Multi-Directional Seat Drawer for Vehicle Storage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle storage solutions occupy leg space, hinder footrest access, and lack secure and convenient loading/unloading mechanisms, especially during braking.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seat integrated with a seat frame and a movement unit allowing the seat drawer to move in both longitudinal and transverse directions, providing a secure and accessible storage space beneath the seat while maintaining footrest space and ensuring commodities can be easily loaded/unloaded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a drawer is arranged between the seat part and vehicle floor for storage, then storage capacity is improved, but accessibility from outside the vehicle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidaccessibility from outside
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer is designed to be movable not only in the longitudinal direction (between closed and open positions) but also in the transverse direction (between retracted and protruding positions). This multi-dimensional movement capability allows the drawer to be accessed from the side of the vehicle when protruding, while maintaining storage capacity when retracted beneath the seat.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If a drawer is placed beneath the vehicle seat for storage, then footrest space is improved, but loading/unloading convenience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefootrest spaceVSAvoidloading/unloading convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer's ability to move in both longitudinal and transverse directions enables convenient loading and unloading from the side of the vehicle, eliminating the need to reach underneath the seat. This maintains adequate footrest space while significantly improving operational convenience.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If a drawer can only be accessed in one longitudinal direction, then structural simplicity is improved, but accessibility from outside the vehicle deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidaccessibility from outside
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The drawer is designed with movement capabilities in both longitudinal and transverse directions. The longitudinal movement is achieved through guide flanges on guide rails, while transverse movement is enabled by the movable connection between the drawer and seat pan. This multi-directional design maintains reasonable structural simplicity while dramatically improving accessibility from outside the vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This solution ensures unobstructed leg space, secure storage, and convenient access to commodities, enhancing passenger comfort and safety by allowing the seat drawer to be moved in multiple directions, facilitating easy loading/unloading and maintaining stability during vehicle maneuvers.

Implementation Method 1

a movement unit (24) which is located between a lower side (25) of the seat drawer (22) and an upper side (26) of the base unit (19), wherein the movement unit (24) is designed to enable a movement of the seat drawer (22) along a predefined primary direction (18) between a closed position P0 and a primary open position P1

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical guidance:

Implementation Method 2

Document DE 10 2012 020 643 A1 discloses a drawer arrangement comprising guide flanges that are arranged on the side walls of a drawer and is linearly displaced on the guide rails of a drawer carrier

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLinear guidance:

Data Source

PatentEP3708429B1Vehicle comprising a vehicle seat, a seat drawer, a seat frame and a movement unit
Publication Date: 2021.11.24 AUDI AG
  • EP3708429B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3708429B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3708429B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention is concerned with a vehicle (10) comprising a vehicle seat (12), a seat drawer (22), a seat frame (16) and a movement unit (24). The seat frame (16) is arranged beneath the vehicle seat (12) and comprises a base unit (19) and is designed to receive the seat drawer (22). The movement unit (24) is located between a lower side (25) of the seat drawer (22) and an upper side (26) of the base unit (19). The movement unit (24) is designed to enable a movement of the seat drawer (22) along a predefined primary direction (18) between a closed position (P0) and a primary open position (P1) and to enable a movement of the seat drawer (22) along a predefined secondary direction (27) between the closed position (P0) and a secondary open position (P2). The predefined secondary direction (27) is orthogonal to the predefined primary direction (18).