Vehicle Seating Arrangement for Wheelchair Accommodation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seating arrangements in public transport vehicles like buses and coaches, which require anchorage points for wheelchair users, result in reduced passenger capacity and inadequate protection for wheelchair occupants in case of accidents, as they often necessitate removing or repositioning seats, thereby compromising space and safety.
Innovation Solution
A seating arrangement featuring two adaptable seats: one that rotates and moves laterally to create space, and another that can move axially and laterally to accommodate a wheelchair without obstructing the aisle, equipped with safety belts and a turntable unit for secure wheelchair positioning, allowing for nearly full occupancy while ensuring the wheelchair user's safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If seats are removed or moved rearwardly to provide anchorage points for wheelchair users, then wheelchair accommodation is enabled, but the total number of passengers that can be carried is substantially reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The first seat is designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing it to be repositioned from a fixed location to an adjacent position along the vehicle side. This dynamic adjustment creates the necessary clear space for anchorage points while maintaining the seat for able-bodied persons when not in use, thus resolving the contradiction between wheelchair accommodation and passenger capacity
Solution Approach 2:
The first seat serves multiple functions: it provides seating for able-bodied persons during normal operation, and when repositioned, it creates space for anchorage points to secure wheelchairs. This multi-functionality allows the same physical space to serve different purposes, maintaining passenger capacity while enabling wheelchair accommodation
2Reliability
If anchorage points are provided in areas where normally seats are located, then wheelchair securing is enabled, but the seats must be removed or repositioned, reducing passenger capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The first seat's ability to be repositioned dynamically allows anchorage points to be positioned in the clear space created, providing reliable wheelchair securing without permanently removing the seat. The seat can be moved to create space for anchorage while remaining available for use when not securing wheelchairs
3Ease of operation
If the second seat is positioned adjacent the aisle, then access is maintained, but it obstructs the space needed for wheelchair accommodation
Solution Approach 1:
The second seat is designed to move axially along the vehicle, allowing it to be repositioned to clear the space in front of its seat-back when a wheelchair needs to be accommodated. This maintains aisle access while creating the necessary space for wheelchair positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The movement of the second seat separates the seating function from the wheelchair accommodation space. The seat can occupy its normal position for passenger use, or be moved to allow wheelchair access and positioning without permanently sacrificing either function
Data Source
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AI summary
A seating arrangement is provided in a vehicle to enable a wheelchair occupier to be carried safely in the vehicle, whilst having only a minimal effect on the total number of passengers that can be carried. The seating arrangement comprises two adjacent seats, one adjacent the side of the vehicle and the other adjacent the aisle of the vehicle. The seat adjacent the side of the vehicle can be moved from a first "ordinary" operative position to a second position in which a clear space exists on the side of the second seat which is remote from the aisle. The second seat has a seat squab which is moveable to a position in which the seat squab does not obstruct the space in front of the back-rest of the seat, and the second seat is moveable laterally towards the side of the vehicle and axially of the vehicle. This enables a wheelchair occupier to be located in front of the remaining part of the seat and to be secured to that part of the seat for a safe and comfortable journey.