Modular Vehicle Seat With Segmented Backrest

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle passenger seats with folding backrests do not optimize load volume efficiently when the backrest is folded forward, and they do not provide a suitable surface for the driver to write on, as the entire backrest tilting interferes with the gear lever and safety cushions.

Innovation Solution

A passenger seat design where only the central part of the backrest can be tilted, serving as a tablet at an ideal height, and the seat is mounted to move relative to the support structure via articulated connecting rods, allowing the seat to retract and the backrest to fold forward, creating additional loading space without interfering with the gear lever or safety cushions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of stationary object

If the entire backrest is tilted forward to create cargo space, then the load volume is increased, but the gear lever operation is interfered with and airbag deployment is blocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo spaceVSAvoidgear lever operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The backrest is divided into two independent parts: a central section that can be tilted forward to serve as a tablet, and a peripheral section that remains in the upright position. This segmentation allows the central part to be used for writing without blocking the gear lever or airbag deployment zones, while the peripheral part maintains cargo space and safety functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Volume of stationary object

If the seat is completely retracted to maximize cargo space, then the loading volume is increased, but the seat structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecargo spaceVSAvoidseat mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat is equipped with articulated connecting rods that enable dynamic movement between a retracted position (maximizing cargo space) and a forward position (for normal seating). This dynamic mechanism allows the seat to adapt its position based on loading requirements without requiring complex permanent structural modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3532341B1Modular seat for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 RENAULT SA
  • EP3532341B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3532341B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3532341B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention concerns a motor vehicle seat (10) comprising: - a support structure (100), - a seating portion (200) mounted movable on the support structure between a use position and a stowed position, and - a seat back (300) mounted movable such that it can pivot on the carrier structure about a lower axis, between a use position and a forward folded position. According to the invention, the seat back comprises two parts (310, 320), including a peripheral part that is mounted movable such that it can pivot on the carrier structure about the lower axis, and a central part that is mounted movable such that it can pivot on the peripheral part about an upper axis separate from the lower axis, each of the two parts comprising a frame and, at the front of the frame, a part of a lining of the backrest.