Vehicle Seat Rail Locking Structure for Quiet Sliding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat-sliding apparatuses for vehicles generate unpleasant sounds and vibrations due to the movement of the locking member, which is not completely coupled to the lower rail, causing an unpleasant passenger experience.
Innovation Solution
A seat-sliding apparatus with a rail groove portion featuring a sloped portion on the lower rail, where the height of teeth decreases towards the center, and a locking unit with a locking plate and center pin that is selectively engaged with the rail groove portion to prevent partial fixation and reduce noise during movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a locking member is used to hold the upper rail to the lower rail, then the locking ability is improved, but unpleasant sounds and vibrations are generated when the locking member moves
Solution Approach 1:
A rail groove portion with a sloped portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the locking member and the lower rail. The sloped portion acts as a mediator that guides the locking member smoothly during movement, preventing direct impact and partial fixation that cause noise and vibrations, while still enabling secure locking when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The sloped portion is designed with a curved surface that transitions from the lower rail surface upward and inward. This curved geometry allows the locking member to roll or slide smoothly during engagement and disengagement, eliminating the harsh impacts and vibrations associated with flat or abrupt surfaces.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the locking member is completely coupled to the lower rail, then stable positioning is achieved, but partial fixation occurs when not completely coupled causing unpleasant sensations
Solution Approach 1:
The rail groove portion with sloped portion serves as an intermediary structure that ensures the locking member is either fully engaged or fully disengaged. The sloped portion guides the locking member through a controlled transition, preventing unstable partial fixation states that cause unpleasant sensations for passengers.
3Ease of operation
If a conventional locking structure is used, then the seat rail locking function is achieved, but unpleasant sounds are generated at the end of the lower rail
Solution Approach 1:
The sloped portion is designed with a curved surface that transitions from the lower rail surface upward and inward. This curved geometry allows the locking member to roll or slide smoothly during engagement and disengagement, eliminating the harsh impacts and vibrations associated with flat or abrupt surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The sloped portion is positioned at the end of the lower rail to cushion the impact before the locking member reaches the terminal position. This pre-cushioning structure absorbs and distributes the impact forces, preventing the generation of unpleasant sounds during locking operations.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a seat-sliding apparatus for a vehicle. The seat-sliding apparatus includes a lower rail fixed to the vehicle, an upper rail, which is coupled to a seat and slides along the lower rail, a rail groove portion, which is formed in at least one surface of the lower rail and has therein a plurality of grooves, a tooth portion having teeth positioned between the grooves in the rail groove portion, a sloped portion, which is positioned at at least a portion of the rail groove portion and in which heights of the teeth of the tooth portion decrease toward a center of the rail groove portion from one end of the rail groove portion in a longitudinal direction, and a locking unit, which is positioned at the upper rail and is selectively engaged with the rail groove portion so as to hold the upper rail.