Rotating Pod Seat Platform for Autonomous Vehicle Seating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle seating arrangements are fixed, limiting versatility and adaptability, especially in autonomous vehicles where traditional seating orientations may not be necessary.
Innovation Solution
A rotatable platform with a central pod seat and companion pod seats that can rotate towards the front or rear of the vehicle and translate linearly, allowing for flexible seating configurations to accommodate different modes such as driving, entertainment, recreation, and hybrid use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed seating arrangements are used, then structural simplicity is maintained, but versatility and adaptability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming fixed seating positions into dynamically adjustable configurations. The rotatable platform enables seats to rotate between facing forward and facing rearward, while the linear actuator allows the central pod seat to translate between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction by providing multiple seating arrangements without requiring multiple separate seat systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a seating system that serves multiple functions through a single integrated structure. The rotatable platform with both rotation and linear translation capabilities allows the same seat assembly to accommodate various driving modes (autonomous vs. manual), social configurations (facing each other vs. facing forward), and spatial requirements, thereby achieving versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rotatable platform with linear translation is implemented, then seating versatility is enhanced, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex motion requirements into two independent mechanical subsystems: a rotatable platform that handles rotational movement, and a linear actuator that handles translational movement of the central pod seat. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized independently, reducing the overall mechanical complexity compared to a single mechanism attempting to achieve both motions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a control system that coordinates the rotation and linear translation movements. The controller receives input signals and automatically manages the complex sequence of motions required for different seating configurations, thereby reducing the operational complexity for users while maintaining the mechanical capabilities of the system.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the present disclosure may include a vehicle having one or more tires, a body, and an occupant compartment including: a rotatable platform, a central pod seat and one or more companion pod seats disposed on the rotatable platform, and one or more rear seats, wherein the rotatable platform is configured to rotate the central pod seat and the one or more companion pod seats toward a front of the vehicle in a first mode and toward a rear of the vehicle in a second mode, and wherein the central pod seat is further configured to translate linearly away from a center of the rotatable platform into a first position and toward the center of the rotatable platform into a second position.