Power Seat Slide Gear Mechanism Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing power seat slide devices generate abnormal sounds and temperature increases due to misalignment and whirling motions of flexible shafts, which are not effectively mitigated by current gear mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
The power seat slide device incorporates worm bearing members with projecting members on the outer surface of upper rails, elastic members between case components, and rolling members to stabilize the gear mechanisms, absorb straightness errors, and reduce whirling motions, thereby minimizing abnormal sounds and temperature increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the gear mechanisms are supported by the upper rails and lower rails, then the slide operation is stabilized, but the abnormal sound and temperature increase are not effectively reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces rolling members as intermediary elements between the gear mechanisms and the rails. These rolling members mediate the interaction between the supported components, converting sliding friction into rolling friction, which stabilizes the slide operation while significantly reducing abnormal sounds and temperature increases caused by direct contact and friction
2Ease of operation
If the worms and worm wheels are rotatably supported in the cases, then the gear mechanism operates smoothly, but the whirling motion of flexible shafts increases causing roaring sound or buzzing sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by pre-positioning the rolling members between the gear mechanisms and rails before operation begins. This cushioning effect absorbs and dampens the whirling motions of flexible shafts that occur during operation, preventing the generation of roaring or buzzing sounds while maintaining smooth gear operation
3Loss of energy
If the flexible shafts are made short and light-weighted, then the kinetic energy is reduced, but the misalignment and whirling motion are not sufficiently absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The rolling members serve as intermediary elements that compensate for the insufficient alignment absorption capability of short and light-weighted flexible shafts. By introducing these rolling intermediaries between the gear mechanisms and support structures, the system absorbs misalignment and reduces whirling motions, thereby minimizing gear contact sounds while maintaining low energy loss
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 configuration stabilizes the slide operation of the gear mechanisms, reduces whirling motions, and effectively minimizes abnormal sounds and temperature increases, enhancing the overall performance of the power seat slide device.
Implementation Method 1
the cases are supported on the lower rails via the rolling members
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member is disposed between the upper portion of each of the cases and the upper portion pressing member
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3(a)~3(c)
AI summary
To provide a power seat slide device having improved effects of reducing abnormal sound, a temperature increase, and so on in gear mechanisms and so on. Gear mechanisms 30 each include a case 310 in which a worm 320 and a worm wheel 330 are rotatably supported, the cases 310 are suspended from and supported by upper rails 12. The worms 320 are connected to and supported by a rotational force transmission shaft 220 of a drive mechanism 20, and the worm wheels 330 are screwed to and supported by slide screws 11a provided in lower rails 11. Further, the cases 310 are supported on the lower rails 11 via balls 340 which are rolling members. This structure stabilizes a slide operation of the cases 310 themselves and can further improve the effects of reducing abnormal sound and so on.