Stowable Seat Base with Hinged Legs for Compact Vehicle Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicles face challenges in transporting cargo due to limited space, as beach chairs and other outdoor seating take up valuable space and are not easily adaptable for comfortable use when removed from the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A stowable seat base with a polygonal frame, hingedly coupled legs, and a retention pin system that allows the seat to fold and deploy at a suitable height for comfortable seating, enabling compact storage and easy installation on various surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a beach chair is transported in an off-road vehicle, then outdoor seating is available, but valuable cargo space is occupied
Solution Approach 1:
The seat base is designed to nest within the vehicle's existing structure, specifically utilizing the space between the vehicle floor and the removable seat cushion. The compact folded configuration allows the base to be stored in the limited available space without occupying additional cargo volume, while still providing full outdoor seating functionality when deployed
2Volume of moving object
If a beach chair is removed from the vehicle, then cargo space is freed, but the chair sits at an unsuitable height for comfortable seating
Solution Approach 1:
The seating system is divided into two separate components: a removable seat cushion and a deployable base. The base includes adjustable leg assemblies that can be configured to achieve the proper seating height, while the cushion provides the seating surface. This segmentation allows the base to be stored compactly in the vehicle and deployed to the correct height when needed, solving both the cargo space and seating comfort problems
3Ease of operation
If the seat base is deployed to suitable height, then seating comfort is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The base incorporates hinge joints and adjustable leg assemblies that allow dynamic configuration between a compact folded state for storage and a deployed state with suitable seating height. The hinge mechanisms enable smooth transitions between configurations, and the adjustable legs can be positioned to achieve the optimal seating height, providing both comfort and ease of operation despite the additional structural elements
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 stowable seat base allows for efficient use of vehicle space by folding into a compact position for transportation and deploying at a suitable height for comfortable seating, enhancing versatility and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
a first leg assembly (120, 122) hingedly coupled to the frame (102), and a second leg assembly (120, 122) hingedly coupled to the frame
Implementation Method 2
A retention pin (144) may engage the recess (142) and retain the first leg assembly (120, 122) in a deployed position
Data Source
AI summary
The seat base may include a frame with a polygonal geometry, a first leg assembly hingedly coupled to the frame, and a second leg assembly hingedly coupled to the frame. The seat base may also include a first leg hingedly coupled to the frame, a second leg hingedly coupled to the frame, and a cross member coupled to the first leg and the second leg. A guide may protrude from the frame. The guide may define a recess. A retention pin may engage the recess and retain the first leg assembly in a deployed position. The frame may also have quadrilateral perimeter. The seat base may further include an interior cross member fixedly coupled to the frame, and a pin protruding from the cross member. The pin may engage a seat. A loop may extend from the frame and engage the seat.