Foldable Cabin Seat Structure for Clear Exit Path Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing foldable seats for driving cabins in land vehicles often lack ergonomic design and obstruct exit paths, failing to provide sufficient visibility to control panels while maintaining structural integrity during vehicle movement.
Innovation Solution
A pivotally assembled second sitting element that transitions between folded and unfolded configurations, integrated with interlocking organs and a maintaining element, ensuring secure positioning and ergonomic seating without obstructing the exit path or view of control panels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a foldable seat is provided in the driving cabin to utilize scarce space, then space utilization is improved, but the seat may obstruct the exit path or block the view of control panels
Solution Approach 1:
The second sitting element is designed to be pivotally assembled to the support structure, enabling it to dynamically transition between a folded configuration (storing against the lateral surface) and an unfolded configuration (providing seating). This dynamic positioning resolves the contradiction by allowing the seat to clear the exit path when folded while providing ergonomic seating when unfolded.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat device is segmented into a first sitting element (fixed to the support structure) and a second sitting element (pivotally assembled). This segmentation allows the second element to be independently positioned, enabling it to be folded away from the exit path when not in use while remaining accessible when needed.
2Ease of operation
If the second sitting element is pivotally assembled to allow folding, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability during vehicle movement may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The maintaining element is designed to automatically engage with the second sitting element when it assumes the correct unfolded or folded position. This preliminary positioning action ensures that once the seat is positioned, it is automatically secured, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintaining element acts as an intermediary mechanism between the second sitting element and the support structure. It mediates the connection by providing positive engagement at specific positions, ensuring stability during vehicle movement while allowing easy positioning transitions.
3Reliability
If interlocking organs are added to fix the second sitting element in folded and unfolded configurations, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The maintaining element combines multiple functions into a single structure: it maintains the second sitting element in both folded and unfolded positions, and incorporates interlocking organs that engage with corresponding features on the support structure. This merging reduces overall complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The maintaining element is designed as a multi-functional component that provides positioning and securing functions for both the folded and unfolded configurations of the second sitting element. This universal design resolves the contradiction by achieving reliable fixation without requiring separate complex mechanisms for each position.
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 ergonomic seating with unobstructed visibility to control panels and secure positioning during vehicle movement, enhancing user safety and comfort by allowing seamless transition between folded and unfolded configurations.
Implementation Method 1
the seat device comprises a hinge assembled to said second edge and to the first edge of the support structure, so that the second sitting element is pivotally assembled to the first edge
Implementation Method 2
the structural unit also comprises a first and a second interlocking organs, situated respectively on the second sitting element of the seat device and on the maintaining element, said first and second interlocking organs being able to fix the second sitting element in the unfolded configuration to the maintaining element in the deployed position
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a structural unit (30) for a land vehicle (10), comprising a seat device (34) and a support structure (32), the support structure comprising an upper surface (46), substantially horizontal, and a lateral surface joined to the upper surface by a first edge (50). The seat device comprises a first (54) and a second (56) sitting elements forming first (58) and second (60) sitting surfaces, the first sitting element being fixed to the support structure. The second sitting element is pivotally assembled to the first edge of the support structure between folded and unfolded configurations. In the folded configuration, the second sitting surface is parallel to the lateral surface of the support structure ; and in the unfolded configuration, the second sitting surface is substantially horizontal, forming a sitting area with the first sitting surface.