Multi-Passenger RUV Lateral Seating Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional two-seater recreational utility vehicles (RUVs) are not optimally designed for increased passenger capacity, as they often extend the vehicle length by adding seats behind the engine, resulting in a less-than-ideal layout for four-seater configurations.
Innovation Solution
A multi-passenger RUV design featuring a frame with front and rear suspension systems, an open-air seating area accommodating four bucket seats, a roll cage for safety, and an engine placement that optimizes space between the front and rear seats, with a center console providing storage and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additional seats are added to a two-seater RUV by stretching the vehicle center and placing seats behind the engine, then passenger carrying capacity is increased, but vehicle layout and dynamics become suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a longitudinal arrangement (seats behind engine) to a lateral arrangement (seats beside engine), utilizing the transverse dimension to accommodate four passengers. This dimensional shift allows the engine to remain centrally positioned while seats are distributed on either side, optimizing both passenger capacity and vehicle dynamics without simply stretching the vehicle length.
2Ease of manufacture
If the engine is positioned rearward of the seats as in conventional stretched designs, then manufacturing is simplified, but vehicle dynamics and seating optimization are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the engine rearward of the seats (conventional approach), the patent inverts this arrangement by positioning the engine forward and laterally between the front and rear seats. This inverted configuration maintains manufacturing feasibility while significantly improving vehicle dynamics and allowing for optimized seating positions that enhance passenger comfort and safety.
3Volume of moving object
If the engine is placed between the front and rear seats laterally, then space utilization is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the seating arrangement into distinct lateral zones on either side of the engine, with front and rear seats positioned to accommodate four passengers. This segmentation allows the engine to be centrally located between the seats, optimizing space utilization while maintaining a modular design that is feasible to manufacture through standardized component placement.
Data Source
AI summary
Multi-passenger recreational utility vehicle comprising: a frame; two front wheels suspended from the frame via a front suspension assembly; two rear wheels suspended from the frame via a rear suspension assembly; an open-air seating area; a front driver seat; a front passenger seat; two rear passenger seats; each seat having a seat base and a backrest; a roll cage; a steering device; an engine; a transmission; a center console extending within the seating area intermediate the seats, a first portion of the center console forming a storage compartment within the console; a storage compartment cover covering the storage compartment, the storage compartment cover forming a rear passenger armrest when covering the storage compartment; and an inner accessory inside the center console, the inner accessory being removeable from the center console, the inner accessory being selectively openable.