Vehicle Seat Apparatus with Floor Storage Link Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-purpose vehicles with four rows of seats face difficulties in providing sufficient luggage space due to the additional row of seats, which complicates the implementation of effective storage solutions for the rear seat.
Innovation Solution
A seat apparatus with a foldable rear seat using a plurality of link members, a locking device, and an elastic member, allowing the seat to be easily stored in a concave storage space at the bottom of the floor, thereby creating additional luggage space and passenger space, with a release lever to facilitate folding and unfolding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If four rows of seats are provided in the vehicle, then passenger capacity is improved, but luggage space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The rear seat is designed with dynamic folding capability through link members that enable it to transition between an extended seating position and a folded storage position. The link members connect the seat cushion to the vehicle floor, allowing the seat to be dynamically reconfigured from a passenger configuration to a flat surface that expands luggage space when passengers are not present.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the rear seat is folded using conventional slide rails, then the seat can be stored, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The seat folding mechanism is segmented into multiple independent link members rather than using a single complex slide rail system. The link members are divided into first, second, third, and fourth links that can be independently positioned and connected, allowing the seat to be folded into the storage space through a series of simpler, modular connections rather than one complex moving assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
When folded, the seat structure is nested into the storage space formed in the vehicle floor. The seat cushion and backrest are folded down and stored within the concave storage compartment, with the link members collapsing into a compact configuration that fits within the available space, similar to nested dolls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rear seat is folded using conventional slide rails, then the seat can be stored, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conventional slide rail mechanism is extracted and replaced with a simpler link member system. The slide rails, which are heavy and complex, are removed entirely and substituted with lightweight link members that achieve the same seat folding and storage function through a different mechanical approach using pivoting connections rather than sliding movements.
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 apparatus provides simple manipulation for folding and unfolding the rear seat, offering sufficient luggage and passenger space, reducing the need for conventional slide rails, lowering vehicle weight and manufacturing costs, and enhancing operational convenience.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member provided on the link member to pop up the cushion link and the seat back out of the storage space when the seat back is unfolded
Implementation Method 2
a link member pivotally connected between a cushion link of the seat cushion and the storage space such that the seat is foldable to be stored in the storage space
Data Source
AI summary
A seat apparatus for a vehicle, in which a seat back may be foldable toward a seat cushion of a seat, may include a storage space provided at the bottom of a floor and storing the seat to provide a luggage space in the vehicle, a link member pivotally connected between a cushion link of the seat cushion and the storage space such that the seat may be foldable to be stored in the storage space, a locking device provided on the seat back to maintain an unfolded or folded state of the seat back, and an elastic member provided on the link member to pop up the cushion link and the seat back out of the storage space when the seat back may be unfolded.