Pickup Cargo-Space Seating With Adjustable Bench Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seating systems do not provide flexible and safe seating options in the cargo space of pickup trucks, as occupants are warned against sitting in the truck bed while moving due to safety concerns, but future technological and regulatory advancements may permit such use.
Innovation Solution
A seating system with adjustable seating assemblies and a bench seat that can be configured between stowed and deployed positions, and between adjacent and cross support positions, utilizing mounting brackets and support features to provide flexible seating arrangements within the cargo space, including exterior seating options.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If seating assemblies are deployed in the cargo space, then seating options are increased, but cargo space area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seating system is divided into multiple independent seating assemblies (first seating assembly, second seating assembly, third seating assembly, fourth seating assembly) that can be individually deployed or stowed. Each assembly includes separate components such as seat bases, leg supports, and backrests that can be independently positioned, allowing flexible configuration of the cargo space between seating and storage modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The seating assemblies are designed with movable components that transition between deployed and stowed positions. The seat bases can rotate between horizontal and vertical orientations, leg supports can extend or retract, and backrests can be positioned at various angles. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt the cargo space area based on seating requirements while maximizing cargo availability when seating is not needed.
2Ease of operation
If seating assemblies are deployed extending from sidewalls, then seating comfort is improved, but cargo space volume is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seating assemblies utilize the vertical dimension by allowing seat bases to rotate between horizontal (seating) and vertical (storage) orientations. This dimensional transition enables the system to provide comfortable seating when needed while restoring full cargo volume when the assemblies are stowed in the vertical position, effectively using the third dimension to resolve the space conflict.
Solution Approach 2:
The seating assemblies are designed with nested components where leg supports can be stored within or adjacent to seat bases, and backrests can be positioned against seat bases when not in use. This nesting arrangement minimizes the space occupied by the seating system when deployed, thereby preserving maximum cargo space volume while still providing comfortable seating functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple seating assemblies are installed on sidewalls, then seating capacity is increased, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
All four seating assemblies share a common design and mounting mechanism, allowing them to be installed on any sidewall of the cargo space. Each assembly can function independently or in combination with others, and the same mounting brackets, seat bases, and support structures are used throughout the system. This universal design simplifies installation and maintenance while providing high seating capacity through repetition of the standardized modular units.
Data Source
AI summary
A seating system for a vehicle includes a first sidewall and a second sidewall. A second sidewall opposes the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall at least partially define a cargo space. A first seating assembly is coupled to the first sidewall. A second seating assembly is coupled to the first sidewall. A bench seat is configured to be selectively adjustable between an adjacent support position and a cross support position. The bench seat is coupled to the first seating assembly and the second seating assembly when in the adjacent support position. The bench seat is coupled to the first sidewall and the second sidewall in the cross support position.