CN110435488B

CN110435488B - Track assembly

Info

Publication number: CN110435488B
Application number: CN201910368982.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蒂博·康达明; 诺尔丁·哈姆塔什; 安托万·穆兰
Original assignee: Lear Corp
Current assignee: Lear Corp
Priority date: 2018-05-04
Filing date: 2019-05-05
Publication date: 2022-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2039-05-05
Also published as: CN110435492A; CN110435494B; DE102019206304B4; DE102019206411B4; CN110435493B; CN110435495B; CN110435494A; DE102019206313B4; CN110435487B; CN110435493A; CN110435496A; CN110435487A; DE102019206411A1; CN110435492B; CN110435495A; DE102019206313A1; DE102019206304A1; DE102019206385B4; CN110435497B; CN110435497A

Abstract

The present application relates to track assemblies. The track assembly includes a first track, a second track, and a support member. The second track may be substantially disposed in the second track. The lever may be configured to selectively engage the first and/or second rail to limit longitudinal and/or vertical movement of the support member relative to at least one of the first and second rails. The lever may include teeth. The teeth may be configured to contact the second rail to limit longitudinal movement of the support member along the second rail. The teeth may be configured to engage apertures in the second track. The teeth may be substantially planar and/or may extend in a transverse-vertical plane. The lever may include a hook portion. The hook portion may be configured to limit vertical movement of the support member.

Description

Track assembly

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application serial No. 16/131,360 filed on 14.9.2018, U.S. patent application serial No. 16/131,415 filed on 14.9.2018, U.S. patent application serial No. 16/131,404 filed on 14.9.2018, and U.S. patent application serial No. 16/131,614 filed on 14.9.2018, U.S. patent application serial No. 16/131,614 filed on 14.9.2018, U.S. patent application serial No. 16/131,384 filed on 14.9.2018, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties herein.

This application claims the benefit of the following patent applications: french patent application serial No. 1853891 filed on 4.5.2018; french patent application serial No. 1853892 filed on 4.5.2018; french patent application serial No. 1853893 filed on 4.5.2018; and french patent application serial No. 1853894 filed on 4.5.2018; the disclosures of these patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to track assemblies (tracks), including track assemblies that may be used in conjunction with vehicles.

Background

The following background description is set forth for background purposes only. Thus, any aspect described in this background is not admitted to be prior art by express or implied admission that it is prior art to the present disclosure in any way or that it is not otherwise prior art.

The use and/or assembly of some track assemblies may be relatively complex. For example, track assemblies may involve complex processes and may include many different steps and components. Some track assemblies may not be configured to removably connect a component or a seat to the track.

Accordingly, there is a need for a solution/option that minimizes or eliminates one or more challenges or disadvantages of the track assembly. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate examples of the art and should not be taken as negating the scope.

Disclosure of Invention

The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and/or advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent from reading the following description and reviewing the accompanying drawings.

In embodiments, the track assembly may include a first track, a second track, and/or a support member. The second track may be substantially disposed in the first track. The lever (lever) may be configured to selectively engage the first rail and/or the second rail to limit longitudinal movement and/or vertical movement of the support member relative to at least one of the first rail and the second rail. The first track may comprise a wing (wing). The second track may include an aperture configured to at least partially receive the lever. The wings and the apertures may be at least partially aligned in a vertical direction. The lever may include teeth. The teeth may be configured to contact the second rail to limit longitudinal movement of the support member along the second rail. The teeth may be configured to engage apertures in the second track. The teeth may be generally planar and/or may extend in a transverse-vertical plane. The lever may include a hook portion. The hook portion may be configured to limit vertical movement of the support member.

According to an embodiment, the joystick may comprise a first position and/or a second position. In the first position of the lever, the lever may be configured to limit longitudinal movement of the support member. In the second position of the lever, the lever may not substantially restrict longitudinal movement of the support member. In the first position of the lever, the lever may be configured to limit vertical movement of the support member. In the second position of the lever, the lever may not substantially restrict vertical movement of the support member.

In an embodiment, the track assembly may include a slider (slider). The slider may be configured to move longitudinally into contact with the joystick to selectively limit substantially vertical and/or substantially longitudinal movement of the support member via the joystick. The joystick may be configured to contact the first track and/or the second track. The lever may include a hook portion that may be configured to contact the first rail and/or limit vertical movement of the support member. The lever may include a tooth that may be configured to contact the second track and/or limit longitudinal movement of the support member.

According to an embodiment, the joystick may comprise a first position and/or a second position. In the first position of the lever, the lever may limit vertical and/or longitudinal movement of the support member relative to the first and/or second rail. In the second position of the lever, the lever may not substantially restrict vertical and/or longitudinal movement of the support member relative to the first and/or second rails. The lever may include a protrusion, and/or the slider may be configured to move longitudinally to contact the protrusion and/or rotate the lever about the longitudinal axis. The slider may include an aperture, and/or the protrusion may be configured to contact the aperture when rotated between the first position and the second position. In the first position of the lever, a vertical gap may be provided between the hook portion of the lever and/or the first rail. The second track may include a plurality of holes and/or the lever may include a plurality of teeth. At least one of the plurality of apertures may be configured such that a tooth of the plurality of teeth may move vertically and/or laterally through the aperture. In the first position of the joystick, at least a portion of the joystick may be disposed vertically between the first track and/or the second track.

Drawings

Fig. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an embodiment of a track assembly according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a support member of a track assembly according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a support member of a track assembly according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of a joystick in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a first rail and a second rail according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a first rail and a second rail according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 is a side view of an embodiment of a combined first rail and second rail according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a first lever in a first position according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the first lever in a second position according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a portion of an embodiment of a track assembly according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the disclosure will be described in conjunction with the embodiments and/or examples, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the disclosure to these embodiments and/or examples. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

In embodiments such as generally shown in fig. 1, 2, and 3, the track assembly 1 may include a first track 3, a second track 31, and/or a support member 5. The support member 5 may be selectively connected to the first rail 3 and/or the second rail 31. The track assembly 1 may be provided in a vehicle, for example, but not limited to. The first rail 3 and/or the second rail 31 may be disposed on and/or connected to an installation surface (e.g., a vehicle floor). The support member 5 may be configured to selectively engage the first rail 3 and/or the second rail 31. The support member 5 may be configured to move in a longitudinal direction along the first rail 3 and/or the second rail 31; and/or the support member 5 may be configured to move in a vertical direction relative to the first track 3 and/or the second track 31, for example if the support member 5 is removed from the

tracks

3, 31 or connected to the

tracks

3, 31.

According to an embodiment, the support member 5 may be connected to the connecting member 2, and the connecting member 2 may be configured to connect the track assembly 1 to a component 6, such as, for example, but not limited to, a vehicle seat, a console, and/or a work bench. The connecting member 2 may comprise a first side member 2a and/or a second side member 2 b. The first side member 2a and/or the second side member 2b may include one or more of a variety of shapes, sizes, and/or configurations. For example, but not limiting of, the first side member 2a and/or the second side member 2b may extend substantially in a vertical direction (e.g., Z-direction). The support member 5 may be at least partially disposed between the first and

second side members

2a, 2 b. The first side member 2a, the second side member 2b, and/or the support member 5 may be configured to receive one or more connection elements 8 (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, etc.) to connect the first side member 2a and/or the second side member 2b to the support member 5.

In embodiments such as that generally shown in fig. 4, the support member 5 may include an upper portion 6a and/or a lower portion 6 b. The upper portion 6a and/or the lower portion 6b may comprise one or more of a variety of materials. For example, but not limiting of, the upper portion 6a and/or the lower portion may comprise metal and/or plastic. The lower portion 6b may be configured to engage the first track 3 and/or the second track 31. The lower portion 6b may support the first side member 2a and/or the second side member 2b (e.g., which may be connected to the component 6). The lower portion may support the first side member 2a and/or the second side member 2b on the

track

3, 31 when the support member 5 is connected to the

track

3, 31. The lower portion 6b may comprise a width that is smaller than the width of the upper portion 6a, and/or the lower portion 6b may be at least partially disposed in the first track 3 and/or the second track 31. For example, but not limiting of, the lower portion 6b may be at least partially disposed in the gap 23 of the first track 3.

According to an embodiment such as that generally shown in fig. 4, the support member 5 may comprise a slider 16. The slider 16 may be disposed at the upper portion 6a of the support member 5 and/or connected to the upper portion 6a of the support member 5 (e.g., the slider 16 may be disposed on an upper face of the support member 5). The slider 16 may be configured to move in the X direction (e.g., longitudinal direction) relative to the support member 5. Movement of the slider 16 in the X direction may selectively engage the support member 5 with the first rail 3 and/or the second rail 31. The slider 16 may include one or more hooks 18, and the hooks 18 may be configured to engage the actuator 13. The actuator 13 (e.g., cable, strap, joystick, etc.) may be configured to move the slider 16 in the X-direction. The support member 5 may include one or more biasing members 17 (e.g., springs), and the biasing members 17 may be configured to bias the slider 16 in the longitudinal direction. The slider 16 may include an aperture 19, and the aperture 19 may be configured to move the lever 7 to selectively engage the support member 5 with the first rail 3 and/or the second rail 31. When the slider 16 can move in the X direction (e.g., forward), the lever 7 can contact the hole 19. The support member 5 may include a window 4 (e.g., a hole) through which the lever 7 may be configured to move when engaging the first rail 3 and/or the second rail 31.

In embodiments such as that generally shown in fig. 4 and 5, the support member 5 may include a lever 7, and the lever 7 may be configured to selectively engage the first rail 3 and/or the second rail 31. The lever 7 may include a head portion 10, the head portion 10 may include a protrusion 11, and the protrusion 11 may be configured to contact the hole 19. The lever 7 may comprise a hook portion 14 and/or at least one tooth 12. The teeth 12 and/or the hook portion 14 may comprise one or more of a variety of materials. For example, but not limiting of, the teeth 12 and/or the hook portions 14 may comprise metal and/or plastic. The teeth 12 may extend in a lateral direction (e.g., the Y-direction) from the lever 7 and/or such that the teeth 12 are substantially perpendicular to the X-direction. The teeth 12 may be substantially planar and/or rectangular. The teeth 12 may be configured to substantially limit movement of the support member 5 in the longitudinal direction (X-direction). The lever 7 may comprise more than one tooth, such as, for example and without limitation, three teeth 12 which may be parallel to each other. The teeth 12 may include a middle tooth 12a, and the middle tooth 12a may include a width greater than at least one other tooth 12.

In embodiments, the hook portion 14 may be curved and/or may extend in a vertical direction (Z-direction) and/or a lateral direction (Y-direction). The hook portion 14 may be upwardly open, for example to engage and/or receive a wing 22 of the first rail 3. The hook portion 14 may be configured to substantially restrict movement of the support member 5 in the vertical direction (Z direction). The hook portion 14 and/or the teeth 12 may be substantially provided in the lower portion 6b of the support member 5. The hook portion 14 may be configured to selectively engage the first track 3 and/or the tooth 12 may be configured to selectively engage the second track 31. The hook portion 14 may be formed as a solid and/or continuous piece(s), or may comprise a discontinuous configuration having a plurality of hook segments.

According to embodiments such as generally shown in fig. 6, 7 and 8, the first track 3 may comprise a bottom wall 20, two side walls 21 and/or two wings 22. The wings 22 may be disposed at or near the top of the side walls 21 and may be disposed such that gaps 23 exist between the wings 22. The gap 23 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the lower portion 6b of the support member 5. For example, but not limiting of, the gap 23 may include a width (in the Y direction) of about 15mm to 25 mm. The underside of the wings 22 may include an inclined portion 25. The inclined portion 25 may form an acute angle with the top surface of the wing 22, so that the inclined portion 25 may form a recess in the underside of the wing 22. When the lever 7 is in the second position, the hook portion 14 of the lever 7 may be aligned to contact at least one of the inclined portions 25.

In an embodiment, the second track 31 may be substantially disposed in the first track 3. The second track 31 may include one or more apertures 26, and the one or more apertures 26 may be configured to receive at least a portion of one or more teeth 12 (see, e.g., fig. 6). The holes 26 may be spaced along the second track 31 in the X direction. The aperture 26 may be substantially curved. For example, the aperture 26 may extend from a vertical portion of the second rail 31 to above a curved portion of the second rail 31 such that the aperture 26 may include a generally U-shaped configuration that may open downward. The aperture 26 may be configured such that the teeth 12 may move in and/or out of the aperture 26 in the Y-direction and/or the Z-direction (when the lever 7 is moved from the first position to the second position). The holes 26 may be provided on one and/or both sides of the second rail 31. The first rail 3 and/or the second rail 31 may be formed as separate rails (see, e.g., fig. 6 and 7), or may be formed as a single/integral component as a combined rail (see, e.g., fig. 8). The hole 26 may be formed in the side wall 21 of the combined first rail 3 and second rail 31.

According to an embodiment, the joystick 7 may comprise a first position (see, e.g., fig. 9) and/or a second position (see, e.g., fig. 10 and 11). The slider 16 may be configured to move the lever 7 between the first position and the second position. When the lever 7 is in the first position, the lever 7 may be configured to substantially not restrict movement of the support member 5 in the X-direction and/or the Z-direction. When the lever 7 is in the first position, the lever 7 may be disposed substantially parallel to a vertical plane. When the lever 7 is in the second position, the lever 7 may be configured to substantially limit movement of the support member 5 in the X-direction and/or the Y-direction. When the joystick 7 is in the second position, the joystick 7 may be disposed, for example and without limitation, between about 8 ° and 15 ° from the X-Z plane (e.g., the hook 14 and/or the tooth 12 may overlap the first track 3 and/or the second track 31 in the Z direction). The support member 5 may comprise a pin 9, and the lever 7 may rotate around the pin 9 and/or together with the pin 9. The pin 9 may be substantially aligned with the X-direction. The slider 16 may be moved in a longitudinal direction, which may cause the slider 16 to contact the protrusion 11, which may cause the lever 7 to rotate about a longitudinal axis (e.g., about the pin 9).

In embodiments, the protrusion 11 may extend from the top of the lever 7, the pin 9 may extend from the middle of the lever 7 and/or through the middle of the lever 7, and/or the teeth 12 and hook portion may be provided at or near the bottom of the lever 7. When the joystick 7 is in the first position, the joystick 7 may intersect a first vertical plane a (e.g., an X-Z plane). When the lever 7 is in the second position, the lever 7 may intersect a second vertical plane a' (see, e.g., fig. 7 and 8). The first vertical plane a may be offset from the second vertical plane a' in the Y direction, such as, for example and without limitation, approximately 10mm to 20 mm. The first vertical plane a may extend through the bottom wall of the

rails

3, 31 and/or may extend through the gap 23. The second vertical plane a' may extend through the rail 3 (e.g., through the wing 22) and/or the second rail 31. For example, and without limitation, the second vertical plane a' may extend through the wing 22 and the one or more apertures 26 (e.g., the wing 22 and the aperture 26 may be at least partially aligned in the vertical/Z direction). Such a configuration may reduce the travel distance (e.g., the angle of rotation) of the joystick 7, which may allow the gap 23 to be smaller.

In an embodiment, in the first position of the lever 7, the second gap 34 may be provided between the top of the hook portion 14 and the inclined portion 25. The second gap 34 may provide a degree of play in the Z-direction between the support member 5 and the first rail 3 to compensate for manufacturing tolerances.

Various embodiments for various devices, systems, and/or methods are described herein. Numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the general structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.

Reference throughout the specification to "various embodiments," "according to embodiments," "in embodiments," or "embodiments" or the like means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in various embodiments," "according to embodiments," "in an embodiment," or "an embodiment" or the like appearing in various places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, a particular feature, structure, or characteristic shown or described in connection with one embodiment/example may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, functions, and/or characteristics of one or more other embodiments/examples without limitation, as long as such combination is not illogical or functional. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.

It will be understood that reference to a single element is not necessarily so limited, and may include one or more such elements. Any directional references (e.g., positive (plus), negative (minus), upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the embodiments.

References to connected (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be interpreted broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. Thus, reference to connected does not necessarily mean that the two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. The use of "for example" in this specification is to be construed broadly and used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to such examples. The use of "and" or "should be interpreted broadly (e.g., as being" and/or "). For example, and without limitation, the use of "and" does not necessarily require all of the elements or features listed, and the use of "or" is intended to be inclusive unless such a configuration would be illogical.

Although processes, systems, and methods may be described herein in connection with one or more steps in a particular sequence, it should be understood that the methods may be practiced with steps in a different order, with certain steps being performed, with additional steps, and/or with certain described steps being omitted.

It is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from this disclosure.

Claims

1. A track assembly, comprising:

a first track;

a second track disposed substantially in the first track; and

a support member including a lever;

wherein the support member is configured to be movable in a longitudinal direction along and/or in a vertical direction relative to the first and second rails, and

wherein the lever is configured to selectively engage the first and second rails to limit longitudinal and vertical movement of the support member relative to at least one of the first and second rails.

2. The track assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first track comprises a wing; the second track includes an aperture configured to at least partially receive the lever; and the wing and the aperture are at least partially vertically aligned.

3. The track assembly of claim 1, wherein the lever includes a tooth configured to contact the second track to limit longitudinal movement of the support member along the second track.

4. The track assembly of claim 3, wherein the teeth are configured to engage apertures in the second track.

5. The track assembly of claim 3, wherein the teeth are substantially planar and extend substantially in a transverse-vertical plane.

6. The track assembly of claim 1, wherein the lever includes a hook portion.

7. The track assembly according to claim 6, wherein in the first position of the lever, the hook portion is configured to limit vertical movement of the support member and vertically overlap the first and second tracks.

8. The track assembly of claim 1, wherein the joystick includes a first position and a second position; in the first position of the lever, the lever is configured to limit longitudinal movement of the support member; and in the second position of the lever, the lever does not substantially restrict longitudinal movement of the support member.

9. The track assembly of claim 8, wherein in the first position of the lever, the lever is configured to limit vertical movement of the support member; and in the second position of the lever, the lever does not substantially restrict vertical movement of the support member;

wherein, in the first position of the joystick, the joystick vertically overlaps the first track and the second track.

10. A track assembly, comprising:

a first track;

a second track disposed substantially in the first track; and

a support member, comprising:

a joystick; and

a slider;

wherein the slider is configured to move longitudinally into contact with the lever to selectively limit substantially vertical and substantially longitudinal movement of the support member via the lever.

11. The track assembly according to claim 10, wherein the support member is configured to be movable relative to the first and second tracks.

12. The track assembly of claim 11, wherein the lever includes a hooked portion configured to contact the first track and limit vertical movement of the support member.

13. The track assembly of claim 12, wherein the lever includes a tooth configured to contact the second track and limit longitudinal movement of the support member.

14. The track assembly of claim 13, wherein the lever includes a first position and a second position; in the first position of the lever, the lever limits vertical and longitudinal movement of the support member relative to the first and second rails; and in the second position of the lever, the lever does not substantially restrict vertical or longitudinal movement of the support member relative to the first and second rails.

15. The track assembly of claim 14, wherein the lever includes a protrusion and the slider is configured to move longitudinally to contact the protrusion and rotate the lever about a longitudinal axis.

16. The track assembly of claim 15, wherein the slider includes an aperture and the protrusion is configured to contact the aperture when rotated between the first and second positions.

17. The track assembly of claim 14, wherein in the first position of the lever, a vertical gap is provided between the hook portion of the lever and the first track.

18. The track assembly of claim 12, wherein the second track includes a plurality of holes and the lever includes a plurality of teeth.

19. The track assembly of claim 18, wherein at least one of the plurality of apertures is configured such that a tooth of the plurality of teeth is vertically and laterally movable through the aperture.

20. The track assembly of claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the lever is disposed vertically between the first track and the second track in the first position of the lever.