Cable-Tensioned Seat Base Latching for Accessible Vehicle Seating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Mass-produced passenger vehicles lack modifications to accommodate physically limited individuals as drivers or front passengers, limiting seating options and accessibility within the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A seat assembly with a cable system and clamping arms that can be actuated to securely couple and decouple from the vehicle floor, allowing for adjustable seating positions, including in the front passenger compartment, to accommodate passengers with physical limitations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If mass-produced passenger vehicles are used without modification, then manufacturing cost and accessibility are improved, but the ability to accommodate passengers with physical limitations is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to accommodate passengers with physical limitationsVSAvoidvehicle modification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The vehicle seating system is divided into modular components: a removable seat base assembly, a floor mounting structure with clamping arms, and a cable actuation system. This segmentation allows the accessible seating feature to be installed independently in existing vehicles without modifying the entire vehicle structure, thereby improving adaptability while controlling complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seat base assembly is designed as a universal component that can be installed in multiple locations within the vehicle (front passenger area, rear areas) and can accommodate different types of seats (wheelchair mounts, custom seats). The cable actuation system provides a standardized interface for securing the seat base to various floor configurations, enabling one modification system to serve multiple accessibility needs across different vehicle models.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If the seat base assembly is made securely coupled to the floor, then safety and stability are improved, but ease of adjustment and repositioning is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating safety and stabilityVSAvoidease of seat repositioning

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping arms are designed to transition between two dynamic states: a latched position where the cable tension secures the seat base firmly to the floor for safety, and an unlatched position where the cable is relaxed allowing easy removal and repositioning. This dynamic design resolves the contradiction by providing both secure coupling when needed and ease of adjustment when repositioning is required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable actuation system serves as an intermediary mechanism between the user's manual input and the clamping arms. By pulling or releasing the cable, the user can easily transition the clamping arms between latched and unlatched states, providing simple operation for both securing and repositioning the seat base without requiring complex tools or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a cable system with clamping arms is used to couple the seat base to the floor, then ease of installation and removal is improved, but device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of seat base installationVSAvoidcable system structural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable system is designed to be self-tensioning and self-latching. When the clamping arms are positioned over the floor mounting points, simply pulling the cable automatically tensions it and secures the arms in the latched position without requiring additional fasteners, tools, or complex assembly procedures. This self-service mechanism simplifies installation while the modular cable-and-arm design keeps overall system complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables safe and accessible transportation for physically limited individuals by providing adjustable seating options, improving communication and visibility for passengers, and allowing for easier entry and exit with wheelchair accessibility.

Implementation Method 1

a cable system having a cable and an actuating mechanism operably coupled to the cable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTension: Tension

Implementation Method 2

the actuating mechanism operably actuates the cable to move the clamping arm between an unlatched position and a latched position with respect to the floor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Advantage: Mechanical Advantage

Data Source

PatentUS12109916B2Cable tensioned seatbase for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.10.08 BRAUN CORP

AI summary

A seat assembly for a transport vehicle includes a seat base assembly configured to being coupled to a floor of the transport vehicle. The seat base assembly includes a seat and a cable system having a cable and an actuating mechanism operably coupled to the cable. A clamping arm is operatively coupled to the seat base assembly and the cable system. The actuating mechanism operably actuates the cable to move the clamping arm between an unlatched position and a latched position with respect to the floor. In the latched position, the seat base assembly is coupled to the floor, and in the unlatched position, the seat base assembly is decoupled from the floor.