Vehicle Floor Positioning System with Dual-Axis Rail and Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat positioning systems are limited in allowing seats to be positioned anywhere within the vehicle compartment, restrict movement to specific directions, and are not adaptable to all types of vehicles, particularly convertible vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A positioning system featuring a flat vehicle floor with a first lower rail and carriage for sliding along a longitudinal direction, and a second upper rail for sliding transversely, allowing components to be positioned anywhere, with detachable interface members and motorized control for precise movement and locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rail system is arranged on the roof of the passenger compartment to move seats, then seats can be positioned along the rail path, but seats cannot be positioned in any position inside the vehicle compartment and cannot move diagonally
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a single-direction rail system to a two-dimensional positioning system by introducing carriages that can slide along lower rails in the longitudinal direction and upper rails in the transverse direction, enabling diagonal and omnidirectional movement of seats within the passenger compartment
Solution Approach 2:
The positioning system is divided into independent functional modules: lower rails fixed to the floor, carriages that slide on lower rails, upper rails attached to carriages, and interface members connecting seats. This segmentation allows each component to move independently, achieving versatile positioning without a complex monolithic structure
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed rail system is used for seat positioning, then the structure is simple, but the seat cannot be released and removed
Solution Approach 1:
The connection between the seat and the positioning system is made dynamic through the interface member, which can be detached and reattached. This allows the seat to be fixed in use positions while enabling removal and repositioning when needed, transforming a static rail system into a dynamic, reconfigurable system
Solution Approach 2:
The interface member acts as an intermediary between the seat and the upper rail, providing a detachable connection mechanism. This intermediary component enables easy attachment and detachment without requiring complex locking systems or permanent fixtures
3Adaptability or versatility
If the positioning system is coupled to the roof of the passenger compartment, then seat positioning is achieved, but the system is not applicable to convertible vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of coupling the positioning system to the roof as in conventional systems, the patent inverts the approach by fixing the lower rails to the vehicle floor and allowing carriages to slide along them. This floor-based configuration is structurally simpler and adaptable to convertible vehicles where the roof may be absent or retractable
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger compartment has a flat floor, a movable component and a positioning system for positioning the movable component on the floor. The positioning system has a lower rail extending along a first direction attached to the floor, a carriage slidably engaging with the lower rail for sliding along the first direction, and an upper rail extending along a second direction not coinciding with the first direction and slidably engaging with the carriage for sliding along the second direction. An interface member is attached to the upper rail and provided with openings for being removably connected to the movable component and making the movable component integral with the upper rail in a movement along the first and second directions. The lower rail has continuous-track electrical contacts extending along the lower rail. The carriage has sliding electrical contacts arranged in contact with the continuous-track electrical contacts for transmitting electrical signals.