Retractable Seat Movable Flap Maintains Floor Horizontality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retractable seats in vehicles face the challenge of maintaining the horizontality of the movable floor, which is detrimental to loading and transporting objects, as the pivot point of the movable flap changes orientation between deployed and retracted positions.
Innovation Solution
A retractable seat design with a movable flap that integrates the articulation within the seat itself, featuring a proximal stage fixed to the backrest with a pivot connection and a distal stage extending with another pivot connection, along with an elastic traction system to maintain horizontality across both configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat is made retractable with a movable flap hinged to the backrest, then the seat can be folded down to create a flat floor for transporting objects, but the pivot point of the movable flap changes height between deployed and retracted positions causing the movable floor to become non-horizontal
Solution Approach 1:
The movable flap is divided into two distinct stages: a proximal stage that pivots on the backrest and a distal stage that extends from the proximal stage. This segmentation allows each stage to perform a specific function - the proximal stage follows the backrest movement while the distal stage maintains floor horizontality, thereby resolving the contradiction between seat flexibility and floor shape stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal stage acts as an intermediary element between the backrest and the distal stage. It is hinged to the backrest and provides a stable mounting point for the distal stage, allowing the distal stage to maintain a constant orientation relative to the vehicle floor while the backrest moves, thus preserving floor horizontality during seat retraction.
2Device complexity
If a single-stage movable flap is used, then the structure is simple, but the movable floor cannot remain horizontal in both deployed and retracted seat positions
Solution Approach 1:
The flap structure is segmented into proximal and distal stages with distinct pivot points. The proximal stage pivot is positioned to maintain proper geometry regardless of backrest angle, while the distal stage extends perpendicular to the proximal stage. This segmentation enables the movable floor to remain horizontal in both seat configurations, overcoming the limitation of simple single-stage designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the flap structure by introducing a second pivot point and extending the flap in two stages. This parameter change - specifically the introduction of the distal stage with its own pivot - transforms the system from one that cannot maintain horizontality to one that can, while adding only moderate structural complexity.
3Ease of operation
If the movable flap pivot is fixed to the backrest, then the flap moves with the backrest during retraction, but this causes the movable floor to become non-horizontal when the seat is retracted
Solution Approach 1:
The flap is segmented so that only the proximal stage is directly hinged to the backrest, while the distal stage is hinged to the proximal stage. This allows the proximal stage to move with the backrest while the distal stage maintains a constant orientation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and floor orientation stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The proximal stage serves as an intermediary that couples the backrest movement to the distal stage while isolating the distal stage from direct backrest angular changes. This intermediary action allows the movable floor (distal stage) to remain horizontal even as the backrest retracts, maintaining both operational ease and proper floor orientation.
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
Ensures the movable floor remains substantially horizontal in both deployed and retracted positions, enhancing the vehicle's usability for loading and transporting objects without compromising conventional functionalities.
Implementation Method 1
a member for elastic traction of the proximal stage against the backrest in a high position oriented towards the top of the backrest and for holding against the backrest in a low position oriented towards the bottom of the backrest
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a retractable seat for a motor vehicle, comprising a sitting portion (2) to which a backrest (3) is articulated, the seat being designed to occupy a deployed position in which the backrest (3) is at a substantially perpendicular angle to the sitting portion (2) and a retracted position in which the backrest (3) is folded down onto the sitting portion (2), it being possible for the seat to be positioned in front of a space formed in the floor of the motor vehicle. The seat additionally comprises a mobile flap (15) comprising a proximal stage (18) attached to the dorsal face of the backrest (3) along a pivot connection of transverse axis A1, and a distal stage (19) extending the flap (15) with a pivot connection of transverse axis A2, and the seat additionally comprises a traction member that pulls the proximal stage (18) elastically against the backrest (3) in a raised position directed toward the top of the backrest (3) and holds it against the backrest (3) in a lowered position oriented toward the bottom of the backrest (3).