Stowable Vehicle Seating With Roof Brace for Cargo Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stowable seating assemblies for vehicles are bulky and require significant modifications to the vehicle, making them unsuitable for smaller transport vehicles and affecting on-board systems like airbags and electrical lines, while also failing to provide adequate separation between passenger and cargo compartments during collisions.
Innovation Solution
A stowable seating assembly with a brace that extends between the backrest and the roof, using two main connection points to the vehicle floor and ceiling, allowing for folding without bulky guiding rails, and incorporating a locking mechanism to maintain separation in both seating and stowing positions, with a guiding link that pivots to maintain support and a separation panel for safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If existing stowable seating assemblies are installed in vehicles, then cargo space can be increased when seats are folded, but the assemblies require bulky guiding rails and significant vehicle modifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the bulky guiding rails and complex mounting structures from the seating assembly. Instead, it uses a simplified connection system with connection points directly attached to the vehicle floor and roof, extracting the unnecessary complexity while preserving the stowable function.
Solution Approach 2:
The support element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the seating assembly, acts as a connection point to the vehicle roof, and enables the folding motion without requiring separate guiding rails. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing stowable seating assemblies are retrofitted into vehicles, then seating capacity can be adjusted, but significant modifications to on-board systems are required
Solution Approach 1:
The seating assembly is designed as a self-contained modular unit with all necessary components (seating frame, backrest, support element, connection points) integrated together. This segmentation allows the assembly to be installed as a complete unit without requiring modifications to the vehicle's existing structure or on-board systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly is pre-configured with all mounting connections and structural elements during manufacturing, so that during vehicle installation, it can be directly mounted using the provided connection points without requiring preliminary modifications to the vehicle floor or roof.
3Volume of moving object
If seats are folded to create cargo space, then cargo compartment volume increases, but separation between passenger and cargo compartments may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The brace is designed to dynamically adjust its position and orientation based on the seating assembly's configuration. When the seat is in the folded position, the brace extends to maintain the separation wall between compartments, and when the seat is in the upright position, the brace adjusts accordingly, ensuring separation is maintained in all states.
Solution Approach 2:
The separation wall's geometry and position are changed dynamically through the brace's movement. The brace changes its spatial parameters (position, angle, extension) in response to the seating assembly's state, ensuring that the separation function is maintained regardless of whether the seat is folded or upright.
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 assembly is suitable for smaller vehicles with minimal modification, maintains airbag functionality, and provides effective separation between compartments without bulky guiding rails, enhancing safety and cargo space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
a guiding link that is pivotally connected to both the brace and the support element
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Stowable seating assembly for a vehicle, such as a transport vehicle, the assembly comprising a base configured to be fixed to a floor of the vehicle; a seating frame comprising a seat portion and a backrest portion, wherein seat portion is pivotable relative to the base about a first pivot point, and the backrest portion and the seat portion are pivotable relative to each other about a second pivot point; a brace that is pivotally connected to a top portion of the backrest portion; a guiding link that is pivotally connected to the brace at a first end of the guiding link; a support element configured to be fixed to the roof of the vehicle, wherein a second end of the guiding link is pivotally connected to the support element; and a locking mechanism for locking the assembly in either a seating position or a stowing position.