Pivotable Passenger Seat Base for Off-Road Vehicle Cargo Space
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional side-by-side vehicles (SSVs) have limited passenger and cargo carrying capacity due to the space occupied by the engine and fuel tank in the cockpit area, which restricts additional passengers or storage without increasing the vehicle's size or weight.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle design incorporates pivotable passenger seats that can transform from a seating position to a storage position, allowing for increased cargo space and passenger capacity by relocating the seat bases within the cockpit area, while maintaining the driver seat in a fixed position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the engine and fuel tank are disposed in the cockpit area, then the vehicle structure is simplified and compact, but the passenger and cargo carrying capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The passenger seat base is designed to be pivotable between a horizontal seating position and a vertical storage position, transforming from a static component to a dynamic one. This allows the seat base to serve dual functions: providing seating when needed and creating cargo space when not in use, thereby resolving the contradiction between vehicle structure simplicity and passenger/cargo capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The passenger seat base is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides seating for passengers during operation and transforms into cargo storage space when passengers are not present. This multi-functionality allows the vehicle to maintain both structural compactness and increased carrying capacity without requiring separate dedicated cargo areas
2Quantity of substance
If additional passengers or cargo storage space is added to increase carrying capacity, then the passenger and cargo capacity is improved, but the vehicle size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable seat base transforms vertically to create storage space without requiring additional horizontal space or increasing vehicle dimensions. This dynamic transformation allows the vehicle to carry cargo equivalent to the seat base volume without adding extra weight from separate cargo compartments or structural reinforcements
Solution Approach 2:
The seat base transitions from a horizontal orientation (occupying cockpit floor space) to a vertical orientation (occupying vertical space above the cockpit). This dimensional change allows cargo storage without increasing the vehicle's footprint or requiring additional weight-bearing horizontal structures
3Quantity of substance
If the seat base is made pivotable to create storage space, then the cargo carrying capacity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is segmented into distinct components: the seat cushion, the pivotable seat base, and the retaining mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the seat base can pivot while the cushion remains fixed, and the retaining mechanism can be simplified to only engage at specific positions, reducing overall complexity compared to a fully adjustable seat system
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining mechanism uses simple, inexpensive components such as pins or latches that engage with grooves in the seat base. These are basic mechanical elements rather than complex electronic or hydraulic systems, keeping the added complexity minimal while effectively securing the seat base in both horizontal and vertical positions
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle includes a frame, front and rear wheels, a motor, and a driver seat. A passenger seat disposed side-by-side with the driver seat has a seat base that is pivotable about a horizontal pivot axis between a seating position where it extends horizontally and a storage position. A retaining surface having a seating position groove and a storage position groove is fixed with respect to one of the seat base and the frame. A retaining member fixed with respect to another of the seat base and the frame is complementary to the grooves. The retaining member is received in the storage position groove when the seat base is in the storage position, thereby retaining the seat base in the storage position. The retaining member is received in the seating position groove when the seat base is in the seating position, thereby retaining the seat base in the seating position.