Power supply and signal transmission device for vehicle seat rail

A power supply and signal transmission device for a vehicle seat rail is provided. The device includes a contact-type power supply unit configured to supply power to an electrical device mounted on a seat, and a contact-type signal transmission unit configured to transfer seat drive control signals. The contact-type power supply unit and the contact-type signal transmission unit are directly mounted on the seat rail.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0033396, filed Mar. 15, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a power supply and signal transmission device for a vehicle seat rail.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a vehicle seat is mounted on a floor panel by means of a seat rail or the like such that the position thereof is adjustable.

In this regard, the seat rail may generally include an upper rail mounted on the lower portion of a seat cushion of the seat and a lower rail fixedly mounted on a floor panel. The upper rail is moved on the lower rail, thereby enabling the position of the seat to be adjusted in the front-rear direction.

In addition, connectors, wiring, and the like for supplying power and transmitting signals to a variety of electrical devices (e.g., a motor for an electric seat, a side airbag, an electric buckle, or a buckle pretensioner) are disposed on the lower portion of the seat cushion.

When the seat is operated to move in the front-rear direction, the wiring or the like that has been covered by the seat cushion may be exposed outward. Furthermore, in a long rail device in which the forward and backward movement stroke (or travel) of the seat is increased such that the seat is movable to an intended position in the cabin, the wiring or the like that has been covered by the seat cushion may be exposed more.

Consequently, when the wiring exposed outward is damaged by an external load (e.g., being stepped on by an occupant or being in friction contact with luggage), the intended function of the electric seat may be lost. In addition, the occupant may be damaged by interference with the wiring and the usability or the like of the internal space of the cabin may be reduced.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a power supply and signal transmission device for a vehicle seat rail in which a contact-type power supply unit configured to supply power to an electrical device mounted on a seat and a contact-type signal transmission unit configured to transfer seat drive control signals are directly mounted on the seat rail, such that conventional wiring or connectors may be omitted, thereby preventing problems caused by the exposure of the wiring.

In one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a power supply and signal transmission device for a vehicle seat rail including a lower rail fixedly mounted on a floor panel and an upper rail mounted on a seat cushion frame and fastened to the lower rail such that the upper rail is movable on the lower rail. The power supply and signal transmission device may include: a contact-type power supply unit configured to supply power to an electrical device by constant contact with a power source; and a contact-type signal transmission unit configured to transmit control signals to the electrical device by constant contact with a signal source, wherein the contact-type power supply unit and the contact-type signal transmission unit are directly mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail and the upper rail.

The contact-type power supply unit may include: an insulation cover attached to one plate from among side and bottom plates of the lower rail; a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate attached to inner surface portions of the insulation cover, spaced apart from each other, and conductively connected to the power source; brush covers attached to one plate from among side and bottom plates of the upper rail; and a positive brush and a negative brush mounted within the brush covers, conductively connected to the electrical device, and in constant contact with the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate.

The insulation cover may include receptacles provided on both sides thereof, each of the receptacles having an open top structure, with a positive electrode plate and a negative electrode plate connected to a power source being fixedly inserted into the receptacles, respectively.

The insulation cover may include a plurality of drain holes and a mounting hole provided in a bottom plate thereof, between the receptacles.

Particularly, each of the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate may be a bus bar made from a conductive metal material and having a rectangular plate shape.

Particularly, each of the positive electrode brush and the negative brush may include a carbon brush made from a conductive carbon material.

The contact-type power supply unit may further include: holders detachably inserted into the brush covers, with the positive brush and the negative brush being fixedly inserted into lower portions thereof, respectively; and springs each connected to a rear plate of each of the brush covers and to a corresponding holder of the holders.

The contact-type signal transmission unit may include: an insulation cover attached to one plate from among side and bottom plates of the lower rail; a main PCB attached to an inner surface portion of the insulation cover and conductively connected to the signal source; and PCB covers attached to one plate from among top, side, and bottom plates of the upper rail; and signal transfer PCBs mounted within the PCB covers, respectively, connected to the electrical device such that signals are transmittable therebetween, and in constant contact with conductive patterns of the main PCB.

The power supply and signal transmission device may further include: a first bracket mounted on an outer surface portion of a side plate of the lower rail; and a second bracket mounted on a seat cushion frame fastening plate of the upper rail so as to face the first bracket, such that the contact-type power supply unit or the contact-type signal transmission unit is mounted on the first bracket and the second bracket.

Thus, when the contact-type power supply unit is mounted opposing surfaces of the first bracket and the second bracket, the contact-type signal transmission unit may be mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail and the upper rail.

In contrast, when the contact-type signal transmission unit is mounted opposing surfaces of the first bracket and the second bracket, the contact-type power supply unit may be mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail and the upper rail.

In some forms of the present disclosure, when the seat rail is a pair of seat rails consisting of a left seat rail and a right seat rail, the contact-type power supply unit configured to supply power to the electrical device by constant contact with the power source may be mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail and the upper rail of one seat rail of the pair of seat rails, and the contact-type signal transmission unit configured to transmit control signals to the electrical device by constant contact with the signal source may be mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail and the upper rail of the other seat rail of the pair of seat rails.

In some forms of the present disclosure, the following effects are provided.

First, the contact-type power supply unit configured to supply power to the electrical device mounted on the seat and the contact-type signal transmission unit configured to transfer seat drive control signals are directly mounted on the seat rail, such that conventional wiring or connectors may be omitted.

Second, due to the conventional wiring or connectors being omitted, it is possible to prevent an occupant from being injured by the exposure of the wiring and improve the usability of the internal space of the cabin.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, some forms of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A seat rail for a vehicle includes a lower rail fixedly mounted on a floor panel and an upper rail mounted on a seat cushion frame and fastened to the lower rail such that the upper rail is movable on the lower rail.

The present disclosure provides that a contact-type power supply unit configured to supply power to an electrical device by constant contact with a power source (e.g., the battery) and a contact-type signal transmission unit configured to transmit control signals to the electrical device by constant contact with a signal source (e.g., a controller) are directly mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail and the upper rail.

In the accompanying drawings,FIG.1illustrates an insulation cover and electrode plates attached to the insulation cover among components of a contact-type power supply unit for a seat rail according to the present disclosure, andFIG.2illustrates a structure of brush covers and brushes inserted into the brush covers.

As illustrated inFIG.1, an insulation cover110forming a component of the contact-type power supply unit has a plate structure, the length of which is similar to the length of the lower rail. The insulation cover110is fabricated into a structure in which receptacles112each having an open top structure are provided on both sides of the insulation cover110, such that a positive (+) electrode plate121and a negative (−) electrode plate122connected to a power source (e.g., a battery) are fixedly inserted into the receptacles112, respectively.

In addition, a plurality of drain holes114through which moisture and impurities are discharged and a mounting hole116for coupling with the lower rail are provided in a bottom plate of the insulation cover110, more specifically, portions of the bottom plate located between the walls of the receptacles112.

The positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122each having a rectangular plate shape are fixedly inserted into the receptacles112of the insulation cover110. Each of the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122is fabricated from a copper (Cu) material from among conductive metal materials into a bus bar structure so as to be connected to the power source (e.g., the battery).

The insulation cover110, into which the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122are fixedly inserted, may be attached to the inner surface of one plate selected from among a top plate, side plates, and a bottom plate of the lower rail of a seat rail.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the contact-type power supply unit includes brush covers130attached to one plate selected from among a top plate, side plates, and a bottom plate of the upper rail and a positive (+) brush131and a negative (−) brush132in conductive contact with the positive electrode plate121and negative electrode plate122so as to supply power to an electrical device.

More specifically, each of the brush covers130has the shape of a circular or quadrangular cylinder and is mounted on one plate selected from among the top plate, the side plates, and the bottom plate of the upper rail. The positive brush131and the negative brush132are fabricated as carbon brushes made from a conductive carbon material and are detachably inserted into the brush covers130, respectively, such that the brushes131and132may be introduced into and withdrawn from the brush covers.

Particularly, in order to protect the positive brush131and the negative brush132, the positive brush131and the negative brush132are fixedly inserted into individual holders133, respectively, and the holders133are detachably inserted into the brush covers130.

More particularly, a spring134is connected to the rear plate of each of the brush covers130and to the corresponding holder133such that the spring134may be compressed, whereby the bottom ends of the positive brush131and the negative brush132fixed to the holders133protrude from the brush covers130.

Thus, due to the elastic restorative force of the springs134acting on the holders133, the bottom ends of the positive brush131and the negative brush132fixed to the holders133protrude from the brush covers130. Consequently, the bottom ends of the positive brush131and the negative brush132that have protruded may be in constant conductive contact with the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122, respectively.

Thus, since the positive brush131and the negative brush132connected to the electrical device (e.g., a motor of the electric seat) are in constant contact with the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122connected to the power source (e.g., the battery), power may be supplied to the electrical device.

In the accompanying drawings,FIG.3illustrates an insulation cover and a main PCB disposed in the insulation cover among the components of the contact-type signal transmission unit for a seat rail according to the present disclosure, andFIG.4illustrates PCB covers and signal transfer PCBs disposed in the PCB covers.

As illustrated inFIG.3, the insulation cover210forming a component of the contact-type signal transmission unit has the structure of a plate, the length of which is similar to the length of the lower rail. The insulation cover210is fabricated into a structure in which receptacles212each having an open top structure are provided on both sides of the insulation cover210, such that sections of a main printed circuit board (PCB)220connected to the signal source (e.g., the controller) are fixedly inserted into the receptacles212.

In addition, a plurality of drain holes214through which moisture and impurities are discharged and a mounting hole216for coupling with the lower rail are provided in a bottom plate of the insulation cover210, more specifically, portions of the bottom plate located between the walls of the housing212.

Each section of the main PCB220fabricated into a rectangular plate shape is fixedly inserted into the housing212of the insulation cover210. Each section of the main PCB220is fabricated into a structure in which a conductive pattern224made from Cu is formed on an insulating resin layer222as is well known. A portion of the conductive pattern224is connected to a signal source (e.g., the controller).

The insulation cover210, into which the main PCB220is fixedly inserted as described above, may be attached to the inner surface of one plate from among the top plate, the side plates, and the bottom plate of the lower rail of the seat rail.

As illustrated inFIG.4, the contact-type signal transmission unit includes PCB covers230attached to one plate from among the top plate, the side plates, and the bottom plate of the upper rail and signal transfer PCBs240in conductive contact with the sections of the main PCB220and configured to transmit control signals to the electrical device.

More specifically, each of the PCB covers230has the shape of a circular or quadrangular cylinder and is mounted on one plate selected from among the top plate, the side plates, and the bottom plate of the upper rail. Each of the signal transfer PCBs240has a structure in which a contact terminal242protrudes from the bottom thereof and remains in constant contact with the conductive pattern224of the main PCB220. The signal transfer PCBs240are fixedly mounted within the PCB covers230, respectively.

Thus, due to the contact terminals242of the signal transfer PCBs240connected to the electrical device (e.g., the motor of the electric seat) being in constant contact with the conductive patterns224of the main PCB220connected to the signal source (e.g., the controller), control signals from the signal source may be transmitted to the electrical device.

Hereinafter, an example in which the contact-type power supply unit and the contact-type signal transmission unit in some forms of the present disclosure are disposed on the seat rail will be described as follows.

In the accompanying drawings,FIG.5is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which the contact-type power supply unit according to the present disclosure is mounted on one of a pair of seat rails, andFIG.6is a cross-sectional view illustrating an example in which the contact-type signal transmission unit according to the present disclosure is mounted on the other of the pair of seat rails.

In general, a seat rail10for a vehicle includes a lower rail12fixedly mounted on a floor panel and an upper rail14mounted on a seat cushion frame and fastened to the lower rail12such that the upper rail is movable on the lower rail. Rollers20performing a rolling operation on the lower rail12may be mounted on both sides of the upper rail14.

When a pair of seat rails10including a left seat rail and a right seat rail is provided, a contact-type power supply unit100supplying power to the electrical device by constant contact with a power source may be mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail12and the upper rail14of one seat rail10of the pair of seat rails10as illustrated inFIG.5, and a contact-type signal transmission unit200transmitting control signals to the electrical device by constant contact with a signal source may be mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail12and the upper rail14of the other seat rail10of the pair of seat rails10as illustrated inFIG.6.

Referring toFIG.5, the contact-type power supply unit100may include the insulation cover110mounted on the bottom plate of the lower rail12, the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122fixedly inserted into the receptacles112of the insulation cover110, the brush covers130mounted on the side plates and the bottom plate of the upper rail14, the holders133inserted into the brush covers130and elastically supported by the springs134, and the positive brush131and the negative brush132fixedly inserted into the holders133.

Here, the bottom portions of the positive brush131and the negative brush132remain in constant conductive contact with the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122, respectively.

Thus, current from the power source (e.g., the battery) may be easily supplied to the electrical device (e.g., the motor of the electric seat) through the positive brush131and the negative brush132after having flowed through the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122without separate wiring.

Referring toFIG.6, the contact-type signal transmission unit200may include the insulation cover210mounted on the bottom plate of the lower rail12, the main PCB220fixedly inserted into the housing212of the insulation cover210, the PCB covers230mounted on the side plates and the bottom plate of the upper rail14, and the signal transfer PCBs240each having the contact terminal242fixed within the corresponding PCB cover230.

Here, the contact terminals242of the signal transfer PCBs240remain in constant contact with the conductive patterns224of the main PCB220such that signals may be transmitted therebetween.

Thus, control signals or the like from the signal source (e.g., the controller) may be easily transmitted to the electrical device (e.g., the motor of the electric seat) through the main PCB220and the signal transfer PCBs240without separate wiring.

In addition, when the seat rail10is applied as a monorail having a long rail structure, the contact-type power supply unit100and the contact-type signal transmission unit200may be mounted on a single seat rail.

In the accompanying drawings,FIGS.7and8are cross-sectional views illustrating examples in which the contact-type power supply unit and the contact-type signal transmission unit in some forms of the present disclosure are mounted on a single seat rail.

As illustrated inFIG.7, the contact-type power supply unit100may be mounted on the lower portions of the lower rail12and the upper rail14, and the contact-type signal transmission unit200may be mounted on side portions of the lower rail12and the upper rail14.

Alternatively, as illustrated inFIG.8, the contact-type power supply unit100may be mounted on side portions of the lower rail12and the upper rail14, and the contact-type signal transmission unit200may be mounted on the lower portions of the lower rail12and the upper rail14.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, the contact-type power supply unit100may include the insulation cover110mounted on the bottom plate of the lower rail12, the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122fixedly inserted into the receptacles112of the insulation cover110, the brush covers130mounted on the side plates and the bottom plate of the upper rail14, the holders133inserted into the brush covers130and elastically supported by the springs134.

Here, the bottom portions of the positive brush131and the negative brush132remain in constant conductive contact with positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122, respectively.

Thus, current from the power source (e.g., the battery) may be easily supplied to the electrical device (e.g., the motor of the electric seat) through the positive brush131and the negative brush132after having flowed through the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode plate122without separate wiring.

Referring toFIGS.7and8, the contact-type signal transmission unit200may include the insulation cover210mounted on the bottom plate of the lower rail12, the main PCB220fixedly inserted into the housing212of the insulation cover210, the PCB covers230mounted on the side plates and the bottom plate of the upper rail14, and the signal transfer PCBs240having the contact terminals242fixed within the PCB covers230.

Here, the contact terminals242of the signal transfer PCBs240remain in constant contact with the conductive patterns224of the main PCB220such that signals may be transmitted therebetween.

Thus, control signals or the like from the signal source (e.g., the controller) may be easily transmitted to the electrical device (e.g., the motor of the electric seat) through the main PCB220and the signal transfer PCBs240without separate wiring.

In addition, the bottom plate of the lower rail12may have a lower expansion space150convex in the bottom direction such that the above-described components of the contact-type power supply unit100or the contact-type signal transmission unit200may be disposed therein.

Alternatively, the side plate of the lower rail12may have a side expansion space250convex in the outward direction such that the above-described components of the contact-type power supply unit100or the contact-type signal transmission unit200may be disposed therein.

Particularly, a drain hole151through which moisture is discharged may be formed in the bottom plate of the lower rail12, and a drain hole251through which moisture is discharged may be formed in the bottom of the side plate of the lower rail12.

In some forms of the present disclosure, the contact-type power supply unit100or the contact-type signal transmission unit200may be mounted on an outer side portion of the seat rail using a bracket.

In the accompanying drawings,FIGS.9and10are cross-sectional views illustrating examples in which the contact-type power supply unit or the contact-type signal transmission unit in some forms of the present disclosure are mounted on brackets separately mounted on the seat rail.

As illustrated inFIGS.9and10, a first bracket141may be mounted on an outer surface of the side plate of the lower rail12and a second bracket142may be mounted on a seat cushion frame fastening plate16of the upper rail14so as to face the first bracket141, such that the contact-type power supply unit100or the contact-type signal transmission unit200may be mounted thereon.

Thus, the contact-type power supply unit100or the contact-type signal transmission unit200may be mounted on opposing surfaces of the first the first bracket141and the second bracket142.

Referring toFIG.9, when the contact-type power supply unit100is mounted on the opposing surfaces of the first the first bracket141and the second bracket142, the contact-type signal transmission unit200may be mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail12and the upper rail14.

In contrast, referring toFIG.10, when the contact-type signal transmission unit200is mounted on opposing surfaces of the first the first bracket141and the second bracket142, the contact-type power supply unit100may be mounted on opposing surfaces of the lower rail12and the upper rail14.

As described above, even though that the contact-type power supply unit100or the contact-type signal transmission unit200is mounted on the outer side portion of the seat rail using the brackets, current from the power source (e.g., the battery) may be easily supplied to the electrical device (e.g., the motor of the electric seat) through the positive brush131and the negative brush132after having flowed through the positive electrode plate121and the negative electrode without separate wiring, and control signals or the like from the signal source (e.g., the controller) may be easily transmitted to the electrical device (e.g., the motor of the electric seat) through the main PCB220and the signal transfer PCBs240without separate wiring.

As set forth above, the contact-type power supply unit100configured to supply power to the electrical device mounted on the seat and the contact-type signal transmission unit200configured to transfer seat drive control signals are directly mounted on the seat rail10. Accordingly, conventional wiring or connectors may be omitted, thereby preventing an occupant from being injured by the exposure of the wiring and improving the usability of the internal space of the cabin.