Rear Seat Backrest Pivoting Between Front Seats

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle seat designs do not effectively provide increased comfort and versatility for occupants, particularly in configurations that allow rear seats to function as consoles or tables when front seats are oriented convergently.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle seat system with a rear seat that pivots to extend between front seats, featuring a retractable tray device and adjustable backrest, allowing the backrest to fold down and serve as a console or table, and incorporating a slide mechanism and actuator for angular adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the rear seat backrest is folded down to extend between front seats, then the versatility and comfort of the passenger compartment is improved, but the structural complexity of the seat system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility of rear seatVSAvoidstructural complexity of seat system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rear seat backrest is designed to serve multiple functions: it can be positioned in a deployed state for normal seating, folded down to face the seating portion to function as a console or table for front seat occupants, and adjusted to various angles. This multi-functionality allows a single structural element to provide both seating support and additional utility surfaces, thereby improving versatility without requiring entirely separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The backrest frame is mounted on a pivot mechanism that allows it to dynamically change position between deployed and folded states. This dynamic capability enables the seat system to adapt its configuration based on operational needs, transforming from a static seating structure to a flexible, reconfigurable system that can accommodate different usage scenarios such as autonomous vehicle operations or passenger comfort requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the rear seat is configured to pivot and extend between front seats, then the comfort and usability of the passenger compartment is improved, but the ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveusability of passenger compartmentVSAvoidease of seat configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an actuator system to replace manual mechanical operations for adjusting the backrest frame position. The actuator automatically positions the backrest between the front seats and controls the folding and unfolding actions, eliminating the need for manual manipulation of complex mechanical linkages and making the system easier to operate despite its mechanical sophistication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The seat system incorporates self-positioning capabilities through the actuator, which automatically moves the backrest frame to the correct position relative to the front seats without requiring manual intervention. The system performs its own configuration adjustments, reducing the operational burden on users while maintaining the complex multi-position functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the backrest frame is mounted to pivot relative to the seating portion frame, then the adaptability of the seat is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability of rear seatVSAvoidcomplexity of pivot mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seat system is divided into distinct functional segments: the seating portion frame, the backrest frame, and the pivot mechanism connecting them. This segmentation allows each component to be independently designed and optimized, with the pivot mechanism serving as a dedicated interface that enables relative motion between the seating portion and backrest without complicating the overall structural integrity of either component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11465536B2Set of seats and motor vehicle comprising such a set of seats

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 FAURECIA SIEGES D AUTOMOBILE SA

AI summary

A motor vehicle comprises two front seats aligned in a transverse direction, and at least one rear seat. Said at least one rear seat comprises a seating portion with a seating portion frame, a backrest with a backrest frame. The backrest frame is pivotable relative to the seating portion frame about a first transverse axis, between at least one deployed position for receiving an occupant of the seat and a folded position in which the backrest frame is folded down to face the seating portion frame. Said at least one rear seat is adapted to have a configuration in which said at least one rear seat is in said folded position and the backrest of said at least one rear seat extends at least partly between the two front seats.