Seat Sliding Device Three-Point Roller Backlash Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional seat sliding devices require excessive rollers, leading to high sliding resistance and a likelihood of backlash when reducing the number of rollers.

Innovation Solution

A seat sliding device with a three-point roller support configuration, where each rail unit is supported by three cantilever-type rollers at three points, reducing the number of rollers and incorporating backlash-reducing shoes to minimize sliding resistance and backlash.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple rollers (eight wheels) are provided on each rail unit, then the seat can be supported stably, but the sliding resistance becomes great and the structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat support stabilityVSAvoidroller configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the support function into two distinct components: rollers for supporting the rail in the height direction and preventing lateral deviation, and separate backlash reducing shoes for eliminating gaps and reducing sliding resistance. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall complexity while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the backlash reduction function from the roller system and implements it through separate backlash reducing shoes that contact the lower rail. This separation allows the rollers to focus solely on support stability while the dedicated shoes handle backlash elimination, simplifying the overall system design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the number of rollers is reduced, then the sliding resistance decreases, but backlash of the seat is likely to be caused

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of rollersVSAvoidseat backlash prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces backlash reducing shoes as intermediary elements between the rollers and the lower rail. These shoes act as mediators that eliminate gaps and prevent backlash while allowing the rollers to maintain support with reduced numbers, thus resolving the contradiction between fewer rollers and backlash prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the operational parameters by introducing separate backlash reducing shoes that can independently adjust to eliminate gaps. This parameter change allows the system to maintain reliability with fewer rollers, as the shoes compensate for the reduced roller count by actively preventing backlash through their contact mechanism with the lower rail.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional rollers are used, then the structure is simple, but excessive rollers are needed leading to high sliding resistance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroller structure simplicityVSAvoidsliding resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the friction-generating contact between rollers and the lower rail by introducing separate backlash reducing shoes that handle gap elimination. This extraction allows the rollers to be reduced in number while the simple shoe structure maintains ease of manufacture, simultaneously reducing sliding resistance and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

The solution effectively reduces the number of rollers and minimizes backlash, enhancing the stability and ease of sliding movement while maintaining low sliding resistance.

Implementation Method 1

the first rail member supports the second rail member at three points by the three rollers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRolling: Roller

Data Source

PatentEP2719574B1Seat sliding device
Publication Date: 2015.10.28 AISIN SEIKI KK
  • EP2719574B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2719574B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2719574B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A seat sliding device allows a vehicle seat to be positioned in the vehicle front back direction. The seat sliding device includes a pair of rail units aligned in the lateral direction of the seat. Each of the rail units includes a first rail member, which is attached to a seat mounting surface, and a second rail member, which is attached to the seat. Three rollers are arranged in each rail unit, and the second rail member is supported on the first rail member at three points by the three rollers.