Vehicle Seating System with Movable Carriages for Cargo Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle seating systems fail to provide convenient access to third-row seats or cargo areas due to obstructive seat configurations and the need to lift or rotate heavy seat components, which can be burdensome and inconvenient.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle seating system featuring a track arrangement with movable carriages that allow the seat back and bottom to be adjusted between a design position, a folded position, and a storage position, enabling easy access to the rear cargo area without requiring significant lifting or rotation of heavy seat components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the seatback is folded down on top of the seat cushion, then cargo can be placed on top of the folded down seatback, but access to third row seats becomes inconvenient as occupants must climb over the folded down seat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecargo spaceVSAvoidaccess to third row seats

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seat is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to transition between multiple positions (upright, folded forward, folded down) along a track system. This enables the seat to adapt its configuration based on whether cargo storage or passenger access is the priority, resolving the contradiction between maximizing cargo space and maintaining ease of access to third row seats

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The seat movement mechanism is divided into distinct phases: the seat cushion can fold forward independently, then the seatback can fold down separately. This segmentation allows the seat to achieve a fully stowed position that maximizes cargo space while providing clear access paths to third row seats, rather than requiring occupants to climb over a partially folded seat

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the seatback is rotated upward to vertical position proximate the back of the seat, then access to third row seats is improved, but the seat requires significant lifting effort to move from seating position to folded position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to third row seatsVSAvoidlifting effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The track system is designed to support and guide the seat through its movement, effectively counteracting the weight of the seat during the folding and rotation process. The track provides mechanical support that reduces the lifting effort required by occupants, allowing the heavy seatback to be moved to vertical position with minimal force

Inventive Principle:

Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

Solution Approach 2:

The track system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the seat and the vehicle structure. It provides a guided path that facilitates smooth movement of the seat from upright to folded positions, reducing the direct lifting effort required and enabling easy access to third row seats without requiring occupants to manually lift the heavy seatback

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If the seat cushion is folded forward and the seatback folds down, then the height of the upper surface of the seatback is reduced, but the seatback remains elevated above the vehicle floor and still obstructs access to third row seats

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseatback heightVSAvoidaccess to third row seats

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The seat system incorporates dynamic movement along a track, allowing the seatback to not only fold down but also move forward horizontally. This dual movement (folding down plus forward translation) ensures the seatback clears the access path to third row seats completely, rather than remaining elevated and obstructive

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If spring and cable configurations are used to assist lifting the seatback, then the burden on occupants is reduced, but the device becomes complicated and adds unnecessary weight and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffort to move seatbackVSAvoidmechanical complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The track system is designed to facilitate self-service movement of the seatback. The track's geometry and support structure enable the seat to move along a predetermined path with minimal external force, using the track itself rather than additional springs or cables to assist the movement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8801101B2Vehicle seating system

Publication Date: 2014.08.12 KEIPER SEATING MECHANISMS CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicle seating system including a seat back, a seat bottom, a track arrangement, a first carriage, and a second carriage is for use within a vehicle. The seat bottom is coupled to the seat back. The track arrangement is configured to be coupled to the vehicle. The first carriage is coupled to the seat bottom and is moveable within the track arrangement. The second carriage is coupled to the seat back and is moveable within the track arrangement. The second carriage and the first carriage are releasably coupled to one another so the second carriage is moveable relative to the first carriage when the coupling of the first carriage and the second carriage is released. The position of the second carriage relative to the first carriage is substantially fixed when the coupling of the first carriage and the second carriage is locked.