Stowable Seat Access Panel and Floor Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current stowable seat assemblies for vehicles are complex and require separate actions to open and close access doors during stowage, lacking a seamless transition from deployed to stowed positions, which complicates the process and reduces storage efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A stowable seat arrangement with a seat, pivotably coupled legs, and an access panel assembly that automatically opens and closes during articulation from a deployed to a stowed position, allowing for a flat load floor configuration by integrating the first floor panel to move horizontally when the seat is stowed, simplifying the stowage process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a stowable seat assembly is implemented to provide additional storage capacity, then storage efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for separate access door operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidaccess door operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the access door operation with the seat stowage operation into a single integrated action. The access panel is mechanically linked to the seat assembly such that when the seat is folded and stowed into the cargo area, the access panel automatically opens. When the seat is removed from the cargo area, the access panel automatically closes, eliminating the need for separate door operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The access panel system performs its own opening and closing operations automatically based on the seat's position. The mechanical linkage between the seat assembly and the access panel enables the system to self-regulate the door state without requiring independent user intervention, making the system serve itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If separate access door operations are required for stowage, then access control is maintained, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to multiple independent actions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess controlVSAvoidstowage operation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the access door operation with the seat stowage operation into a single integrated action. The access panel is mechanically linked to the seat assembly such that when the seat is folded and stowed into the cargo area, the access panel automatically opens. When the seat is removed from the cargo area, the access panel automatically closes, eliminating the need for separate door operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The access panel is pre-positioned and mechanically connected to the seat assembly in such a way that its opening or closing action is automatically triggered by the seat's movement. The system prepares the access panel in advance through mechanical linkage so that no additional user action is needed when the seat is stowed or removed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the access panel is independently operated, then access security is maintained, but the productivity deteriorates due to additional time required for door operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess securityVSAvoidstowage operation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical linkage ensures that the access panel operation continues seamlessly with the seat stowage operation. As the seat is being stowed, the access panel automatically opens; as the seat is being removed, the access panel automatically closes. This continuous action eliminates idle time and separate operations, improving productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS8651550B2Stowable seat arrangement for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2014.02.18 FCA US LLC

AI summary

A stowable seat arrangement can include a seat having a seat back pivotably coupled to a seat bottom. A pair of front and rear legs can be pivotably coupled to the seat bottom. A first floor panel can be fixed to the pair of front legs. An access panel can be pivotably coupled to the vehicle and the front legs. The seat can selectively articulate from a deployed to a stowed position where the seat is adapted to be received in a stowage recess of the vehicle. The articulation of the seat can automatically open the access panel to provide access to the recess and then close the access panel upon the seat being in the stowed position. The first floor panel can automatically move to a substantially horizontal position relative to a vehicle floor to provide a flat load floor configuration when the seat is in the stowed position.