Vehicle Seat Slide Locking Rail With Dual Wedge Bracing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle seat slide systems with continuous adjustment lack effective locking mechanisms that allow for unlimited locking positions and are prone to micro-movements due to alternating stresses, leading to unsatisfactory static equilibrium and loss of reference between blocking members and the rail.

Innovation Solution

A system with a rail, first and second blocking members, and wedging elements that provide bracing through resilient means, allowing locking in any position along the slide, and an unlocking mechanism that retracts the wedging elements to enable sliding, using torsion springs and levers to maintain contact and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a continuous adjustment slide system is used, then unlimited locking positions are enabled, but micro-movements occur due to alternating stresses leading to loss of static equilibrium

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking positionsVSAvoidstatic equilibrium

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking member is divided into two separate blocking members (first and second blocking members) positioned at different locations along the rail. Each blocking member independently engages with the rail to provide locking in opposite sliding directions, segmenting the locking function to maintain stability under alternating stresses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two blocking members are rigidly connected to the second slide element, merging their functions into a single integrated locking system that provides bidirectional locking capability while maintaining static equilibrium through coordinated engagement with the rail

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If blocking members are used for locking, then positioning stability is improved, but the system becomes prone to micro-movements under alternating stresses

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidmicro-movements

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Each blocking member is specifically configured with walls (first and second walls for the first blocking member, third and fourth walls for the second blocking member) that contact opposite friction surfaces of the rail. This localized contact arrangement ensures that each blocking member independently resists forces in its specific direction, preventing micro-movements while maintaining positioning stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Force

If friction surfaces are used for locking, then locking force is improved, but reference loss between blocking members and rail occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking forceVSAvoidreference loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ForceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The blocking members are designed to automatically engage with the rail through their geometric configuration. The walls of the blocking members naturally contact the friction surfaces of the rail under load, creating self-aligning contact that maintains reference between the blocking members and rail without requiring additional positioning mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 continuous locking at any position along the slide, maintaining stability under stress conditions, reducing micro-movements, and ensuring reliable locking without limited adjustment steps.

Implementation Method 1

first resilient means EL1 configured to move the first wedging element OC1 along the vertical component of the first slot FE1... second resilient means EL2 configured to move the second wedging element OC2 along the vertical component of the second slot FE2... comprising a torsion spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion spring: Torsion Spring

Implementation Method 2

the first wedging element OC1 blocked by wedging against the first stop surface SA1 and the projecting portion of the first blocking member B1... the second wedging element OC2 blocked by wedging against the second stop surface SA2 and the projecting portion of the second blocking member B2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWedge effect: Wedge

Implementation Method 3

the rail having a first, upper friction surface 30 and a second, opposite, lower friction surface 31... first wall 40 and second wall 41, facing one another, configured to rub on the first friction surface 30 and second friction surface 31 of the rail, respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250296483A1System for locking a continuously adjustable slide

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 FAURECIA SIEGES D AUTOMOBILE SA

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a system for locking a continuously adjustable slide for a vehicle seat, comprising; the slide comprising a first, lower slide element configured to be fixed to a vehicle floor, and a second, upper slide element configured to slide along the first slide element, a system for locking by bracing comprising: a rail, extending lengthwise along the at least one slide, stationary relative to the first slide element, a first blocking member and a second blocking member, mounted integral with the second slide element, in positions offset along a longitudinal axis of the rail, the first blocking member configured to brace against the rail, under the action of two wedging members blocking by wedge effect in slots.