Spring-Connected Bearing Cage for Vehicle Seat Rail

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing seat rail pairs for vehicle seats face challenges in reliable fixation and low-wear relative displacement, often resulting in inadvertent contact and interlocking of cage elements with rail material recesses, which can lead to blocking and increased wear.

Innovation Solution

A bearing cage with two interconnected axially symmetrical cage elements and a mechanically flexible connecting element, configured as a spring, which provides pretensioning and ensures reliable fixation and low-wear relative displacement by generating opposing forces that prevent engagement with rail recesses, utilizing a film joint or spherical segment protrusions for error-proof installation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the bearing cage is fixed rigidly within the rail, then positioning stability is improved, but the risk of inadvertent contact and interlocking with rail recesses increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidcontact with rail recesses

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing cage transitions from a rigid fixed structure to a dynamic spring-based structure that can adapt its position. The spring connecting element allows the cage to move and adjust, preventing rigid contact with rail recesses while maintaining stable positioning through elastic forces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical properties of the bearing cage are changed by introducing a spring element that can vary its stiffness and position. This parameter change allows the cage to maintain stable positioning while avoiding harmful contact with rail recesses through elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Stability of the object's composition

If the connecting element is made rigid, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to provide pretensioning and absorb deformation forces is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidpretensioning capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid connecting element is replaced with a flexible spring element that can deform elastically. This flexible structure maintains structural stability through its elastic properties while providing the necessary pretensioning capability and ability to absorb deformation forces during installation and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If the cage elements are positioned to engage with rail recesses, then locking reliability is improved, but the risk of blocking and increased wear increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidblocking and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The direct mechanical engagement between cage elements and rail recesses is replaced by an elastic field-based positioning system. The spring connecting element creates elastic forces that position the cage elements without direct contact, substituting mechanical interlocking with elastic stabilization to eliminate blocking and wear.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reliable and low-wear longitudinal adjustment of vehicle seats with improved crash performance and stability, avoiding interlocking and material contact, while reducing material and weight through optimized rail design and engagement of a locking device.

Implementation Method 1

a connecting element which is arranged between the cage elements on facing longitudinal sides thereof, runs parallel to the axis of symmetry and is of mechanically flexible configuration wherein the connecting element is in the form of a spring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the connecting element is configured in the untensioned state in such a manner that an angle of more than 180° is formed between front sides of flat sides, running parallel to the axis of symmetry, of the connecting element, and an angle of less than 180° is formed on rear sides opposite the front sides

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring force: Spring

Data Source

PatentUS10611272B2Bearing cage and seat rail pair for a vehicle seat

Publication Date: 2020.04.07 KEIPER SEATING MECHANISMS CO LTD

AI summary

A bearing cage (6), for a seat rail pair (2) of a vehicle seat (1), has two interconnected cage elements (6.1, 6.2) which are axially symmetrical and accommodate a number of rolling bodies (5). A connecting element (6.3) is arranged between the cage elements (6.1, 6.2) at longitudinal sides of said cage elements, which face toward one another. The connecting element runs parallel to an axis of symmetry (S) and is of mechanically flexible. The connecting element (6.3) is in the form of a spring. The cage elements (6.1, 6.2) form spring limbs which are pivotable about the axis of symmetry (S). A seat rail pair (2) for a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, is also provided and includes at least one such bearing cage (6). A vehicle seat (1) is also provided that includes at least one such seat rail pair (2).