Seat Track Striker Assembly With Spring-Biased Tool-Free Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional seat track striker fitting assemblies are bulky, heavy, and require tools for installation and removal, with complex designs that are prone to disengagement due to vibration and increased points of failure.
Innovation Solution
A compact, lightweight seat track striker fitting assembly with multiple redundant locking mechanisms, featuring a base fitting body with opposed feet or shoulders and a mechanical biasing mechanism that provides positive engagement with the seat track, allowing for tool-free installation and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional locking features with thick washers are used, then reliability is improved, but weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical washer-based locking system with a spring-loaded striker mechanism that uses elastic potential energy storage and release to achieve secure engagement. The spring mechanism provides continuous engagement force without requiring thick washers, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing weight and size.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a dynamic spring-loaded striker that can move between engaged and disengaged states, providing adaptive locking force. The spring mechanism automatically adjusts to maintain continuous engagement under varying loads and vibrations, replacing the static washer-based system while reducing overall fitting mass.
2Reliability
If complex fastening mechanisms with multiple parts are used, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated spring-loaded striker component that simultaneously provides locking, biasing, and engagement forces. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate parts compared to traditional multi-component fastening systems while maintaining or improving reliability through redundant spring-based locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded striker serves multiple functions: it provides the locking mechanism, the biasing force, and the engagement interface in a single component. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate washers, springs, and locking features that were required in traditional designs.
3Ease of manufacture
If tool-based fastening systems are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring-loaded striker is designed to be self-installing and self-locking through its inherent spring biasing mechanism. The striker automatically engages and locks into place without requiring external tools, and can be released by simple manual actuation. This self-service capability maintains manufacturing simplicity while dramatically improving ease of operation compared to tool-based systems.
4Ease of operation
If spring-loaded mechanisms are used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the spring-loaded mechanism from a complex multi-component system and integrates it directly into the striker body itself. By incorporating the spring and biasing mechanism within the striker rather than as separate external components, the design achieves tool-free operation while minimizing overall device complexity through functional integration.
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
The solution ensures secure engagement with the seat track, resisting disengagement under operational forces, and reduces noise and rattles caused by turbulence and vibration, while also simplifying installation and reducing the risk of failure.
Implementation Method 1
a mechanical biasing mechanism configured to provide positive engagement or force on the striker body toward an engaged position with the seat track
Data Source
AI summary
A seat track striker fitting assembly having a base fitting body and a striker assembly removably attached to the base fitting body. The inventive seat track striker fitting assembly does not require tools to engage/disengage with the seat track, and a biasing mechanism of the striker fitting assembly provides positive engagement or force with the seat track to restrict the movement of the fitting assembly during use. The seat track striker fitting assembly accepts or attaches various fasteners, such as bolts, screws, studs, push-button pins, connection rods, or the like, to connect parts, assemblies, or other objects to the seat track striker fitting assembly.