Vehicle Seat Rail Locking Member Axial Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat sliding devices face issues with complexity, weight, and operation stability due to cumbersome locking mechanisms and a large number of parts, with limited swing angles and difficulties in direct unlocking.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seat sliding device with a simplified locking member support structure, utilizing a locking member that is swingable about an axial portion on a lower inward corner of the upper rail, reducing the number of parts and enhancing operation stability with a larger swing angle, and allowing direct unlocking through an integrated locking mechanism within the upper rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a locking member is supported by multiple balls and curled portions, then the locking mechanism can be compact, but the number of parts increases and assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple support functions into a single integrated structure. The upper rail's side wall includes both the support surface for the locking member and the positioning features, eliminating the need for separate balls and curled portions. This merging reduces the number of parts while maintaining compact dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary intermediate components from the locking mechanism. By removing the balls and separate curled portions, the design achieves compactness through direct structural integration rather than through multiple small components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the swing angle of the locking member is enlarged, then the operational range increases, but the operation stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different geometric characteristics to different parts of the locking mechanism. The support surface has a specific curvature radius that is optimized to provide stable support during the swing motion. This local optimization of the support surface geometry allows for increased swing angle while maintaining operational stability through precise control of the contact geometry.
3Volume of moving object
If the inner space of the upper rail is limited, then the rail remains compact, but direct unlocking by an operating lever becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the space constraint by changing the dimensional arrangement of components. The operating lever is positioned and configured to access the locking member through a different spatial pathway, utilizing the three-dimensional space within the upper rail more efficiently. This dimensional reorganization allows direct unlocking functionality without increasing the overall rail volume.
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 results in a more compact, lighter, and reliable seat rail with improved operation stability and reduced part count, enabling efficient positional adjustment of the seat.
Implementation Method 1
a locking spring to bias the locking member against the locking direction
Data Source
AI summary
A seat sliding device for vehicles includes lower and upper rails and a locking member for locking or unlocking the upper rail relative to the lower rail. The upper rail is equipped at a lower end of its downward side wall portion with a lower inward corner portion formed of a raised wall portion and a bottom wall portion. The locking member has an axial portion that is placed on and biased against the lower inward corner portion of the upper rail such that the locking member is swingable about an axis of the axial portion to lock or unlock the upper rail relative to the lower rail. This seat sliding device makes it possible to reduce the number of parts and improve operation stability of the locking member.