Convertible ATV With Lateral Seating And Steering Indexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
All-terrain vehicles (ATVs) typically accommodate only a single rider, and when adapted for multiple riders, the passenger's view is obstructed by the driver, requiring consumers to purchase two ATVs to ride with friends or family.
Innovation Solution
A convertible ATV design that includes a chassis, engine, and a steering indexing assembly, allowing the vehicle to switch between a single rider configuration and a multiple rider configuration with a lateral seat and adjustable steering position, enabling side-by-side seating while maintaining an ATV-like riding experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If ATVs are adapted to accommodate more than one rider in tandem configuration, then the vehicle can carry multiple riders, but the passenger's view is obstructed by the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a longitudinal tandem seating arrangement to a lateral side-by-side seating arrangement. This dimensional change in seat positioning allows both riders to have unobstructed forward views while maintaining the ability to carry multiple passengers on the ATV.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a convertible seat system where the driver's seat can be moved or reconfigured. This dynamic adaptability allows the vehicle to switch between single-rider and multi-rider configurations, optimizing both viewing conditions and passenger capacity based on operational needs.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a consumer purchases two ATVs to ride with friends or family, then everyone can have an unobstructed view, but the cost and complexity of owning multiple vehicles increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional ATV that can operate effectively in both single-rider and multi-rider modes. The convertible seat mechanism allows one vehicle to serve multiple purposes: solo operation with optimal control and group operation with unobstructed views for all passengers, eliminating the need for consumers to maintain separate vehicles for different riding scenarios.
3Ease of operation
If the driver's seat is positioned centrally for traditional ATV operation, then the driver has good control and visibility, but additional passengers cannot be accommodated with unobstructed views
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic seat positioning system where the driver's seat can be moved laterally or reconfigured. This allows the vehicle to adapt between a centralized driver position for optimal control and visibility during solo operation, and a distributed side-by-side configuration that accommodates multiple passengers with unobstructed views.
Solution Approach 2:
The seating system is segmented into independently positionable components. The driver's seat and passenger seats can be independently configured, allowing the driver to maintain optimal positioning for control while enabling passenger seats to be positioned laterally for unobstructed views when multiple riders are present.
Data Source
AI summary
Some embodiments of the invention include a vehicle having a chassis and an engine supported by the chassis, the engine coupled to a drive train useful for propelling the vehicle. The vehicle may be convertible between a first seating configuration having a first seat disposed generally along the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle and a second seating configuration having a lateral seat disposed laterally of the longitudinal centerline of the vehicle.