GB2561057A

GB2561057A - Vehicle seating arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2561057A
Application number: GB1801440.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Scott Levine Eric; Chapman Robert; Delonis Martin; Michael Melaragni Stephen
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2017-01-30
Filing date: 2018-01-29
Publication date: 2018-10-03
Also published as: GB201801440D0; MX2018001058A; DE102018101826A1

Abstract

A vehicle 10 includes a floor 20 having front 30, middle 32, and rear 34 sections, and a centerline C extending from a front 22 to a rear 26 end. A single-occupancy seat 36 is disposed entirely on the front section and on the centerline. A first space 46 extends from a left side 42 of the single-occupancy seat to a left end 28 of the forward section. A second space 48 extends from a right side 44 of the single-occupancy seat to a right end 24 of the front section. The first and second spaces may be configured to accommodate cargo or luggage. A first middle seat 52 is disposed entirely on the middle section. A rear seat 66 is disposed entirely on the rear section and on the centerline. The front floor section may comprise a recess 50 and the single occupancy seat may be foldable into the recess. The single occupancy seat may be rotatable into any position (e.g. rearward-facing). The single occupancy seat may slide in the fore-aft direction. A second middle seat 58 may be disposed on an opposite side of the centreline relative to the first middle seat. The middle seats may be rotatable.

Description

(56) Documents Cited:

B60N 2/06 (2006.01) B60N 2/20 (2006.01) B60N 2/32 (2006.01) (71) Applicant(s):

Ford Global Technologies, LLC Fairlane Plaza South, Suite 800,

330 Town Center Drive, Dearborn 48126-2738, Michigan, United States of America (72) Inventor(s):

GB 1301705 A DE 102009035078A1 JP 2014028564 A US 20180015953 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL B60N Other: EPODOC, WPI

Eric Scott Levine

Robert Chapman Martin Delonis

Stephen Michael Melaragni

WO 2016/193937 A1 DE 102008009810A1 US 2190218 A1 US 20130180788 A1 (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Harrison IP Limited

Ebor House, Millfield Lane, Nether Poppleton, YORK, YO26 6QY, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Vehicle seating arrangement Abstract Title: Vehicle seating arrangement (57) A vehicle 10 includes a floor 20 having front 30, middle 32, and rear 34 sections, and a centerline C extending from a front 22 to a rear 26 end. A single-occupancy seat 36 is disposed entirely on the front section and on the centerline. A first space 46 extends from a left side 42 of the single-occupancy seat to a left end 28 of the forward section. A second space 48 extends from a right side 44 of the single-occupancy seat to a right end 24 of the front section. The first and second spaces may be configured to accommodate cargo or luggage. A first middle seat 52 is disposed entirely on the middle section. A rear seat 66 is disposed entirely on the rear section and on the centerline. The front floor section may comprise a recess 50 and the single occupancy seat may be foldable into the recess. The single occupancy seat may be rotatable into any position (e.g. rearward-facing). The single occupancy seat may slide in the fore-aft direction. A second middle seat 58 may be disposed on an opposite side of the centreline relative to the first middle seat. The middle seats may be rotatable.

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VEHICLE SEATING ARRANGEMENT

BACKGROUND [0001] Vehicles, such as autonomous vehicles, are becoming more sophisticated. As the level of sophistication of vehicles continues to increase, the amount of passenger interaction required to drive the vehicles decreases. For example, fully autonomous vehicles can control all steering, braking, and throttle when driving. Partially autonomous vehicles can provide at least limited control over the steering, braking, and throttle. Passengers, including a driver, can thus focus on non-driving-reiated tasks when riding in vehicles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0002] Figure 1A is a perspective view of a vehicle.

[0003] Figure IB is a perspective view of the vehicle of Figure 1A with a first door on a left side of the vehicle shown in an open position.

[0004] Figure 2A is a cut-away top view of a vehicle with a single-occupancy seat, a first middle seat, and a rear seat.

[0005] Figure 2B is a cut-away top view of the vehicle of Figure 2A with the single-occupancy seat in a stored position [0006] Figure 2C is a cut-away top view of the vehicle of Figure 2A with the single-occupancy seat in a rearward position and in a forward position (in hidden lines).

[0007] Figure 2D is a cut-away top view of the vehicle of Figure 2A with the single-occupancy seat in a rotated position (in hidden lines).

[0008] Figure 2E is a cut-away top view of the vehicle of Figure 2A showing a seatback of the single-occupancy seat in a flat position.

[0009] Figure 3 A is a cut-away top view of the vehicle of Figure 2A with a first middle seat in a rearward position and in a forward position (in hidden lines).

[0010] Figure 3B is a cut-away top view of the vehicle of Figure 2A with a first middle seat in a rearward position and in a side position (in hidden lines).

[0011] Figure 3C is a cut-away top view of a vehicle with a single-occupancy seat, a first middle seat, a second middle seat, and a rear seat.

[0012] Figure 3D is a cut-away top view is a top view of the vehicle of Figure 3C with the first and second middle seats in rearward positions and in forward positions (in hidden lines).

[0013] Figure 3E is a cut-away top view of the vehicle of Figure 3C with the first and second middle seats in rotated positions (in hidden lines).

[0014] Figure 4A is a t cut-away op view of the vehicle of Figure 2A with the rear seat in a rearward position and in a forward position (in hidden lines).

[0015] Figure 4B is a cut-away top view of the vehicle of Figure 2A with the rear seat in a rotated position (in hidden lines).

DETAIFED DESCRIPTION [0016] With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, a vehicle 10 includes a floor 20. The floor 20 has a front end 22, a right end 24, a rear end 26, a left end 28, and a centerline C extending from the front end 22 to the rear end 26. The floor 20 includes a front section 30, a rear section 34, and a middle section 32 between the front and rear sections 30, 34.

[0017] A single-occupancy seat 36 is disposed entirely on the front section 30 of the floor 20, and on the centerline C. A first space 46 extends from a left side 42 of the single-occupancy seat 36 to the left end 28 of the front section 30 of the floor 20. A second space 48 extends from a right side 44 of the single-occupancy seat 36 to the right end 24 of the front section 30 of the floor 20. A first middle seat 52 is disposed entirely on the middle section 32 of the floor 20. A rear seat 66 is disposed entirely on the rear section 34 of the floor 20, and on the centerline.

[0018] As shown in Figures 1A-B, the vehicle 10 has a vehicle body 12. The vehicle body 12 can be supported by a frame (not shown). The vehicle body 12 and frame may be a unibody construction. In the unibody construction, the vehicle body 12, e.g., rockers, serves as the vehicle frame, and the vehicle body 12 (including the rockers, pillars, roof rails, etc.) is unitary, i.e., a continuous one-piece unit.

[0019] As another example, the vehicle body 12 and frame may have a body-on-frame construction (also referred to as a cab-on-frame construction). In other words, the vehicle body 12 and the frame are separate components, i.e., are modular, and the vehicle body 12 is supported on and affixed to the frame. The vehicle body 12 and the frame may have any suitable construction. For example, the vehicle body 12 and/or the frame may be formed of any suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, etc.

[0020] The vehicle body 12 includes exterior surfaces of the vehicle 10, including a hood, windows, doors, lids and/or hatches. The vehicle body 12 also includes interior spaces of the vehicle 10, such as a passenger compartment 13, a trunk (not shown), and an engine bay (not shown). Exterior surfaces of the vehicle body 12 may present a Class-A, substantially defect free, finely-finished surface appearance, and can be formed from any functionally suitable material, such as painted steel, aluminum and plastic, etc.

[0021] As shown in Figures 2A-4B, the vehicle body 12 has a left side 14 and a right side 16. The left side 14 of the vehicle body 12 can include a first door 18. The right side 16 of the vehicle body 12 can include a second door 18. The first and second doors 18, 18 can be configured to permit, among other things, passenger ingress and egress.

[0022] For example, in one approach, the first door 18 can be slidably mounted on the vehicle body 12 adjacent the left end 28 of the middle section 32 of the floor 12, and the second door 18 can be slidably mounted on the vehicle body 12 adjacent the right end 24 of the middle section 32 of the floor 20, as shown in Figures 2A-4B. As shown in Figure IB, the first door 18 on the left side 14 of the vehicle body 12 is slidably opened to an open position relative to the vehicle body 12.

[0023] Each of the first and second doors 18,18 can include a door outer, a door inner (not shown), and a trim panel (not shown). An exterior surface 19 of the door outer of the first door 18 is shown in Figures 1A-B.

[0024] The door outer may be fixed to the door inner by flanging, welding, or in any other suitable way. The trim panel is fixed to the door inner in any suitable way, e.g., threaded fasteners, clips, push-pins, Christmas tree fasteners, etc. The door outer and the door inner may be formed of metal (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.), composite material (e.g., fiber reinforced thermoplastic, sheet molding compound (SMC), etc., or any suitable material.

[0025] As discussed above, the door outer may have a class-A surface facing exteriorly, i.e., the exterior surface 19, specifically manufactured to have a high-quality, finished aesthetic appearance free of blemishes. The trim panel may be formed of plastic, foam, leather, vinyl, etc. and combinations thereof. The trim panel may have a class-A surface facing the passenger cabin, i.e., a surface specifically manufactured to have a high-quality, finished aesthetic appearance free of blemishes.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2A-4B, a single-occupancy seat 36 is disposed entirely on the front section 30 of the floor 20, and on the centerline C. The single-occupancy seat 36 can include a seat bottom 38 and a seatback 40. The seatback 40 can extend upwardly from the seat bottom 38 to an upright position, as shown in Figures 2A, 2C and 2D. The seatback 40 may also recline relative to the seat bottom 38. In addition, the seatback 40 can fold over the seat bottom 38 to a flat position, as shown in Figures 2B and 2E, and the seat bottom 38 can fold up to the seatback 40 when the seatback 40 is in the upright position (not shown).

[0027] While the single-occupancy seat 36 in Figures 2A, 2C, and 3A-4B is generally shown oriented in a forward-facing position, i.e., in which an occupant of the single-occupancy seat 36 would generally be facing in a direction toward the front end 22 of the floor 20 of the vehicle 10, it should be understood that the single-occupancy seat 36 could alternatively be oriented in a rearward-facing position, in which the occupant of the single-occupancy seat 36 would be in a rearward-facing position facing in a direction generally toward the rear end 26 of the floor 20 of the vehicle 10.

[0028] As shown in Figures 2A-4B, the front section 30 of the floor 20 can define a recess 50. In this way, when the single-occupancy seat 36 is in the flat position, i.e., when the seatback 40 is folded over the seat bottom 38, the single-occupancy seat 36 can be folded into the recess 50 in the front section 30 of the floor 20 to a stored position, as shown in Figure 2B.

[00291 When in the flat position, the single-occupancy seat 36 can also remain outside of the recess 50 in the floor 20, as shown in Figure 2E. In this configuration, the seatback 40 of the single-occupancy seat 36 can be used as a table, to store cargo, etc.

[0030] A base (not shown) can support the seat bottom 38 of the single-occupancy seat 36 on the front section 30 of the floor 20 of the vehicle 10. The single-occupancy seat 36 can be mounted on the front section 30 of the floor 20 in a fixed position.

[0031] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2C, the base can allow the single-occupancy seat 36 to slidably move on the front section 30 of the floor 20 in a vehicle fore-aft direction, i.e., in a direction from the front end 22 to the rear end 26 of the floor 20, between a rearward position and a forward position.

[0032] Additionally, and alternatively, the base can allow the single-occupancy seat 36 to rotate on the front section 30 of the floor 20, as shown in Figure 2D. When rotated, the single-occupancy seat 36 can be fixed at any location throughout a rotation relative to an initial location, e.g., at 45 degrees relative to the initial location, etc.

[0033] As discussed above and shown in Figures 2A, 2C, and 3A-4B, the single-occupancy seat 36 includes a left side 42 and a right side 44. The single-occupancy seat 36 is sized and shaped to receive a single occupant, i.e., not more than one occupant. The single-occupancy seat 36 may include restraint features, e.g., seat belts, airbags, etc., for a single occupant, i.e., not more than one occupant.

[0034] A first space 46 extends between the left side 42 of the single-occupancy seat 36 and the left end 28 of the floor 20. A second space 48 extends between the right side 44 of the single-occupancy seat 36 and the right end 24 of the floor 20.

[0035] The first and second spaces 46, 48 can be configured to accommodate cargo, e.g., luggage, groceries, packages, laundry, etc. For example, the first and second spaces 46, 48 can be formed from depressions (not shown) in the floor 20 extending from the left and right sides 42, 44 of the single-occupancy seat 36. Additionally, and alternatively, the first and second spaces 46, 48 can include mechanisms and/or devices to assist in securing the cargo in and/or on the first and second spaces 46, 48, such as ties, nets, and the like.

[0036] As discussed above and shown in Figures 2A-4B, the middle section 32 of the floor 20 of the vehicle 10 includes a first middle seat 52. The first middle seat 52 is disposed entirely on the middle section 32 of the floor 20.

[00371 While the first middle seat 52 in Figures 2A-3B, and 4A-4B is generally shown oriented in the forward-facing position, it should be understood that the first middle seat 52 could alternatively be oriented in the rearward-facing position.

[0038] The first middle seat 52 can include a seat bottom 54 and a seatback 56. The seatback 56 can extend upwardly from the seat bottom 54 to an upright position, as shown in Figures 2A-4B. The seatback 56 may also recline relative to the seat bottom 38. In addition, the seatback 56 can fold over the seat bottom 54 to a flat position (not shown), and the seat bottom 54 can fold up to the seatback 56 when the seatback 56 is in the upright position (not shown).

[0039] A base (not shown) can support the seat bottom 54 of the first middle seat 52 on the middle section 32 the floor 20 of the vehicle 10. The first middle seat 52 can be mounted on the middle section 32 of the floor 20 in a fixed position.

[0040] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3A, the base can allow the first middle seat 52 to slidably move relative to the floor 20 on the middle section 32 of the floor 20 in the vehicle fore-aft direction, between a rearward position and a forward position. Additionally, and alternatively, the base can allow the first middle seat 52 to slidably move relative to the floor 20 on the middle section 32 of the floor 20 in a direction transverse to the vehicle fore-aft direction,

i.e., in a cross-vehicle direction as shown in Figure 3B, between the rearward position and a side position.

[0041] As shown in Figures 3C-E, the middle section 32 of the floor 20 of the vehicle 10 can also include a second middle seat 58. The second middle seat 52 is disposed entirely on the middle section 32 of the floor 20.

[0042] While the first and second middle seats 52, 58 in Figures 3C and 3D are generally shown oriented in the forward-facing position, it should be understood that the first and second middle seats 52, 58 could alternatively be oriented in other positions, e.g., in the direction transverse to the vehicle fore-aft direction, in the rearward-facing position, etc.

[0043] In this approach, the first and second middle seats 52, 58 can be spaced from each other, with the first middle seat 52 on an opposite side of the centerline C relative to the second middle seat 58. The first middle seat 52 can include a seat bottom 54 and a seatback 56, and the second middle seat 58 can include a seat bottom 60 and seatback 62. The seatbacks 56, 62 of the first and second middle seats 52, 58 can extend upwardly from the seat bottoms 54, 60 to upright positions, as shown in Figures 3D-E. The seatbacks 56, 62 can also recline relative to the seat bottoms 54, 60, and fold over the seat bottoms 54, 60 to a flat position (not shown), and the seat bottoms 54, 60 can fold up to the seatbacks 56, 62 when the seatbacks 56, 62 are in the upright position (not shown).

[0044] A base (not shown) can support the seat bottoms 54, 60 of the first and second middle seats 52, 58 on the middle section 32 the floor 20 of the vehicle 10. The first and second middle seats 52, 58 can be mounted on the middle section 32 of the floor 20 in fixed positions.

[0045] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3D, the bases can allow the first and second middle seats 52, 58 to slidably move relative to the floor 20 on the middle section 32 of the floor 20 in the direction from the front end 22 to the rear end 26 of the floor 20, between rearward positions and forward positions. The first and second middle seats 52, 58 can be independently slidable. [0046] Additionally, and alternatively, the bases can allow the first and second middle seats 52, 58 to rotate on the middle section 32 of the floor 20, as shown in Figure 3E. The first and second middle seats 52, 58 can be independently rotatable. When rotated, the first and second middle seats 52, 58 can be fixed at any location throughout a rotation relative to an initial location, e.g., at 45 degrees relative to the initial location, etc.

[0047] As discussed above and shown in Figures 2A-4B, the rear section 34 of the floor 20 of the vehicle 10 includes a rear seat 66. The rear seat 66 is disposed entirely on the rear section 34 of the floor 20, and on the centerline C. The rear seat 66 can include a seat bottom 68 and a seatback 70. The seatback 70 can extend upwardly from the seat bottom 68 to an upright position, as shown in Figures 2A-4B. The seatback 70 may also recline relative to the seat bottom 68. In addition, the seatback 70 can fold over the seat bottom 68 to a flat position (not shown), and the seat bottom 68 can fold up to the seatback 70 when the seatback 70 is in the upright position (not shown).

[0048] While the rear seat 66 in Figures 2A-4A is generally shown oriented in the forward-facing position, it should be understood that the rear seat 66 could alternatively be oriented in other positions, e.g., in the direction transverse to the vehicle fore-aft direction, in the rearward-facing position, etc.

[0049] A base (not shown) can support the seat bottom 68 of the rear seat 66 on the rear section 34 of the floor 20 of the vehicle 10. The rear seat 66 can be mounted on the rear section 34 of the floor 20 in a fixed position.

[0050] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 4A, the base can allow the rear seat 66 to slidably move relative to the floor 20 on the rear section 34 of the floor 20 in the vehicle fore-aft direction, i.e., in the direction from the front end 22 to the rear end 26 of the floor 20, between a rearward position and a forward position.

[0051] Additionally, and alternatively, the base can allow the rear seat 66 to rotate on the rear section 34 of the floor 20, as shown in Figure 4B. When rotated, the rear seat 66 can be fixed at any location throughout a rotation relative to an initial location, e.g., at 45 degrees relative to the initial location, etc.

[0052] As shown in Figures 2A-4B, the rear seat 66 may be a single-occupancy seat including a left side 72, a right side 74, and a rear side 76. A third space 78 can extend between the left side 72 of the rear seat 66 and the left end 28 of the floor 20. A fourth space 80 can extend between the right side 74 of the rear seat 66 and the right end 24 of the floor 20. A fifth space 82 can extend between the rear side 76 of the rear seat 66 and the rear end 26 of the floor 20.

[0053] The third, fourth and fifth spaces 78, 80, 82 can be configured to accommodate cargo, e.g., luggage, groceries, packages, laundry, etc. For example, the third and fourth spaces 78, 80 can be formed from depressions (not shown) in the floor 20 extending from the left and right sides 72, 74 of the rear seat 66. The fifth space 82 can also be formed from a depression (not shown) in the floor 20 extending from the rear side 76 of the rear seat 66.

[0054] Additionally, and alternatively, some or each of the third, fourth and fifth spaces 78, 80, 82 can include mechanisms and/or devices to assist in securing the cargo in and/or on the third, fourth and fifth spaces 78, 80, 82, such as ties, nets, and the like.

[0055] The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle comprising:

a floor having a centerline extending from a front end to a rear end, the floor having a front section, a rear section, and a middle section between the front and rear sections;

a single occupancy seat disposed entirely on the front section and on the centerline, a first space extending between a left side of the single occupancy seat and a left end of the floor, and a second space extending between a right side of the single occupancy seat and a right end of the floor;

a first middle seat disposed entirely on the middle section; and a rear seat disposed entirely on the rear section and on the centerline.

2. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first space and the second space are configured to accommodate cargo.

3. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the front section of the floor defines a recess and the single occupancy seat is foldable into the recess.

4. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the single occupancy seat is slidably mounted on the front section of the floor, the single occupancy seat slidable on the front section in a direction from the front end to the rear end.

5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first middle seat is slidably mounted on the middle section of the floor, the first middle seat slidable on the middle section in a direction transverse to a direction from the front end to the rear end.

6. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the first middle seat is slidably mounted on the middle section of the floor, the first middle seat slidable on the middle section in a direction from the front end to the rear end.

7. The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a second middle seat disposed entirely on the middle section, the second middle seat spaced from the first middle seat, the first middle seat disposed on an opposite side of the centerline relative to the second middle seat.

8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the first and second middle seats are slidably mounted on the middle section of the floor, the first and second middle seats slidable on the middle section in a direction from the front end to the rear end.

9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein the first and second middle seats are rotatably mounted on the middle section of the floor.

10. The vehicle of any of claims 1-9, wherein the rear portion includes a third space extending between a left side of the rear seat and the left end of the floor, and a fourth space extending between a right side of the rear seat and the right end of the floor.

11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein the third and fourth spaces are configured to accommodate cargo.

12. The vehicle of any of claims 1-9, wherein the rear seat is slidably mounted on the rear section of the floor, the rear seat slidable on the rear section in a direction from the front end to the rear end.

13. The vehicle of any of claims 1-9, wherein the rear seat is rotatably mounted on the rear section of the floor.

14. The vehicle of any of claims 1-9, further comprising a fifth space extending between a rear side of the rear seat and the rear end.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein the fifth space is configured to accommodate cargo.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1801440.7 Examiner: Mr Ilya Gribanov