Seat Slide Lock Mechanism Nesting for Rail Rigidity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat slide devices for automotive vehicles suffer from reduced strength against bending due to large openings formed on the upper rail to accommodate the lock arm, compromising the rigidity of the upper rail.
Innovation Solution
A seat slide device design where the pivotal axles of the lock arm are positioned on the side surface of the upper rail, eliminating the need for a large opening and incorporating a bearing bracket with slits to support the lock arm, reducing the height of lock holes and minimizing the bending rigidity loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a large opening is formed on the upper rail to accommodate the lock arm, then the lock arm can be disposed outside the upper rail, but the strength of the upper rail against bending is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm and bearing bracket are nested within the upper rail structure. The bearing bracket is disposed inside the upper rail, and the lock arm is rotatable within this bracket, eliminating the need for large external openings while maintaining full functionality of the locking mechanism.
2Volume of moving object
If the pivotal axle is disposed within the inside of the upper wall portion, then the lock mechanism can be compact, but the height of the lock hole must be increased
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotal axles are positioned at both ends of the lock arm rather than at the center, allowing the lock arm to rotate within a compact space defined by the bearing bracket. This dimensional redistribution enables compactness without increasing lock hole height.
3Device complexity
If the lock arm is disposed outside the upper rail, then the lock mechanism can be simplified, but the opening area increases reducing rail strength
Solution Approach 1:
The lock arm and bearing bracket are nested within the upper rail structure. The bearing bracket is disposed inside the upper rail, and the lock arm is rotatable within this bracket, eliminating the need for large external openings while maintaining full functionality of the locking mechanism.
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 reduces the vertical size of lock holes, secures space for a spring to bias the lock arm, and minimizes the opening area, thereby maintaining the strength of the upper rail against bending while allowing for efficient locking and sliding functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a spring member configured to bias the lock arm to rotate toward the locked position
Data Source
AI summary
In a seat slide device applicable to an automotive vehicle, a lock mechanism includes: a lock arm disposed on an upper rail to be pivotable around a pivotal center axis; lock pawls formed on the lock arm along the elongate direction of the upper rail; lock holes formed on a lower rail and the upper rail, the lock pawls being inserted through the lock holes to lock the upper rail with respect to the lower rail; a pair of slits formed at predetermined front-and-rear positions of a side surface of the upper rail; and a bearing bracket, the bearing bracket and the lock arm being disposed within an enclosed space between the upper rail and the lower rail and including a pair of bearing portions and both ends of the lock arm and the pair of bearing portions being disposed within inner spaces defined by the pair of slits.