Pivoting Vehicle Nacelle Posture Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle nacelles fail to accommodate passengers of varying statures effectively, as they are designed for specific heights and cannot adjust to fit standard height-adjustable seats, leading to discomfort and safety issues during mine shocks due to their rigid structure.

Innovation Solution

A pivoting nacelle system with a posture adjustment device that allows the nacelle body to pivot around a horizontal axis without vertical displacement, enabling height adjustment and rapid conversion between retracted and extended positions, using motorized helical connections and sliding pivot connections with locking and release mechanisms to secure the nacelle in desired positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the nacelle is designed for a specific height, then it provides proper support for passengers of that stature, but it cannot accommodate passengers of varying statures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different staturesVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The nacelle incorporates a pivoting mechanism that allows the seat to adjust its angle dynamically. The seat can pivot between a first angle for passengers of first stature and a second angle for passengers of second stature, enabling the same structure to adapt to different user heights without requiring multiple fixed configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the angular parameter of the seat relative to the nacelle body. By adjusting the pivot angle between two discrete positions, the effective height and positioning of the seat are modified to accommodate different passenger statures, transforming a static structure into one with variable geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If the nacelle structure is made stiff, then it provides structural strength, but it transmits impact energy brutally to passengers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidimpact energy transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting seat mechanism introduces dynamic flexibility to the otherwise stiff nacelle structure. During impact, the seat can pivot and absorb some impact energy through movement, reducing the brutal transmission of forces to the passenger while maintaining the overall structural strength of the nacelle body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a flexible element in the form of the pivoting joint between the seat and nacelle body. This flexible connection allows controlled movement and energy absorption during impact, contrasting with the rigid armor plating that provides protective strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Volume of moving object

If the nacelle is designed for reduced volume, then it fits in compact spaces, but it prohibits the use of standard height-adjustable seats

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenacelle volumeVSAvoidseat adjustability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The pivoting seat mechanism provides height and position adjustment through angular movement rather than linear extension. This dynamic adjustment achieves the effect of height-adjustable seats while maintaining a compact, reduced-volume structure that can pivot within a limited space envelope.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adjusting seat height in the vertical dimension through extension, the invention achieves adjustment by changing the angular orientation of the seat in a rotational dimension. This allows height adaptation without increasing the linear volume of the nacelle structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

4Ease of operation

If the nacelle pivots between retracted and extended positions, then it provides posture adjustment, but it requires complex locking mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepostage adjustment capabilityVSAvoidlocking mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage and disengage based on the pivot position. The system self-locks when the seat reaches the first or second angle, eliminating the need for manual locking operations and reducing the complexity of control mechanisms while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces a intermediary locking mechanism that mediates between the pivot movement and the fixed positions. This intermediary component automatically transitions between locked and unlocked states based on the seat's angular position, simplifying the overall control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables comfortable seating for passengers of different statures by allowing adjustable height and rapid position changes while maintaining anti-mine safety, ensuring effective energy absorption during impacts.

Implementation Method 1

the fixing device being configured to allow the nacelle to pivot around a horizontal pivot axis orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPivoting rotation: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

motorized helical connections

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHelical mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 3

sliding pivot connections with locking and release mechanisms to secure the nacelle in desired positions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction locking: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3100903B1Pivoting vehicle nacelle allowing posture adjustment
Publication Date: 2017.11.29 NEXTER SYST SA
  • EP3100903B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3100903B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a gondola (1) intended to be connected to a casing (C) so as to be able to pivot about a horizontal pivot axis (A1) located on the first end (2c) of the gondola (1), the gondola (1) comprising at least one first drive means (13) for pivoting it between a retracted head position and a head-extended head position. The gondola (1) comprises a gondola body (2) and a posture adjustment device (4) by which the second end (2d) of the gondola (1) is connected to the casing (C), the device (4) being connected on one side to the gondola body (2) to allow the latter to pivot without relative vertical displacement between the device (4) and the casing (C) and, on the other side, to the casing (C) to allow the gondola body (2) and the device (4) to pivot as a single unit.