Vehicle Track Support Mechanism With Deployable Engagement Members
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing track systems for vehicle components lack adequate support mechanisms for extended rail lengths, leading to instability and limited adjustability, particularly in accommodating longer travel distances within vehicle interiors.
Innovation Solution
A track system with support mechanisms featuring a housing and engagement features that include first and second engagement members, which are operable between deployed and retracted positions, supported by a biasing mechanism, allowing the elongate shaft to be securely received and spaced apart as needed, and a carriage assembly with a coupling assembly that includes a slider bracket to guide the engagement members between positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If extended rails are used to accommodate longer travel distances, then the range of motion is improved, but the stability and support adequacy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The track system is divided into multiple segments with intermediate support mechanisms positioned along the extended rail. Each support mechanism independently supports the elongate shaft at specific intervals, breaking the long unsupported span into shorter stable segments, thereby maintaining stability while enabling extended travel distance
Solution Approach 2:
Intermediate support mechanisms act as mediators between the extended rail and the elongate shaft. These support mechanisms with engagement members provide additional support points along the track, preventing excessive deflection and maintaining structural stability over the extended travel distance
2Stability of the object's composition
If engagement members are extended to support the shaft, then the support stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement members are designed to be movable between extended and retracted positions rather than fixed. This dynamic capability allows the support mechanism to adapt to different operational states, providing stability when needed while maintaining simplicity when not in use, thus balancing support stability with device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The support mechanism changes its geometric parameters by extending or retracting the engagement members. This parameter change allows the same structure to provide different levels of support engagement with the shaft, achieving stable support when required without permanently increasing the device's complexity
3Reliability
If multiple support mechanisms are added to extended tracks, then the support adequacy is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each support mechanism is designed as a universal module that can be replicated and positioned at multiple locations along the extended track. The same engagement feature structure serves multiple support functions at different positions, improving overall support adequacy without proportionally increasing system complexity through standardized reusable components
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 provides stable and adjustable support for vehicle components along extended track lengths, enabling greater adjustability and reduced need for intermediate supports, enhancing the range of motion and usability within vehicle interiors.
Implementation Method 1
A biasing mechanism is operably coupled to the engagement feature to bias the engagement feature towards the deployed position
Data Source
AI summary
A track system includes a track member with an elongate shaft mounted thereto. At least one support mechanism is mounted to the track member. The at least one support mechanism includes a housing. An engagement feature includes first and second engagement members spaced-apart from one another to define a receiving area therebetween. The first and second engagement members are operable between deployed and retracted positions relative to the housing. The elongate shaft is received in the receiving area when the first and second engagement members are in the deployed position.