained at any position without additional user operation
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting element is designed to automatically establish electrical contact with the rail system when the seat is inserted or positioned along the rails, without requiring any additional user action. The spring-loaded mechanism self-activates upon insertion, pushing the contacting element into engagement with the power supply and data line contacts throughout the entire range of motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The contacting element is designed as a movable, spring-loaded component that dynamically adjusts its position along the rail system. It can pivot and extend to maintain continuous electrical contact as the seat moves longitudinally, ensuring reliable connection at any position without rigid fixed-point contacts.
2Ease of operation
If the electrical connection system is designed for automatic contacting upon insertion, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for pivotable contacting elements and spring-loaded mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism and electrical contacting function are merged into a single integrated system. The same actuating lever that locks the seat in position also triggers the spring-loaded contacting element to engage with the electrical contacts, eliminating the need for separate locking and electrical connection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The contacting element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides both power supply connection and data line connection through a single pivotable component. The spring-loaded mechanism also serves dual purposes of maintaining contact pressure and enabling automatic engagement/disengagement based on seat position.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the contacting element is designed to maintain contact at any position along the rail system, then the adaptability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase to ensure consistent contact throughout the entire range of motion
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded contacting element uses elastic deformation as a variable parameter to compensate for position variations along the rail system. The spring force automatically adjusts contact pressure based on the element's position, maintaining consistent electrical contact without requiring precise mechanical tolerances at every point 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
Enables automatic and quick electrical connection to the vehicle's electrical system upon insertion and disconnection of the motor vehicle seat, maintaining reliable contact at any position along the rail system without additional user operation, supporting various electrical functions like seat heating and adjustment.
Implementation Method 1
at least one contacting element (13) which can be pivoted about an axis (14) aligned in the longitudinal direction and which is spring-loaded in the direction of the floor rail (4)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4b
Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
The invention relates to a locking and contacting system for electrically connecting a vehicle electrical system to a removable vehicle seat (1) or a seating system, wherein the vehicle seat (1) comprises at least one seat rail (5) attached to the seat structure, which is longitudinally displaceable and lockable via a floor rail (4) fixed to the vehicle structure and is removable from the floor rails (4), and an actuating rail (26, 26') displaceably mounted in the seat rail (5), wherein the actuating rail (26, 26') is displaceable via a first and/or second actuating element (6, 7), with a locking and contacting unit (10) arranged in operative connection with the actuating rail (26, 26').wherein a locking of the seat rail (5) in the floor rail (4) in the x-direction and an electrical connection of the motor vehicle seat to the vehicle's electrical system via the locking and contacting unit can be established by actuating the first and/or second actuating element (6, 7).