Spring-Biased Seat Track Stopper for Close Seat Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seat track assemblies lack an effective mechanism to prevent the first seat assembly from encroaching on the second seat assembly, while allowing the second seat assembly to be adjusted as close as possible to the first seat assembly.
Innovation Solution
A stopper assembly comprising a base connected to the seat track assembly, a lever pivotably connected to the base, and a spring biasing the lever into a stopping position that limits the movement of the first seat assembly in one direction, while allowing the lever to pivot to a depressed position when the second seat assembly moves in the opposite direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stopper mechanism is added to prevent the first seat assembly from encroaching on the second seat assembly, then seat encroachment is prevented, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper lever is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to pivot between a first position (blocking seat movement) and a second position (allowing seat movement). This dynamic design enables the stopper to adapt to different operational states: preventing encroachment during normal operation while allowing adjustment when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper lever is biased by a spring to automatically return to the first position after being displaced. When the second seat assembly moves beyond the predetermined distance, it naturally pushes the lever to the second position, and the spring automatically restores it to the blocking position, creating a self-regulating system that prevents encroachment without requiring external control mechanisms
2Reliability
If the lever is biased to always block the first seat assembly, then encroachment is prevented, but the second seat assembly cannot be adjusted closely to the first seat assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper lever transitions from a static blocking element to a dynamic one that can be temporarily displaced. The biased lever automatically switches between blocking and non-blocking states based on the position of the second seat assembly, enabling both reliable encroachment prevention and flexible seat adjustment without requiring manual intervention
3Ease of operation
If the lever is made movable to allow seat adjustment, then seat flexibility is improved, but the ability to prevent encroachment is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stopper lever acts as a mechanical feedback device that monitors the position of the second seat assembly. When the second seat assembly moves beyond the predetermined distance, it provides feedback by displacing the lever, which then triggers the spring to restore the lever to the blocking position, automatically preventing encroachment while maintaining adjustment flexibility during valid operations
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 stopper assembly effectively prevents the first seat assembly from moving too close to the second seat assembly, while allowing the second seat assembly to be adjusted closely to the first seat assembly, thereby optimizing space and preventing encroachment.
Implementation Method 1
a spring applying a biasing force to the lever and biasing the lever into a stopping position
Data Source
AI summary
A stopper assembly for a seat track assembly may include a base, a lever, and a spring. The base may be connectable to said seat track assembly. The lever may have a first end and a second end. The second end of the lever may be pivotably connected to the base. The spring may apply a biasing force to the lever and may bias the lever into a stopping position in which the first end of the lever limits movement of a first seat assembly mounted on said seat track assembly in a first direction via contacting said first seat assembly. The lever may be pivotable to a depressed position in which the first end of the lever does not limit movement of said first seat assembly in the first direction.