FR2853286A1 - Vehicles interior arrangement, has one rotating unit rotating seat towards front to bring seat in horizontal backward position and another rotating unit rotating backrest towards front to occupy horizontal position by backrest - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement has a pair of connecting rods to enable forward movement of a seat (30) on a limited course for releasing a backrest (32). A rotating unit rotates the seat towards front to bring the seat in a horizontal backward position to occupy free space in shift tower. Another rotating unit rotates the backrest towards front to occupy a horizontal position made available by the seat. An independent claim is also included for a motor vehicle.

Description

The present invention relates to the interior arrangement of a vehicle

  three transverse and parallel rows of seats.

  We know the great success of so-called "minivans" vehicles that their users appreciate not only for their capacity to allow the transport of a large family and their luggage, but also for their modularity. However, except for very young children, the interior layout of these vehicles does not allow them to sleep in correct conditions of comfort.

  Vehicles called "motorhomes" are, in turn, equipped with all the essential equipment normally present in a holiday home. However, this is a fixed configuration, so that such vehicles cannot be modified so that all of their seats occupy the typical arrangement of passenger vehicles.

  Finally, there are known vehicles which can be described as intermediate or recreational, which externally have the appearance of a small professional vehicle 1 5.

  These personal vehicles, reserved for the use of individuals, generally comprise three transverse rows of seats, the row of row I, arranged at the front, comprising the driver's seat. They can carry up to eight people.

  Some are equipped with arrangements which make it possible to transform the seats of rows II and III into a sleeping surface. This transformation is done in particular by tilting forward at 1800 the seat of the row III seats then tilting forward, on 90, of their backrest. However, such a transformation is made possible by the fact that the depth of the seat is equal to the height of the backrest.

  However, this is done at the expense of passenger comfort, the backrest not being high enough to ensure good back support. The situation is even more degraded when it is proposed to equip the backrest with a headrest, armrests and / or a seat belt retractor. Under these conditions, transformation into a lying surface proves impossible.

  The aim of the present invention is to overcome these drawbacks by proposing a vehicle arrangement with a simple and functional structure, which is comfortable both in the position for transporting people and in the "sleeping surface" configuration, the passage from one to the other can be done quickly, even by inexperienced people.

  The arrangement proposed by the invention has three transverse and parallel rows of seats, namely a first row of row I 5 comprising the driver's seat, as well as two rows of row II and III, the seats of intermediate row II being arranged to be able to pivot on themselves at 1800 so that their seat is directed towards the rear of the vehicle, while the row III seats include independent seats and backrests, the seat depth being less than the back height.

  According to the invention, the row III seats include a base to which the seat and the backrest are fixed, which comprises: - first means capable of allowing the seat to advance over a limited stroke to release it from the backrest; - second means for pivoting said seat 1800 towards the front so as to bring it into a substantially horizontal inverted position, in which it occupies the free space situated in front of said base; - And third means for pivoting the backrest forward, so as to make it occupy a substantially horizontal position left available by the seat, so that, when the seats of row II are arranged so that their seat is directed towards the rear of the vehicle and that said seat and back of the row III seats occupy said horizontal position, thus providing a substantially continuous sleeping surface consisting, from front to rear of the vehicle, of the seat of the seats row II, of the underside of the seat of the 25 row III seats, as well as of the dorsal side of the back of the row III seats.

  In practice, the "transformation" of the seats into a sleeping surface proves to be practical and quick to implement, while providing high comfort for the users.

  In fact, apart from the seat of the row II seats, it is the underside of the seat of the row III seats as well as the back of the back of the same seats which constitute the essential of the sleeping surface.

  These elements can be provided perfectly flat, which is not the case with the "front" sides of the seat and the backrest, which are usually molded to improve the comfort of passengers in the sitting position.

  Furthermore, according to other advantageous and non-limiting characteristics of this invention: - the arrangement comprises means for adjusting the longitudinal position of the seats of rows II and III; said means are rail and slide; - the layout includes a single base for all the row III seats; - The row III seats constitute a bench formed by a first monobloc assembly forming the seat, and a second monobloc assembly forming the backrest; said means capable of allowing the seat to advance over a limited stroke to release it from the backrest consist of a pair of longitudinal links articulated on the one hand on the seat around a first horizontal and transverse axis and, on the other hand, on said base around a second axis parallel to the first and located in the same horizontal plane, so that, by pivoting the rods around the second axis, the seat can be moved forward; - Said second means consist of said first transverse axis of said links; - The seat of the row III seats includes retractable support means which, once deployed, ensure the maintenance of this seat in said inverted horizontal position; - Said means consist of a "U" hoop, the parallel branches of which are articulated on the opposite sides of the seat of the row III seats, the base of this "U" resting on the ground of the vehicle, when the hoop is deployed; - the underside of the seat and the dorsal side of the back of the row III seats are covered with a flexible lining; - the arrangement comprises a shelf capable of being positioned behind and in the extension of said sleeping surface; - Said tablet consists of the luggage cover tablet of the boot of said vehicle; the arrangement comprises first and second means for supporting said shelf, so as to make it occupy either a position in the extension of said sleeping surface, or a traditional position in which it acts as a luggage cover; - the row III seats include retractable headrests in reservations provided for this purpose in the body of their backrest; the row III seats include armrests, retractable in the reservations provided for this purpose in the body of their backrest; - The floor (C) on which said seats (2, 3) of rank II and III rest consists of a raised floor attached to the original floor of the vehicle.

  The invention also relates to a motor vehicle comprising such an arrangement.

  Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the detailed description which follows, of a preferred embodiment.

  This description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: - Figure 1 is a diagram showing, seen from the side, a vehicle with three rows of seats; - Figure 2 is a side view of the interior of said vehicle, the row I seats being turned back to form, with the row II seats, a first lounge; - Figure 3 is a side view of the row II and III seats, those of row II being turned towards the rear to constitute a second lounge with the row III seats; - Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of row III seats, shown respectively in a first position with raised headrests and 20 lowered armrests and, in a second position, with retracted headrests and raised armrests; - Figures 6, 7 and 10 are side views of the row II and III seats in which they respectively occupy intermediate and final positions of transformation into a continuous sleeping surface; - Figure 8 is a side view of the means which equip the base of the row III seats and which allow the translation of their seat forward, the seat of said seats being shown in phantom; - Figure 9 is a perspective view of the means of Figure 8; FIG. 11 is a view of the seats in rows II and III in the sleeping surface position, which is extended by a terminal shelf; - Figure 12 is a schematic end view of the vehicle interior, intended to show two possible positions of the shelf shown in Figure 11; - Figure 13 is a side view of a base which equips the ground of the vehicle; - Figures 14 and 15 are side views of a seat in place on the base of Figure 13, respectively occupying opposite directions.

  In FIG. 5 is shown a vertical and longitudinal plane P, constituting the section plane of FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 7 and 10.

  A motor vehicle capable of receiving an arrangement in accordance with the present invention is shown very schematically in FIG. 1.

  The front and rear of this vehicle V have been referenced AV and AR respectively.

  These same acronyms will be found in the other appended figures and will have the same meanings.

  Vehicle V is equipped, like a number of known vehicles, with three transverse and parallel rows of seats.

  The first row Ri of row I comprises the driver's seat. This seat rests on a base S which is slightly raised relative to the ground plane C of the vehicle itself.

  A seat 1 in row Ri is more particularly visible in FIG. 2. It is a traditional seat comprising a seat 10 resting or forming one with a base 11, and to which is fixed a backrest 12 equipped with a support20 head 13.

  This seat is mounted on a base 14 of known type, for example with a ball bearing, which allows said seat to be oriented either forwards or backwards. Of course, means are provided so that this rotation of the seat at 180 can only be authorized when the vehicle is stopped.

  Behind this row of row I there are two other rows R2 and R3 of row II and III, arranged parallel, transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.

  Preferably and as will be seen later in the description, the rows R2 and R3 are equipped with means for adjusting their longitudinal position, from the front AV towards the rear AR, and vice versa. These means, of known type, are rail and slide and have not been shown in the figures so as not to overload them unnecessarily.

  In FIG. 2, the seats of rows RI, R2 and R3 are shown while the seat of the row I seats is turned towards the rear, while the seat 35 of the rows of seats II and III is turned towards the 'before.

  The seats 2 in row R2 have a structure similar to that of seat 1 described above. In this case, each seat comprises a seat 20 resting or forming an integral part of a base 21, which rests on a base 24.

  The latter will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. However, it can already be specified that it is also equipped with means making it possible to rotate the row II seats on themselves at 1800 , so that their seat can be directed both towards the front and towards the rear of the vehicle.

  The backrest 22 of the row II seat is also equipped with a headrest referenced 23.

  In the configuration of FIG. 2 and as indicated above, the seats of row I are turned towards the rear AR, while the seats of row II are turned towards the front AV. Between them is set up a table T, for example retractable in one of the side and longitudinal walls of the vehicle. When it is deployed, it constitutes, in association with the aforementioned seats, a first lounge.

  In the configuration of FIG. 3, the seats of row II are turned towards the rear AR, while the seats of row III are turned towards the front AV. A table T similar to the previous one is shown in place between the two rows, to constitute a second living room.

  In an alternative embodiment, the table T can be provided sliding longitudinally relative to the vehicle, in order to be able to be deployed either at the level of the first living room, or at the level of the second.

  The description which follows of row III seats will be made not only with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, but also and preferably with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

  These row III seats rest on a transverse parallelepiped base 31 which acts as a storage chest.

  The seats constitute a bench formed by a first monobloc assembly forming a seat 30 and a second monobloc assembly forming a backrest 32. 30 Hereinafter, the terms "backs" and "seats" used in the plural are used to designate each of the fractions first and second sets which two by two, constitute a location allowing a person to sit.

  As can be seen by comparing Figures 4 and 5, the backrests are provided in their upper part with a reservation 36 whose shape is 35 adapted to receive a headrest 35 in the retracted position, so that it can s '' stay there without exceeding beyond the volume of the file.

  Likewise, between the three files, reservations 34 are provided, in which articulated armrests 33 can be retracted.

  In this position, they are fully integrated into the volume of said files.

  These seats may be provided with so-called “on-board” seat belts and not shown, that is to say belts secured to the backrest 32.

  It should be noted that the seat 30 and back 32 are independent, the depth of the seat being less than the height of the back.

  On either side of the trunk 31 are provided longitudinal and generally vertical flanks 4. They include a vertical bottom part 40 which runs along and 10 is attached to the base, a lateral and horizontal recess oriented towards the outside, as well as a vertical wing which rises appreciably halfway up the seat 30 of the seats parallel to the lower part 40. This wing is referenced 42. It continues longitudinally in the direction of the backs 32 by a generally vertical appendage and oriented upwards 43.

  According to the present invention, the seats 3 of row III are equipped with first means which are capable of allowing the seat 30 to move forwards, over a limited stroke, to release it from the backrest 32.

  In the embodiment described here and more particularly visible in FIGS. 8 and 9, these means consist of a pair of longitudinal links 6 which are arranged on either side of the lateral faces of the seat 30 of the seats, not far from their front end, between these faces and the wing 42 of the sides 4.

  Each link 6 is articulated on the one hand on said seat 30, around a first horizontal and transverse axis XX ′, and on the other hand on the base 31, and more particularly on the wings 42 of the elements 4, around d 'a second parallel axis YY' located in the same horizontal plane.

  While the seats 3 of row III occupy the position of FIGS. 2 and 3, the connecting rods 6 extend in the horizontal position directed to the right of FIG. 8.

  It is therefore understandable that by grasping the front of the seat in the direction of the arrow k in FIG. 8 and by giving it a slight upward movement, the rods are tilted 1800 from the front, by so as to slide the seat 30 over a limited stroke to disengage it from the backrest 32. A space F is thus provided between the seat 30 and said backrest 32.

  According to the invention, the row III seats also include means for pivoting the seat 30 to 1800 forwards so as to bring it into a substantially horizontal inverted position.

  These second pivoting means here consist of the axis XX ′ of the rods 6, which authorizes a reversal at 1800, in the direction h of said seat, to occupy the inverted position of FIG. 7.

  Of course, to allow this manipulation, we will have 5 beforehand and if necessary slide the seats 2 of row II towards the front of the vehicle, in the direction of the arrow g.

  Said inverted seat then occupies space E which usually separates the seats of rows II and III.

  Prior to the complete folding down of the seat, we will have deployed 10 retractable support means 5 which is provided with the seat and which here consist of a U-shaped arch. It has parallel branches 51 articulated on the opposite lateral faces of the seat 30, the base 50 of this U resting on the ground C of the vehicle when the roll bar is fully deployed, as shown in FIG. 7.

  The course followed by the base 50 of the "U", during the deployment of the arch, is identified by a portion of a circle in dashed lines referenced j.

  The space G cleared by the seat 30 above the base is then used to authorize the forward folding over about 900 of the backrest 32 of the row III seats, around an axis ZZ 'secured to the appendages 43 flanks 4. 20 This file is then wedged against the overturned seat, in a horizontal position.

  Preferably and as shown here, the underside of the seat 30 of the seats 3 of row III, as well as the dorsal face of the backrest 32 are coated with a flexible lining 300, respectively 320.

  It is for example a cushion made of foam material, placed in a fabric envelope. This lining can be provided removable, for example to allow cleaning.

  One thus spares a substantially continuous sleeping surface SC which consists, from front to rear of the vehicle, of the seat of seats 2 of row II, of the underside of the seat 30 of seats of row III as well as the dorsal side of the backrest 32 of the row III seats.

  The presence of flexible padding and the flatness of the corresponding surface ensure a high level of comfort for the user.

  In FIG. HI, the same configuration is shown as that shown in FIG. 10.

  However, there has been installed, in the rear extension of the sleeping surface SC, a shelf 9 intended to increase its longitudinal dimension.

  It is preferably the luggage cover shelf which traditionally equips the trunk of the vehicle.

  In Figure 12 is shown schematically the outline of the passenger compartment 8 of a vehicle capable of receiving the arrangement described above.

  Its flag is referenced 80, while its lateral sides equipped with windows are referenced 81.

  Its lower sides have, from top to bottom, a first recess 82 as well as a second recess 83 giving the cabin a narrower width, which is explained by the presence of what are called the wheel arches.

  Said shelf 6 is normally provided to constitute a luggage cover and then rests on supports 85 provided for this.

  However, in the hypothesis where it is desired to use this tablet as an extension of the sleeping surface SC, the linings of the passenger compartment have for this purpose flats 84 for supporting the tablet 9 in a position where it acts of "extension" of the surface SC.

  The shelf will preferably be of the same type as the lining 300 or 20 320. However, it preferably has a large rigid face which will face upwards when the shelf is supported on the supports 85 and acts as a luggage cover, respectively turned downwards when the tablet is in contact with the flats and acts as an "extension".

  In the latter position, it can serve as a seat for 25 users, the tailgate of the vehicle then being in the raised position.

  Of course, the transformation of the seats of a sleeping surface into the traditional position is done by operating in the reverse order to what has been described above.

  As indicated above, the seats of row II rest on a base 24 shown in FIG. 13.

  To allow the positioning of these seats to be adjusted, this base is slidably provided (double arrow a) relative to the ground C, thanks to an integrated system of rails and slides, not visible.

  This base is equipped in its upper part with means 240 for fixing a seat, for example with snap-on lugs. Furthermore, these means are capable of authorizing the rotation of the seat on itself, so as to be able to make it occupy the opposite extreme positions shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, namely seat facing forward AV and seat facing forward. 'rear AR.

  In an embodiment not shown, the base is capable of receiving, in place of a seat, other comfort equipment, such as a table top, a refrigerator block, etc. The ground referenced C, which incorporates the aforementioned rails, may consist of a false floor, attached to the original floor of the vehicle, and for example glued and screwed to the latter. Preferably, for this installation, the attachment points provided for original on the vehicle are kept unchanged.

Claims (16)

  1. Vehicle interior arrangement (V) with three transverse and parallel rows of seats, namely a first row (Ri) of rank I comprising the driver's seat, as well as two rows (R2, R3) of rank II and III, the seats (2) of intermediate rank It being arranged to be able to pivot on themselves5 at 1800 so that their seat (20) is directed towards the rear (AR) of the vehicle (V), while the seats (3 ) of row III comprise independent seats (30) and backrest (32), the depth of the seat being less than the height of the backrest, characterized in that the seats (3) of row III comprise a base (31) which are attached to the seat and the backrest, which comprises: - first means (6) capable of allowing the seat (30) to advance over a limited stroke to release it from the backrest (32); - second means for pivoting said seat 1800 at the front so as to bring it into a substantially horizontal inverted position, in which it occupies the free space (E) located in front of said base (31); - And third means for pivoting the backrest (32) forwards, so as to make it occupy a substantially horizontal position left available by the seat (30), so that when the seats (2) of row II are arranged so that their seat (20) is directed towards the rear (AR) of the vehicle and so that said seat (30) and backrest (32) of the seats (3) of row III occupy said horizontal position, thus a substantially continuous sleeping surface (SC) consisting, from front (AV) to rear (AR) of the vehicle, of the seat (20) of the seats (2) of row II, of the underside (300) of the seat (30) of the seats (3) of row III, as well as of the dorsal face (320) of the backrest (32) of the seats (3) of row III.   2. Arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises means for adjusting the longitudinal position of the seats (2, 3) of rows II and III.   3. Arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that said means are rail and slide.   4. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a single base (31) for all of the seats (3) of row III.   5. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the seats (3) of row III constitute a bench formed by a first monobloc assembly forming a seat (30), and a second monobloc assembly forming a backrest (32).   6. Arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said means able to allow the advancement of the seat (30) forward on a limited stroke to release it from the backrest (32), consist of a pair of longitudinal links (6) articulated on the one hand on the seat (30) around a first horizontal and transverse axis (X, X ') and, on the other hand, on said base (31) 10 around a second axis (Y, Y ') parallel to the first and located in the same horizontal plane, so that, by pivoting the rods (6) around the second axis (Y, Y'), it is possible to move the 'seat (30) forward (AV).   7. Arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that said second means are constituted by said first transverse axis (X, X ') 1 5 of said rods (6).   8. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seat (30) of the seats (3) of row III comprises support means (5) retractable which, once deployed, ensure the maintenance of this seat (30) in said inverted horizontal position.   9. Arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that said means consist of a hoop (5) "U", whose parallel branches (51) are articulated on the opposite sides of the seat (30) of the seats ( 3) of rank III, the base (50) of this "U" resting on the ground (C) of the vehicle, when the roll bar is deployed.   10. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the underside (300) of the seat (30) and the dorsal face (320) of the backrest (32) of the seats (3) of rank III are coated with a flexible lining.   he. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a shelf (9) capable of being positioned behind and in the extension of said sleeping surface (SC).   12. Arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that said shelf consists of the shelf (9) luggage cover of the trunk of said vehicle (M).   13. Arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that it comprises first (84) and second (85) means for supporting said shelf (9), so as to make it occupy either a position in the extension of said sleeping surface (SC), a traditional position in which it acts as a luggage cover.   14. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seats (3) of row III comprise head restraints (35) 5 retractable in reservations (36) provided for this purpose in the body of their backrest (32).   15. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seats (3) of row III include armrests (33), retractable in reservations (34) provided for this purpose in the body of their backrest ( 32).   16. Arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the floor (C) on which rest said seats (2, 3) of rank II and III consists of a raised floor attached to the original floor of the vehicle.   17. Motor vehicle comprising an arrangement in accordance with one of the preceding claims.