Slide Rail Horizontal Transmission Assembly for Easier Seat Rail Rework

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing high-strength front electric slide rails in automobiles face challenges in assembly efficiency and rework due to integrated retainer rings, complex casing designs, and high part costs, leading to prolonged working hours and potential quality risks.

Innovation Solution

A split-type retainer ring assembly with independent retainer rings and a semi-open rear bracket design, allowing easy disassembly for rework, enhanced connection stability, and reduced assembly complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If integrated retainer rings are used in the horizontal transmission assembly, then the structure is compact and assembly is simple, but rework is difficult and working hours are prolonged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidrework difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated retainer ring is divided into multiple separate retainer rings. The first retainer ring remains integrated with the screw rod for structural integrity, while the second retainer ring is separate and can be independently removed for rework. This segmentation allows the assembly to maintain structural simplicity during normal operation while enabling easy disassembly and rework when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a casing design is used for the rear bracket, then the structure is enclosed and protected, but assembly complexity increases and part cost rises

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural protectionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The solid casing structure of the rear bracket is replaced by extracting the internal support elements and replacing them with wire mesh material. This maintains the protective enclosure function while significantly simplifying the manufacturing process and reducing assembly complexity. The wire mesh structure provides sufficient structural support without requiring complex forming operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The material form of the rear bracket is changed from solid metal casing to wire mesh construction. This parameter change in material structure maintains the protective function while dramatically reducing manufacturing complexity and part cost. The wire mesh configuration provides adequate structural support for the horizontal transmission assembly without the complexity of traditional casing designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Facilitates efficient rework of the horizontal transmission assembly, reduces assembly time, and lowers part costs while improving locking strength and assembly ease.

Implementation Method 1

the rear bracket has the elastic clamping groove with half opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a rear retainer ring and the screw rod are in threaded fit with each other and are fixed by a thread adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentEP4534345B1Horizontal adjustment mechanism for slide rail and automobile seat front electric slide rail
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 KEIPER (CHANGSHU) SEATING MECHANISMS CO LTD
  • EP4534345B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4534345B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7
  • EP4534345B1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The invention provides a horizontal transmission assembly of a slide rail, and a front electric slide rail of an automobile seat. The horizontal transmission assembly is mounted in an upper rail assembly and a lower rail assembly of the slide rail; a split type retainer ring assembly and a semi-open rear bracket are mounted at a rear end of a screw rod; the split type retainer ring assembly includes a pair of mutually independent retainer rings; a convex ring extending axially is arranged on at least one end face of each of the retainer rings; the semi-open rear bracket is provided with an elastic clamping groove with a radial opening; and a rear end of the screw end is pressed and clamped into the elastic clamping groove from the radial opening. The retainer ring assembly of the invention adopts a split type design, which is convenient to take out the horizontal transmission assembly for rework; meanwhile, the semi-open rear bracket with a half opening makes the assembly simpler.