Wireless Power Transfer for Vehicle Seat Track Assemblies
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat track assemblies face challenges in efficiently and wirelessly powering multiple motor assemblies to independently move vehicle seats along a single rail, leading to complex wire harnesses and reduced flexibility in seat movement configurations.
Innovation Solution
A power seat track assembly that includes an elongated first rail, a second rail, and a motor assembly, with a wireless power-transfer assembly allowing power transmission from a fixed power-transfer rail to movable power-transfer blocks connected to each motor assembly, enabling independent movement of multiple vehicle seats along a single rail.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wire harnesses are used to power motor assemblies for multiple vehicle seats, then power can be transmitted to all motors, but the wire harnesses become complex and lengthy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical wire harness system with an electromagnetic wireless power transmission system. A power transfer assembly includes a transmitter coupled to a power source and a receiver coupled to each motor assembly, enabling power transmission through electromagnetic fields without physical wire connections, thus eliminating wire harness complexity while maintaining reliable power delivery to multiple motors.
2Reliability
If wire harnesses connect power to multiple motor assemblies, then all motors can be powered, but flexibility in seat movement configurations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic wireless power transmission system where the receiver on each motor assembly can independently receive power without being constrained by fixed wire harness routing. This allows motor assemblies to move freely along the rail and enables flexible seat configurations, including independent movement of multiple seats, while maintaining continuous power delivery through the wireless electromagnetic field.
3Use of energy by moving object
If traditional wire harnesses are used for power transmission, then power can reach all motor assemblies, but the length and complexity of wire harnesses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes the mechanical wire harness with a wireless electromagnetic power transmission system. The transmitter remains stationary and couples to the power source, while receivers on moving motor assemblies wirelessly receive power through electromagnetic coupling, eliminating the need for long, complex wire harnesses that would be required to reach multiple moving 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 simplifies the power transmission system by reducing the length of wire harnesses and allowing for independent movement of multiple vehicle seats, enhancing flexibility and efficiency in seat positioning within a vehicle cabin.
Implementation Method 1
The power-transfer assembly may include a first component mounted to the first rail and a second component mounted to the second rail. The first component may wirelessly transmits power to the second component.
Data Source
AI summary
A power seat track assembly may include an elongated first rail, a second rail, a motor assembly, and a power-transfer assembly. The second rail may engage the first rail and may be movable along a length of the first rail. The motor assembly may be mounted to the second rail and may be operable to drive the second rail along the length of the first rail. The power-transfer assembly may include a first component mounted to the first rail and a second component mounted to the second rail. The first component may wirelessly transmit power to the second component. The second component may be electrically connected to the motor assembly to provide electrical current to the motor assembly.