Vehicle Seat Slide Detection Cover with Lip-Shaped Seal

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing protection cover structures for slide detection apparatuses in vehicle seats allow magnetic foreign substances to enter through gaps, leading to erroneous detections due to the design of the magnetic detector and rail system.

Innovation Solution

A protection cover structure with a lip-shaped contact part made of rubber material that slidably contacts the sidewall surface of the rail, effectively blocking gaps and preventing magnetic foreign substances from attaching to the magnetic detector, while being elastically deformed to avoid damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a protection cover is attached to the magnetic detector, then magnetic foreign substances are prevented from attaching to the detector, but gaps are formed that allow magnetic foreign substances to enter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemagnetic foreign substances attachmentVSAvoidgap formation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The contact part is formed of a rubber material that can elastically deform to fill gaps between the protection cover and the sidewall surface of the other rail, preventing magnetic foreign substances from entering through gaps while maintaining the protective covering function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The contact part is formed of a rubber material that can elastically deform to fill gaps between the protection cover and the sidewall surface of the other rail, preventing magnetic foreign substances from entering through gaps while maintaining the protective covering function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Shape

If the contact part is made of rigid material, then it can effectively block gaps, but it may be damaged due to collision with the detectable member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegap blocking capabilityVSAvoidcontact part durability

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The contact part is formed of a rubber material that can elastically deform to fill gaps between the protection cover and the sidewall surface of the other rail, preventing magnetic foreign substances from entering through gaps while maintaining the protective covering function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The rubber material of the contact part provides elastic cushioning that absorbs collision forces with the detectable member, preventing damage to the contact part while maintaining effective gap blocking capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 solution properly prevents magnetic foreign substances from attaching to the magnetic detector, ensuring accurate detection and protecting the contact part from damage by allowing elastic deformation during collisions.

Implementation Method 1

the contact part of the cover part is formed of a rubber material which can override a part of the detectable member provided on the sidewall surface of the other rail while contacting the detectable member and being elastically deformed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS8806936B2Protection cover structure of slide detection apparatus for vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2014.08.19 TOYOTA BOSHOKU KK

AI summary

A protection cover structure of a slide detection apparatus for a vehicle seat is provided. The slide detection apparatus is configured to detect a slide state of the vehicle seat with a magnetic detector which is provided to one of a fixed rail and a movable rail configuring a slide rail mechanism of the vehicle seat, and a detectable member provided to the other of the rails. The protection cover structure includes a protection cover provided to the one rail and configured to cover and protect the magnetic detector. The protection cover integrally includes a side cover part which covers a side of the magnetic detector, and a cover part which covers a detection part of the magnetic detector. A tip end portion of the cover part is formed with a lip-shaped contact part which is configured to slidably contact a sidewall surface of the other rail.