Underseat Storage Door Latching Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles lack effective storage solutions for emergency items that utilize otherwise unused space under seating assemblies, making it difficult to access these items when needed.
Innovation Solution
An integrated underseat storage system where a seat is movable between raised and lowered positions, featuring a storage cavity with retaining features and a pivotally connected door that only unlatches when the seat is in the raised position, allowing access to the storage cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a door is provided for accessing the storage cavity under the seat, then accessibility to emergency items is improved, but the door may be opened accidentally when the seat is in the lowered position
Solution Approach 1:
The door latching system is made dynamic by linking it to the seat position. The door can only be opened when the seat is in the raised position, as the latching mechanism is disengaged only when the seat cushion is elevated. This dynamic coupling ensures the door remains securely closed during normal seating while allowing access when the seat is raised.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the seat position to control door accessibility. The latching mechanism detects whether the seat is raised or lowered and automatically adjusts the door's latched state accordingly. This feedback mechanism prevents accidental opening by ensuring the door is only unlockable when the seat is in the correct position.
2Ease of operation
If the door is always accessible, then ease of access to emergency items is improved, but items may not be securely stored when the seat is in the lowered position
Solution Approach 1:
The latching system transitions from a static always-locked state to a dynamic state that responds to seat position. When the seat is lowered, the latching mechanism engages to secure the door. When the seat is raised, the latching mechanism disengages to allow door opening. This dynamic behavior eliminates accidental access while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The latching mechanism acts as an intermediary between the seat position and the door state. It mediates the relationship by translating seat position into corresponding door accessibility, ensuring that the door is only openable when the seat is raised, thus preventing unauthorized access while maintaining secure storage.
3Volume of moving object
If the storage cavity is located under the seat, then space utilization is improved, but accessibility to items is restricted when the seat is in the lowered position
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic seat movement to resolve the accessibility conflict. The seat can be raised to access the storage cavity, and the latching mechanism is designed to disengage automatically when the seat is raised. This allows the same space to serve both as secure storage when lowered and accessible storage when raised, eliminating the need for separate access mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A seating assembly for a vehicle including a seat movable between a raised vertical position and a lowered horizontal position. A storage cavity is defined by an underside of the seat. The storage cavity includes a plurality of vehicle emergency items. Retaining features are disposed on the underside of the seat and secure the plurality of vehicle emergency items. An access opening is disposed on the underside of the seat. A door covers the access opening and is pivotally connected to the underside of the seat. The door is maintained in a latched condition until the seat is moved to the raised vertical position. The door moves to an unlatched condition when the seat is in the raised vertical position and access to the access opening is possible.