Hitch-Supported Tailgate Seat Assembly for Stable Rearward Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicles lack efficient and easy-to-use deployable tailgate seating arrangements that allow passengers to face rearward when the vehicle is parked.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle with a deployable seat assembly that can move between a forward-facing position within the cabin and a rearward-facing position outside the cabin, supported by a hitch mechanism, featuring a reconfigurable support arm and electrical connectivity, allowing for stable and powered tailgate seating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a deployable seat assembly is added to provide tailgate seating, then passenger comfort and convenience are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm is nested within the seat assembly structure, with the support arm (410) containing the electrical connector (420) and being storable within the seat assembly (30) when not in use. This nesting approach allows the complex support mechanism to be compactly integrated into the existing seat structure, providing tailgate seating functionality without adding significant external complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a forward-facing seat during vehicle operation and a rearward-facing tailgate seat when deployed. The rotator assembly (230) enables the same seat structure to be reconfigured for different uses, eliminating the need for separate tailgate seating equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
2Reliability
If the seat assembly is made stable when deployed, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm (410) is pre-configured with the electrical connector (420) and can be preliminarily positioned within the seat assembly structure before deployment. This preliminary preparation ensures that when the seat is deployed to the tailgate position, the support mechanism is already in place to provide immediate stability without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The support arm (410) acts as an intermediary mechanical element between the seat assembly (30) and the vehicle body, providing the necessary structural connection and stability when deployed. This intermediary component simplifies the overall stability mechanism by using a single dedicated support structure rather than multiple complex stabilization systems.
3Ease of operation
If the support arm is made reconfigurable to fold under the seat base, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The support arm (410) is designed as a dynamic, reconfigurable structure that can pivot and fold relative to the seat base. This dynamic design allows the support arm to transition between extended (for stability) and folded (for compact storage) positions, improving ease of operation and deployment while maintaining structural integrity through controlled mechanical joints.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle including a body defining a cabin interior, the body including a tailgate movable between an open position exposing the cabin interior and a closed position closing the cabin interior, a hitch, a deployable seat assembly configured to move between a first position within the cabin interior and a second position extending outside of the cabin interior when the liftgate door is in the open position, and a hitch support mechanism coupled to the seat assembly and configured to connect to the assembly to support the seat assembly in the second position.