Stowable Vehicle Seat Assembly with Propshaft Clearance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle seat assemblies are cumbersome to remove and store, as they require heavy lifting and pose challenges in converting between seating and cargo space without disrupting the vehicle's propshaft and cabin layout.
Innovation Solution
A stowable seat assembly that can move between a seating position and a stowed position without disengagement from the vehicle body, utilizing a pivotable seatback and horizontally slidable seat cushion, with a linkage system that allows the seat to be fully or partially received in a separate space outside the occupant cabin, avoiding the propshaft and optimizing cargo space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a removable seat assembly is used to convert between seating and cargo space, then cargo space flexibility is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to heavy lifting and storage hassles
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to be easily repositioned between seating and stowed positions through integrated linkage mechanisms rather than requiring complete removal. The seat cushion and seatback can be independently moved along guide rails and folded, enabling flexible configuration changes without heavy lifting.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly components are designed to nest within each other during stowing. The seatback folds and nests within the seat cushion structure, and the entire seat assembly nests within a designated space in the vehicle body, maximizing space efficiency and eliminating external storage requirements.
2Area of stationary object
If the seat assembly is completely removed from the vehicle, then cargo space is maximized, but device complexity increases due to removal and storage mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly utilizes dynamic linkage mechanisms that allow smooth transitions between positions. The linkage system includes movable connections between the seat cushion, seatback, and vehicle body, enabling the seat to be repositioned without complex removal and reinstallation procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The seat assembly serves multiple functions: it provides seating when in the forward position, can be partially retracted to create cargo space, and can be fully stowed to maximize cargo area. The same integrated mechanism handles all these configurations without requiring separate systems for each function.
3Area of stationary object
If the seat assembly is moved to a stowed position outside the cabin, then cargo space within the cabin is improved, but device complexity increases due to the movement mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The seat assembly is divided into separable components: the seat cushion and seatback can be independently positioned and folded. This segmentation allows the components to be moved through the back wall panel opening and stowed in a rear space, reducing the complexity of moving the entire seat assembly as one unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The linkage mechanism acts as an intermediary between the seat assembly and the vehicle body structure. It provides guided movement paths, supports the weight during transitions, and enables smooth repositioning without requiring complex manual manipulation or additional mechanical systems.
4Reliability
If the seat assembly design accommodates the propshaft location, then reliability of drivetrain is improved, but vehicle space utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The vehicle body structure has localized variations to accommodate the propshaft. The floor panel and surrounding structure are designed with specific clearances and routing paths that allow the propshaft to pass through or around the seat assembly movement path, enabling both drivetrain reliability and seat flexibility without compromising either.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle may include a propshaft, a vehicle body and a seat assembly. The propshaft is coupled to a source of rotary power and a rear axle of the vehicle. The source of rotary power may be disposed in a front portion of the vehicle. The vehicle body includes an occupant cabin defined by a floor panel and a back wall panel. The floor panel is disposed above the propshaft and defines a lower boundary of the occupant cabin. The back wall panel extends upward from the floor panel and defines a rearward boundary of the occupant cabin. The seat assembly is disposed above the propshaft and is movable between a seating position and a stowed position. The seat assembly may be at least partially received in a space of the vehicle body that is separate from the occupant cabin when the seat assembly is in the stowed position.