Vehicle Seat Sliding Device Locking Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat sliding device locking arrangements do not optimize the locking effect, as only a portion of the locking pins contribute to the locking, and there is play between the seat and floor due to the design of locking pins and apertures, which affects the stability and reliability of the locking mechanism.
Innovation Solution
The design features locking pins and apertures of equal size and shape, with the distance between pins matching the distance between apertures, allowing all pins to penetrate simultaneously, and a master pin with a rounded tip and convex profiles to ensure proper alignment and engagement, distributing loads evenly across all pins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the size of locking pins, distance between locking pins, size of apertures and distance between apertures are chosen to allow at least one locking pin to be aligned with a corresponding aperture, then locking can be achieved for any position of upper rails relative to lower rails, but not all locking pins contribute to the locking effect and play occurs between seat and floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the locking system by providing at least one locking pin with a rounded tip and corresponding convex profiles on the lower rail. This parameter modification enables all locking pins to contribute to the locking effect while maintaining adaptability to any rail position, eliminating the play between seat and floor.
2Reliability
If locking pins are made to penetrate into apertures with offset positioning to achieve chuckless engagement, then locking effect is improved, but additional alignment mechanisms are required and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-alignment through the rounded tip of the locking pin and convex profile of the lower rail. The geometry itself performs the alignment function without requiring additional mechanisms, allowing all locking pins to contribute to locking while maintaining simple device structure.
3Ease of operation
If elongated slots are used for apertures instead of circular holes, then locking pins can engage with edge, but forward and rearward play occurs between seat and floor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces curvature elements - a rounded tip on the locking pin and a convex profile on the lower rail - to eliminate the play caused by elongated slots. The curved geometry ensures continuous contact and eliminates forward and rearward play while maintaining ease of engagement.
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 configuration ensures an optimized locking effect where all pins contribute to the locking, providing even load distribution and enhanced stability, eliminating the need for additional alignment mechanisms and reducing play between the seat and floor.
Implementation Method 1
said locking pins being biased to a locking configuration, in which at least some of them engage respective apertures of the lower rails, by means of springs
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a sliding device for a vehicle seat provided with an improved locking arrangement. Said locking arrangement comprises a pair of locking assemblies (101a, 101b; 201a, 201b), one for each track of the sliding device, each including a plurality of locking pins (105a, 105b; 203a, 203b) suitable for locking the upper rails of the tracks to the respective lower rails. Said locking arrangement further includes a releasing assembly for driving said locking pins to an unlocking configuration for adjusting the position of the vehicle seat. According to the invention, for any selected positions of the vehicle seat, all the locking pins (105a, 105b; 203a, 203b) of the locking assemblies simultaneously or quasi-simultaneously penetrate into corresponding apertures of the lower rails. Therefore, the invention advantageously allows to optimize the locking effect of the locking arrangement, as all the locking pins give their contribution to said locking effect.