Vehicle Seat Rail Sensor Placement Freedom
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat devices face challenges in downsizing and weight reduction of the rail while maintaining strength, and the spatial restrictions on the installation of sensors due to the lock mechanism.
Innovation Solution
A seat device design where a rail is installed on a vehicle floor, allowing a juxtaposed member to extend alongside the rail, enabling the sensor to be installed on either the member or the floor, providing greater flexibility in sensor placement and utilizing the power feeding member as a mechanism to detect the seat position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If the rail is downsized and reduced in weight, then weight reduction is achieved, but the strength for supporting the seat may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rail structure with the power feeding member into an integrated assembly. The power feeding member is disposed alongside the rail and together they form a unified structural unit that supports the seat, allowing the rail to be lighter while the combined structure maintains sufficient strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The rail structure is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical support for the seat and simultaneously houses or works in conjunction with the power feeding member that supplies electricity to seat components. This multi-functionality allows weight reduction without compromising overall system capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the lock mechanism is disposed to fasten the seat, then the seat can be secured at any position, but the installation positions of the element and detector are spatially restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the sensor installation from the traditional rail location to a juxtaposed member that extends in a different spatial dimension alongside the rail. This dimensional shift provides new installation positions for sensors and signal-generating elements without interfering with the lock mechanism's function.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into separate functional components: the rail for mechanical support and positioning, the lock mechanism for securing, and the juxtaposed member for sensor installation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, with sensors placed on the juxtaposed member away from the lock mechanism's spatial constraints.
3Measurement precision
If the sensor is disposed on the rail, then the position detection is achieved, but the installation position freedom is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a juxtaposed member as an intermediary structure between the rail and the sensor. This mediator carries the sensor and signal-generating elements, allowing position detection functionality to be maintained while providing freedom in sensor placement along the length of the juxtaposed member, independent of the rail's constrained geometry.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat moves along a rail in the front-back direction of a vehicle. A juxtaposed member (receiving member) extending in the front-back direction of the vehicle is joined to a floor or the seat so as to be located next to the rail. A detected portion is provided either to the juxtaposed member or to a member which is located on the floor side or the seat side which moves relative to the floor or the seat to which the juxtaposed member is coupled. A sensor that detects the detected portion is provided either to the juxtaposed member or to the member located on the floor side or the seat side. As a result of this configuration, the installation position of the sensor is less spatially restricted than the case in which the sensor is provided to the rail.