Seat-Track Assembly Locking Pawl Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat-track assemblies in vehicles lack the ability to adjust seat positions in small increments and often experience rattling or 'chucking' due to relative movement between components, leading to undesirable noise during use.
Innovation Solution
A seat-track assembly with a locking mechanism featuring multiple locking pawls and biasing members that engage with locking features on the track members, allowing precise adjustment and reducing movement-induced noise by ensuring secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional locking mechanisms are used, then the seat assembly can be fixed at a position, but the user cannot adjust the seat position in small increments and must move it greater than 5mm for proper engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is divided into multiple independent locking pawls (first locking pawl, second locking pawl, third locking pawl) that can engage with different locking features independently. This segmentation allows the seat to be locked at multiple discrete positions along the track, enabling fine incremental adjustments rather than requiring large movements for engagement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pawls are designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged states, allowing dynamic adjustment. The actuator can selectively engage or disengage specific locking pawls based on the desired seat position, providing both precision and flexibility in adjustment.
2Reliability
If conventional locking mechanisms are used, then the seat position can be fixed, but rattling or chucking occurs due to relative movement between components
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple locking pawls are combined to work together with corresponding locking features on the track members. This creates redundant engagement points that eliminate gaps and prevent relative movement between components, thereby eliminating rattling and chucking noises while maintaining position stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates and prevents relative movement by providing multiple pre-positioned locking features and corresponding locking pawls that engage beforehand, preventing any play or movement that would generate noise during operation.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple locking pawls are used, then precise adjustment and secure engagement are achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple locking pawls share a common actuator and control mechanism, allowing a single control input to manage multiple locking functions. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity compared to having separate control mechanisms for each locking pawl.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking pawls are designed to automatically engage with the appropriate locking features based on the seat position, reducing the need for complex control systems. The mechanism self-regulates to maintain precise positioning without requiring sophisticated external control.
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 precise seat position adjustment in small increments while minimizing rattling and noise by maintaining secure engagement between track components.
Implementation Method 1
A locking mechanism may be disposed at least partially between the first track member and the second track member and may include at least two locking pawls movable between a locked state engaged with the locking features
Data Source
AI summary
A seat-track assembly is provided and may include a first track member having a series of locking features and a second track member slidably supported by the first track member. The seat-track assembly may also include a locking mechanism having locking pawls movable between a locked state engaged with the locking features to restrict relative movement between the first and second track members and an unlocked state disengaged from the locking features to permit relative movement between the first and second track members. The locking pawls may each include locking elements that are received within respective ones of the series of locking features in the locked state such that the locking elements restrict relative movement between the first track member and the second track member in two directions when the locking pawls are in the locked state.