Removable Trailer Seat Positioning for Stable Passenger Load Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Multipurpose trailers face challenges in providing improved safety and ease of use, particularly in adapting to different numbers of passengers and ensuring stable load distribution during various activities.

Innovation Solution

A multipurpose trailer design featuring removable seats that can be securely attached in multiple transverse positions, with upper and lower seat attachments integrated into the sheet element, allowing for adjustable weight distribution and easy attachment/removal, and a method for securing these seats using straps and connectors to enhance safety and usability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the trailer is designed with fixed seats, then the structural stability is improved, but the adaptability for different numbers of passengers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidadaptability for different numbers of passengers
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The seat is divided into a removable seat portion and a base structure with attachment points. The seat portion can be detached and reattached at different transverse positions (central or lateral) on the trailer, allowing the structure to be segmented and reconfigured based on passenger needs while maintaining structural integrity through the attachment system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The seat configuration transitions from static to dynamic through the removable and repositionable seat design. The seat can be moved between different transverse positions (central for single passenger, lateral for multiple passengers) and easily removed when not needed, enabling the trailer to adapt its configuration based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the trailer uses a complex seat attachment system, then the safety is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidease of attachment and removal
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment system is segmented into separate upper and lower attachment points that are integrated into the sheet element. This segmentation allows for a straightforward attachment process where the seat simply needs to be positioned and secured at these predefined points, maintaining safety through proper attachment while avoiding complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system is designed to be user-friendly and self-explanatory, allowing users to easily attach and remove seats without requiring complex tools or procedures. The upper and lower attachment points provide clear guidance for proper seat installation, enabling users to safely secure the seat themselves without needing specialized knowledge or equipment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If the seat attachments are integrated into the sheet element, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision of sheet element
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The upper and lower seat attachments are merged into a single sheet element structure. This integration reduces the total number of separate components and assembly steps, simplifying the overall device complexity. The sheet element serves multiple functions as both the structural component and the attachment mechanism, eliminating the need for separate attachment hardware.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet element is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides the structural body of the trailer, incorporates the upper and lower seat attachment points, and enables easy seat installation and removal. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated attachment mechanisms while maintaining the required precision through careful design of the integrated attachment features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4303096A1A multipurpose trailer and a method for securing a removable seat to a multipurpose trailer
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 THULE SWEDEN AB
  • EP4303096A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4303096A1 patent drawingFigure 3~6
  • EP4303096A1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A multipurpose trailer (100) for carrying at least one person, wherein said trailer (100) comprises: a chassis (102) forming a load carrying structure of the multipurpose trailer (100), a sheet element (104) supported by the chassis (102), a removeable seat (200), wherein the multipurpose trailer (100) is configured for attachment of the removeable seat (200) in at least two transverse positions of which one is a central position in relation to a transverse direction (T) of the multipurpose trailer (100), and a method (1000) for securing a removable seat (200) to a multipurpose trailer (100).