Seat Assembly with Pivoting Door and Thermal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Items stored in a vehicle passenger compartment are not securely held, leading to movement during vehicle motion, and there is limited accessibility to storage compartments like the trunk from the passenger compartment.
Innovation Solution
A seat assembly with a pivoting door that creates an internal compartment for secure storage, equipped with a thermal control system to regulate temperature and a pass-through feature for enhanced accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If items are placed on seats inside the vehicle passenger compartment, then accessibility to stored items is improved, but items are not securely held and can move during vehicle motion
Solution Approach 1:
The seatback is segmented to include a separate internal compartment that can be accessed independently. This compartment provides secure storage while the main seat surface remains available for passenger comfort and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The internal compartment is nested within the seatback structure itself. This allows the storage function to be integrated into the existing seat assembly without requiring additional external storage components, maintaining accessibility while providing security.
2Reliability
If a trunk storage compartment is used, then items are securely stored, but accessibility from the vehicle passenger compartment is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The storage compartment is positioned in a different spatial dimension - within the seatback structure rather than in the rear trunk area. This allows passengers to access stored items from the front passenger compartment without needing to move to the rear of the vehicle.
3Reliability
If an internal compartment is created within the seatback, then item security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The internal compartment is merged with the existing seatback structure rather than being a separate add-on component. The compartment utilizes the same materials and manufacturing processes as the seatback itself, minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seatback structure serves multiple functions: providing passenger support, containing the internal compartment for secure storage, and maintaining its original aesthetic and structural roles. This multi-functionality justifies the moderate increase in complexity.
4Temperature
If thermal control system is added to the internal compartment, then temperature control for items is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thermal control system serves dual purposes: protecting temperature-sensitive stored items and providing climate control for the seatback interior. This multi-functionality helps justify the added complexity and energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermal control system is integrated into the vehicle's existing climate control network, allowing it to operate using the same HVAC system that already conditions the passenger compartment. This reduces the need for separate thermal management components.
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 seat assembly securely stores items, provides comfortable seating, and allows for temperature control within the compartment, enhancing passenger safety and convenience by ensuring items are properly secured and accessible.
Implementation Method 1
The thermal control system can heat and/or cool the seatback internal compartment
Implementation Method 2
The thermal control system can heat and/or cool the seatback internal compartment
Data Source
AI summary
A seat assembly includes a seatback having a seatback body and a door pivotally coupled to the seatback body. The seatback defines an internal compartment and an opening leading to the internal compartment. The seatback defines a first seatback edge and a second seatback edge opposite the first seatback edge. The door can rotate relative to the seatback body about an axis, which extends from the first seatback edge to the second seatback edge. The door can move relative to the seatback between an open position and a closed position, and covers the opening leading to the internal compartment when disposed in the closed position. The internal compartment is accessible through the opening when the door is in the open position. The seat assembly further includes a seat base below the seatback. The first seatback edge is closer to the seat base than the second seatback edge.