Sliding Lever Rail Assembly for Quiet Short-Stroke Locking

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional center console rails in vehicles require a long locking stroke and generate loud operating noise due to the lever's fork shape, necessitating a large operating space.

Innovation Solution

A rail assembly with a sliding lever mechanism that operates horizontally to reduce the locking stroke and noise, featuring a lever module with rollers and springs, and a lock module with vertical movement to adjust the lock switch's speed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional lever with a long fork shape is used to lock the console rail, then the locking function is achieved, but the locking stroke becomes long, operating noise increases, and operating space increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidlocking stroke

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lever operation direction from upward motion to horizontal sliding motion. The sliding lever moves horizontally along the movable rail to engage and disengage the locking teeth from locking grooves, completely changing the operational paradigm to achieve shorter stroke and reduced noise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is segmented into discrete locking teeth on the sliding lever and corresponding locking grooves on the fixed rail. This segmentation allows for a simplified engagement mechanism that requires minimal movement distance, replacing the continuous rotational motion of conventional levers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a conventional lever with a long fork shape is used to lock the console rail, then the locking function is achieved, but operating noise increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidoperating noise

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lever operation direction from upward motion to horizontal sliding motion. The sliding lever moves horizontally along the movable rail to engage and disengage the locking teeth from locking grooves, completely changing the operational paradigm to achieve shorter stroke and reduced noise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding lever design enables rapid engagement and disengagement of the locking mechanism through a single horizontal sliding action. The locking teeth skip directly into or out of the locking grooves without the gradual rotational movement of conventional levers, reducing the duration and intensity of noise generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

3Reliability

If a conventional lever with a long fork shape is used to lock the console rail, then the locking function is achieved, but the operating space required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking functionVSAvoidoperating space

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional lever operation direction from upward motion to horizontal sliding motion. The sliding lever moves horizontally along the movable rail to engage and disengage the locking teeth from locking grooves, completely changing the operational paradigm to achieve shorter stroke and reduced noise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding lever is integrated directly with the movable rail structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting brackets and external lever mechanisms. This merging of components consolidates the operating space within the existing rail assembly footprint

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 rail assembly minimizes operating space and noise by reducing the lever's stroke and incorporating dampers to absorb collision impacts, enhancing user experience.

Implementation Method 1

a lever spring mounted between the sliding lever and the lever housing and configured to be compressed when the sliding lever is horizontally moved in the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a lock spring mounted in the switch housing and configured to be compressed by the lock switch when the lock switch is moved downwards in conjunction with the movement of the sliding lever in the first direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 3

a plurality of rollers adjacent to the sliding lever and axially rotatably mounted on the lever housing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS20250368139A1Rail assembly

Publication Date: 2025.12.04 HYUNDAI MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

A rail assembly is configured to reduce space required for lever operation and to reduce noise caused by the lever operation. The rail assembly includes a fixed rail, a movable rail slidably assembled with the fixed rail, a lock module mounted on the movable rail and configured to lock the movable rail to the fixed rail by being coupled to a fixed locking rail mounted on the fixed rail, and a lever module mounted on the movable rail and configured to selectively release coupling between the fixed locking rail and the lock module, wherein the lever module includes a lever housing mounted on the movable rail, and a sliding lever slidably mounted in the lever housing and configured to separate the lock module from the fixed locking rail when horizontally moved in a first direction.