Seat Track Assembly With Adjustable End Stops

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat track assemblies with integrally formed end stops are not adaptable for vehicles of varying sizes and shapes, while separately formed end stops are complex and expensive to manufacture and install.

Innovation Solution

A seat track assembly with longitudinally adjustable end stops, featuring intermediate stop tabs that can be inserted through apertures on the stationary rail to limit the travel of the moveable rail, allowing for flexible positioning and simplification of manufacturing and installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If end stops are formed integrally with the rails, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but adaptability to different vehicle sizes and shapes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to different vehicle sizes and shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The end stop is divided into two separate components: a rail body and a separate end stop member. This segmentation allows the end stop to be detached and repositioned at different locations along the rail, enabling adaptation to various vehicle configurations while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process for each individual component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The end stop position is made adjustable rather than fixed. The separate end stop member can be positioned at different locations along the rail and secured in place, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different vehicle sizes and shapes while keeping the rail design standardized.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If end stops are formed separately from the rails and subsequently secured thereto, then adaptability to different vehicle sizes and shapes is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different vehicle sizes and shapesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The end stop is divided into two separate components: a rail body and a separate end stop member. This segmentation allows the end stop to be detached and repositioned at different locations along the rail, enabling adaptation to various vehicle configurations while maintaining a relatively simple manufacturing process for each individual component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple aperture positions are pre-formed in the rail during manufacturing. These pre-prepared apertures allow the separate end stop member to be quickly installed at different locations without requiring complex modification or customization, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If end stops are formed separately from the rails and subsequently secured thereto, then adaptability to different vehicle sizes and shapes is improved, but installation cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different vehicle sizes and shapesVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple aperture positions are pre-formed in the rail during manufacturing. These pre-prepared apertures allow the separate end stop member to be quickly installed at different locations without requiring complex modification or customization, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9387779B2Seat track assembly having selectable end stop positions

Publication Date: 2016.07.12 LEAR CORP

AI summary

A seat track assembly includes a moveable rail configured to support a seat and a stationary rail configured to be mounted to a floor structure. The moveable rail is selectively positioned relative to the stationary rail is a plurality of use positions. The moveable and stationary rails include intermediate stop tabs that permit selective adjustment of the overall travel length of the moveable rail relative to the stationary rail.