Automotive Seat Track Inner Guide Anchoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat tracks lack sufficient safety during impacts due to inadequate force transfer and deformation risks, particularly in the inner guide's attachment to the upper rail.
Innovation Solution
The track design incorporates an inner guide with anchoring points above and below the guiding opening, secured by attachment members, and an outer guide with offset guiding openings, enhancing force transfer and stability through a U-shaped sheet metal configuration with reinforcing bends, ensuring the inner guide is held securely on both sides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the inner guide is secured to the upper rail with a single attachment point, then the assembly is simpler, but the force transfer is insufficient and deformation risk increases during impact
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure is segmented into multiple attachment points (first attachment point above the guiding opening and second attachment point below the guiding opening) instead of using a single attachment point. This segmentation allows the inner guide to be secured at multiple locations on the upper rail, improving force transfer capability and reducing deformation risk during impact while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Reliability
If the inner guide is anchored only above the guiding opening, then the assembly process is easier, but the hold is insufficient and deformation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment structure transitions from a single-point attachment to a multi-point attachment distributed in different spatial dimensions (above and below the guiding opening). This dimensional distribution of attachment points enhances the hold stability of the inner guide by securing it at multiple locations, while the attachment members maintain assembly feasibility through standardized mounting procedures.
3Strength
If the inner guide body is made without extending parts, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the force transfer is inadequate and deformation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The inner guide body is designed with extending parts (first extending part above the guiding opening and second extending part below the guiding opening) that protrude from the main body. These extending parts are prepared in advance to facilitate attachment to the upper rail at multiple points, enabling effective force transfer before impact occurs. The extending parts integrate smoothly with the inner guide body, maintaining manufacturing feasibility while significantly improving force transfer efficiency and preventing deformation.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a track for an automotive vehicle seat comprising: a first, upper, rail and a second, lower, rail mounted sliding relative to each other along a sliding axis, that define a cavity between them; a bolt comprising at least one locking member movable from a locked position in which the at least one locking member immobilizes the first rail and the second rail relative to each other, and an unlocked position and a guiding system for the at least one locking member between the first locked position and the second unlocked position, secured to the first, upper, rail, where the guiding system comprises an inner guide secured to the first rail at two anchoring points extending respectively the guide forming body above and below a guiding orifice.