Track assembly for a vehicle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11142149-B2
Application number	US-201916574906-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 18, 2019
Priority date	Sep 18, 2019
Publication date	Oct 12, 2021
Grant date	Oct 12, 2021

Abstract

A track assembly includes a rail cartridge slidably coupled with a track. A first electrical connector is positioned within the rail cartridge. A connection cartridge defines a channel and includes a second electrical connector configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector. An actuation member is positioned within the channel of the connection cartridge and is coupled with the second electrical connector. A spring is operably coupled to the actuation member and is configured to bias the actuation member in a first position. An actuator is operably coupled with the actuation member. The actuator is moved upward against the bias of the spring to move the actuation member to a second position when the actuator contacts the rail cartridge of the track.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A track assembly, comprising:
a rail cartridge slidably coupled with a track and defining a first slot;
a first electrical connector positioned within the rail cartridge below the first slot;
a connection cartridge, wherein the connection cartridge further includes a protrusion extending from a first end of the connection cartridge and configured to be received by a first receiving space defined by the rail cartridge, and further wherein the connection cartridge further includes a latch coupled with a second end of the connection cartridge and configured to be received by a second receiving space defined by the rail cartridge, the connection cartridge defining a channel and including:
a second electrical connector positioned within the channel and configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector;
an actuation member positioned within the channel, wherein a first end of the actuation member is coupled with the second electrical connector;
a spring operably coupled to a second end of the actuation member, the spring configured to bias the actuation member in a first position, wherein the spring is fixed when the latch is in an unlocked position, and further wherein the spring is rotatable when the

latch is in a locked position; and
an actuator operably coupled with the actuation member, wherein the actuation member is moved to a second position when the actuator contacts the rail cartridge of the track.

2. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrical connectors are configured to transfer data to and from a vehicle to a rail-mounted component.

3. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the first and second electrical connectors are configured to transfer power to and from a vehicle to a rail-mounted component.

4. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the track includes first and second lateral walls each having a C-shape, and further wherein the rail cartridge is positioned between and substantially flush with each of the first and second lateral walls.

5. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection cartridge is coupled with a seating assembly.

6. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the connection cartridge is coupled with a storage unit.

7. The track assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a latch coupled with the connection cartridge and configured to receive a striker positioned on the rail cartridge, wherein the latch is further configured to couple the connection cartridge with the rail cartridge.

8. A track assembly,
comprising: a rail cartridge slidably coupled
with a track;
a first electrical connector positioned within the rail cartridge; and
a connection cartridge wherein the connection cartridge further includes a protrusion extending from a first end of the connection cartridge and configured to be received by a first receiving space defined by the rail cartridge, and further wherein the connection cartridge further includes a latch coupled with a second end of the connection cartridge and configured to be received by a second receiving space defined by the rail cartridge, the connection cartridge defining a channel and including:
a second electrical connector configured to selectively engage with the first electrical connector;
an actuation member positioned within the channel of the connection cartridge and coupled with the second electrical connector;
a spring operably coupled to the actuation member and configured to bias the actuation member in a first position, wherein the spring is fixed when the latch is in an unlocked position, and further wherein the spring is rotatable when the latch is in a locked position; and
an actuator operably coupled with the actuation member, wherein the actuator is moved upward against the bias of the spring to move the actuation member to a second position when the actuator contacts the rail cartridge of the track.

9. The track assembly of claim 8 , wherein the latch is configured to engage a striker positioned within the rail cartridge proximate the second receiving space.

10. The track assembly of claim 8 , wherein the actuator is a tab extending downward from the connection cartridge and configured to abut a top wall of the rail cartridge when the connection cartridge is coupled with the rail cartridge.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Kish Joseph Michael
• Tippy David James
• Moua Jimmy
• Hagedorn Gregory
• Ewel Adam
• Gauthier Joshua
• Aktas Macit

Classifications

• B60N2/0715

  C or U-shaped · CPC title

• B60N2/005

  Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles {, e.g. dismountable auxiliary seats}(B60N2/02 takes precedence {; for railway vehicles B61D1/04}) · CPC title

• H02G3/383

  in floors · CPC title

• B60R16/037

  for occupant comfort {, e.g. for automatic adjustment of appliances according to personal settings, e.g. seats, mirrors, steering wheel} · CPC title

• B60R16/0215

  Protecting, fastening and routing means therefor · CPC title