Vehicle Interior Locking Unit for Flexible Seat and Table Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicles lack a mechanism to easily install and remove internal components like seats and tables within the indoor space, which is necessary for purpose-built vehicles (PBVs) that require flexible and purpose-specific interior arrangements.
Innovation Solution
A locking unit with mounting grooves and locking devices that allow vehicle interior portions, such as seats or tables, to be attached or detached by inserting supporting legs into these grooves, using mechanisms like actuators, magnets, and elastic forces to secure or release the components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional vehicles are used without locking devices, then the vehicle structure is simple, but internal portions cannot be freely installed or uninstalled
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is divided into separate components: a mounting portion with mounting grooves, supporting legs with locking grooves, and locking protrusions. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function while maintaining overall system flexibility and ease of assembly/disassembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking protrusion is inserted into the locking groove of the supporting leg, creating a nested structure where the locking mechanism is integrated within the mounting portion. This nested design provides secure fixation while maintaining a compact overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If locking devices are added to enable installation of internal portions, then adaptability improves, but the locking mechanism becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism operates through self-aligning features where the locking protrusion automatically engages with the locking groove when the supporting leg is inserted into the mounting groove. The elastic element provides automatic locking without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical locking systems with a simplified elastic-element-based mechanism. The elastic element stores and releases energy to engage and disengage the locking protrusion, eliminating the need for motors, solenoids, or multi-component mechanical linkages.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple mounting grooves are provided for flexible installation, then adaptability increases, but the mounting portion becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting portion is designed with multiple mounting grooves that can accommodate supporting legs at various positions, allowing the same mounting portion to serve multiple installation configurations. This universal design enables flexible arrangement of internal portions without requiring different mounting structures for each position.
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
Enables flexible and secure attachment and detachment of vehicle interior components, enhancing passenger convenience and adaptability of indoor spaces in PBVs.
Implementation Method 1
a locking protrusion extending from the mounting portion toward the locking groove of the supporting leg inserted in the mounting groove, and an elastic element connected to the locking protrusion such that the elastic element stores and releases energy to move the locking protrusion
Implementation Method 2
a magnetic element provided on the locking protrusion or on the supporting leg at a position adjacent to the locking groove
Data Source
AI summary
A locking unit of a vehicle may include a mounting portion having a plurality of mounting grooves formed on an upper surface thereof, wherein supporting legs of a vehicle interior portion are configured to be inserted into the mounting grooves, installing the vehicle interior portion in the indoor compartment of the vehicle; and a plurality of locking devices provided on inner peripheries of the mounting grooves inside the mounting portion, respectively, such that, by selectively fixing or unfixing the supporting legs of the vehicle interior portion inserted in the mounting grooves, the vehicle interior portion is attached to or detached from the mounting portion.