Reconfigurable Vehicle Rear Seating With Lateral-Shift Jump Seat Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current side-by-side and all-terrain vehicles lack flexible seating arrangements that accommodate varying passenger needs, such as accessibility and storage, particularly for child passengers and cargo, while maintaining optimal visibility and comfort.
Innovation Solution
The seating arrangement includes movable rear seats and a jump seat with adjustable positions, integrated storage, and ventilated seating options, allowing for flexible configuration to accommodate different passengers and cargo, with features like rotatable seat bottoms, lateral movement, and forced air cooling systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If rear seats are positioned close together to maximize passenger capacity, then passenger capacity is improved, but accessibility to jump seat and cargo storage is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The rear seats are designed with lateral movement capability, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position between a first position (close together for maximum passenger capacity) and a second position (spaced apart for accessibility). This dynamic reconfiguration enables the seating arrangement to adapt to different operational needs, resolving the contradiction between maintaining high passenger capacity and ensuring easy access to the jump seat and storage areas.
2Volume of stationary object
If jump seat is positioned to provide cargo storage, then storage capacity is improved, but passenger comfort and accessibility are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The jump seat is designed with movable characteristics, allowing it to be repositioned between providing cargo storage functionality and providing passenger seating. When cargo storage is needed, the jump seat can be positioned to maximize storage volume. When passenger accessibility and comfort are priorities, the jump seat can be moved to facilitate easy access and provide additional seating, thus resolving the contradiction between storage capacity and passenger accessibility.
3Device complexity
If fixed seating arrangement is used to simplify vehicle structure, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different passenger needs is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The seating arrangement incorporates movable rear seats and a repositionable jump seat, transforming the fixed seating structure into a dynamic, reconfigurable system. This allows the vehicle to adapt to different passenger needs, such as accommodating children in the jump seat, providing cargo storage, or optimizing passenger capacity, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that does not require complex mechanical systems.
4Ease of operation
If rear seats are spaced apart to improve accessibility, then ease of operation is improved, but passenger capacity and space utilization are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The rear seats are equipped with lateral movement capability, enabling them to be positioned close together when maximum passenger capacity is required and spaced apart when accessibility to the jump seat is prioritized. This dynamic adjustment allows the vehicle to optimize between passenger capacity and ease of operation based on specific operational requirements, resolving the contradiction between these two parameters.
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
This configuration enhances passenger comfort and safety by providing accessible storage, improved visibility, and customizable seating to suit different riders, including children, while optimizing space for cargo, thus addressing the limitations of existing vehicle seating designs.
Implementation Method 1
an air supply for supplying ventilating air to the air channels
Data Source
AI summary
A seating arrangement for a vehicle is shown to include a plurality of seats, including at least two front seats, at least two rear seats, and a rear jump seat positioned intermediate the two rear seats. The jump seat comprises a seat back which is positioned rearwardly of the rear seats, and the rear seats are movable laterally between a first position where the rear seats are proximate to each other and generally covering the seat back of the jump seat, and a second position where the rear seats are spaced apart from each other and the seat back of the jump seat is exposed. The arrangement may also include rear seats which are rotatable relative to the seat backs to provide a storage surface.