Groove Guide Seating Anchor for Flexible Vehicle Interiors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing passenger transport vehicle seating configurations are inflexible, requiring seat removal and reinstallation for significant changes, and existing rotating seat solutions impose high loads on vehicle structures and limit seat orientation.

Innovation Solution

A seating group system with anchoring points that can be inserted into a groove guide, allowing for variable displacement and rotation without disassembly, featuring a slot nut connection for secure locking and rotational mobility, enabling seats to be rearranged without loose parts and maintaining anchoring during configuration changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If seats are mounted on a rotating platform with ball bearings, then user comfort is improved, but the system cannot achieve variable seating configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser comfortVSAvoidseating configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the seating arrangement into modular seating groups that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each seating group can be separately adjusted along the groove guide, allowing flexible configuration changes without affecting other seats.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The anchoring point incorporates a locking mechanism that enables dynamic transition between fixed and movable states. The seating group can be locked in place for stability or unlocked for repositioning, allowing the system to adapt between comfort and reconfigurability as needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the support is attached to a side wall of the vehicle, then seat orientation can be changed, but high loads are imposed on the bearing and side wall

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseat orientationVSAvoidstructural load
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The rotating mechanism is extracted from the side wall mounting and relocated to the floor-mounted groove guide system. This transfers the load-bearing function from the side wall to the floor structure, reducing stress on the side wall and bearing while maintaining orientation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The groove guide acts as an intermediary element between the floor and the seating group. It provides a guided path for movement and rotation while distributing loads along its length, reducing peak stresses on both the floor and the seating mounting points.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If fundamental changes to row layout or seat grouping are made by removing and reinstalling seats, then seating configuration can be changed, but extensive disassembly and reassembly is required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating configurationVSAvoidrearrangement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism enables quick transition between locked and unlocked states, allowing seating groups to be rapidly repositioned without tools or extensive disassembly. The dynamic nature of the system permits frequent reconfiguration with minimal effort and time investment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses simple, standardized anchoring points and groove guides that can be easily repositioned or replaced if needed. These components are designed for repeated use in different configurations rather than permanent installation, reducing the cost and time of reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Stability of the object's composition

If the anchoring point is detachably locked in the groove guide, then the seating group can be fixed in position, but the system must manage locking and unlocking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseating group positionVSAvoidlocking mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be operated by the user without external assistance or complex control systems. The simple lock/unlock design allows the seating group to secure itself in position while maintaining ease of repositioning, balancing stability with operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3434510B1Variable interior of a passenger compartment
Publication Date: 2021.09.01 MAN TRUCK & BUS SE
  • EP3434510B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3434510B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3434510B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A technique for the variable arrangement of seating in the passenger compartment of a passenger transport vehicle is described. One aspect of the technique relates to a seating group (100) comprising at least two seats (102) and a substructure (104) supporting the at least two seats (102). The substructure (104) includes an anchoring point (106) on its underside, which, in a released state, can be inserted into a groove guide and, in a locked state, is detachably locked in the groove guide. In the released state, the seating group (100) is displaceable and rotatable with respect to the groove guide. In the locked state, the seating group (100) is fixed in position and rotation with respect to the groove guide.