Flexible Stability Rollers for Seat Rail Load and Channel Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rail drive assemblies for vehicle seats lack spring-loaded stability rollers that can absorb both vertical and lateral channel variations, are difficult to assemble, and do not effectively resist lateral loads, with complex component configurations.
Innovation Solution
A rail drive assembly featuring flexible stability roller assemblies connected by a flexible wing bracket, which acts as a compression spring to resist lateral loads and absorb channel variations, reducing the number of components and simplifying assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If stability rolling elements are mounted at an angle to side walls with torsion springs, then the seat can be repositioned along the long rail, but the assembly is difficult to assemble and lacks spring-loaded stability rollers to absorb channel variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated stability roller assembly. The flexibility bracket and stability rollers are merged into one component that simultaneously provides lateral stability, vertical absorption, and ease of assembly, eliminating the need for separate torsion springs and angled mounting mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The stability roller assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it absorbs lateral channel variations, absorbs vertical channel variations, and provides spring-loaded resistance to fore-aft loads. This multi-functional design replaces the need for multiple separate components while improving ease of assembly.
2Reliability
If multiple components are used in stability rolling elements, then the assembly can provide stability, but the number of components increases making assembly difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the flexibility bracket and stability rollers into a single integrated assembly, reducing the number of separate components. This consolidation maintains the stability function while significantly simplifying the assembly process and reducing the total part count.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated stability roller assembly performs multiple stability functions simultaneously - lateral stabilization, vertical absorption, and fore-aft load resistance - within a single component system, eliminating the need for multiple separate components to achieve the same stability效果.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional stability rolling elements are used, then the seat can slide along the rail, but the assembly lacks the ability to resist lateral load and absorb both vertical and lateral channel variations
Solution Approach 1:
The stability roller assembly is designed to simultaneously absorb lateral channel variations, absorb vertical channel variations, and resist fore-aft lateral loads through its spring-loaded mechanism. This multi-functional design provides comprehensive adaptability to various types of rail variations and loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs spring-loaded stability rollers that can dynamically adjust their mechanical parameters (spring constant, pre-load) to adapt to different rail conditions and load requirements, providing both lateral load resistance and channel variation absorption through controlled elastic deformation.
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 flexible stability roller assembly effectively resists lateral loads, absorbs both vertical and lateral channel variations, and simplifies assembly, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining stability and adjustability of vehicle seats along a fixed rail.
Implementation Method 1
each of the first and second flexible stability roller assemblies (116, 116') includes first and second stability rollers (118A, 118B) rotationally coupled to a flexible wing bracket (120)... the flexible wing bracket (120) acts as a compression spring to resist lateral load applied to the vehicle seat (18)
Implementation Method 2
the flexible stability roller assembly (116) effectively resists lateral loads, absorbs both vertical and lateral channel variations
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A long rail assembly for repositioning a vehicle seat in a vehicle includes a fixed long rail and a rail drive assembly configured to be repositionable along the fixed long rail. The rail drive assembly includes an upper channel and a flexible stability roller assembly. The flexible stability roller assembly has first and second stability rollers rotationally coupled to respective first and second wing portions of a flexible wing bracket. The flexible wing bracket has a generally W- shaped cross-section in profile with the first and second wing portions extending at a first angle from adjacent first and second side portions, respectively, and the first and second side portions extending at a second angle from a center portion. The center portion of the flexible wing bracket is fixedly coupled to the upper channel.