Seat Slide Device with Load-Dependent Friction Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat slide devices in vehicles fail to dynamically adjust sliding resistance based on the occupant's weight and situation, leading to inconsistent user experience and potential instability when moving the seat.
Innovation Solution
A seat slide device with a sliding member on the upper rail that generates frictional resistance by contacting the lower rail, where the resistance changes with the vertical load borne by the seat, allowing for adjustable resistance depending on whether an adult or child is seated and whether the seat is being moved with or without an occupant.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sliding resistance is increased to suppress seat moving speed and prevent unwanted movement, then safety and stability are improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because occupants (especially children) cannot move the seat with light force
Solution Approach 1:
The sliding member is designed to dynamically adjust the sliding resistance based on the vertical load applied to the seat. When an occupant sits on the seat, the increased vertical load presses the sliding member against the rail, automatically increasing sliding resistance to prevent unwanted movement. When the seat is empty or lightly loaded, the sliding resistance decreases, allowing easy operation by occupants of any size
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding resistance parameter is changed based on the vertical load condition. The sliding member's contact pressure with the rail varies according to the weight of the occupant, thereby changing the frictional resistance. This allows the system to adapt between high resistance (for safety when occupied) and low resistance (for ease of operation)
2Ease of operation
If sliding resistance is decreased to allow easy operation by children and adults, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates because the seat may slide due to vehicle inclination or accidental bumps
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically responds to vertical load changes. When a child or adult needs to move the seat, they apply downward force while operating, which increases the vertical load and thus the sliding resistance. However, the resistance remains manageable during intentional movement operations while preventing passive sliding from vehicle inclination
Solution Approach 2:
The sliding member automatically adjusts resistance based on the vertical load without requiring external control. The system self-regulates between easy operation mode (low load) and stable fixed mode (high load) based on the physical state of the seat and its occupant
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 adjustable resistance ensures a suitable sliding force requirement for users, preventing unwanted seat movement due to vehicle inclination and allowing easy operation by both adults and children, enhancing user comfort and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The sliding resistance when the seat is moved is generated as the sliding resistance borne by the sliding member when the upper rail is moved, that is, a frictional force
Data Source
AI summary
A seat slide device that can change sliding resistance when a seat is made to slide in accordance with a situation is provided. A seat slide device includes a lower rail fixed to a floor of a vehicle and an upper rail fixed to a seat of the vehicle and supported to be movable with respect to the lower rail. On the upper rail, a sliding member in contact with the slid surface of the lower rail from above is provided and configured such that the sliding resistance borne by the sliding member when the upper rail is moved is changed by a load in a vertical direction borne by the seat.