GB2455295A

GB2455295A - Vehicle seating configuration

Info

Publication number: GB2455295A
Application number: GB0723616A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tim Butler; Simon Hall; Andrew Walker; Nick Robinson
Original assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Current assignee: Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd
Priority date: 2007-12-04
Filing date: 2007-12-04
Publication date: 2009-06-10
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-04
Also published as: GB2455295B; GB0723616D0

Abstract

A seating configuration for use in a vehicle comprises a first row of seats 11; a second row of occasional seats 12 configured to fold flat into the vehicle floor; and a third row of seats 13 arranged behind the first and second rows. The seat back 12a or base 12b may be provided with rails to enable a seat 13 from an adjacent row to travel over a stowed seat.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO VEHICLE SEATING

The present invention relates to an improved seating configuration for a vehicle provided with occasional seats, and in addition, to a seat configured to facilitate the improved seating configuration.

There is currently a trend in the automotive sector towards larger vehicles such as SUVS MPVs, Combi-vans and Hatchbacks. One of the reasons for this trend is the size and flexibility of the storage facilities and seating capabilities of such vehicles. These facilities make larger vehicles suitable for transporting up to seven individuals with relatively limited luggage transporting capacity or, alternatively, providing a considerable space for transporting luggage and a smaller number of the people.

As a result of this flexibility between seating and storage capabilities, there has been a blurring of the boundary between what would traditionally have been considered to be the cargo compartment and the occupant compartment. For example, it is now not unusual to find a third row of seating within a vehicle that is intended for occasional use.

The third row is usually foldable so that the space can be used as luggage space when the seats are not in use.

The third row seating is also known as occasional seating as it is not intended for frequent use. The design of this seating is therefore optimised for convenience of folding, rather than comfort of the passenger.

Recently a number of manufacturers have developed third row seating that is designed to fold flat into the floor so that the space made available by the folding of these seats can be used for luggage with ease as the user is presented with a flat load space without awkward contours and irregular spaces.

The provision of a third row of seating which is intended for occasional use is clearly advantageous for those occasions when the seats are used. However, one drawback associated with the provision of the third row of seating intended for occasional use is that the comfort of the second row is compromised.

I

The second row comfort is compromised because the second row seats have to be configured so that they can enable access to the third row seating. This is generally achieved by providing second row seats that have a seat back that can fold towards the seat base. This typically means that the amount of bolstering that can be provided is limited.

The second row comfort is further compromised because the seat is mounted further forward in order to provide the space necessary for the occasional seating to be folded flat into the floor. This results in a reduction in the hip-to-heel distance available to the second row occupant which is a strong indicator that the comfort of the passenger will be reduced.

The third row, occasional seating is typically configured to fold out of the floor and take up a single predetermined position. This position is typically dictated partly by the type of folding mechanism and also by the requirement that some luggage space should be available when the third row seating is in use.

It is against this background that the present invention has been made.

According to the present invention there is provided a seating configuration for use in a vehicle comprising: a first row of seats; a second row of occasional seats configured to fold flat into the vehicle floor; and a third row of seats arranged behind the first and second rows.

The advantage of providing a seating configuration in which the second row provides the occasional seating is that the third row seats can be optimised for comfort. The comfort of these seats does not have to be compromised so that a passenger can climb past these seats to reach a further row of seating behind. Furthermore, the maximum hip-to-heel measurement is considerably greater than can be achieved in a standard three row configuration because the occupant of the third row can extend his legs across the flat folded second row to achieve a limousine-style relaxed seating position.

Furthermore, according to the present invention there is provided a seat for use in a vehicle, the seat comprising; a seat base and a seat back; wherein either the seat back or the seat base is provided with rails; wherein the seat is configured to be stowed; and wherein the rails are configured to enable a seat from an adjacent seating row to travel over the stowed seat.

The provision of seat rails on a seat back or seat base allows two seating rows to be effectively stacked one above the other when one of the rows is folded flat. This overcomes the problem of the limited movement of a standard second row of seats when an occasional third row of seating is provided.

The rails may be provided in the back of a second row, occasional seat so that the third row seat can travel forwards over the folded flat second row.

However, the rails may equally be provided in the back of a third row, occasional seat so that a standard second row seat may be moved backward over the third row to allow the second row seat to move back to the same extent as it would have been capable of moving if the third row occasional seats had not been provided.

The seat back may be configured to be pivotably attached to the vehicle.

The seat may further comprise a protective barrier. This is particularly useful when the vehicle is being used to carry heavy or dangerous loads as the barrier prevents unwanted interaction between the luggage and the driver or other vehicle occupants.

Furthermore, according to the present invention there is provided a seating configuration for use in a vehicle, the seating configuration comprising: a first row of seats; a second row of seats; and a third row of seats as described above.

Moreover, according to the present invention there is provided a seating configuration for mounting on the floor of a vehicle, the seating configuration comprising: a first row of seats; a second row of seats as described above; and a third row of seats.

The seat base of the second row seat may be configured to provide a foot rest for the occupant of the third row seat when the second row seat is stowed.

The seat base of the occasional second row seat is configured to tilt from the fully folded flat configuration so that the user of the third row seat can use it as a foot rest. This adds to the overall impression of luxury for the occupant of the third row seat. The seating position of this user more closely resembles a business class airline passenger than the previously compromised seating position that can arise following the installation of occasional third row seating within a standard MPV or SUV.

The seating configuration may further comprise an interlock system provided between the seat back and the vehicle floor.

The seating configuration may further comprise a locking arrangement for holding the seat back in the stowed position.

The third row of seats may be tip-and-tumble seats. The advantage of this configuration is that it provides the maximum luggage space when the second row is folded flat and the third row is stowed.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures in which: Figure 1 shows, in dashed lines, a standard three row seating configuration with a third row of occasional seating and, in solid lines, a seating configuration according to the present invention; Figures 2a, 2b and 2c compare the typical seating position of an average user in the standard three row seating configuration and the present invention as shown in Figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b directly compare the typical seating position of an average user in the standard occasional seating with the typical seating position of an average user in the occasional seating as shown in Figure 1; Figures 4a-k show the various stages of the transition of the seating configuration according to the present invention from a three row configuration to a two row configuration; Figure 5 shows detail of the linkage that enables the stages of the transition of the seating configuration shown in Figures 4e to 4h; Figure 6 shows the typical seating position of an average user in the seating position shown in Figure 4g; Figure 7 shows the typical seating position of an average user including the use of a footrest; Figures 8a-e show a latching mechanism used to maintain the occasional seat in a folded flat position; Figure 9 is an exploded diagram of the parts making up a seat such as the second row seat shown in the configuration of Figure 4; Figure 10 shows the technical features that enable the seat cushion of the second row seat shown in the configuration of Figure 4 to be used as a foot rest; Figure 11 shows a further example of the present invention in which the third row seats are tip-and-tumble seats; and Figure 12 shows a further example of the present invention in which the third row seats are provided with a protective barrier; Figure 1 shows a seating configuration 10 according to the present invention superimposed over a standard three row seating configuration 5. The seats are mounted in a stepped floor 6. Each of the seats in each of the configurations consists of a seat back and a seat base.

The standard three row seating configuration 5 consists of a first row 1, a second row 2, and a third row 3. The third row 3 is a row of occasional seating which is intended for use on only a small percentage of the journeys that the vehicle undertakes. The occasional seating that forms the third row 3 is smaller than the first and second rows of seating. The size of the seats that form the third row 3 means that these seats are less comfortable than the first and second row, especially for a larger occupant.

The third row seats are smaller than the first and second row seating so that they can be folded flat into the floor 6. In addition, the seating in the third row 3 has considerably less bolstering than the first or second row seating so that it can fold flat.

The height of the seat back 3a of the third row 3 therefore dictates the length of the floor 6 that must be available for the seat to fold flat. The longer the seat back 3a of the third row 3 seating, the more space must be devoted to the folding flat of the third row 3.

Within the overall length of a given vehicle, an increase in the length of the seat back 3a of the third row results in a corresponding shortening of the distance of travel of the second row 2. As the seating in the second row 2 is intended for use during a larger proportion of the journeys undertaken by the vehicle, it is important to minimise the impact of the provision of a third row 3 of seating on the comfort of the second row passengers.

A further aspect of this seating configuration 5 is that, in order to access the occasional, third row seating, the second row 2 must be folded and/or moved to provide access.

This additional demand on the second row seating can also result in the comfort of the second row 2 being compromised.

The three row seating configuration according to the present invention includes a first row 11, a second row 12 and a third row 13. The second row 12 is a row of occasional seating which is intended for use on only a small percentage of the journeys that the vehicle undertakes.

The second row 12 is configured to be folded into the floor when it is not in use. As the second row is designed to be folded flat into the floor, it will be provided with a level of bolstering that is consistent with being stored in a folded flat position for the majority of the working life of the vehicle.

This level of bolstering and folding capability also makes the seat easy to move and partially fold to enable access to the third row when all three rows are in use.

Conversely, by providing the occasional seating as the second row, there is never a need to climb past the second row of permanent seating, i.e. the third row 13 and therefore there is no need to compromise the design of these seats by requiring them to fold to provide access behind the seats. As a result, the seating in the third row 13 can be of an increased comfort level. Indeed, it can more closely resemble seating for the first row 11.

The seating position of an occupant of the third row 13, when the vehicle is being used in a two row configuration, is very luxurious as a considerable amount of leg room is available to this occupant.

Figures 2a, 2b, 2c, 3a and 3b illustrate the comparative levels of comfort provided to the average user in the two different seating configurations.

Figures 2a, 2b and 2c compare the seating position of the average user in each of the three rows for the standard configuration 5 (shown in dotted lines) and the configuration according to the present invention 10 (shown in solid lines). Figure 2a shows only the standard seating configuration, Figure 2b shows only the configuration according to the present invention and Figure 2c shows a superposition of the two configurations. There is no difference between the standard configuration 5 and the seating configuration according to the present invention from the perspective of the first row 1, 11.

In the second row the occasional second row 12 seating is provided with considerably less bolstering in order to allow it to be folded flat. During the folding process the second row seat base 12b pivots by approximately 180° and therefore the length of the seat base 12a dictates the minimum distance from the pivot point to the back of the first row seat. This distance is typically greater than the foot well available to a second row passenger in the standard configuration 5.

In the third row, the third row 13 can be positioned further back through the vehicle in comparison with the occasional third row seating 3. The position of the occasional third row seating 3 is dictated by the requirement that it can be folded flat, whereas the third row 13 is not limited by these constraints. The standard configuration 5 requires that there must always be luggage space and it must always be provided behind the third row. In contrast, in the seating configuration 10 the luggage space available can be altered by the movement of the third row seat. In the extreme, if no luggage is camed, the third row can be moved back until it is adjacent the tailgate thus maximising the legroom for all occupants. In this condition, the hip-to-heel measurement of the third row passenger is greater in the seating configuration 10 than in the standard seating configuration 5. If space is required for luggage, then the third row seat 13 can be moved forward. Under these conditions, the leg room available to the third row occupant is no worse than it would be in the standard seating configuration 5.

In addition, as is made clear in Figures 3a and 3b, the seating position of the average user is considerably improved in the occasional second row of the seating configuration in comparison with the occasional third row in the standard seating configuration 5.

Figure 3a shows a standard seating configuration with the occasional third row occupant shown in solid lines. Figure 3b shows the seating configuration according to the present invention with the occasional second row occupant shown in solid lines. The hip-to-heel measurement is considerably greater for the occasional second row seat occupant than it is for the standard third row occasional seat occupant. Therefore, although the overall comfort of the occasional second row occupant may be reduced in comparison with a standard second row occupant as a result of the lack of bolstering in the seat, there will be a considerable improvement in the space provided and this may give a better overall experience to the occupant of the second row.

Figures 4a-k show the various stages of the transition of the seating configuration 10 from a three row configuration to a two row configuration. Figure 4a shows the three row seating configuration 10 including first row 11, occasional second row 12 and third row 13. The first step towards the two row seating configuration is the folding of the seat base 12b. The seat 12 is provided with a cushion 12e for the seat base 12b, a cushion 12f for the seat back 12a and a head restraint 12g.

The seat base 12b is connected to the seat 12 at or close to a first end 12c of the seat base 12b positioned adjacent the seat back 12a. The seat base 12b is connected to the floor 6 at or close to a second end 12d of the seat base 12b.

The connection at the point 12d of the seat base 12b is a pivotable connection. The folding of the seat base 1 2b takes place by pivoting the seat base 1 2b about the point 12d through approximately 1800 so that the seat cushion 12e is adjacent the vehicle floor 6 and the underside of the seat base 12b provides a substantially horizontal surface which is aligned with the section of the floor beneath the second row. As will be apparent from Figure 4b, in its folded condition, the seat base 12b occupies the space that previously provided a foot well for a second row passenger.

The seat base 12b pivots through the positions shown in Figures 4b and 4c into the stowed position shown in Figure 4d, the next step in the folding process is shown in Figure 4e. The head restraint 12g is movable in order to provide restraint at a height appropriate for the occupant of the seat 12. The movement of the head restraint 1 2g includes movement towards and away from the seat back 12a, i.e. in a substantially vertical plane when the seat 12 is in use. In order to fold the seat 12, the head restraint 12g is positioned as close to the seat back 12a as possible in order to minimise the length of the seat back 12a including the head restraint.

The seat back 12a is then folded flat. Although this action can be executed as a single smooth action, the movement of the seat back 12a incorporates two distinct phases.

The seat back 12a is attached to the floor 6 by a linkage 12h. The linkage is pivotably connected to the floor 6 at a first end 12i and to the seat back 12a at a second end 12j.

In the first phase of the movement of the seat back 1 2a, the seat back I 2a is pivoted about the second end 12j of the linkage 12h. This is shown in Figure 4f.

The second phase of the folding of the seat back occurs as the linkage 12h pivots about the first end 12i. During this second phase, the second end 12j of the linkage 12h travels towards the back of the vehicle, or to the right as shown in Figure 4g. Although the two phases are shown as distinct phases, it will be understood that the action will be provided in one smooth movement. Furthermore, the order of the two phases can be reversed so that the linkage 12h is rotated about the connection with the floor 6 before the seat back I 2a is pivoted relative to the linkage 1 2h to obtain an intermediate position shown in Figure 8b.

Figure 4h shows the position of the seat back 12a and the seat base 12b of the seat 12 once it is folded flat. The seat back 1 2a occupies the space that provides a foot well for the occupant of the third row of seating when all three rows are in use.

The back surface of the seat back 12a is provided with rails 12k. There are two rails 12k in the seat back 12a each of which abuts one of the rails 13k on which the third row seat 13 is mounted.

Once the seat back 1 2a is locked into the stowed position shown in Figure 4h, the third row seat 13 can travel forwards along the rails 13k and onto the rails 12k mounted in the back of the occasional second row seat 12 as shown in Figure 4i. In this way, a compromise is created between the luggage space available behind the third row seat 13 and the legroom of the occupant of the third row seat 13. As the luggage space is increased, the legroom is reduced for the third row seat occupant.

When the third row seat 13 is fully forward as shown in Figure 4j, a foot well is provided above the seat base 12b. As a result of the large potential distance of travel of the third row seat 13, the seat belts should be built into the seat frame.

As shown in Figure 4k, the seat base 1 2b of the occasional second row seat can be pivoted upward in order to provide a foot rest of the occupant of the third row seat.

Figure 5 shows the detail of the linkage 12h. The linkage 12h comprises a first hole 51 that provides pivotable connection between the linkage 12h and the seat back 12b. The linkage is also provided with a second hole 52 that provides pivotable connection between the linkage 12h and the vehicle floor 6. A first eccentric connector 53 is provided on the seat back 12b. The first connector 53 comprises a shaft 54 and an off-centre protrusion 55. The protrusion 55 is fixed relative to the shaft 54. The connector 53 may be integrated into the seat back 12b or it may be a separate piece as shown in Figure 5. A second eccentric connector 56 is also provided. The second connector 56 is pivotably mounted on a shaft (not shown, for clarity) and comprises an off-centre protrusion 57. An arm 58 is pivotably connected between the two connectors 53, 54.

As the seat back 12b is rotated towards a stowed and substantially horizontal position, the seat back 12b rotates clockwise about hole 51 as shown in figure 5. The rotation of the off-centre protrusion 55 combined with the linkage 58 and off-centre protrusion 57 causes an anticlockwise rotation of linkage 12h about hole 52. This results in a rearward and downward movement of the seat back 12b which occurs simultaneously with the rotation of the seat back 12b to the substantially horizontal position.

The seating position of the average user is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. If no luggage carrying capacity is required then, with the occasional seating stowed, the user of the third row seating has the option of a limousine-like seating experience.

Alternatively, if some luggage carrying capability is required, the third row seat 13 can be moved forward onto the rails 12k in the back of the seat back 12b. The seat base 12b can then be pivoted in order to provide a foot rest for the occupant of the third row seat as shown in Figure 7.

Figures 8a to 8e show the detail of one example of how the seat 12 can be locked into the stowed position. Figures 8a to 8c show an interlock system 121 for locking the seat back 12a to the floor. Figures 8d and 8e show a locking mechanism 120 for locking the upper part of the seat back, adjacent the head restraint 12g, to the vehicle floor 6.

Figures 8a shows the seat back 12a, linkage 12h and the floor 6. The floor 6 is contoured to provide an area 131 that can be used by the third row passenger as a foot well in the three row configuration. The floor 6 is contoured to provide a U-shaped channel 6a.

Figure 8b shows an intermediate position, part way through the stowing process. The linkage 12h has rotated relative to the vehicle floor 6 and the seat back 12a is still substantially vertical. This movement reveals a U-shaped channel 1 2m configured to tessellate with the channel 6a provided in the floor 6.

Figure 8c shows the stowed position, in which the two U-shaped channels 6a and 12m interlock to provide a strong connection.

Figure 8d shows a part-perspective view of the upper end of the seat back 12a including a locking mechanism 120 that locks the upper part of the seat back 12a to the vehicle floor 6 when the seat back 12a is in the stowed position. The locking mechanism 12o includes a handle 12p, a seat mounted catch 12q and a floor mounted loop 12r. The handle 12p is configured to release the locking mechanism to allow the seat back 12a to be returned to the in-use position. The handle 12p is connected to a pin 12s which is shown in Figure 8e.

The seat mounted catch 12q has an n-shaped cross section and is configured to surround the floor mounted loop 12r when the seat is in the stowed position. The seat mounted catch 12q and the floor mounted loop 12r are both provided with apertures sized to accommodate the pin 12s. The pin 12s is biased to the closed position and held in the closed position by a latch (not shown). This configuration is favoured because is ensures that the forces on the seat caused by the acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle are not transmitted through the latch and pin 12s as the forces are substantially orthogonal to the pin 12s.

The configuration of the seat back 12a including the seat rails 12k will now be described in further detail with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is an exploded diagram of the constituent parts of the seat back 12a. The seat back 12a includes a rigid frame 12t onto which the seat rails 12k are mounted. The rigid frame 12t also provides the structural integrity for the seat back 12a. The seat mounted catch 12q is also mounted on the rigid frame 12t.

The cushion I 2f is provided on the rigid frame I 2t for the comfort of the occupant. The seat back 12a is also provided with a seat back finisher 12u which is provided with two channels 12v through which the seat rails 12k can be accessed.

Figures lOa and 1 Ob show two possible configurations of the mechanism provided on the seat base 1 2b in order to enable the use of this part as a foot rest for the third row occupant when the second row is folded.

Figure lOa shows part of the seat base 12b and a mount 91 that allows the seat base 12b to be connected to the vehicle floor 6. Within the seat base 12b there is a ratchet 92 provided with a plurality of teeth 93. Within the mount 91 is a spring loaded pin 94 which engages with one of the teeth 93. The pin 94 is connected to a bowden cable that allows the control of the angle of the seat base 12b to be controlled remotely. A handle (not shown) is provided in order to facilitate the actuation of the pin and therefore the control of the angle of the seat base 12b. The handle may be provided either in the floor or in an appropriate trim piece adjacent the occupant of the seat so that is can be adjusted in situ.

Figure lOb shows part of the seat base 12b and a mount 95 that allows the seat base 12b to be connected to the vehicle floor 6. The mount 95 terminates in a ratchet 96 that is provided with a plurality of teeth 97. Within the seat base 12b is a spring loaded pin 98 which engages with one of the teeth 97. The pin 98 is connected to a bowden cable 99 in a similar manner to the pin 94 shown in Figure IDa. A handle (not shown) is provided in the side of the seat base 12b to allow the angle of the seat base 12b to be altered.

Figures 11 and 12 show how the inventive concept hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 10 can be further extended. In Figure II, an alternative third row seat 23 is provided in the form of a tip-and-tumble seat. The third row seat 23 can therefore travel the full length of the rails 12k in the back of the second row seats. When the seat 23 cannot travel further along the rails, the seat back is folded down to the position shown in Figure 11 a. Then the seat as a whole pivots about a point A at or close to the front of the seat base. When the seat 23 is fully folded, as shown in Figure 11 b the storage space within the vehicle is maximised.

Figure 12 shows a protective barrier 1 3v attached to the third row seat 13. The provision of a protective barrier shields the occupants of the third row seats from the excursion of items stored in the luggage area. IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO VEHICLE SEATING

I

It is against this background that the present invention has been made.

The seat back may be configured to be pivotably attached to the vehicle.

Figure 12 shows a protective barrier 1 3v attached to the third row seat 13. The provision of a protective barrier shields the occupants of the third row seats from the excursion of items stored in the luggage area.

Claims

1. A seating configuration for use in a vehicle comprising: a first row of seats; a second row of occasional seats configured to fold flat into the vehicle floor; and a third row of seats arranged behind the first and second rows.

2. A seat for use in a vehicle, the seat comprising; a seat base and a seat back; wherein either the seat back or the seat base is provided with rails; wherein the seat is configured to be stowed; and wherein the rails are configured to enable a seat from an adjacent seating row to travel over the stowed seat.

3. The seat according to claim 2, wherein the seat back is configured to be pivotably attached to the vehicle.

4. The seat according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a protective barrier.

5. A seating configuration for use in a vehicle, the seating configuration comprising, a first row of seats a second row of seats; and a third row of seats according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. A seating configuration for mounting on the floor of a vehicle, the seating configuration comprising, a first row of seats a second row of seats according to any one of claims 2 to 4; and a third row of seats.

7. The seating configuration according to claim 6, wherein the seat base of the second row seat is configured to provide a foot rest for the occupant of the third row seat when the second row seat is stowed.

8. The seating configuration according to claim 6 or claim 7, further comprising an interlock system provided between the seat back and the vehicle floor.

9. The seating configuration according to any one of claims 6 to 8, further comprising a locking arrangement for holding the seat back in the stowed position.

10. The seating configuration according to claim 6, wherein the third row of seats are tip-and-tumble seats.

11. The seating configuration or seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 to 11.