Track Assembly Electrical Connection with Cantilevered Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle track assemblies face challenges in maintaining a reliable electrical connection between track-mounted components and the vehicle's electrical system, especially when these components are moved along the track, leading to intermittent power supply and data transmission issues.
Innovation Solution
A conductive rail assembly with an electrically insulative substrate and conductive strips is integrated into the track, coupled with a cantilevered biasing member that maintains electrical contacts in constant contact with the conductive strips, ensuring continuous power and data transmission as the components move along the track.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If track-mounted components are moved along the track, then adjustability and versatility are improved, but electrical connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic flexible connection. The biasing member allows the electrical contacts to maintain continuous contact with the conductive rail while accommodating the movement of track-mounted components along the track, thus maintaining reliability during adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the physical state of the electrical connection from fixed to movable by introducing a biasing member that provides continuous contact pressure. This parameter change ensures that electrical contacts remain engaged with the conductive rail throughout the range of motion, resolving the reliability issue during component adjustment.
2Reliability
If rigid electrical connections are used, then electrical connection stability is improved, but component adjustability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connection system incorporates a biasing member that enables dynamic adjustment of component positions while maintaining stable electrical contact. The flexible connection allows components to move along the track without compromising the stability of the electrical supply and data transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The biasing member acts as an intermediary element between the electrical contacts and the conductive rail, providing a flexible mechanical connection that maintains electrical continuity while accommodating positional changes. This intermediary enables both adjustability and electrical stability simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible electrical connections are used to allow movement, then component adjustability is improved, but connection reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing member creates a dynamic electrical connection that adapts to component movement while maintaining reliable contact. The spring-loaded mechanism ensures continuous pressure between the electrical contacts and conductive rail, preventing intermittent connections during adjustment operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system modifies the contact pressure parameter through the biasing member to maintain optimal electrical connection during movement. By continuously applying force through the spring mechanism, the system ensures stable electrical contact throughout the full range of component adjustment.
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
This solution ensures a stable and consistent electrical connection, enabling reliable power supply and data communication between the vehicle's electrical system and track-mounted components, such as motors and control modules, even during movement.
Implementation Method 1
The cantilevered biasing member is configured to maintain an electrical connection between the at least one conductive rail and the one or more electrical contacts as the seating assembly is moved along the one or more seat tracks
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle track assembly includes a conductive rail coupled to the track assembly. The conductive rail includes an electrically insulative substrate and one or more conductive strips attached to the substrate. The vehicle track assembly further includes a track-mounted component electrically coupled to the conductive rail. The track-mounted component includes a cantilevered biasing member and one or more electrical contacts. The cantilevered biasing member biases the one or more electrical contacts toward the one or more conductive strips to maintain an electrical connection between the one or more electrical contacts and the one or more conductive strips as the track-mounted component is moved along the conductive rail.