WO2014125507A2

WO2014125507A2 - An internal bottom locking type sliding system

Info

Publication number: WO2014125507A2
Application number: PCT/IN2014/000097
Authority: WO
Inventors: Paniraj Kadavanikote VENKATESH; Lohith Kumar Shivananda KUMAR
Original assignee: Ifb Automotive Private Limited
Priority date: 2013-02-15
Filing date: 2014-02-17
Publication date: 2014-08-21
Also published as: WO2014125507A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to an internal bottom locking type sliding system provided for adjusting the automotive seat by horizontal movement of the seat relative to the automotive body. The sliding system comprises upper rail, lower rail and lock trigger assembly. The lower rail comprises slots and is fixed to the floor of vehicle body and the upper rail is fixed to seat cushion frame. The lock assembly is mounted between the lower rail and the upper rail. The lock assembly comprises towel bar, operational lever, lock trigger, support bracket, mounting rivets, and lock spring. The lock trigger further comprises radial type non-uniform trigger teeth to be engaged inside the slot of lower rail. -The lock trigger is driven manually by the operational lever for an unlock condition by operating the towel bar to make adjustment by disengaging the lock trigger teeth from the slots of the lower rail.

Description

1. Title of the invention - "AN INTERNAL BOTTOM LOCKING TYPE SLIDING SYSTEM"

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a seating structure and more particularly to slidable seating structures employed in automotives.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Sliding system for vehicle seat is known in the prior art. Generally all the modern vehicles are equipped with the seat sliding system to slidably support the seat body on the vehicle floor in 'fore and aft' direction. The sliding system allows adjustment of seat position for comfortable driving position of the passenger.

[0002] Generally a conventional sliding seat comprises a sliding system connected with the base of seat cushion from the upper side and to the floor panel of the vehicle body from the lower side.

[0003] In the related art various types of vehicle seat sliding systems are known. The sliding system includes a pair of upper and lower rails fixed on the base of the seat and floor of the vehicle body respectively. The sliding system further comprises a locking assembly for enabling sliding of the upper rail on the lower rail.

[0004] Conventional seat sliders are complex in structure and very expensive because they have more number of elements/parts. Known internal locking assemblies have weak locking and also result in lock failure upon high stress.

[0005] In comparison with slider locking mechanism known in the prior art, the present invention has many benefits. In present invention, monotrigger is arranged to slide internally while the non-uniform trigger teeth slide radially in each slider. Therefore, it gives compactness and high strength over any other slider locking system known in the prior art. This leads in reduction of height of locking mechanism, thus resulting in reduction of the overall size and weight of the seat slider device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed herein which will be understood by reading and understanding the following specification.

[0007] The present invention relates to an internal bottom locking type sliding system for a support structure wherein the bottom locking type sliding system comprises: atleast one lower rail with slots along the longitudinal direction, wherein the lower rail is fixedly mounted to the base of the support structure; atleast one upper rail, wherein the upper rail is fixedly mounted with the support structure and slidably connected to the lower rail in a longitudinal direction; a lock trigger assembly mounted between the lower rail and the upper rail comprising a towel bar, a support bracket, an operational lever, lock spring, mounting rivets, and lock trigger comprising a plurality of trigger teeth configured to be engaged with the slots of the lower rail in order to bring about a locking condition and wherein the actuation of the towel bar operates the operational lever against the lock spring to push the lock trigger so as to unlock the trigger teeth within the slots in the lower rail to bring about unlocking.

[0008] More particularly the present invention relates to a seat structure for automotives comprising: a base unit; a support unit connected to the base unit; atleast one lower rail with slots along the longitudinal direction, wherein the lower rail is fixedly mounted to the floor of automotive; atleast one upper rail, wherein the upper rail is fixedly mounted with the base unit and slidably connected to the lower rail in a longitudinal direction; a lock trigger assembly mounted between lower rail and upper rail comprising a towel bar, a support bracket, an operational lever, lock spring, mounting rivets, and lock trigger comprising a plurality of trigger teeth configured to be engaged with the slots of the lower rail in order to bring about a locking condition and wherein the actuation of the towel bar operates the operational lever against the lock spring to push the lock trigger so as to unlock the trigger teeth from the slots in the lower rail to bring about unlocking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig 1 shows a schematic diagram of exploded perspective view of the sliding system

[0010] Fig 2 shows a prospective view of lower rail of the sliding system in Fig 1 taken at part thereof

[0011] Fig 3 shows a perspective view of upper rail of the sliding system in Fig 1 taken at part thereof

[0012] Fig 4 shows a perspective view of lock trigger (4A) and lock trigger assembly (4B) of the sliding system in Fig 1 taken at part thereof

[0013] Fig 5 shows a perspective view of operational lever of the sliding system in Fig 1 taken at part thereof

[0014] Fig 6 shows a perspective view of lock spring of the sliding system in Fig 1 taken at part thereof

[0015] Fig 7 shows a perspective view of spacers & balls between lower rail & upper rail of the sliding system in Fig 1 taken at part thereof

[0016] Fig 8 shows a perspective view of support-bracket of the sliding system in Fig 1 taken at part thereof

[0017] Fig 9 shows a perspective view of lock trigger in lock condition

[0018] Fig 10 shows a perspective view of lock trigger in unlock condition

[0019] Fig 11 shows a schematic diagram of a seat coupled with internal bottom locking type sliding system ^■ DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments, which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the embodiments. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

[0021] Accordingly, the present invention provides an internal bottom locking type sliding system with uniform sliding movement and a locking mechanism for longitudinal movement for automotive seats. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to the accompanied drawings.

[0022] Fig 1 shows an exploded view of one of the sliding system which comprises lower rail (101) with rectangular slots (102) along the longitudinal direction to control the sliding movement; upper rail ( 06) slidably connected to lower rail in a longitudinal direction wherein the upper rail comprises slots (107); a locking assembly comprising a lock trigger, a lock spring (115), an operational lever, mounting rivets, a support bracket (1 19), an operational lever, wherein the lock trigger comprises a plurality of trigger teeth (109) with non-uniform profile to be placed in the slots (102) of the lower rail in locking condition; the lock trigger is actuated by a towel bar (128) through operational lever; the operational lever is riveted to the support bracket to achieve pivotal movement, a mono lock spring is fixed to the support bracket which is further dually loaded between operational lever and lock trigger. The operational lever pushes against the lock trigger in order to disengage the trigger, thereby unlocking the trigger teeth from the slots of the lower rail.

[0023] In an embodiment, the lower rail (101) comprises rectangular slots in longitudinal direction to place the trigger teeth (109) in locking condition. The lower rail further comprises spacers (103), balls (104) and stoppers which control the stroke. The balls (104) roll between upper rail and lower rail when seat is moved either forward or rearward direction. The spacers (103) create a gap between front balls and rear balls for smooth movement of slider and it also helps in achieving the required range of travel. Lower rail is fixedly mounted to the floor of vehicle through mounting holes (105).

[0024] In another embodiment, the upper rail is fixedly mounted to the base unit of seat structure. It comprises slots (107) on the top plane for fixing the support bracket as shown in Fig 3. This part slides along with seat during unlock condition, hence giving sliding travel range.

[0025] In another embodiment, the lock trigger is fixedly mounted to the upper rail. The lock trigger is assembled with the support bracket through the slots. It comprises radial shaped trigger teeth (109) with non-uniform profile. The engagement and disengagement of lock trigger within the rectangulat slots (102) of the lower rail depend upon the rotation of the operational lever.

[0026] In yet another embodiment, the operational lever is fixed between the support bracket (119) and the upper rail (106). The operational lever is riveted with the support bracket through mounting rivets (110) which acts as hinge for rotation of operational lever. The operational lever has a tail (112) at which the lock trigger is connected. When the driver operates the towel bar (128), the operational lever rotates about hinge point and pushes the lock trigger to unlock the trigger teeth from the slots of the lower rail.

[0027] In yet another embodiment, the support bracket is fixedly attached to the upper rail by staking. It comprises multiple numbers of protrusions (120) which further fixes in the slots (107) of upper rail and base plate (123). There are holes (121) in the support bracket for mounting rivets. There are also two slots (122) in the support bracket in which the lock spring locates itself. Embossing has been provided to avoid any looseness in the trigger or the operational lever.

[0028] In yet another embodiment, the base plate comprises multiple slots (124) in which support bracket flanges locate. Base plate is welded to upper rail for strengthening purpose.

[0029] The slider can meet up to lock break down strength of 22000N. This slider has self inserting mechanism which has at least two point contacts between lock trigger teeth and lower rail slot holes to avoid horizontal sliding once the locking condition is achieved.

[0030] Fig 11 shows an entire seat assembly which comprises a seat coupled with the internal bottom locking type sliding system. The sliding system is horizontally connected between floor of vehicle body (131) and seat assembly to allow adjustment of seat position for comfortable driving position of a passenger. The seat assembly has a base unit (125) and a support unit (126). The automotive body and the entire seat assembly are connected by two internal bottom locking type sliding systems on either side (129A, 129B). The sliding system performs the function of moving the seat in the forward and rearward direction with respect to the floor mounting by the

Claims

operation of the towel bar (128). Claims:

1. An internal bottom locking type sliding system for a support structure, wherein the bottom locking type sliding system comprises: atleast one lower rail with slots along the longitudinal direction, wherein the lower rail is fixedly mounted to the base of the support structure; atleast one upper rail, wherein the upper rail is fixedly mounted with the support structure and slidably connected to the lower rail in a longitudinal direction; and a lock trigger assembly mounted between the lower rail and the upper rail comprising a towel bar, a support bracket, an operational lever, lock spring, mounting rivets, and lock trigger comprising a plurality of trigger teeth configured to be engaged with the slots of the lower rail in order to bring about a locking condition and wherein the actuation of the towel bar operates the operational lever against the lock spring to push the lock trigger so as to unlock the trigger teeth from the slots in the lower rail to bring about unlocking.

2. The sliding system of claim 1, wherein the lock trigger is mono-trigger.

3. A seat structure for an automotive comprising: a base unit; a support unit connected to the base unit; atleast one lower rail with slots along the longitudinal direction, wherein the lower rail is fixedly mounted to the floor of automotive; atleast one upper rail, wherein the upper rail is fixedly mounted with the base unit and slidably connected to the lower rail in a longitudinal direction; a lock trigger assembly fixedly mounted to the upper rail and movably coupled to the lower rail, the lock trigger assembly comprising a towel bar, a support bracket, an operational lever, lock spring, mounting rivets, and lock trigger comprising a plurality of trigger teeth configured to be engaged with the slots of the lower rail in order to bring about a locking condition and wherein the actuation of the towel bar operates the operational lever against the lock spring to push the lock trigger so as to unlock the trigger teeth from the slots in the lower rail to bring about unlocking.

4. The seat structure of claim 3, wherein the lock trigger is mono-trigger.

5. The seat structure of claim 3, wherein the multiple trigger teeth have non-uniform profile.

6. The seat structure of claim 3, wherein on actuation of the towel bar the lock trigger moves radially.

7. The seat structure of claim 3, wherein the non-uniform trigger teeth moves radially inside the slots of the lower rail.

8. The seat structure of claim 3, further comprising a support bracket fixedly mounted to the upper rail and an operational lever mounted on the support bracket, wherein one end of the operational lever is connected to the towel bar and other end is connected to the lock trigger.

9. The seat structure of claim 6, wherein on actuation of towel bar the operational lever moves radially about a pivot point in order to push the lock trigger.

10. The seat structure of claim 3, wherein the lower rail comprises hollow passages at both sides which further have plurality of spherical mass bodies, said mass bodies disposed in the hollow passages separated by one or more spacer(s).