Pivotable Seat Bracket for Wheelchair Van Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vehicles modified to accommodate wheelchairs, the conversion of the rear luggage compartment renders OEM seats unusable, necessitating custom-made seats that are expensive and impractical.
Innovation Solution
A holder system that allows for the detachable attachment of OEM seats to the vehicle's tub rim, featuring a pivotable base and locking mechanism, enabling the seat to be easily switched between stowed and seated positions without modifying the vehicle's structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rear luggage compartment is converted to accommodate wheelchairs with a trough-like floor, then wheelchair accessibility is improved, but the OEM seats become unusable and must be replaced with expensive custom-made seats
Solution Approach 1:
The holder is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides a mounting structure for OEM seats when not in use, and can be folded away to create clear access path for wheelchair entry. This multi-functionality allows the vehicle to maintain both wheelchair accessibility and seat usability without requiring custom-made seats
Solution Approach 2:
The holder is designed as a dynamic component that can be folded between two positions: a stowed position where it provides structural support for seat mounting, and an extended position where it creates an access ramp for wheelchair entry. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction by allowing the same structure to serve different functions at different times
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom-made seats are used to replace OEM seats in converted vehicles, then seating functionality is maintained, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The solution separates the seat from the mounting structure. The OEM seat remains unchanged while the holder provides the adaptive mounting capability. This segmentation allows the simple OEM seat to be used with the complex adaptive functionality provided by the foldable holder, reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The holder acts as an intermediary component between the OEM seat and the vehicle floor. It provides the necessary adaptability and structural support without requiring modification to the seat itself or permanent modification to the vehicle floor, thus maintaining simplicity while enabling functionality
3Area of stationary object
If the holder is designed to be foldable between stowed and seated positions, then space utilization is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The holder transitions from a static structure to a dynamic one with two stable positions. The folding mechanism allows the holder to adapt its configuration based on whether a seat is mounted or wheelchair access is needed, optimizing space utilization at the cost of increased mechanical complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The holder's geometric parameters (angle, position, configuration) are changed between two states: folded flat against the vehicle floor for maximum loading space, and extended at an angle to provide structural support for seat mounting. This parameter change enables space optimization while maintaining structural integrity
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a bracket for mounting a seat, in particular a sixth or seventh seat, in a rear cargo space with a tub-like cargo floor, the lateral edges of which open into a common base on which a wheelchair can be stowed in the cargo space, of a passenger car or commercial vehicle adapted for people with disabilities, comprising a fastening device for detachably attaching the seat to the bracket and a base to be attached to an edge of the tub, wherein the bracket is configured to assume an upright, in particular vertical, stowing position in which a wheelchair can be placed in the cargo space, and an inclined, in particular horizontal, seating position in which the seat can be attached to the bracket.