Side-by-side Vehicle Rear Seating with Angled Dead Pedal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current side-by-side utility vehicles often lack sufficient seating and ergonomic design for rear passengers, limiting comfort and visibility during operation.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a rear seating section with an angled panel acting as a dead pedal, extending forward into the front seating section, along with a roll cage assembly and adjustable doors to enhance passenger access and comfort, while maintaining a robust frame and ground-engaging members for stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the rear seating section is extended forward into the front seating section, then visibility and comfort for rear passengers is improved, but the leg room and space for front passengers may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility and comfort for rear passengersVSAvoidleg room for front passengers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rear seating section is extended forward in the longitudinal dimension of the vehicle, allowing rear passengers to see ahead over the front seats while the vertical and lateral dimensions maintain adequate space for front passengers' leg room

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Quantity of substance

If the vehicle is configured with seating for multiple passengers including rear passengers, then passenger capacity is improved, but the vehicle complexity and design requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepassenger capacityVSAvoidseating configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The seating area is segmented into a front seating section for the operator and front passenger, and a rear seating section for additional passengers, with each section having independent structural support and ergonomic features

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The vehicle frame and body structure are designed to universally support multiple seating configurations and passenger arrangements, allowing the same basic structure to accommodate various passenger capacities and configurations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If the rear seating section includes an angled panel dead pedal, then ergonomic comfort for rear passengers is improved, but the structural complexity of the seating section increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveergonomic comfort for rear passengersVSAvoidseating section structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The angled panel dead pedal is implemented as a localized ergonomic feature within the rear seating section, providing enhanced comfort at the specific location where rear passengers' feet rest, while the rest of the seating structure remains relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9878650B2Side-by-side vehicle

Publication Date: 2018.01.30 POLARIS IND INC

AI summary

A utility vehicle includes a plurality of ground engaging members and a frame supported by the plurality of ground engaging members. The frame assembly extends generally along a longitudinal axis of the utility vehicle. The utility vehicle further includes a front seating section coupled to the frame. The front seating section is configured to support an operator and a first passenger. Additionally, the utility vehicle includes a rear seating section coupled to the frame. The rear seating section is configured to support a second passenger and a third passenger. The rear seating section has an angled panel configured as a dead pedal for the second and third passengers, and a portion of the rear seating section extends forwardly into the front seating section.