SEAT POWER SUPPLY DEVICE FOR VEHICLE AND POWER SUPPLY METHOD USING THE SAME

The present disclosure relates to a power supply device, and more specifically, to a seat power supply device including an improved power supply structure for a vehicle seat. The seat power supply device includes a pogo pin assembly fixed to a vehicle and electrically connected to a power source; and a distribution element electrically connected to the pogo pin assembly and configured to supply power from the power source to an electronic part of a seat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0067394, filed on May 26, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

(a) Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a power supply device and, more specifically, to a seat power supply device including an improved seat power supply structure for a vehicle.

(b) Background Art

A vehicle seat is mounted with various parts (hereinafter referred to as electronic parts) requiring power supply, such as a motor for an electronic seat, a side airbag, and a seatbelt reminder sensor. These electronic parts are generally configured to receive power from a battery for the vehicle. For the power supply from the battery, wirings extend to the seat through a floor for the vehicle, and these electronic parts are connected to the seat side wirings through connectors under the seat.

As illustrated inFIG.1, in the prior art, seat wiring connectors600a,600b,600care connected to a wire connected to each electronic part such that power is individually supplied to each electronic part of a seat (S). The seat wiring connectors600a,600b,600cshould be connected to body wiring connectors700a,700b,700c, respectively, branched from a body wiring harness700extending from a battery (B). Further, to fasten the connector, various parts and accessories (e.g., a connector bracket and a side rail bracket) are required. Therefore, such a structure results in an increase in manufacturing cost, increases the number of operations in an assembling process of the body wiring connectors700a,700b,700cand the seat wiring connectors600a,600b,600c, and sometimes causes an injury to an operator in the assembling process of the connectors.

Further, in this type of power supply structure, it is difficult to attach or detach the seat. To attach or detach the seat, the fastening of each connector under the seat should be released. If a person other than a professional operator attaches or detaches the seat, the person may easily injure his/her hand or like and wrongly connect connectors, which may cause malfunction of the seat. Further, it is not possible to attach or detach a seat which includes safety parts, such as a side airbag and a seatbelt reminder, and provides convenient functions, such as seat heating and ventilation.

The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the disclosure and accordingly it may include information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure has been made in an effort to solve the above-described problem associated with the related art.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a seat power supply device capable of simplifying a seat power supply structure.

The object of the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned object, and the other objects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains (hereinafter ‘those skilled in the art’) from the following description.

The features of the present disclosure for achieving the object of the present disclosure, and performing the characteristic functions of the present disclosure to be described later are as follows below.

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a seat power supply device for a vehicle including a pogo pin assembly fixed to a vehicle and electrically connected to a power source, and a distribution element electrically connected to the pogo pin assembly and configured to supply power from the power source to an electronic part of a seat.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a seat power supply method for a vehicle including installing a housing of a pogo pin assembly on a floor of a vehicle, the housing being electrically connected to a battery for the vehicle, mounting a rail on the floor, and mounting a pogo pin on the rail so that the pogo pin is electrically connected to the housing, and mounting a seat for the vehicle on the rail, in which the rail is formed with a distribution element for electrically connecting the pogo pin to an electronic part of the seat.

The present disclosure provides the seat power supply device having a simplified seat power supply structure.

The effect of the present disclosure is not limited to the aforementioned effect, and the other effects not mentioned may be clearly recognized by those skilled in the art from the following description.

It is understood that the term “automotive” or “vehicular” or other similar term as used herein is inclusive of motor automotives in general such as passenger automobiles including sports utility automotives (operation SUV), buses, trucks, various commercial automotives, watercraft including a variety of boats and ships, aircraft, and the like, and includes hybrid automotives, electric automotives, plug-in hybrid electric automotives, hydrogen-powered automotives and other alternative fuel automotives (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum). As referred to herein, a hybrid automotive is an automotive that has two or more sources of power, for example both gasoline-powered and electric-powered automotives.

In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent sections of the present disclosure throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specific structures or functions described in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely for illustrative purposes. Embodiments according to the concept of the present disclosure may be implemented in various forms, and it should be understood that they should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described in the present specification, but include all of modifications, equivalents, or substitutes included in the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

Like reference numerals denote like components throughout the specification. In the meantime, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise,” “include,” “have,” etc., when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated components, steps, operations, and/or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, and/or elements thereof.

Referring toFIG.2, a rail800of a vehicle seat (S) includes a lower rail820and an upper rail840. The lower rail820is fixed to a vehicle body floor (F), and in some embodiments the lower rail820may be fixed by fastening a mounting bolt860to the floor (F). The lower rail820is coupled to the upper rail840such that the upper rail840is movable on the lower rail820. The upper rail840mounts and supports a seat frame and is movably configured along the lower rail820. Both sides of the upper rail840may be mounted with rollers880that roll along the lower rail820.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the seat power supply device according to the present disclosure includes a pogo pin assembly10. According to an implementation example of the present disclosure, the pogo pin assembly10includes a housing20and a pogo pin30.

The housing20is fixed to a vehicle, and more specifically, mounted on the vehicle body floor (F). The housing20is connected to a wiring (W) for the vehicle, and power is supplied from a battery (B), provided in the vehicle, through the wiring (W).

The pogo pin30is mounted on the lower rail820. The pogo pin30is electrically connected to the housing20and the power through the housing20is delivered to the pogo pin30. The pogo pin30and the housing20may be configured to be electrically conductive therebetween by connecting them.

The seat power supply device according to the present disclosure further includes a distribution element40. The distribution element40is mounted on the lower rail820of the vehicle seat. The distribution element40is electrically connected to the pogo pin assembly10, and configured to deliver the power, received from the pogo pin assembly10, to electronic parts of the seat. As a non-limiting example, the distribution element40may be electrically connected to the pogo pin assembly10or the pogo pin30by a wire50. According to the exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the distribution element40is a bus bar configured to be electrically connectable to the electronic parts, and preferably, may be made of a copper material.

Referring toFIGS.4and5, according to some implementation examples of the present disclosure, a distribution element40amay be configured to deliver power through the contact. To this end, the distribution element40amay include an electrode plate assembly140and a brush assembly240.

The electrode plate assembly140may be attached to an inner surface of any one of an upper plate, a side plate, and a lower plate of the lower rail820. According to the implementation example of the present disclosure, the electrode plate assembly140includes an insulation cover141and a pair of electrode plates143a,143b.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the insulation cover141is configured to have a length similar to a length of the lower rail820, and an opened upper portion. The insulation cover141is made of a material capable of insulation.

The electrode plates143a,143bare inserted into both sides of the insulation cover141, respectively, and both the electrode plates143a,143bare spaced apart from each other by a certain distance. The electrode plates143a,143bmay be spaced apart and separated from each other by a pair of partition members145.

The electrode plates143a,143binclude a positive plate143aand a negative plate143b, and if the positive plate143ais disposed on one side of the insulation cover141, the negative plate143bis disposed on the other side of the insulation cover141. As a non-limiting example, the electrode plates143a,143bare manufactured in a bus bar structure using a copper material among conductive materials, and electrically connected to the pogo pin30or the pogo pin assembly10. As a non-limiting example, the electrode plates143a,143bmay be electrically connected to the pogo pin assembly10by the wire.

A bottom surface of a space147of the insulation cover141separated by the partition member145is provided with a plurality of drainage holes149a. Each drainage hole149ais configured to discharge moisture, foreign matters, and the like, flowing into the insulation cover141, to the outside of the electrode plate assembly140.

Further, the bottom surface of the space147of the insulation cover141separated by the partition member145is formed with a mounting hole149b. The mounting hole149bis configured such that a fastening member, such as a bolt, is inserted thereinto for the coupling with the lower rail820.

As illustrated inFIG.5, the brush assembly240is configured to receive power from the electrode plate assembly140or the electrodes plates143a,143b, and to supply the power to the electronic parts of the seat. The brush assembly240may be attached to any one of an upper plate, a side plate, and a lower plate of the upper rail840of the seat. According to the implementation example of the present disclosure, the brush assembly240includes a brush cover241and a pair of brushes243a,243b.

The brush cover241may be provided in a circular or quadrangular cylinder shape and mounted on any one of the upper plate, the side plate, and the lower plate of the upper rail840.

The brushes243a,243bare each made of a conductive carbon material and accessibly inserted into the brush cover241. Further, the brushes243a,243bconductively contact the electrode plates143a,143b. The pair of brushes243a,243binclude a positive brush243aand a negative brush243b, in which the positive brush243ais disposed on the brush cover241to contact the positive plate143a, and the negative brush243bis disposed on the brush cover241to contact the negative plate143b.

According to the implementation example of the present disclosure, to protect the brushes243a,243b, each of the brushes243a,243bis mounted on a separate holder245, and the holder245may also be accessibly inserted into the brush cover241.

A spring247is interposed between the holder245and the brush cover241to be compressible such that lower ends of the brushes243a,243bfixed to the holder245protrude from the brush cover241. An elastic restoring force of the spring247acts on the holder245, such that the lower ends of the brushes243a,243bfixed to the holder245may protrude to the outside of the brush cover241, and the protruding lower ends of the brushes243a,243bmay always contact each electrode plate143a,143bto be conductive.

Therefore, as the brushes243a,243belectrically connected to the electronic parts of the seat always contact the electrode plates143a,143belectrically connected to the pogo pin assembly10to receive the power from the battery (B), the power may be supplied to the electronic parts.

Referring toFIGS.6and7, according to some implementation examples of the present disclosure, a distribution element40bmay be configured to receive the power and the signal from the pogo pin assembly10and to deliver the signal to the electronic parts through the contact. To this end, the distribution element40bmay include a PCB assembly340and a signal delivery assembly440.

The printed circuit board (PCB) assembly340may be attached to the inner surface of any one of the upper plate, the side plate, and the lower plate of the lower rail820. According to the implementation example of the present disclosure, the PCB assembly340includes an insulation cover341and a PCB343.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the insulation cover341is configured to have a length similar to the length of the lower rail820, and an opened upper portion. The insulation cover341is made of a material capable of electrical insulation.

The PCBs343are inserted into both sides of the insulation cover341, respectively, and both the PCBs343are spaced apart from each other by a certain distance. The PCBs343may be spaced apart and separated from each other by a pair of partition member345. The PCB343is connected to the pogo pin assembly10which is a signal supply source. For example, the signal may also be supplied to the seat (S) by the pogo pin assembly10from an external controller or the like.

The PCB343is configured in a structure in which a conductive pattern2343made of a copper material is formed on an insulating resin layer1343, and the conductive pattern2343may be electrically connected to the signal supply source (e.g., the pogo pin assembly10). Further, the PCB343may be electrically connected to the pogo pin30or the pogo pin assembly10to receive the power from the battery (B).

A bottom surface of a space347of the insulation cover341separated by the partition member345is provided with a plurality of drainage holes349a. Each drainage hole349ais configured to discharge moisture, foreign matters, and the like, flowing into the insulation cover341, to the outside of the PCB assembly340.

Further, the bottom surface of the space347of the insulation cover341separated by the partition member345is formed with a mounting hole349b. The mounting hole349bis configured such that a fastening member is inserted thereinto for the coupling with the lower rail820.

As illustrated inFIG.7, the signal delivery assembly440is configured to receive the signal from the PCB assembly340and to deliver the input signal to the electronic parts of the seat. The signal delivery assembly440may be attached to any one of the upper plate, the side plate, and the lower plate of the upper rail840of the seat. According to the implementation example of the present disclosure, the signal delivery assembly440may include a casing441and a signal delivery terminal443.

The casing441may be attached to any one of the upper plate, the side plate, and the lower plate of the upper rail840.

The signal delivery terminal443is accommodated in the casing441. A part of the signal delivery terminal443is configured to protrude to the outside of the casing441to contact the conductive pattern2343of the PCB343, and configured to transmit a control signal to the electronic parts.

Therefore, the PCB343receives the power and the signal from the pogo pin assembly10, and the signal delivery terminal443connected to the electronic parts always contacts the conductive pattern2343of the PCB343connected to the pogo pin assembly10. Therefore, the control signal from the pogo pin assembly10may be transmitted to the electronic parts.

FIG.8is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example in which the distribution element40aaccording to the present disclosure is mounted on one of the pair of rails800, andFIG.9is a cross-sectional diagram illustrating an example in which the distribution element40baccording to the present disclosure is mounted on the other one of the pair of rails800.

If the pair of rails are included in the left and right sides of the seat, respectively, the distribution element40amay be mounted on any one side of the left and right sides (seeFIG.8), and the distribution element40bmay be mounted on the other side thereof (seeFIG.9).

As illustrated inFIG.8, the insulation cover141is mounted on the lower plate of the lower rail820, and the positive plate143aand the negative plate143bare disposed on both sides of the insulation cover141, respectively. The brush cover241is mounted on the upper rail840. The brushes243a,243bare elastically supported by the spring247accommodated in the brush cover241and configured such that the lower ends of the brushes243a,243bprotrude through the lower portion of the brush cover241. The lower ends of the positive brush243aand the negative brush243bmaintain a state of contacting the positive plate143aand the negative plate143b, respectively, to be conductive.

The power is supplied from the battery (B) for the vehicle by the pogo pin assembly10electrically connected to the electrode plates143a,143b, and a current from the pogo pin assembly10is supplied to the electronic parts through the electrode plates143a,143band then the brushes243a,243beven without a separate wiring. Therefore, the present disclosure may supply the power to the seat even without the fastening of the body wiring connector and the seat wiring connector.

Referring toFIG.9, the insulation cover341is mounted on the lower plate of the lower rail820, and the PCBs343are mounted on both sides of the insulation cover341, respectively. The upper rail840is mounted with the casing441, and the casing441accommodates the signal delivery terminal443. A part of the signal delivery terminal443is positioned to protrude to the outside of the lower portion of the casing441. The signal delivery terminal443always contacts the PCB343to transmit the signal from the conductive pattern2343of the PCB343.

Therefore, the pogo pin assembly10receives the power from the battery (B) for the vehicle and supplies the power to the PCB343electrically connected to the pogo pin assembly10. Further, the control signal and the like from the pogo pin assembly10, which is the signal supply source, may be easily transmitted to the electronic parts through the PCB343and the signal delivery terminal443even without the separate wiring.

As illustrated inFIGS.10and11, if the seat rail adopts a monorail type having a long rail structure, the distribution element40afor supplying the power and the distribution element40bfor delivering the signal may be mounted on one rail.

As illustrated inFIG.10, the distribution element40afor supplying the power may be mounted on the lower portion sides of the lower rail820and the upper rail840, and the distribution element40bfor delivering the signal may be mounted on the left or right sides of the lower rail820and the upper rail840.

Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG.11, the distribution element40amay be mounted on the left or right sides of the lower rail820and the upper rail840, and the distribution element40bmay be mounted on the lower portion sides of the lower rail820and the upper rail840.

According to the implementation example of the present disclosure, to mount the distribution element40aor40b, the lower plate of the lower rail820may be formed with a downward concave lower expansion space822. According to the implementation example of the present disclosure, to mount the distribution element40aor40b, the side plate of the lower rail820may be formed with an outward convex side expansion space824.

According to the implementation example of the present disclosure, the lower plate of the lower rail820may be formed with a drainage hole823for discharging moisture, and a bottom side of the side plate of the lower rail820may also be formed with a drainage hole824for discharging moisture.

As illustrated inFIGS.12and13, according to some implementation examples of the present disclosure, the distribution elements40a,40bmay be mounted on outside portions of the rails using a bracket.

To mount the distribution element40aor40b, an outer surface of the side plate of the lower rail820may be mounted with a first bracket60, and a coupling plate850of the upper rail840may be mounted with a second bracket70facing the first bracket60.

Therefore, a surface on which the first bracket60and the second bracket70face each other may be mounted with the distribution element40aor40b.

Referring toFIG.12, when the surface on which the first bracket60and the second bracket70face each other is mounted with the distribution element40a, the distribution element40bmay also be mounted on a surface on which the lower rail820and the upper rail840face each other.

Referring toFIG.13, when the surface on which the first bracket60and the second bracket70face each other is mounted with the distribution element40b, the distribution element40amay also be mounted on the surface on which the lower rail820and the upper rail840face each other.

As described above, the present disclosure may supply at least one of the power and the signal to the vehicle seat (S) through the pogo pin assembly10, thereby greatly simplifying a process of mounting the seat in the vehicle.

Referring toFIG.14, a process of mounting a seat in a vehicle including the seat power supply device according to the present disclosure is as follows below.

The floor (F) for the vehicle is mounted with the housing20of the pogo pin assembly10electrically connected to the battery (B) at S10. Further, when the rail800of the seat (S) is mounted in the vehicle, the pogo pin30is installed on the lower rail820to be connected to the housing20at S20. Therefore, the pogo pin30is electrically connected to the housing20, and mounted on the lower rail820.

In such a state, to mount the seat (S), the seat (S) for the vehicle is put into the vehicle at S30. The seat (S) is mounted on the rail800at S40. At this time, the seat (S) may be mounted on the rail800through a fastening member, such as a bolt. As a result, it is possible to supply the power and the signal to the seat (S).

Once the seat (S) is put into the vehicle and then seated on the rail800, the present disclosure may supply the power and deliver the signal to the electronic parts of the seat (S) through the pogo pin assembly10. In other words, as illustrated inFIG.15, the power and/or the signal are supplied to the seat. The body wiring harness700electrically connected to the battery (B) for the vehicle is connected to the pogo pin assembly10installed on the vehicle body floor (F) of the portion where the seat (S) is installed. The power and the signal may be supplied to the electronic parts of the seat (S) through the distribution elements40a,40belectrically connected to the pogo pin assembly10by the wire or the like.

In other words, the present disclosure may omit the overall assembling step required upon fastening the connector. Specifically, a step of moving the seat to the left and the right to secure the view of an assembler, a step of turning over the seat wiring connector to secure the assembly of the connector, a step of fastening the connectors of the body wiring and the seat wiring, a step of rotating the seat wiring connector, having been rotated to secure the assembly, again to return to the original position and fixing the connector to the bracket, and a step of returning the seat, having moved to the left or the right to secure the view of the assembler, to the original position may be omitted. Therefore, the present disclosure may dramatically simplify the process of providing the structure for supplying the power to the seat.

Further, the present disclosure may omit the fastening of the connector between the body wiring and the seat wiring when supplying the power to the seat from the power source for the vehicle, thereby further expanding the movement area of the seat. In particular, the present disclosure may solve the package problem for exposing the wiring and setting the wiring path when implementing the long rail or the swivel seat.

The present disclosure may improve the space utilization in the vehicle interior, enhance the appearance quality, and easily attach or detach the vehicle seat. Further, the present disclosure may reduce the weight and the cost.

The aforementioned present disclosure is not limited by the aforementioned exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various substitutions, modifications, and changes may be made without departing the technical sprit of the present disclosure.