Co-Driver Chair Support Structure for More Spacious Truck Cabins
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to provide a driver's cabin in a heavy goods vehicle with sufficient interior space while accommodating a co-driver chair, which is commercially attractive and allows easy installation and removal without being cumbersome due to the chair's mass and the high cabin floor.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped portal-like co-driver chair support structure is designed, providing access from the front, consuming minimal space, and incorporating storage under the seat, with additional strengthening features to withstand loads and secure the seat belt buckle during crashes. The chair can be fixed in a rear position to free up space, and the seat can hinge vertically for better visibility and convert into a table, with a parallelogram mechanism maintaining its horizontal position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a co-driver chair is installed in the driver's cabin, then the functionality and commercial appeal of the vehicle is improved, but the available interior space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The co-driver chair is designed to be movable along the longitudinal axis of the cabin, allowing it to be positioned in different locations. This dynamic positioning capability enables the chair to be moved forward to maximize interior space when not in use, while still providing proper co-driver functionality when positioned in the optimal location
Solution Approach 2:
The chair support structure is segmented into a modular design with a base plate, longitudinal support elements, and mounting mechanisms that allow independent adjustment of the chair position. This segmentation enables flexible positioning while maintaining structural integrity
2Area of stationary object
If a removable co-driver chair is used to maximize interior space, then the available cabin room is enlarged, but the installation and removal becomes cumbersome due to the chair's mass and high cabin floor
Solution Approach 1:
The chair mounting system incorporates movable mounting mechanisms that allow the chair to be easily attached and detached from the base plate. The dynamic mounting design reduces the physical effort required for installation and removal, making the heavy chair manageable despite its mass and the high cabin floor
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate acts as an intermediary element between the cabin floor and the co-driver chair. It provides a stable mounting surface with integrated mounting mechanisms that facilitate easy attachment and detachment of the chair, reducing the direct handling of the heavy chair itself
3Strength
If a conventional box-like chair support is used, then structural strength is provided, but significant space is consumed in the cabin
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into separate functional elements: a base plate for mounting, longitudinal support elements for structural strength, and vertical support elements for chair stability. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while minimizing overall volume
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure transitions from a conventional three-dimensional box-like form to a more linear, elongated configuration that extends primarily in the longitudinal direction. This dimensional change reduces the vertical and lateral space occupation while maintaining the necessary structural strength through strategic placement of reinforcement elements
4Area of stationary object
If the co-driver chair is positioned in the rear to maximize interior space, then more cabin room is available, but the structural stability during crashes may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The chair mounting system allows dynamic positioning of the chair along the longitudinal axis, enabling optimization of both space utilization and crash safety based on specific operational requirements. The chair can be positioned rearward for maximum space when crash risk is low, and forward for enhanced safety when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure incorporates multiple materials with different properties: the base plate provides a rigid mounting surface, while the longitudinal and vertical support elements provide flexible yet strong connection points. This composite construction maintains structural integrity and crash safety regardless of the chair's longitudinal position
Data Source
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AI summary
This document relates to a driver's cabin of a vehicle. The driver's cabin comprises a cabin floor, a driver chair and a co- driver chair. The driver chair includes a driver chair support connecting the driver chair to the cabin floor and the co-driver chair includes a co-driver chair support connecting the co- driver chair to the cabin floor. The co- driver chair support comprises a base plate mounted to the cabin floor. The base plate has a front edge, a rear edge and side edges. The side edges extend in a direction parallel to a normal driving direction of the vehicle. The co- driver chair support is formed by a U-shaped portal like structure comprising at each side edge of the base plate a side support plate member. Each side support plate member is at a lower end thereof connected to the respective side edge of the base plate over a length of the side edge of the base plate and extends vertically upwards from the base plate. The co- driver chair support further comprises a horizontally extending strengthening beam connected with its ends at upper ends of the side support plate members for interconnecting the side support plate members. The co-driver chair is attached to the free ends of the side support plate members.