Vehicle Seat Sliding Bracket Vertical Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing seat sliding device for vehicles, as described in JP-A-2011-235788, increases the overall width size due to the J hook member, compromising reliability against external forces and requiring a larger vehicle seat size.
Innovation Solution
A seat sliding device with a bracket that transmits external forces to the lower rail through two paths, one directly and one indirectly, using a lock device and a riser to distribute the force and prevent concentric transmission, thereby enhancing reliability and reducing the width size. The bracket is fixed to the upper rail, and the lock device includes a base, hook, pawl, and striker to secure the striker and distribute the force, while the riser is positioned between the base and hook to maintain line contact and reduce stress on the striker.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a J hook member is used to transmit external force, then reliability against external force is improved, but the width size of the sliding device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a horizontal force transmission structure (J hook member extending in width direction) to a vertical force transmission structure (bracket with acting portion overlapping lower rail in up-down direction). This dimensional change allows force transmission without increasing width size, resolving the contradiction between reliability and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket integrates multiple functions: it transmits external force vertically to the lower rail, provides a mounting structure for the lock device, and maintains structural integrity. By merging these functions into a single component rather than using separate elements like the J hook member, the width size is reduced while reliability is maintained.
2Device complexity
If force is transmitted through a single path, then structural simplicity is improved, but stress concentration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The force transmission path is segmented into multiple routes: one path through the bracket's acting portion to the lower rail, and another path through the lock device components (base, hook, pawl, striker). This segmentation distributes stress across multiple elements rather than concentrating it in a single path, improving strength while maintaining manageable structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat sliding device for a vehicle includes a lower rail; an upper rail, which is supported to be able to slide relative to the lower rail and is fixed to a seat; and a bracket, which includes an acting portion to transmit a predetermined external force acting on the upper rail to the lower rail and is fixed to the upper rail, wherein the acting portion is disposed to overlap with the lower rail in an up-down direction which is perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the sliding device.