Vehicle Seating Storage with Pivotable Seat Cushions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle seating arrangements lack integrated and aesthetically pleasing storage solutions that provide adequate accessibility and comfort features.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle seating arrangement includes multiple seating assemblies with adjustable and extendable features, such as pivotable seats, retractable storage bins, and independently accessible storage compartments, along with deployable armrests and HVAC controls, to enhance storage and comfort while maintaining a continuous, aesthetically pleasing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional vehicle seating arrangements are used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but storage accessibility and comfort features are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The seating assembly is divided into multiple independent segments including the seat cushion, seatback, and storage compartments. Each segment can move or be accessed independently, allowing the seat to pivot between upright and forward-dumped positions while maintaining structural integrity. This segmentation enables complex functionality without requiring an overly complicated monolithic structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Storage compartments are nested within the seating assembly structure itself. The storage bins are positioned within the seat cushion and seatback frameworks, allowing storage functionality to be integrated into the existing seating structure without adding external complexity. The cup holders are also nested within the seat cushion structure.
2Quantity of substance
If storage compartments are added to seating assemblies, then storage capacity increases, but the aesthetic appearance and integration become compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartments are merged with the seating assembly structure rather than being added as separate external components. The storage bins are integrated within the seat cushion and seatback frameworks, creating a unified appearance. The cup holders are integrated into the seat cushion structure, maintaining a cohesive aesthetic while providing storage functionality.
3Ease of operation
If the seat is made extendable to reveal storage bins, then storage accessibility improves, but the structural complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seat cushion is designed with dynamic movement capability, allowing it to pivot between an upright position and a forward-dumped position. This dynamic feature enables the storage bins to be accessed by simply moving the seat cushion, eliminating the need for complex mechanical release mechanisms or multiple separate components. The pivot mechanism utilizes the existing seating structure to achieve the movement.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independently accessible storage areas are provided, then storage versatility increases, but the device complexity and space requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple storage compartments are nested within the seating assembly structure. The storage bins are positioned within the seat cushion and seatback frameworks, utilizing the internal space of the existing seating structure. The cup holders are nested within the seat cushion structure. This nesting approach provides multiple storage areas without significantly increasing the overall volume of the seating assembly.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle seating arrangement includes first and second seating assemblies that are each equipped with a seat and a seatback. A surface of the seat of the first seating assembly is vertically above a surface of the seat of the second seating assembly. A forward extreme of the first seating assembly is displaced rearward of a forward extreme of the second seating assembly.