Removable Vehicle Seat Spring Pivoting Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing removable seat assemblies for motor vehicles, such as minibuses and vans, face challenges in efficiently folding and removing the second or third row of seats into a stowed position, which complicates the conversion of the interior space for both passenger access and luggage storage.
Innovation Solution
A removable seat arrangement featuring a seat cushion with a support structure, a pivot axis, and a spring device that facilitates the folding of the seat into a stowed position, combined with locking and unlocking mechanisms to secure and release the seat from the vehicle floor, allowing for easy conversion and removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the seat arrangement is designed to be removable with detachable connection to the vehicle floor, then the versatility of interior configuration is improved, but the complexity of the locking and unlocking mechanisms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seat arrangement is divided into separable components (seat structure and base) that can be independently connected and disconnected. The locking mechanism is segmented into locking elements on the base and corresponding locking means on the vehicle floor, allowing for simplified individual components while achieving versatile configuration through their combination.
2Ease of operation
If the seat structure is hinged to enable pivoting into stowed position, then the ease of folding is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional hinge and spring mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The hinge mechanism is merged with the base structure, and the spring device is integrated into the same assembly. This combining of functions into unified structures reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall mechanism while maintaining ease of folding operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring device is configured to automatically assist the pivoting motion of the seat structure into the stowed position. The mechanism uses the seat's own weight and the spring's stored energy to facilitate the folding action, reducing the manual effort required and enabling self-assisted operation.
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 solution simplifies the process of folding and removing the seat assembly, enhancing user handling and increasing the vehicle's storage space by enabling the seat to be easily pivoted and locked into a compact, upright position for efficient storage and removal.
Implementation Method 1
a spring device (10), in this case in the form of spiral springs, for prestressing the seat structure (1) with regard to a pivoting movement according to arrow (9) into the stowed position
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
The seat assembly (1) has a seat structure (2) which is arranged on seat cushion to be adjustable, and is folded down on the seat cushion backrest (13). The seat structure in the region of front portion (3) of seat cushion on the base (8) or vehicle floor is articulated about pivot axis. A spring (10) biases the seat structure with respect to pivoting movement in order to facilitate pivoting of seat structure in storage position to the storage position. A limiting unit limits the action of spring unit on one portion of the pivotal movement after leaving the storage position.