Operator Seat Slide Rail Mount Geometry for Lower Sliding Load

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Solution Overview

Problem

The issue of high sliding load on slide rails due to twisting caused by variations in parts machining accuracy, leading to poor sliding performance, is addressed in working machines with operator seats.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a rail mount with a downward convex curve on the seat base, featuring gaps between the rail mount and slide rail segments, reduces the sliding load by allowing smoother movement of the slide rails.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a slide rail is attached to a rail mount with an upward convex shape (caused by machining accuracy variations), then the slide rail undergoes twisting, but the sliding load increases and sliding performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverail mount flatnessVSAvoidsliding load
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameter of the rail mount from a flat or upward convex shape to a downward convex shape. This parameter change compensates for machining accuracy variations and prevents slide rail twisting, thereby reducing sliding load without requiring higher manufacturing precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The downward convex shape is pre-formed on the rail mount during manufacturing. This preliminary action anticipates and compensates for potential machining deviations, ensuring that the slide rail attaches in a twisted-free state before actual use, thus preventing sliding load increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the rail mount is made flat to prevent slide rail twisting, then machining complexity increases, but the sliding load is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding loadVSAvoidmachining complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the rail mount perfectly flat (which increases machining complexity), the invention changes the shape parameter to a downward convex form. This simpler geometric modification achieves the same functional goal of preventing slide rail twisting and reducing sliding load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The downward convex shape is incorporated into the rail mount design as a preliminary feature. This pre-formed geometry automatically compensates for machining variations, eliminating the need for complex post-processing or precision machining operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the slide rail is rigidly attached to the rail mount, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the sliding performance deteriorates due to twisting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat position accuracyVSAvoidsliding smoothness
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The downward convex shape parameter of the rail mount ensures that the slide rail attaches in a twisted-free state. This maintains the rigidity needed for positioning accuracy while eliminating twisting that would otherwise degrade sliding smoothness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4129757B1Work machine
Publication Date: 2026.02.18 KUBOTA CORP
  • EP4129757B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4129757B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4129757B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A working machine (1) includes an operator's seat (6), a seat base (83) supporting the operator's seat (6), and a slide rail (84L, 84R) for adjustment of a position of the operator's seat (6), the slide rail (84L, 84R) being located between the seat base (83) and the operator's seat (6), in which the seat base (83) includes a rail mount (718) for attachment of the slide rail (84L, 84R), the rail mount (718) having a downward convex curve (D1) which is curved to deviate from the slide rail (84L, 84R) with increasing distance from each of opposite ends of the rail mount (718) in a longitudinal direction of the slide rail (84L, 84R) and with decreasing distance to a center of the rail mount (718) in the longitudinal direction.