Seat Slide Lever Biasing Structure for Easier Rail Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing seat sliding device for vehicles has a complex biasing member design that complicates the shape and assembly process, making it difficult to integrate with the upper rail effectively.
Innovation Solution
A bar-shaped biasing member with a front acting portion, rear acting portion, and intermediate support portion is used, where the intermediate support portion is engaged with an engaging portion on the upper rail to prevent downward movement and simplify the assembly process, allowing for a more straightforward integration with the lever member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the intermediate portion of the biasing member is engaged with the upper rail at two points, then the biasing force can be varied between front end and rear end, but the shape of the biasing member becomes complex and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member is divided into three functional segments: front acting portion, rear acting portion, and intermediate support portion. Each segment performs a specific function - the front acting portion biases the front end of the lever member, the rear acting portion biases the rear end, and the intermediate support portion provides support at one engagement point with the upper rail. This segmentation allows varied biasing forces at different locations while maintaining a simple overall structure that is easy to assemble.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the intermediate portion of the biasing member is engaged with the upper rail at two points, then the biasing force can be varied between front end and rear end, but the ease of assembling the biasing member to the upper rail deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the biasing member into distinct functional portions with the intermediate support portion engaging at only one point with the upper rail, the assembly process is simplified. The single engagement point allows for easier alignment and installation compared to two-point engagement, while the segmented structure still enables different biasing forces at the front and rear ends through the respective acting portions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate components are used for first biasing member and second biasing member, then different biasing forces can be provided, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of what would traditionally be separate first and second biasing members into a single integrated biasing member. This unified component provides both the front acting portion and rear acting portion with different biasing forces through its segmented structure, while also incorporating the intermediate support portion for engagement with the upper rail. This merging reduces the total number of components and simplifies the overall device complexity while maintaining the ability to provide different biasing forces where needed.
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
This design simplifies the shape of the biasing member and improves the ease of assembly, enhancing the operational efficiency and reliability of the seat sliding mechanism by maintaining the lock position and facilitating lock release.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing member configured to bias the lock portions in a lock position direction
Data Source
AI summary
A seat sliding device includes a lever member, a lock member, a biasing member, and an operation member. The biasing member is formed of a bar-shaped member and includes a front acting portion configured to come in contact with a front end of the lever member to bias the front end of the lever member upward, a rear acting portion configured to come in contact with a rear end of the lever member to bias the rear end of the lever member upward, and an intermediate support portion formed between the front acting portion and the rear acting portion and engaged with a an engaging portion formed in an upper rail. The engaging portion supports the intermediate support portion at a position rearward of a turning center of the lever member (shaft member).