Power Seat Slide Device Manual Electric Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power seat slide devices are unable to switch between manual and electric operation modes and are prone to half-lock issues, where the seat becomes stuck in a partially locked state due to the design of lock mechanisms with fixed intervals, leading to misalignment and inefficient movement.
Innovation Solution
A power seat slide device with a motor-driven pinion system, clutch mechanism, and elastic lock members that allow for both electric and manual operation, featuring a gearbox for speed adjustment, electromagnetic damping, and a clutch that disconnects motor torque during manual operation to prevent half-locking, utilizing a rack and pinion mechanism with a guide member to suppress backlash and ensure smooth movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a power seat slide device uses slide screws and slide nuts for electric operation, then the seat can be adjusted electrically, but the device cannot be manually operated when non-energized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the power seat slide device to perform both electric operation (via motor-driven pinion and rack) and manual operation (by directly moving the upper rail along the lower rail when the motor is not energized). This eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for electric and manual adjustment, allowing the same device to adapt to different operational needs.
2Ease of operation
If lock mechanisms are set at fixed intervals for manual operation, then locking positions are defined, but half-locking occurs causing seat displacement during running
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by using an elastic lock member that can elastically deform to accommodate variations in engagement position. When the lock claw engages with the engaged part, the elastic deformation provides a feedback mechanism that ensures complete locking even if the engagement position varies slightly, thereby preventing half-locking and ensuring reliable locking stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transitioning the lock mechanism from a rigid structure to one incorporating elastic elements. The elastic lock member changes its physical state (deforming elastically) to adapt to small position variations during engagement, ensuring consistent and complete locking across different operational conditions.
3Strength
If slide screws serve as strength members in the power seat slide device, then structural strength is maintained, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the strength function from the slide screw mechanism by using the lower rail itself as the strength member. The lower rail is designed with sufficient strength to support the seat and withstand operational loads, eliminating the need for additional slide screws to provide structural support. This reduces device complexity while maintaining required strength.
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
Enables seamless switching between electric and manual operation modes, preventing half-locking and ensuring smooth, controlled movement of the seat, reducing the need for separate damping systems and simplifying the structure while maintaining effective locking mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
in accordance with the front-rear movement of the upper rails along the lower rails while the motor is not energized, an electromagnetic force is generated in the motor due to rotation of a drive shaft of the motor, and the motor functions as a damper which makes the moving operation of the upper rails in the front-rear direction slow
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a power seat slide device capable of changing not only to an electric operation but also to an manual operation, and preventing half-lock in spite of a manually operable structure. For front-rear movement, a rack (21) attached to a lower rail (11) and a pinion (22) meshed with the rack (21) are used, and a driving force of a motor (51) is transmitted to the pinion (22), which enables the use in an electric mode. On the other hand, because no slide screw is used, while the motor (51) is not energized, rotating the pinion (51) causes an output shaft of the motor (51) to rotate, so that manual adjustment becomes possible.