Vehicle Seat Mounting Track with Load-Spreading Threshold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seat mounting systems for vehicles, such as school buses, often concentrate the load on a small area of the floor, which can lead to uneven distribution and potential instability, especially when seats are bolted directly to the floor or both the floor and the wall.
Innovation Solution
A seat mounting system comprising an elongated track mounted to the vehicle floor with seat coupling members that can be adjusted and secured along its length, using cap members to inhibit distortion and a threshold with sloped flanges to spread the load across a greater area, allowing for continuous adjustability and secure attachment of the seat frame to both the floor and sidewall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If seats are bolted directly to the floor using conventional direct bolting technique, then the mounting process is simple and quick, but the load is concentrated on a small area of the floor causing uneven distribution and potential instability
Solution Approach 1:
The seat mounting system divides the load distribution function into multiple components: the elongated track segments the load across its length, while multiple seat coupling members distributed along the track further segment the load application points. This segmentation allows the mounting system to maintain simplicity while distributing load over a greater portion of the floor, resolving the contradiction between easy installation and mounting stability.
2Device complexity
If seats are bolted directly to the floor, then the mounting structure is simple, but the load distribution area is limited causing potential instability
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated track introduces a linear dimension along the floor surface, transforming the load distribution from point-based (direct bolting) to line-based (track-mounted). This dimensional change allows the load to be distributed over a greater area of the floor without significantly increasing structural complexity, as the track serves as a simple mounting rail that can be attached with minimal hardware.
3Device complexity
If conventional direct bolting is used, then the mounting system is simple, but adjustability of seat position is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The seat coupling members are designed to be movable along the elongated track, allowing dynamic adjustment of seat position. The coupling members can be positioned at various locations along the track length and secured in place, providing continuous adjustability. This dynamic capability is achieved without excessive complexity, as the track-coupling member interface allows straightforward movement and positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
A seat mounting system for a vehicle comprises an elongated track mounted to a floor of the vehicle and a number of seat coupling members. The elongated track defines a length and a continuous first channel along its length. Each of the number of seat coupling members is configured to be received and retained within the first channel anywhere along the length of the elongated track, and to be secured to a vehicle seat frame.