Long Seat Slide Rail with Switchable Electric and Manual Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing long slide rail systems in vehicles, particularly in recreational vehicles and vans, face issues with passenger dissatisfaction due to slow movement of electric seats when passengers in third-row seats need to enter or exit, as they require manual adjustment of multiple seats, which is not as fast as desired.
Innovation Solution
A long slide rail system that allows switching from an electric mode to a manual mode by rotating the seatback, disengaging a pinion gear from a rack gear through a mechanical connection structure, enabling quick manual adjustment of the seat position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an electric seat sliding device is used, then the seat can be automatically adjusted with convenient operation, but the movement speed is too slow when passengers need to quickly enter or exit the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: electric mode for normal automatic adjustment and manual mode for rapid movement. The guide module enables the second gear module to rotate between a first position (electric mode) and a second position (manual mode), allowing the system to adapt its characteristics based on operational requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The slide rail system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can operate in electric mode using the drive motor, gear box, and lead screw for automated adjustment, or switch to manual mode by disengaging the pinion gear from the rack gear through the guide module, enabling the same system to provide both automated convenience and manual speed
2Length of stationary object
If a long sliding device is installed to increase forward-and-rearward movement distance, then sufficient leg room can be secured, but the system becomes more complex and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The gear module is divided into two independent parts: a first gear module fixedly mounted on the upper rail connected to the drive motor, and a second gear module coupled in an axially rotatable manner to the first gear module, containing the pinion gear that can be selectively engaged or disengaged from the rack gear on the lower rail
Solution Approach 2:
The pinion gear and its supporting second gear module are extracted as a separate, selectively engageable component from the main electric drive system. This allows the mechanical manual drive path to be independent of the electric motor system, simplifying the overall structure while enabling dual-mode operation
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 quick manual adjustment of seats, improving passenger satisfaction by allowing easy switching between electric and manual modes, reducing costs, and ensuring stable operation compared to electronic systems.
Implementation Method 1
a cable is accordingly pulled by rotation of the seatback such that a rotating housing cover connected to the cable is rotated relative to a fixed housing cover
Implementation Method 2
a pinion gear is selectively disengaged from a rack gear such that the second gear module is guided and moved by the guide module from a first position corresponding to an electric mode to a second position corresponding to a manual mode
Data Source
AI summary
A long slide rail system for a vehicle seat, includes a lower rail extending lengthwise along a floor panel of a vehicle, the lower rail being fixedly installed on the floor panel, an upper rail coupled to the lower rail and mounted on a seat cushion, the upper rail being configured to enable the seat cushion to be slidably movable along the lower rail, a first gear module fixedly mounted on the upper rail and connected to a drive motor, a second gear module coupled in an axially rotatable manner to the first gear module, the second gear module including a pinion gear engaged with a rack gear provided on the lower rail, and a guide module configured to selectively rotate the second gear module to disengage the pinion gear from the rack gear such that the second gear module is switched from an electric mode to a manual mode.