Universal Ball Bearing Carriage for Seat Track Rail Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manufacturing variations in vehicle seat track rail profiles lead to improper interactions and looseness, requiring multiple carriage designs to accommodate different ball bearing diameters, increasing manufacturing and inventory complexities.
Innovation Solution
A universal carriage design with angled flanges and adjustable retainers that accommodate a wide range of ball bearing diameters from 4.6 mm to 5.4 mm, ensuring secure and seamless interaction between upper and lower rails without the need for multiple carriage designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple carriage designs are used to accommodate different ball bearing diameters, then the fit precision for various rail profiles is improved, but the device complexity and inventory management become worse
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is designed with a universal flange structure that can accommodate multiple ball bearing diameters (4.6mm to 5.4mm) through a single design. The flange includes retainers that define bearing pockets with dimensions capable of holding different sized bearings, eliminating the need for multiple specialized carriage designs for different rail profiles.
Solution Approach 2:
The carriage design allows for parameter variation in ball bearing diameter without requiring changes to the carriage structure itself. The flange and retainer geometry are designed to accommodate a range of bearing diameters, enabling the same carriage to function with different bearing sizes based on the specific rail profile requirements.
2Reliability
If multiple carriage designs are used to accommodate different ball bearing diameters, then the reliability of the seat track assembly is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single universal carriage design replaces multiple specialized designs, simplifying manufacturing processes while maintaining reliable interaction between the seat track assembly components. The universal flange structure ensures proper engagement with different rail profiles through its ability to accommodate various ball bearing diameters.
3Device complexity
If a universal carriage design is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision for specific bearing diameters may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The universal carriage design maintains manufacturing precision across a range of bearing diameters by incorporating flange and retainer dimensions that accommodate the full spectrum of required bearing sizes (4.6mm to 5.4mm). The design ensures proper fit and function for each bearing size within this range without sacrificing precision.
Data Source
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AI summary
A carriage (610) includes an elongated body (620) having a first end (622) and an opposing second end (624) and a flange (630) coupled to the first end of the elongated body. The flange includes a first portion (640) having a first face (642) and an opposing second face (644). The first portion defines a first aperture (646) having a first diameter (720). The first portion includes (i) at least two first retainers (648) protruding outward from the first face and extending at least partially over the first aperture and (ii) at least two second retainers (650) protruding outward from the opposing second face and extending at least partially over the first aperture. The first retainers and the second retainers define a second diameter (730) that is less than the first diameter. The first aperture, the first retainers, and the second retainers are configured to accommodate ball bearings (680) having diameters between about 4.6 mm and about 5.4 mm.