Interchangeable Bus Seat with Adaptor Bracket for Restraint Reconfiguration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger seat systems in vehicles, such as buses, lack flexibility to accommodate changing passenger demographics, as they require manual conversion between different restraint assemblies like passive, three-point, and integrated child restraints, which is inefficient and tool-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An interchangeable passenger seat system featuring a base frame with an adaptor bracket that allows for easy attachment and reconfiguration of various back frames and restraint systems, using a method that includes removing the old back frame, attaching a new one, and inserting the adaptor bracket around the cross-member to selectively locate and attach restraint components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual conversion between different restraint assemblies is performed, then different passenger demographics can be accommodated, but the process becomes inefficient and tool-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The base frame is designed with universal attachment points and an adaptor bracket system that can accommodate multiple types of restraint assemblies (passive restraints, three-point belts, integrated child restraints) through a single standardized interface, enabling one base frame to serve multiple functions across different passenger demographics
Solution Approach 2:
The seat system is divided into separable components: a permanent base frame with standardized attachment points and removable back frames containing different restraint assemblies. This segmentation allows quick interchange of restraint types without converting the entire seat structure, improving reconfiguration efficiency
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual conversion between different restraint assemblies is performed, then different passenger demographics can be accommodated, but extensive tooling and manual labor are required
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment system transitions from fixed, permanent installations to dynamic, easily removable connections. The adaptor bracket uses removable fasteners and standardized interfaces that allow restraint assemblies to be quickly attached and detached without permanent modifications or complex tooling, significantly improving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor bracket serves as an intermediary component between the base frame and various restraint assemblies. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies the connection process, allowing different restraint types to be attached to the same base frame through a uniform mechanism rather than requiring custom installation procedures for each restraint type
Data Source
AI summary
An interchangeable passenger seat for a vehicle having a seat-mounting surface includes a base frame having at least one end member attachable to the seat-mounting surface of the vehicle, and at least one cross-member extending generally perpendicularly from the end member. At least one back frame is removably attachable to the base frame. An adaptor bracket is disposed around the cross-member. The adaptor bracket has a plurality of locating structure along the length of the adaptor bracket for selectively locating and attaching components of passenger restraint systems.