Vehicle Seat Release Assembly With Pre-Assembled Coupling Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly process of vehicle seat rail assemblies with a release assembly is complicated and time-consuming, requiring separate components to be fixed to floating fixtures, which is inefficient for OEMs assembling seats in their facilities.
Innovation Solution
A modular actuation assembly with a handle, transverse member, and release lever, integrated with a coupling and spring, allows for easy assembly of the release assembly to rail assemblies, reducing complexity and time by using a pre-assembled sub-assembly that can be easily installed by OEMs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate components are assembled using floating fixtures, then the release assembly can be properly constructed, but the assembly process becomes complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling is pre-assembled with the spring and actuation lever before installation to the rail assembly. This preliminary assembly of critical components ensures proper construction and reliability while reducing the number of steps required during final installation, thereby increasing productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The release assembly is divided into modular segments: the coupling (with integrated spring and actuation lever) can be assembled separately and then installed as a unit to the rail assembly. This segmentation allows for easier handling and assembly while maintaining proper construction.
2Reliability
If multiple separate components are used, then the release assembly can be properly constructed, but the assembly process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spring and actuation lever are merged into a single coupling component that is pre-assembled together. This integration reduces the number of separate components that need to be handled during assembly, thereby reducing assembly process complexity while ensuring proper construction through pre-assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
Critical components (spring and actuation lever) are preliminarily assembled into the coupling before final installation. This preliminary action ensures proper construction and reduces the complexity of the final assembly process by reducing the number of discrete assembly steps required.
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
Facilitates efficient and cost-effective assembly of vehicle seat rail assemblies by OEMs, simplifying the process and reducing assembly time and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The first spring may include a fixed leg and a free leg. The fixed leg may be disposed in the channel defined by the barrel and the free leg of the first spring may be configured to bias the distal end portion of the release lever against the locking lever of the locking device.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling a release assembly for use in a vehicle seat. The method including attaching a spring to a coupling, the spring including a first end and a second end, wherein the coupling defines a first receptacle and a channel, and inserting the first end of the spring into the channel defined by the coupling. Inserting a portion of the coupling into a second receptacle defined by an actuation lever, the actuation lever fixed to a transverse member, and configured to pivot about an axis defined transverse member to engage a locking lever of the locking device to unlock the translatable rail from the fixed rail. The method further including rotating the coupling in a first rotational direction, relative to the second receptacle, to a first rotational position so that the second end of the spring engages the actuation lever.