Retractable Seat Arm Linkage for Mine Shock Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retractable seats in military vehicles are hindered by a connecting rod that reduces carrying capacity and does not provide adequate protection against mine shocks, as it prevents objects from being placed under the seat and lacks effective shock absorption.
Innovation Solution
A retractable seat design featuring an articulated arm with a first axis for tilting the seat and a second axis for pivoting, utilizing a movement transmission means with pulleys and a link to tilt between horizontal and vertical positions, and incorporating a spring for automatic raising and a blocking mechanism that breaks under mine shock to release the arm, ensuring occupant safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a connecting rod is used to support the seat in horizontal position, then the seat can be properly supported, but objects cannot be placed under the seat reducing vehicle carrying capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the connecting rod from the seat structure, extracting the element that prevented objects from being placed underneath. The seat is supported solely by the articulated arm mechanism, freeing the space under the seat for cargo while maintaining structural integrity through the alternative support design.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arm is designed to perform multiple functions: it supports the seat in horizontal position, enables retraction to vertical position for passenger boarding, and provides structural support without requiring additional components like connecting rods. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate support elements.
2Ease of operation
If the seat is made retractable for easier boarding, then passenger access is improved, but protection against mine shocks is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seat employs a dynamic articulated arm mechanism that can pivot between horizontal and vertical positions. This dynamic structure allows the seat to be retracted for easy boarding while incorporating shock-absorbing characteristics through the articulated joints and limiting means that can yield or break under extreme shock loads, providing protection against mine shocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The articulated arm mechanism is designed with inherent shock-absorbing characteristics through its joint design and limiting means. These elements are prepared in advance to yield or fail safely under mine shock conditions, protecting the occupant before the full force of the explosion is transmitted to the seat structure.
3Ease of operation
If the articulated arm pivoting amplitude is limited by a blocking means, then the seat position is controlled, but the structure may break under mine shock
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking means is designed as a sacrificial element that can break under extreme shock loads like mine explosions. This disposable component serves its primary function of controlling seat position during normal operation but is intended to fail safely when subjected to forces beyond design limits, protecting the occupant by releasing the arm from its constrained position.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking means is designed to break under mine shock, converting the harmful shock force into a beneficial release mechanism. When the arm is in the protective vertical position during an explosion, the breaking of the blocking means allows the arm to move freely, preventing transmission of shock forces to the occupant while maintaining position control during normal operation.
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
The solution enhances passenger safety by allowing free passage and increased vehicle capacity while providing protection against mine shocks through the automatic raising mechanism and shock-absorbing design.
Implementation Method 1
the retractable seat comprises at least one spring exerting a return force between the seat and the arm so as to bring a lower face of the seat closer to the arm, thus causing the raising of the articulated arm
Implementation Method 2
the movement transmission means comprises a link connecting on the one hand a first wheel secured to the seat and centered on the first axis and on the other hand a second wheel secured to the frame and centered on the second axis
Implementation Method 3
the blocking means is sized to break under the effect of a mine shock in order to release the downward pivoting of the arm
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a retractable seat (1) including at least one hinged arm (5) including a first perpendicular pin (6) at the first end thereof and a second pin (7) parallel to the first pin (6) at the second end thereof, the first pin (6) being intended for allowing the tilting of a seating portion (4) relative to the arm (5) and the second pin (7) being intended for allowing the hinged arm (5) to pivot relative to a frame (2), the retractable seat (1) including at least one movement transmission means (10) for tilting the seating portion (4) between a horizontal position and a vertical position by the pivoting of the arm (5), the amplitude of said pivoting action of the arm (5) being limited by a limiting means (20).