U.S. patent application number 15/289306 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-12 for collapsible car seats to increase cargo space and flexibility.
This patent application is currently assigned to Ford Global Technologies, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ford Global Technologies, LLC. Invention is credited to Mohannad Hakeem, John Wayne Jaranson, Umer Khalid, Johnathan Andrew Line, Murtatha Zalzala.
Application Number | 20180099596 15/289306 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61695904 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180099596 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Khalid; Umer ; et
al. |
April 12, 2018 |
COLLAPSIBLE CAR SEATS TO INCREASE CARGO SPACE AND FLEXIBILITY
Abstract
A vehicle seat includes a cushion and a seatback coupled with
the cushion. At least one of the cushion and the seatback includes
a base and an extension portion moveable along an axis toward and
away from the base, an expandable fabric member coupled between the
base and the extension portion, and an expandable support structure
positioned on an interior of the expandable fabric member.
Inventors: |
Khalid; Umer; (Farmington
Hills, MI) ; Hakeem; Mohannad; (Dearborn, MI)
; Jaranson; John Wayne; (Dearborn, MI) ; Zalzala;
Murtatha; (Dearborn, MI) ; Line; Johnathan
Andrew; (Northville, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ford Global Technologies, LLC |
Dearborn |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Ford Global Technologies,
LLC
Dearborn
MI
|
Family ID: |
61695904 |
Appl. No.: |
15/289306 |
Filed: |
October 10, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/01 20130101; B60N
2/66 20130101; B60N 2/58 20130101; B60N 2002/2204 20130101; B60N
2002/0288 20130101; B60N 2/22 20130101; B60N 2/643 20130101; B60N
2/2222 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60N 2/64 20060101
B60N002/64; B60N 2/22 20060101 B60N002/22; B60N 2/58 20060101
B60N002/58; B60N 2/01 20060101 B60N002/01; B60N 2/66 20060101
B60N002/66 |
Claims
1. A vehicle seat, comprising: a cushion; and a seatback coupled
with the cushion; wherein at least one of the cushion and the
seatback includes: a base and an extension portion moveable along
an axis toward and away from the base; an expandable fabric member
coupled between the base and the extension portion; and an
expandable support structure positioned on an interior of the
expandable fabric member.
2. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein: a movement of the
extension portion along the axis away from the base defines a gap
between the extension portion and the base; and the expandable
fabric member extends over the gap during the movement.
3. The vehicle seat of claim 2, wherein the expandable support
structure defines a plurality of contact points with the expandable
fabric member and expands within the gap during the movement such
that the contact points maintain a generally even distribution
along the expandable fabric member when extended.
4. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the expandable support
structure includes a scissor-jack mechanism.
5. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the expandable support
structure includes an umbrella arm mechanism.
6. The vehicle seat of claim 1, further including a telescoping
mounting structure coupling the extension portion to the base.
7. The vehicle seat of claim 1, further including an actuator
driving movement of the extension portion relative to the base.
8. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein: the base includes a lumbar
area of the seatback and the extension portion includes a thoracic
area of the seatback disposed above the lumbar area; and a movement
of the extension portion away from the base increases a height of
the seatback.
9. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein: the base includes a lumbar
area of the seatback and the extension portion includes a bolster
area of the seatback disposed laterally of the lumbar area; and a
movement of the extension portion toward the base decreases a width
of the seatback.
10. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein: the base includes a
central area of the cushion and the extension portion includes a
bolster area of the cushion disposed laterally of the central area;
and a movement of the extension portion toward the base decreases a
width of the cushion.
11. The vehicle seat of claim 10, wherein the base is a first base
and the extension portion is a first extension portion, the seat
further including: a second base including a lumbar area of the
seatback and a second extension portion including a bolster area of
the seatback disposed laterally of the lumbar area; wherein a
movement of the second extension portion toward the second base
decreases a width of the seatback.
12. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein: the base includes a side
seat area of the cushion and the extension portion includes at
least a portion of a middle seat area of the cushion disposed
laterally of the side seat area; and a movement of the extension
portion toward the base decreases a width of the cushion.
13. A vehicle, comprising: a first seat in an interior of the
vehicle and including a cushion and a seatback coupled therewith;
wherein at least one of the cushion and the seatback has: a base
and an extension portion moveable along an axis toward and away
from the base; an expandable member coupled between the base and
the extension portion; and an expandable support structure within
an interior of the expandable member.
14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein: the first seat is a front
seat of the vehicle.
15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the first seat is further a
driver seat in autonomous vehicle, the vehicle further comprising a
controller causing movement of the extension portion toward the
base when the vehicle is in an autonomous driving mode.
16. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein: the extension portion is a
first extension portion; the base includes a lumbar area of the
seatback and the first extension portion includes a thoracic area
of the seatback disposed above the lumbar area; a movement of the
first extension portion away from the base increases a height of
the seatback; the first seat further includes a second extension
portion including a bolster area of the seatback disposed laterally
of the lumbar area; and a movement of the second extension portion
toward the base decreases a width of the seatback.
17. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein: the vehicle defines a
three-row seating arrangement; the first seat is a second-row
passenger seat; the base is a first base and the extension portion
is a first extension portion; the first base includes a side seat
area of the cushion and the first extension portion includes at
least a portion of a middle seat area of the cushion disposed
laterally of the side seat area; a movement of the first extension
portion toward the first base decreases a width of the cushion; the
first seat further includes a second base including a side seat
area of the seatback and a second extension portion including a
middle seat area of the seatback disposed laterally of the side
seat area of the seatback; and a movement of the second extension
portion toward the second base decreases a width of the
seatback.
18. The vehicle of claim 17, further including a second seat that
is a mirror-image of the first vehicle seat such that two middle
seat areas are defined on respective adjacent first and second
extension portions of the first and second vehicle seat.
19. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein: the vehicle defines a
three-row seating arrangement; the first seat is a middle-row
passenger seat positioned adjacent a door of the vehicle; the
extension portion is disposed laterally of the base and adjacent
the door such that movement of the extension portion toward and
away from the base moves the extension portion away from and toward
the door, respectively.
20. A vehicle seat, comprising: a cushion; and a seatback coupled
with the cushion; wherein at least one of the cushion and the
seatback includes: a base and an extension portion moveable along
an axis toward and away from the base to respectively close and
open a gap therebetween; a fabric member coupled between the base
and the extension portion and expandable over the gap; and a
support structure positioned on an interior of the fabric member
and expandable to maintain a generally even support distribution
along the expandable fabric member.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to an adjustable
seat for a vehicle. In particular, a vehicle seat includes an
extendable portion with an expanding insert to fill a gap that
expands with movement of the extendable portion.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In various types and sizes of vehicles, interior space,
cargo space, and ease of ingress/egress can be primary concerns for
customers and users. In general, vehicle seats of a particular size
are often desired for comfort purposes, but at the potential
sacrifice of interior or cargo space and, in some instances, ease
of entry. For example, many different solutions have been developed
in an attempt to facilitate entry by passengers into third-row
seats, which often include navigating past a second-row of seats
adjacent the door nearest to the third row. Most of these methods
involve moving the second-row seats, which is often done manually
and, in many instances, still requires climbing or the like to
reach the desired seat. Still further, space within a vehicle is
often taken up by seats that are unoccupied. By being able to
decrease the size of a vehicle seat, such space can be regained for
comfort or cargo purposes, or to facilitate entry to a third row
seat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle
seat includes a cushion and a seatback coupled with the cushion. At
least one of the cushion and the seatback includes a base and an
extension portion moveable along an axis toward and away from the
base, an expandable fabric member coupled between the base and the
extension portion, and an expandable support structure positioned
on an interior of the expandable fabric member.
[0004] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
vehicle includes a first seat in an interior of the vehicle and
including a cushion and a seatback coupled therewith. At least one
of the cushion and the seatback has a base and an extension portion
moveable along an axis toward and away from the base, an expandable
member coupled between the base and the extension portion, and an
expandable support structure within an interior of the expandable
member.
[0005] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a
vehicle seat includes a cushion and a seatback coupled with the
cushion. At least one of the cushion and the seatback includes a
base and an extension portion moveable along an axis toward and
away from the base to respectively close and open a gap
therebetween. A fabric member is coupled between the base and the
extension portion and is expandable over the gap. A support
structure is positioned on an interior of the fabric member and is
expandable to maintain a generally even support distribution along
the expandable fabric member.
[0006] These and other aspects, objects, and features of the
present invention will be understood and appreciated by those
skilled in the art upon studying the following specification,
claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle including a plurality of
vehicle seats according to an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a vehicle seat according to
an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat of FIG.
2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a simplified, partial cutaway view of a base and
extension portion of the vehicle seat of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a simplified, partial cutaway view of a base and
extension portion of a further variation of the vehicle seat of
FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a view of an extension mechanism useable in
connection with a variation of the vehicle seat of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a top schematic view of a vehicle interior using
two seats according to a variation of the seat depicted in FIG. 2
as second-row seats in a three row seating arrangement;
[0015] FIG. 8 is the top schematic view of FIG. 7 with the
second-row seats in a retracted position;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a top schematic view of a vehicle interior using
two seats according to a further variation of the seat depicted in
FIG. 2 as second-row seats in a three row seating arrangement;
and
[0017] FIG. 10 is the top schematic view of FIG. 9 with the
second-row seats in an extended position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper,"
"lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," "interior," "exterior," and derivatives thereof shall
relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be
understood that the invention may assume various alternative
orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It
is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes
illustrated in the attached drawing, and described in the following
specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive
concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions
and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments
disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the
claims expressly state otherwise. Additionally, unless otherwise
specified, it is to be understood that discussion of a particular
feature of component extending in or along a given direction or the
like does not mean that the feature or component follows a straight
line or axis in such a direction or that it only extends in such
direction or on such a plane without other directional components
or deviations, unless otherwise specified.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, reference numeral 10 generally
designates a vehicle seat. Seat 10 includes a cushion 12 and a
seatback 14 coupled with the cushion 12. At least one of the
cushion 12 and the seatback 14 includes a base 16 and an extension
portion 18 movable along an axis 20 toward and away from the base
16. An expandable fabric member 22 is coupled between the base 16
and the extension portion 18, and an expandable support structure
24 is positioned on an interior 26 of the expandable fabric member
22.
[0020] As shown in FIGS. 2-4, wherein base 16 and extension portion
18 are shown as forming respective portions of seatback 14, vehicle
seat 10 can include a seat frame 32 and an extension frame 34 that
support respective portions of the seat cover stock 28,30. In the
example of FIG. 2, the base 16 and extension portions 18 are shown
as being present in the seatback; however, variations can include
multiple bases 16 and extension portions 18 in both the cushion 12
and/or seatback 14, as discussed further below. As shown, movement
of extension portion 18 away from base 16 along axis 20 includes
movement and/or extension of extension frame 34 away from seat
frame 32 and corresponding movement of the extension cover stock
portion 30 away from the base cover stock portion 28. Such movement
causes expansion of a gap 36 between extension portion 18 and base
16, such as between extension cover stock 30 and base cover stock
28. The above-mentioned expandable fabric member 22 is,
accordingly, affixed at respective ends thereof with base 16 and
extension portion 18, such as by coupling respectively with base
cover stock portion 28 and extension cover stock portion 30.
[0021] The expandable nature of fabric member 22 can allow for an
initial, unextended configuration of fabric member 22 to correspond
with a non-extended position of extension portion 18 with respect
to base 16, which may result in no gap being present or only a
small gap 36 defined between extension portion 18 and base 16. As
extension portion 18 moves away from base 16 along axis 20, fabric
member 22 extends, such as by stretching thereof, to cover gap 36
as it expands. By structuring fabric member 22 of a generally
resiliently expandable fabric, the portion of fabric member 22
covering gap 36 can remain taut, including when extension portion
18 is at an intermediate position with respect to base 16. In
general, fabric member 22 may be of any resiliently stretchable
fabric, including various fabrics with interwoven elastic material,
as well as polymeric fabrics, including various types of nylon,
spandex, or the like. Various types of stretchable fabrics,
including various mesh "spacer" fabrics are available from the
Muller Textile Company of Wiehl, Germany. In various embodiments,
fabric member 22 can be coupled with extension portion 18 and base
16 along portions thereof immediately adjacent gap 36 or can
overlap or extend internally from portions of base cover stock 28
and extension cover stock 30, for example.
[0022] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, an actuation mechanism 40 can be
coupled between base 16 and extension portion 18 to drive movement
of extension portion 18 away from base 16 along axis 20. As shown,
the actuation mechanism 40 may be in the form of a scissor-jack
mechanism including a plurality of arms 42 coupled together and a
plurality of hinge points 44. As illustrated in FIG. 3, portions of
the scissor jack actuation mechanism 40 can contact an interior
surface 26 of fabric member 22 at various points therealong. For
example, the hinge points 44 can define at least some of such
points of contact such that the expanding movement of actuation
mechanism 40 maintains a generally uniform distribution of such
points of contact by the distribution of hinge points 44. In
another example, arms 42 can define the points of contact with the
interior 26 of fabric member 22 or an additional plurality of
elements can be included between interior surface 26 and actuation
mechanism. In such a mechanism, base ends 46 are fixed along axis
20 and slidable toward and away from each other in a direction
normal thereto. In this manner, movement of base ends 46 toward
each other can cause lengthening of mechanism 40 and, accordingly,
movement of extension portion 18 away from base 16 by coupling with
extending end 48. The movement of base ends 46 toward each other
can be driven by an actuator 50 coupled therebetween. Such an
actuator 50 can take various forms including a screw-driven
actuator, or other motor-driven actuators, as well as pneumatic or
hydraulic actuators. Movement of extension portion 18 back toward
base 16 along axis 20 can similarly be achieved by movement of base
ends 46 away from each other, thereby shortening mechanism 40 and
drawing extension portion 18 closer to base 16 by coupling with
extending ends 48.
[0023] As shown in FIG. 5, extension portion 118 can be positioned
in front of an inset face 152 that can extend through the area
defined by gap 136 when extension portion 118 is moved away from
base 116. In such an embodiment, a fabric member may extend within
gap 136 between base 116 and extension portion 118 to cover all or
a portion of face 152. Alternatively, the fabric member 22 may be
omitted such that inset face 152 is visible within gap 136. In
either variation one or more slots 154 may be present within face
152 to allow for mounting of extension portion 118.
[0024] As shown in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 6, extension
portion 218 may be mounted with base 216 using a telescoping
mounting structure 256 including an extending arm 258 that is
coupled with or forms a part of extension frame 234. As shown,
extending arms 258 are received within outer supports 260 that are
similarly integral with or coupled to seat frame 232. In
particular, extending arms 258 may be received within corresponding
bearings and/or bushings 262 positioned within outer support 260 to
facilitate a slidable, telescoping arrangement of extending arms
258 with respect to outer supports 260.
[0025] As further shown in FIG. 6, an alternative actuation
mechanism 240 can include an umbrella arm mechanism 264 that
includes a plurality of arms 242 coupled together at a plurality of
hinge points 244 such that movement of base ends 246 toward or away
from each other can cause movement of extending end 248, which is
coupled to extension portion 218. In a manner similar to that which
is discussed above, an actuator 250 can be coupled with one or more
of base ends 246 to cause movement of base ends 246 away from each
other. As further illustrated in this embodiment, as well as the
embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, a single actuator 250 can be used to
drive movement of opposite extension portions 218.
[0026] As shown in the figures, the above-described base 16 and
extension portion 18 can be incorporated into vehicle seat 10 in
one or more of a plurality of possible locations, extension portion
18 corresponding to one of various portions or areas of seat 10, to
allow for a change in the overall size or configuration of seat 10
and/or to provide for adjustment of the positioning of such a
feature. Both of these adjustment modes can be used to provide for
additional space within vehicle 66, such as to provide for
additional comfort to passengers in other, adjacent vehicle seats
or to allow improved maneuvering within vehicle 66, such as during
ingress or egress. In one embodiment, such as that illustrated in
FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 16 may be positioned within seatback 14 so
as to include or otherwise define the lower-central lumbar area 68
of seatback 14. In this manner, one extension portion 18 can be
positioned vertically above base 16 so as to define an
upper-central thoracic 70 that may further include a headrest 72
coupled therewith. In this arrangement, axis 20 is a generally
vertical axis such that movement of extension portion 18 toward and
away from base 16 adjusts (i.e. increases or decreases) the height
74 of seat 10. Additionally, seat 10 can optionally include one or
more additional extension portions 18 arranged laterally of lumbar
area 68 to define the bolster areas 76 of seatback 14. In this
manner, the driver's seat 80 (or other front seat) of vehicle 66
can be adjusted in both height 74 and width 78, allowing for
customization of the vehicle seat 10, depending on the size of an
occupant. In this manner, movement of corresponding extension
portions 18 toward and away from base 16 can adjust a width 78 of
seatback 14. In further variations, the extension portions 18
within bolsters 76 and/or thoracic area 70 can be angled or arced
relative to base 16 such that movement thereof can also adjust the
thickness of seatback 14. In a further aspect, vehicle 66 may be an
autonomous vehicle and the above-described adjustments of the
seatback height 74, width 78, and thickness can be used to reduce
the overall size of seatback 14, in particular when vehicle 66 is
in an autonomous driving mode with driver's seat 80 unoccupied.
[0027] In a similar manner, the above-described base 16 and/or an
additional base 16 may be positioned within cushion 12 such that
base 16 includes a central cushion area 82. In such an arrangement,
extension portion 18 can be included laterally of base 16 to allow
for adjustment of the width 78 of cushion 12. In the example of
FIG. 2, the extension portion 18 within cushion 12 can include a
cushion bolster area 84, including both cushion bolsters 84 on
opposite sides of central area 82, with separate extension portions
18 corresponding with each cushion bolster 84. This arrangement can
allow for outward movement of cushion bolsters 84 with respect to
the middle 82 of cushion 12 to accommodate occupants of various
sizes and/or to allow for changes in the amount of space occupied
by cushion 12. This arrangement can be incorporated into the
above-described arrangement of seat 10 in the driver's seat 80
position and can have similar functionality with respect to an
autonomous variation of vehicle 66.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 7-10, variations of the above-described
vehicle seat 10 can be used in the position of a second-row seat in
a three-row seating arrangement. As illustrated in FIG. 7,
second-row seats 88a and 88b can be configured with
laterally-extending extension portions 18 in both the seatback 14
and cushions 12 thereof. In the illustrated arrangement, seats 88a
and 88b are mirror-images of each other such that the extension
portions 18 can define center seat areas 94 adjacent side seat
areas 92. In this manner, at least three seating positions are
defined between second-row seats 88a and 88b, and an occupant may
sit in a middle position over one or two center seat areas 94
included on extension portions 18 such that the middle position is
defined in approximate half-portions by the respective center seat
areas 94. In this arrangement, the extension portions 18 can be
withdrawn into bases 16, as shown in FIG. 8, to allow for easy
access to the third row seats 90 within the vehicle 66. Although in
the example shown each of the second-row seats 88a and 88b includes
extension portion 18 defining respective portions of the center
seat areas 94 within both the cushion 12 and the seatback 14, a
variation can include extension portions 18 within only seatback 14
to provide a passage for a user climbing over the respective
cushions 12 that remain in place within second-row seats 88a and
88b.
[0029] In the variation shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second-row
seats 388a and 388b can include bases 316 that define center seat
area 394 as well as portions of side seat areas 392a, 392b, with
extension portions 318 providing additional, outer areas of side
seating areas 392. In this arrangement, extension portions 318 can
be extended such that second-row seats 388a and 388b extend
generally across a width of a vehicle 366 with extension portions
318 disposed outwardly adjacent doors 396, as shown in FIG. 9. To
provide for easy access to the third row seats 390, extension
portions 318 can be respectively withdrawn into bases 316 and away
from doors 396 such that the respective third row seats 390 can be
accessed using the additional space provided adjacent to doors 396
by withdrawal of extension portions 318. Similar to the arrangement
discussed above with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8, the second-row seats
388a and 388b shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can include extension
portions 318 within seatback 314, as well as, optionally, within
cushion 312.
[0030] It is to be understood that variations and modifications can
be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the
concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be
understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the
following claims unless these claims by their language expressly
state otherwise.
[0031] For purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all
of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the
joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or
indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature
or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two
components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional
intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary
body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may
be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature
unless otherwise stated.
[0032] It is also important to note that the construction and
arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the
exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few
embodiments of the present innovations have been described in
detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this
disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes
and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters,
mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations,
etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and
advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements
shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or
elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the
operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied,
the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector
or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number
of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be
varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of
the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of
materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of
a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly,
all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope
of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications,
changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating
conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary
embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present
innovations.
[0033] It will be understood that any described processes or steps
within described processes may be combined with other disclosed
processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the
present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed
herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as
limiting.
* * * * *