Reconfigurable Cabin Interior With Movable Seats and Steering Wheel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing passenger vehicle seating arrangements lack flexibility beyond basic adjustments, limiting the overall seating capacity and configuration options.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with a seating rail system and actuators that allow for movable seating assemblies, a center console, and a controller to reconfigure the seating and console arrangements based on user input, enabling various modes such as driving, conference, and relaxation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seating assemblies are made fixed in position, then the structural simplicity is maintained, but the adaptability of the passenger compartment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the seating assemblies movable rather than fixed. Each seat is equipped with actuators that enable dynamic repositioning along longitudinal and lateral axes, allowing the passenger compartment to adapt between different configurations (driving mode, conference mode, relaxation mode) while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular actuator design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a multi-functional seating system where the same seating assemblies can serve multiple purposes: forward-facing driver and passenger seats, rear-facing conference-style seating, and various relaxation positions. The universal base structure with integrated actuators allows each seat to perform multiple functions without requiring separate specialized components for each mode.
2Quantity of substance
If multiple rows of seating are added to increase capacity, then the passenger capacity is improved, but the accessibility to rear rows deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the third row of seating to move rearward automatically when needed. The actuator system allows the third row to be accessible during normal operation, and can be repositioned to facilitate easier access when passengers need to enter or exit, thus maintaining both high capacity and good accessibility throughout the vehicle's operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the steering wheel is made movable to enable seating reconfiguration, then the adaptability is improved, but the control precision during driving may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the steering wheel movable along the steering shaft to accommodate different seating configurations. The wheel can be positioned forward or rearward to maintain optimal ergonomics in different modes (driving, conference, relaxation). The mechanical coupling through the steering shaft ensures that despite the positional adjustment, the steering control precision is maintained through direct mechanical connection to the steering mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle includes a passenger compartment, a steering wheel configured to be moveable between a use position and a stowed position, a floor, a seating rail system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, and a plurality of seating assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row and configured to be actuated to a plurality of positions. Also included is a center console on a center console rail system extending longitudinally on the floor. A controller is configured to receive an input commanding a selected passenger compartment arrangement. The controller controls the actuators to position the seat assemblies, the center console and the steering wheel in the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.