Vehicle Seat Track Assembly With Cam Lock for Sliding Repositioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle seating assemblies lack the ability to be efficiently repositioned and moved within a vehicle to accommodate varying user preferences and needs, particularly for creating additional space for passengers and cargo, especially in loading and unloading scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seating assembly system that includes a pivot bracket, gear assembly, locking disk assembly, and track assembly, allowing the seating assembly to be manually or power-actuated from a sitting to a standing position, with a cam assembly that transitions between locked and unlocked positions to enable sliding along a track, providing adjustable positioning and increased space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seating assembly is designed to be movable between sitting and standing positions, then space utilization is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional actuation mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The seating assembly incorporates a dynamic mechanism that allows transition between sitting and standing positions. The actuator system (manual crank or powered motor) dynamically adjusts the seat angle and position along the track, enabling the seating assembly to adapt to different user needs and space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuation system is segmented into independent components: a crank assembly with cam mechanism for position control, and a separate actuator type (manual or powered). This segmentation allows flexible configuration where the same basic mechanism can support both manual and powered operation modes.
2Ease of operation
If manual actuation mechanism is added to enable position adjustment, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The manual crank assembly enables users to directly operate the seating assembly without requiring external power sources or complex control systems. The cam mechanism translates simple rotational input from the crank into the desired linear and angular movements of the seat, making the system self-sufficient and easy to operate.
Solution Approach 2:
The cam mechanism acts as an intermediary between the simple rotational motion of the crank handle and the complex multi-degree-of-freedom movement required to reposition the seat. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the user's task while achieving the desired complex motion.
3Measurement precision
If the cam assembly is designed to engage both eccentric and concentric profiles, then positioning precision is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cam assembly features different profile sections with distinct functions: an eccentric profile portion for one type of engagement and a concentric profile portion for another. Each profile is optimized for its specific function, allowing the cam to provide both locked and unlocked positions with appropriate precision characteristics for each state.
4Ease of operation
If the rail is designed to be slidable along the track when unlocked, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to potential unintended movement
Solution Approach 1:
The rail assembly transitions between static (locked) and dynamic (slidable) states based on the cam assembly's position. The cam's eccentric profile engages with the rail to lock it in place during normal operation, while rotation of the cam to the unlocked position releases the rail for sliding movement, providing controlled dynamic behavior.
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 convenient repositioning and movement of the seating assembly between sitting and standing positions, enhancing space utilization for passenger and cargo ingress/egress, and allowing for both manual and powered actuation options.
Implementation Method 1
when the cam assembly is in the locked position, then a portion of the cam having an eccentric profile engages with the actuation plate; when the cam assembly is in the unlocked position, then a portion of the cam having a concentric profile engages with the actuation plate
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seating assembly is provided that includes a pivot bracket coupled to a vehicle floor and disposed at a front of a seat frame, a gear assembly and a locking disk assembly disposed around an axis of rotation defined by the pivot bracket, wherein the gear assembly and the locking disk assembly are configured to each alternatively move the seating assembly from a sitting position to a standing position, and a track assembly disposed on the vehicle floor and between opposing side brackets of a seat frame. The track assembly includes a cam assembly movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The vehicle seating assembly further includes a crank assembly extending between the pivot bracket and the cam assembly and configured to move the cam assembly from the locked position to the unlocked position.