Removable Water Reservoir for Vehicle Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of light and medium duty trucks require access to fresh potable water for work, off-road expeditions, and outdoor activities, but often find themselves in remote locations where clean water is unavailable, and existing seating assemblies do not effectively utilize space for a mobile water reservoir without contaminating the vehicle's interior.
Innovation Solution
A removable fresh water reservoir integrated with the seating assembly of motor vehicles, featuring a primary chamber with a water inlet and outlet, a secondary storage chamber for a retractable hose, and made from blow-molded polyurethane, which can be evacuated via gravity or pressurization, and is designed to fit within the volume created by the seating assembly's deployed positions, allowing easy access and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile water reservoir is installed in the motor vehicle, then access to fresh potable water is improved, but the vehicle interior may be contaminated by mud, dirt, and grime
Solution Approach 1:
The water reservoir is extracted from the vehicle interior and relocated to the space between the seatback assembly and rear bulkhead. This separation allows the reservoir to be positioned in a dedicated compartment that is accessible when the seatback is in the stowed position, while keeping the vehicle interior clean and free from water-related contamination during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The seating assembly space is segmented into functional zones: the water reservoir occupies the space between the seatback assembly and rear bulkhead, while the floor pan area remains available for cargo storage. This segmentation allows independent use of each space without interference, enabling water storage without compromising vehicle interior cleanliness.
2Volume of stationary object
If the lower seat assembly is in the deployed position, then a volume of usable space is created below the seat assembly, but the seat assembly cannot be used for passenger support
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: When the lower seat assembly is in the deployed position, the water reservoir is accessible and can be removed for water access. When the lower seat assembly is in the stowed position, the seat provides passenger support while the reservoir remains in place. This dynamic configuration allows the same space to serve different functions based on operational needs.
3Volume of stationary object
If the seatback assembly is in the stowed position, then a raised cargo area is defined above the seatback assembly, but the water reservoir cannot be accessed
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two operational modes: When the seatback assembly is in the stowed position, the cargo area is maximized for freight storage. When the seatback assembly is in the deployed position, the water reservoir becomes accessible for water access. This dynamic configuration allows the same space to serve different functions based on operational needs.
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
Provides a mobile, clean water source that can be used anywhere, keeping the vehicle interior clean and utilizing otherwise unused space efficiently, with the ability to refill or remove the reservoir as needed.
Implementation Method 1
a water reservoir evacuated via gravity
Implementation Method 2
a water reservoir evacuated via pressurization of the primary chamber of the water reservoir
Data Source
AI summary
A water reservoir in combination with a seating assembly for a motor vehicle comprising a lower seat assembly having a deployed position and a seatback assembly having a deployed position is disclosed, where the water reservoir is installed either behind the seatback assembly in the deployed position or below the lower seat assembly in the deployed position, and the water reservoir is removably received within a volume defined in part by either of the seatback assembly or the lower seat assembly, respectively.