Sliding Rail Locking Mechanism for Impact-Stable Vehicle Consoles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle consoles that are slidably mounted between seats are prone to forward or rearward movement due to sudden vehicle accelerations or decelerations, potentially causing collisions and injuries.
Innovation Solution
A rail locking device with a moving cover portion and locking portion, utilizing a torsion spring and gear teeth mechanism, selectively locks the sliding rail to prevent movement during impacts, allowing normal sliding when no force is applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle console is made slidable on a rail to improve accessibility for rear seat occupants, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates because the console moves during sudden vehicle acceleration or deceleration causing injury
Solution Approach 1:
The locking portion is designed to dynamically respond to applied forces. During normal use, the first rail slides freely along the second rail for easy repositioning. When a strong force is applied (sudden acceleration/deceleration), the moving cover portion is pulled out, causing the locking piece to engage with gear teeth and automatically lock the rail, preventing harmful movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is self-activating based on the force applied to the system. The torsion spring stores potential energy that automatically converts to kinetic energy to engage the locking piece when the moving cover portion is pulled out by external force, eliminating the need for external sensors or control systems.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is added to prevent movement during impacts, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions are merged into a single integrated locking portion: the moving cover portion serves as both the actuator and the locking element, the torsion spring provides both the locking force and the return mechanism, and the gear teeth provide both the locking engagement and the directional control. This consolidation minimizes the number of separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portion is designed to handle multiple functions: it prevents forward movement during deceleration, prevents rearward movement during acceleration, allows manual repositioning, and automatically resets after locking. The same mechanism structure serves all these purposes through its design.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the locking piece engages with gear teeth to prevent movement, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates because manual repositioning becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between locked and unlocked states based on applied force. The torsion spring creates a force threshold that must be exceeded to disengage the locking piece from gear teeth. Normal manual repositioning forces are insufficient to overcome this threshold, maintaining stability, while controlled manual operation can still reposition the rail when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The torsion spring is pre-loaded to create a resisting force that prevents accidental disengagement of the locking mechanism. This preliminary anti-action ensures that the locking piece remains engaged with the gear teeth under normal operating conditions, providing stable locking while still allowing intentional repositioning when sufficient force is applied.
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
Prevents forward or rearward movement of vehicle consoles during sudden vehicle maneuvers, reducing the risk of occupant injury while maintaining manual and electric sliding functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a torsion spring mounted inside the main body and configured to elastically support the second latch so that the second latch maintains its initial position
Implementation Method 2
a second latch having a locking piece protruding therefrom, and the locking piece is configured to be selectively tooth-coupled with the gear teeth
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a rail locking device in a rail structure having a mounting area provided in a first rail or a second rail. The first and second rails are coupled to each other and the first rail may slide along the second rail. In particular, the rail locking device includes a moving cover portion mounted in the mounting area, and a locking portion having wound therein the moving cover portion extending from the mounting area and configured to selectively limit extraction of the moving cover portion to temporarily fix the first rail that slides forwards or rearwards of the second rail in place.