Pivotable Backrest Seat Design for Space-Constrained Vehicle Interiors
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Solution Overview
Problem
In motor vehicles with limited interior space, the rotation of seats is often impeded by body pillars or center consoles, making it difficult to pivot or rotate the seat to increase interior space.
Innovation Solution
A seat design featuring a pivotable backrest element that can be guided from a use position into a stowed position underneath the seat surface, utilizing a multiple-joint bearing or sliding block guide, allowing for adjustable ergonomics and space optimization without protruding, and enabling 180° variation in sitting direction without rotating the entire seat.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the seat is rotated or pivoted to increase interior space, then the interior space is improved, but the rotation is impeded by body pillars or center console in limited space vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is divided into multiple sections (upper backrest section and lower backrest section) that can move independently. The upper section can be pivoted or folded relative to the lower section, allowing the seat to change configuration without requiring full seat rotation, thus overcoming spatial constraints imposed by body pillars and center consoles.
Solution Approach 2:
The backrest transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with multiple movable sections. The upper backrest section is equipped with pivoting mechanisms that allow it to change position dynamically, enabling space optimization while avoiding obstacles in the vehicle interior.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the backrest element is made longer for ergonomic support, then the ergonomic comfort is improved, but the space required for stowing the backrest underneath the seat surface increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backrest is segmented into upper and lower sections that can move independently. This allows the backrest to achieve a long extended position for ergonomic support when needed, while being foldable into a compact configuration for efficient stowage underneath the seat surface when space is constrained.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper backrest section can be nested or folded against the lower section, allowing the entire backrest assembly to be compacted into a smaller volume for stowage while maintaining the capability to extend to a longer position for ergonomic support during use.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat has a seat surface element and a first backrest element. The first backrest element can be pivoted from a use position into a stowed position under the seat surface element. The first backrest element can be pivoted under the seat surface element in a guided or optionally in a forcibly guided manner.