Vehicle Seat Track Assembly Integrated Into the Floor Panel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seating assemblies lack efficient mechanisms for movement between multiple positions within a vehicle, often requiring complex attachments and track assemblies that do not effectively utilize space or provide user-friendly movement.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle seating assembly that includes a seatback pivotally coupled to a seat base, with a track assembly featuring C-channels and tracks that are coupled with an electrical assembly, allowing for movement between forward and rearward positions while maintaining structural support through an integrated platform and cross-members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex attachments and track assemblies are used to enable vehicle seat movement, then the seating assembly can be moved into various positions, but the device complexity increases and space utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the track assembly with the floor panel by integrating the C-channels directly into the floor panel structure. This merging eliminates separate attachment components and reduces overall device complexity while maintaining the seating assembly's movement capability between multiple positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor panel serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the vehicle interior and simultaneously houses the integrated track assembly for seat movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing device complexity while preserving adaptability.
2Ease of operation
If traditional track assemblies are used for seat movement, then positioning is achieved, but structural stiffness and side-impact performance are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The track assembly is merged with the floor panel structure, creating an integrated system where the C-channels are formed as part of the floor panel. This integration ensures that the structural stiffness of the floor panel is maintained while still enabling seat movement through the embedded track mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor panel is segmented to include integrated C-channels that house the tracks. This segmentation allows the track assembly to be embedded within the floor panel structure rather than attached separately, preserving the overall structural integrity and side-impact performance while enabling movement functionality.
3Strength
If the platform is positioned beneath the seating assembly, then structural support is maintained, but space for movement is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The platform is positioned beneath the seating assembly, utilizing the vertical dimension for structural support. This allows the horizontal dimension to be optimized for movement space, as the track assembly is integrated into the floor panel above the platform, enabling movement without compromising structural support.
Data Source
AI summary
A seating assembly includes a seatback pivotally coupled to a seat base. A floor panel defines a cutout that has a first sidewall and a second sidewall. The first and second sidewalls frame a void. A track assembly has first and second C-channels coupled to the first and second sidewalls. First and second tracks are received by the first and second C-channels, respectively, and are coupled with an electrical assembly. A platform is positioned beneath the seating assembly and is at least partially received by the void. The platform includes a frame with an attachment feature that extends away from the floor panel and an extendable cross-member that is at least partially supported by the frame.