In-floor Track System for Reconfigurable Vehicle Seating
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seating assemblies are limited in their ability to translate to various locations within the cabin, restricting flexibility and adaptability for occupant comfort and functionality.
Innovation Solution
A rail system with lateral and longitudinal tracks couples first, second, and third seating assemblies, allowing them to be actuated between rearward wheel wells, maintaining functionality of the second seating assembly, which can serve as a center console, ottoman, work surface, or storage area, with anchors featuring a post and locking pin mechanism for vertical actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If seating assemblies are made fixed in position, then structural stability is improved, but adaptability and reconfigurability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The seating assembly transitions from a static fixed position to a dynamic reconfigurable system. The rail system with lateral and longitudinal tracks enables the seating assemblies to move to various locations within the cabin, while the locking mechanism provides stable positioning when actuated. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt between stability and reconfigurability as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The seating assembly is divided into separable components including the seating assembly itself, the rail system, and the locking mechanism. This segmentation allows the seating assembly to be independently actuated along the tracks and locked at desired positions, providing both structural stability when locked and reconfigurability when the locking mechanism is engaged or disengaged.
2Adaptability or versatility
If seating assemblies are made movable to various locations, then adaptability and space utilization are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rail system serves multiple functions: it provides tracks for lateral and longitudinal movement, supports the seating assembly during translation, and works with the locking mechanism to secure the seating assembly at various positions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism acts as an intermediary between the movable seating assembly and the rail system. It provides a simple engagement interface that translates the complex rail movement into stable positioning, reducing the overall system complexity by decoupling the movement and stabilization functions.
3Volume of moving object
If seating assemblies translate rearward by at least 25 cm, then space utilization and comfort are improved, but positioning precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism replaces complex precision mechanical positioning systems. Instead of requiring continuous precise mechanical positioning throughout the 25 cm translation range, the system uses discrete locking positions along the rail tracks. This substitution maintains manufacturing simplicity while achieving the required space utilization and comfort benefits.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes first and second rows of seats and a rail system. The rail system includes lateral and longitudinal tracks. First, second, and third seating assemblies are each coupled to the rail system. The first and third seating assemblies are actuatable along the rail system to be positioned between a pair of rearward wheel wells.