Reconfigurable Vehicle Seating System with Nested Tracks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seating systems in passenger vehicles, such as airplanes, are inflexible and cannot be easily reconfigured to adapt to changing seating needs after initial fabrication, limiting the ability to alter seating arrangements or increase passenger capacity without manufacturer involvement.
Innovation Solution
A seating system comprising a primary pair of seat tracks and a secondary pair of seat tracks, where the secondary pair is positioned between the primary pair, allowing for interchangeable seat assemblies to change seating configurations without disturbing the primary tracks, enabling increased seating capacity or aisle space with minimal effort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a fixed seating arrangement is used in passenger vehicles, then the structural simplicity and ease of manufacture are improved, but the adaptability to changing seating needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seating system is divided into modular components: primary seat tracks fixed to the floor, secondary seat tracks that can be added or removed, and interchangeable seat assemblies. This segmentation allows the system to maintain structural simplicity while enabling flexible reconfiguration by adding or removing secondary tracks and seat assemblies without affecting the primary structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static fixed seating arrangement to a dynamic reconfigurable system. Secondary seat tracks can be installed or removed to change seating capacity, and seat assemblies can be moved between different track positions. This dynamic capability allows the seating system to adapt to changing operational requirements while maintaining ease of manufacture through standardized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If seating arrangements are made reconfigurable, then the adaptability to changing needs is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The primary and secondary seat tracks share common attachment points and mounting mechanisms, allowing them to serve multiple functions. The same floor beams and attachment hardware support both primary and secondary tracks, reducing overall system complexity despite the added reconfigurability. Seat assemblies can be used in different configurations with either track type.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary seat tracks are positioned to nest within or alongside the primary seat track structure. The secondary tracks utilize the same floor beam attachment points as the primary tracks, creating a nested arrangement that maximizes space utilization while minimizing additional structural complexity. This nested design allows reconfiguration without requiring completely separate mounting systems.
3Adaptability or versatility
If secondary seat tracks are added between primary tracks, then the seating capacity and flexibility are improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary seat tracks are selectively positioned at specific locations between the primary tracks where additional seating capacity is needed, rather than uniformly throughout the entire seating area. This local addition of complexity only where required allows the system to maintain simplicity in areas where primary tracks alone suffice, while providing enhanced adaptability where needed.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A seating system (1100) for a vehicle (1000) that comprises floor beams (1020), which support floor panels (1060) that define a floor surface (1062). The vehicle (1000) has a virtual longitudinal plane (1012), perpendicular to the floor surface (1062), and a virtual longitudinal axis (1010), parallel to the floor surface (1062) and lying in the virtual longitudinal plane (1012). The seating system (1100) comprises a primary pair of seat tracks (1300), a secondary pair of seat tracks (1310), one of which is positioned between seat tracks of the primary pair of seat tracks (1300), and a first seat assembly (1200). The first seat assembly (1200) comprises a first seat support (1202) and a first plurality of seats (1204), attached to the first seat support (1202). The first seat support (1202) is attached to the primary pair of seat tracks (1300).