Multi-posture seat

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-posture seat including a base frame and a seat cushion frame located above the base frame and connected to the base frame through a link mechanism, a height assembly configured to move the base frame installed on a vehicle body, a slide assembly configured to move the seat cushion frame up and down through a slide operation in a front and rear direction of the link mechanism, a reclining assembly configured to move a rear end portion of the seat cushion frame up and down, and a seat back frame hinged to the rear end portion of the base frame to recline.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a multi-posture chair configured to maximize its usability through various changes in the posture of the seat back and seat cushion. Background Technology

[0002] In electric vehicles, a flat floor is required to create a passenger cabin that resembles a living space, which is a characteristic feature.

[0003] Furthermore, various concepts for beds and chairs suitable for resting and sleeping while on the move have been proposed in autonomous vehicles, private vehicle vehicles (PBVs), and vehicles equipped with three rows of seats. With the expansion of autonomous leisure culture, more and more people are enjoying camping or traveling while sleeping in their vehicles.

[0004] However, traditional bed seats and campervan seats available from aftermarket manufacturers, campervan manufacturers, etc., have limitations in terms of safety and convenience of use.

[0005] The information included in the background section of this invention is intended only to enhance the understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be construed as an admission of prior art known to those skilled in the art or any form of advice. Summary of the Invention

[0006] Various aspects of the present invention aim to provide a multi-posture chair configured to maximize its usability through a variety of changes in the posture of the seat back and seat cushion.

[0007] According to various aspects of the invention, the above and other objects can be achieved by providing a multi-posture seat, comprising: a height component configured to move a base mounted on a vehicle body; a sliding component configured to move the seat cushion frame up and down via a linkage mechanism in a forward and backward sliding operation, wherein the seat cushion frame is located above the base and connected to the base via the linkage mechanism; a tilting component configured to move the rear end of the seat cushion frame up and down; and a seat back frame hinged to the rear end of the base for tilting.

[0008] The height assembly includes: a leg frame mounted on the floor of the passenger compartment; a height link disposed between the leg frame and the base frame and connected thereto by a four-bar linkage; a height drive unit configured to provide driving force; and a gear engagement structure configured to transmit the driving force provided by the height drive unit to the height link to rotate the height link.

[0009] The drive gear can be mounted on the output shaft of the height drive unit; the driven gear can be mounted at a predetermined radial distance from the hinge shaft of the height linkage to mesh with the drive gear.

[0010] The drive gear is located at the base frame, and the driven gear is formed around the hinge axis of the height linkage connected to the base frame.

[0011] The stop hole has a fan shape, the center of which is located at the hinge shaft. The stop hole is formed between the hinge shaft of the height link and the driven gear. The stop can be arranged in the stop hole to limit the rotation angle of the height link.

[0012] The sliding assembly includes: a sliding drive unit configured to provide a driving force; a prone link having a first end and a second end connected to the front ends of the seat frame and the base frame, respectively; and a sliding link unit having its front end connected to the sliding drive unit and its rear end rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat frame to slide together with the seat frame in the fore-and-aft direction by the driving force of the sliding drive unit.

[0013] The sliding linkage unit includes: a sliding linkage rotatably connected at its rear end to a seat frame; a sliding bracket rotatably connected at its front end to the front end of the sliding linkage; and a sliding actuator rod connected at its front end to a sliding drive unit to provide driving force, and coupled at its rear end to the rear end of the sliding bracket.

[0014] The sliding drive unit and the sliding actuator are connected to each other through a ball screw structure, so that the rotational driving force of the sliding drive unit is converted into the linear motion of the sliding actuator.

[0015] The multi-posture seat also includes a sliding guide rail, which is connected to the base frame and has a guide hole. The guide hole extends in the sliding direction of the sliding link unit, and a guide hinge is arranged in the guide hole and moves in the front-to-back direction in the guide hole. The front end of the sliding link and the front end of the sliding bracket are connected to the guide hinge.

[0016] The tilting assembly includes: a tilt drive unit configured to provide a driving force; and a tilt actuation rod connected to the rear end of the seat frame and the tilt drive unit, and linearly moved in the fore-and-aft direction using the driving force of the tilt drive unit to move the rear end of the seat frame up or down.

[0017] The tilt drive unit and the tilt actuator can be connected to each other via a ball screw structure, so that the rotational driving force provided by the tilt drive unit is converted into the linear motion of the tilt actuator.

[0018] The rear end of the tilt drive unit is hinged to the base frame, so that the tilt actuator rod and the front end of the tilt drive unit rotate up and down around the rear end of the tilt drive unit.

[0019] The seat cushion frame can be rotated forward and downward by operating the sliding component, and the seat back frame can be folded forward completely by tilting, thereby achieving a prone position with the rear surface of the seat back horizontal.

[0020] The base frame is rotated and moved upward by operating the height component, the rear end of the seat cushion frame is moved upward by operating the tilt component, and the seat back frame is folded completely backward by tilting operation, thereby achieving a flat posture in which the upper surface of the seat cushion and the front surface of the seat back are flush with each other in a horizontal state.

[0021] The rear end of the seat cushion frame moves downward by operating the tilting component, and the seat back frame folds backward within a predetermined angle range by tilting operation, thereby achieving a relaxed posture for the multi-posture seat.

[0022] The multi-posture seat also includes a controller configured to perform control to determine whether the multi-posture seat is allowed to transition from a plank position or switch to a plank position based on the current gear status and the posture of the passenger sitting in the multi-posture seat.

[0023] The controller performs control to allow the multi-position seat to be converted to a flat position only when the vehicle is in "P" gear.

[0024] The controller performs control to allow the driver to select the vehicle's "D" gear when the multi-position seat changes from a flat position to a normal sitting position.

[0025] The multi-posture seat also includes: a skirt frame rotatably coupled to the lower end of the seat back frame for rotation about a skirt hinge axis; a side frame formed on the front surface of the seat back frame with its lower end extending toward the front surface of the skirt frame to limit the rotation of the skirt frame when the seat back frame is folded forward; and an elastic member configured to provide an elastic force to rotate the end of the skirt frame toward the side frame.

[0026] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages, which will be apparent or set forth in more detail in the accompanying drawings incorporated herein and in the following detailed description, and which together serve to explain certain principles of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is an illustrative view of a multi-pose seat according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein the seat cushion and seat back are separate from each other;

[0028] Figure 2 Example shown Figure 1 The multi-pose seat shown has components of the seat cushion that are separate from each other;

[0029] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view exemplarily illustrating the construction of the height component and the tilt component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a view that exemplarily illustrates the construction of a height component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is an exploded perspective view exemplarily illustrating the construction of a sliding component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C and Figure 6D This is an exemplary view showing the operation of a multi-posture chair according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the posture of the chair changes from a prone position to a normal sitting position;

[0033] Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C and Figure 7D This is an exemplary view showing the operation of a multi-posture chair according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the posture of the chair changes from a normal sitting posture to a plank posture;

[0034] Figure 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C This is an exemplary view showing the operation of a multi-posture chair according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the posture of the chair changes from a normal sitting posture to a relaxed posture;

[0035] Figure 9 This is an exemplary view illustrating the structure of a skirt frame integrated with a seat back frame according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[0036] Figure 10 This is an exemplary view illustrating the operation of a controller according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] It should be understood that the accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and present slightly simplified representations of various features illustrating the basic principles of the invention. Specific design features of the invention included herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the specific intended application and environment of use.

[0038] In the accompanying drawings, reference numerals refer to the same or equivalent parts of the invention in several figures. Detailed Implementation

[0039] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. While the invention will be described in conjunction with exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood that this specification is not intended to limit the invention to those exemplary embodiments. On the other hand, the invention is intended to cover not only the exemplary embodiments thereof, but also various alternatives, modifications, equivalents and other embodiments that may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0040] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to denote the same or similar parts.

[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Figure 1 This is an illustrative view of a multi-pose seat according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, wherein the seat cushion and seat back are separate from each other. Figure 2 Example shown Figure 1 The multi-positional seat shown has components of the seat cushion that are separate from each other.

[0043] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a multi-posture seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a height component configured to move a base frame 100 mounted on a vehicle body vertically; a sliding component configured to move a seat cushion frame 200 disposed above the base frame 100 and connected to the base frame 100 via a linkage mechanism through a sliding operation in the fore-and-aft direction; a tilting component configured to move the rear end of the seat cushion frame 200 vertically; and a seat back assembly 300 hinged to the rear end of the base frame 100 for recline.

[0044] For example, side frames 310 are formed on the two lateral sides of the seat back frame 300, and the rear end of the side frames 310 is connected to the rear end of the base frame 100 via a tilter hinge axis, thereby causing the seat back to tilt about the tilter hinge axis in its front-back direction.

[0045] For reference, the recliner drive unit 320 that provides tilting force to the seat backrest frame 300 may be a recliner motor. The recliner drive unit 320 is mounted on the side frame 310 to provide rotational drive force to the seat backrest. Since the details of the tilting are previously known in the art, a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0046] The seat cushion 200, mounted above the base frame 100, moves upward or downward at its rear end by operating the tilting assembly. By operating the sliding assembly, the seat cushion 200 rotates forward and downward or backward and upward relative to the base frame 100, thereby changing the posture of the seat cushion 200.

[0047] In addition, the seat cushion assembly 200 moves up and down together with the base frame 100 through the operation of the height component.

[0048] The seat back frame 300 folds in the fore-and-aft direction relative to the seat cushion frame 200. The seat cushion frame 200 moves up and down via a sliding component and a tilting component, and the base frame 100 moves up and down together with the seat cushion frame 200 via a height component.

[0049] Therefore, since the seat can be positioned in a variety of ways, including a prone position with the backrest folded forward and a flat position with the backrest folded backward parallel to the seat cushion, as well as a relaxed position that can be achieved by adjusting the angle of the backrest, the seat posture can be changed in a variety of ways, thereby maximizing the space availability in the passenger cabin.

[0050] Figure 3 This is an exploded perspective view exemplarily illustrating the construction of the height component and the tilt component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 This is an exemplary view showing the construction of a height component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] Now refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 The construction of the height assembly is described in detail. The height assembly includes a leg frame 110 disposed on the floor of the passenger compartment, a height link 120 disposed between the leg frame 110 and the base frame 100 and connected thereto by at least a four-bar linkage, a height drive unit 130 configured to provide driving force, and a gear meshing structure configured to transmit the driving force provided by the height drive unit 130 to rotate the height link 120.

[0052] For example, the leg support 110 can be integrated into the seat rail or the bottom of the passenger compartment, and each of the two lateral sides of the upper surface of the leg support 110 can be provided with a base frame 100.

[0053] The front ends of the leg frame 110 and the front ends of the base frame 100 are hinged to the two ends of the front link 122, and the rear ends of the leg frame 110 and the rear ends of the base frame 100 are hinged to the two ends of the rear link 124, thereby realizing a four-bar linkage.

[0054] Here, the height drive unit 130 can be a motor. The rotational driving force provided by the height drive unit 130 is transmitted to the height linkage 120 through a gear meshing structure.

[0055] The output shaft of the height drive unit 130 is provided with a drive gear 140, and a driven gear 150 is provided at a predetermined distance from the hinge shaft 124a of the height link 120, so that the drive gear 140 and the driven gear 150 mesh.

[0056] The drive gear 140 is located at the base frame 100, and the driven gear 150 is formed around the hinge axis of the height linkage 120 connected to the base frame 100.

[0057] For example, the height drive unit 130 is coupled to the base frame 100, and the output shaft of the height drive unit 130 extends through the base frame 100, such that the drive gear 140 is disposed in the base frame 100.

[0058] Driven gear 150 is formed at the rear connecting rod 124 that engages with the base frame 100.

[0059] Here, the drive gear 140 can be a pinion, and the driven gear 150 can be a sector gear, which has an arched shape at a predetermined radial position from the hinge axis 124a of the rear link 124. Therefore, when the drive gear 140 rotates, the driven gear 150 meshing with the drive gear 140 also rotates, thereby causing the height link 120 to rotate.

[0060] In other words, when the height drive unit 130 is actuated with the base frame 100 in a low position, the drive gear 140 rotates, and the driven gear 150 meshing with the drive gear 140 also rotates, thereby causing the other end of the height linkage 120 to rotate about the hinge axis at one end of the height linkage 120.

[0061] Here, since the base frame 100 is connected to a four-bar linkage, when the front link 122 and the rear link 124 are rotated by about 90 degrees through the operation of the four-bar linkage, the base frame 100 rotates upward, thereby causing the seat cushion 200 to move upward.

[0062] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a fan-shaped stop hole 126 is formed between the hinge shaft 124a of the height link 120 and the driven gear 150, wherein the hinge shaft 124a is configured with the center of the fan shape. Therefore, the rotation angle of the height link 120 can be limited by inserting the stop 160 into the stop hole 126.

[0063] For example, a stop hole 126 is formed in a fan shape between the driven gear 150 and the hinge shaft 124a of the rear connecting rod 124, and a stop member 160 is fixed to the inside of the base frame 100 to be arranged in the stop hole 126.

[0064] Since the stop 160 is located at one end of the inner surface of the stop hole 126 when the base frame 100 is at a lower level, and at the other end of the inner surface of the stop hole 126 when the base frame 100 is rotated upward by the operation of the four-bar linkage, the base frame 100 can be prevented from rotating beyond a predetermined rotation angle (e.g., 90 degrees).

[0065] Figure 5This is an exploded perspective view illustrating the construction of a sliding component according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0066] Now for reference Figure 2 and Figure 5 The construction of the sliding assembly is described. The sliding assembly includes: a sliding drive unit 250 configured to supply driving force; a prone link 210 disposed between the front ends of the seat frame 200 and the base frame 100 and connected thereto at their respective ends; and a sliding link unit whose front end is connected to the sliding drive unit 250 and whose rear end is rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat frame 200 to slide together with the seat frame 200 in its fore-and-aft direction.

[0067] The sliding linkage unit includes: a sliding linkage 220 rotatably connected at its rear end to a seat cushion 200; a sliding bracket 230 rotatably connected at its front end to the front end of the sliding linkage 220; and a sliding actuator 240, the front end of which is connected to a sliding drive unit 250 to provide driving force, and the rear end of which is connected to the rear end of the sliding bracket 230.

[0068] Since the sliding drive unit 250 and the sliding actuator 240 are connected to each other through the ball screw structure BS, the rotational driving force of the sliding drive unit 250 is converted into the linear motion of the sliding actuator 240.

[0069] For example, the upper part of the prone link 210 is hinged to the front end of the seat cushion 200, and the lower end of the prone link 210 is hinged to the front end of the base frame 100.

[0070] The sliding bracket 230 has a "U" shape. Each of the two ends of the sliding bracket 230 is hinged to the front end of the sliding link 220, and the rear end of the sliding link 220 is hinged to the rear end of the seat cushion 200.

[0071] The sliding actuator 240 is coupled to the center of the sliding bracket 230 at its rear end and connected to the sliding drive unit 250 at its front end via a ball screw structure BS.

[0072] To realize the ball screw structure BS, the sliding drive unit 250 can be a motor. Here, the ball nut is rotatably coupled to the output shaft of the sliding drive unit 250, and a screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the sliding actuator 240, such that the screw is inserted into and engaged with the ball nut.

[0073] In other words, when the seat frame 200 is in the rear position, the ball nut is rotated by the sliding drive unit 250, and the rotation of the ball nut is converted into linear movement by the ball screw structure BS, thereby moving the sliding actuator 240 forward.

[0074] Subsequently, the sliding bracket 230 and the sliding actuator 240 move forward together, and the sliding link 220 also moves forward.

[0075] Therefore, the upper end of the prone link 210 rotates forward about the hinge axis at the lower end of the prone link 210, and the rear end of the sliding link 220 rotates downward about the hinge axis at the front end of the sliding link 220, thereby rotating and moving the seat cushion 200 forward and downward.

[0076] The multi-posture seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a sliding guide rail 260, which is coupled to the base frame 100 and forms a guide hole 262 therein, the guide hole 262 extending in the sliding direction of the sliding link unit.

[0077] The guide hinge portion 222 is arranged in the guide hole 262 to move in its front-back direction, and the front end of the sliding link 220 and the front end of the sliding bracket 230 are connected to the guide hinge portion 222.

[0078] For example, the "L"-shaped sliding guide rail 260 is attached to the upper surface of the base frame 100, the guide hole 262 is formed as an elongated hole along the side surface of the sliding guide rail 260, and the guide hinge portion 222 is arranged in the guide hole 262.

[0079] Therefore, when the sliding actuator 240 moves forward, the guide hinge portion 222 moves along the guide hole 262, thereby stably guiding the sliding motion of the sliding link unit including the sliding link 220 and the sliding bracket 230.

[0080] Now for reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 Describes a tilting assembly. The tilting assembly includes: a tilt drive unit 280 configured to provide a driving force; and a tilt actuator 270 connected to the rear end of the seat cushion 200 and the tilt drive unit 280, and linearly moved forward and backward using the driving force of the tilt drive unit 280 to move the rear end of the seat cushion 200 up or down.

[0081] The tilt drive unit 280 and the tilt actuator 270 are connected to each other via a ball screw structure BS, so that the rotational driving force supplied from the tilt drive unit 280 is converted into linear motion of the tilt actuator 270.

[0082] For example, the tilt bracket 290 is fixed to the center portion of the rear end of the base frame 100, and the tilt drive unit 280 is coupled to the tilt bracket 290.

[0083] The front end of the tilt actuator 270 is hinged to the rear end of the seat frame 200, and the rear end of the tilt actuator 270 is connected to the tilt drive unit 280 via a ball screw structure BS.

[0084] To realize the ball screw structure BS, the tilt drive unit 280 can be a motor. Here, the ball nut is rotatably coupled to the output shaft of the tilt drive unit 280, and a screw is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the tilt actuator 270, such that the screw is inserted into and engages with the ball nut.

[0085] In other words, when a rotational driving force is provided from the tilt drive unit 280 while the rear end of the seat cushion 200 is in a lowered state, the ball nut rotates, and the rotation of the ball nut is converted into linear motion through the ball screw structure BS, thereby causing the tilt actuator 270 to move upward.

[0086] Therefore, the front end of the tilting actuator 270 pushes the rear end of the seat cushion 200 upward.

[0087] Furthermore, the rear end of the tilt drive unit 280 is hinged to the base frame 100, allowing the front end of the tilt drive unit 280 to rotate upward and downward together with the tilt actuator rod 270 about the rear end of the tilt drive unit 280.

[0088] Since the tilt drive unit 280 is rotatably coupled to the tilt bracket 290, when the seat cushion 200 moves downward by the operation of the sliding assembly, the front end of the tilt actuator 270 rotates downward together with the tilt drive unit 280, thereby moving the seat cushion 200 downward without interfering with the tilt assembly.

[0089] Now for reference Figure 6D Describes the prone position. When the seat cushion 200 is rotated forward and downward by the operation of the sliding component and the seat back frame 300 is fully folded forward, the rear surface of the seat back is horizontally positioned, thereby achieving the prone position.

[0090] In the prone position, the seat back is folded forward completely and covers the seat cushion while the seat cushion is moving downward, so the seat back is folded without disturbing the seat cushion, thus achieving a flat rear surface of the seat back.

[0091] Now refer to Figure 7D Describes the flat posture. The base frame 100 is rotated upward by the operation of the height component, the rear end of the seat cushion frame 200 is moved upward by the operation of the tilt component, and the seat back frame 300 is fully folded backward by tilting, thereby achieving a flat posture in which the upper surface of the seat cushion and the front surface of the seat back are flush with each other in a horizontal state.

[0092] In the flat position, the rear end of the seat cushion moves upward while the seat cushion is in an upward movement, and the base frame 100 supporting the seat cushion also moves upward. Subsequently, the seat back folds completely backward, thereby arranging the seat cushion and seat back in the fore-and-aft direction and positioning them horizontally in a flat state.

[0093] Now for reference Figure 8C Describes the relaxed posture of the seat. By operating the tilting component, the rear end of the seat cushion frame 200 moves downward, and by tilting, the seat back frame 300 folds backward within a predetermined angle range, thereby achieving a relaxed posture for the multi-position seat.

[0094] In a relaxed posture, the rear end of the seat cushion moves downward, and the seat back tilts backward from the angle of the seat back in the normal sitting position to a predetermined angle.

[0095] Figure 10 This is an exemplary view illustrating the operation of the controller 400 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The multi-posture seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include the controller 400, which is configured to determine whether to allow the multi-posture seat to transition from a plank position or to a plank position based on the current shift state and the posture of the passenger sitting in the multi-posture seat.

[0096] In other words, the controller 400 performs control to prevent the multi-position seat from changing from one position to a flat position or from a flat position to another position in order to improve stability during vehicle operation.

[0097] The controller 400 can perform control to allow the posture of the multi-posture seat to be converted to a plank posture only when the "P" gear is in position.

[0098] The controller 40 can perform control to allow the driver to select the vehicle's "D" gear when the multi-position seat changes from a flat position to a normal sitting position.

[0099] For example, information related to the vehicle's gear shift can be directly input to the controller 400 as a gear shift signal, or it can be received from the transmission control unit (TCU).

[0100] Seatbelt reminder systems, buckle sensors, and other devices can be used to determine whether a passenger is in a normal sitting posture.

[0101] In other words, the controller can perform control to allow shifting to a flat position only when the shift gear is in "P" and can perform control to allow shifting to "D" only when the passenger is sitting in a normal sitting position with the seat in a flat position.

[0102] The controller 400 according to various exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be implemented by a non-volatile memory and a processor, wherein the non-volatile memory is configured to store algorithms for controlling the operation of various components of the vehicle or data relating to software instructions for executing the algorithms, and the processor is configured to perform operations using the data stored in the memory, as will be described below. Here, the memory and processor can be implemented as separate chips. Alternatively, the memory and processor can be implemented as a single chip integrating the memory and processor. The processor can be implemented as one or more processors.

[0103] Figure 9 This is an exemplary view showing the structure of the skirt frame 330 integrated into the seat back frame 300 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0104] Referring to the accompanying drawings, a multi-pose seat according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a skirt frame 330 rotatably coupled to the lower end of a seat back frame 300 via a hinge axis 370; a side frame 310 formed on the front surface of the seat back frame 300, with its lower end extending to the front surface of the skirt frame 330 to limit rotation of the skirt frame 330 when the seat back frame 300 is in a forward-folded state; and an elastic member configured to provide elasticity so that the end of the skirt frame 330 rotates toward the side frame 310.

[0105] Here, the elastic member can be a spring 360, whose two ends are supported by the seat back frame 300 and the skirt frame 330, respectively. The spring 360 can be implemented as a torsion spring, which is configured to be mounted on the skirt hinge shaft 370.

[0106] The skirt frame 330 can be made of a material that is more durable than fabric.

[0107] For example, the lower end of the side frame 310 is provided with a tilter hinge shaft 322, and the skirt hinge shaft 370 is provided above the tilter hinge shaft 322.

[0108] The upper bracket 340 is fixed to the seat back frame 300 above the skirt hinge axis 370, and the lower bracket 350 is fixed to the skirt frame 330 below the skirt hinge axis 370. The two ends of the spring 360 are supported by the upper bracket 340 and the lower bracket 350 respectively to provide elastic force, so that the skirt frame 330 always rotates downward.

[0109] Because traditional seat back cushions have a fabric skirt on the lower part of their back surface, it is difficult to convey a sense of unity between the skirt and the luggage tray when the seat is folded down.

[0110] In addition, when the number of folding actions of the seat exceeds the predetermined number, the problem with conventional seats is that the space between the skirt and the luggage tray is exposed to the outside due to the folds created by the skirt, and another problem is that the passenger's hand may get stuck in the space between the skirt and the luggage tray, thus injuring the passenger.

[0111] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, when the posture of the seat is changed to a prone position, such as Figure 6D As shown, since the skirt frame 330 is secured to the two lateral side frames 310 and does not rotate downwards, the skirt frame 330 covers the space between the seat back and the luggage tray, thereby ensuring a sense of unity between the seat back and the luggage tray and preventing the risk of injury caused by part of the passenger's body being stuck in the space within the skirt frame 330.

[0112] exist Figure 8A The normal sitting posture shown and Figure 8C In the relaxed posture shown, Figure 7D In the flat position shown, since the skirt frame 330 is configured to rotate about the hinge axis 370, and the end of the skirt frame 330 slides along the base frame 100, the skirt frame 330 will not enter the area under the seat cushion, thereby avoiding interference between the skirt frame 330 and the components under the seat cushion.

[0113] Figure 6A , Figure 6B , Figure 6C and Figure 6D This is an exemplary view showing the operation of a multi-posture chair according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the posture of the chair changes from a prone position to a normal seated position.

[0114] When through Figure 6A In the normal seating posture shown, when the tilt drive unit 280 is activated, causing the tilt actuator 270 to move forward and upward, the rear end of the seat cushion 200 moves upward, while the sliding link 220 rotates counterclockwise. Figure 6B As shown.

[0115] Subsequently, when the sliding actuator 240 is moved forward by activating the sliding drive unit 250, the sliding bracket 230 and the sliding link 220 connected to the sliding actuator 240 move forward.

[0116] At this time, the guide hinge portion 222 at the front end of the sliding link 220 moves forward along the guide hole 262, while the rear end of the sliding link 220 rotates clockwise. In addition, the prone link 210 rotates counterclockwise, causing the seat cushion 200 to move downward.

[0117] Subsequently, the seat backrest 300 tilts forward through the operation of the tilt actuator unit 320, so that the seat backrest is completely folded onto the seat cushion, thereby changing the seat posture to a prone position.

[0118] Figure 7A , Figure 7B , Figure 7C and Figure 7D This is an exemplary view showing the operation of a multi-posture chair according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the posture of the chair changes from a normal sitting posture to a plank posture.

[0119] When through Figure 7A When the normal seating posture is activated, the height drive unit 130 is activated, causing the rear link 124 to rotate counterclockwise. The rear link 124 and the front link 122 rotate counterclockwise via a four-bar linkage, and the base frame 100 also rotates counterclockwise and moves upwards. Figure 7B As shown.

[0120] Subsequently, when the tilt actuator 270 is moved forward and upward by activating the tilt actuator 280, the sliding link 220 rotates counterclockwise, and the rear end of the seat cushion 200 moves upward, as... Figure 7C As shown.

[0121] Subsequently, by activating the tilt drive unit 320, the seat backrest frame 300 is tilted backward to fully fold the seat backrest in the rearward direction of the seat cushion, thereby changing the seat posture to a flat posture.

[0122] Figure 8A , Figure 8B and Figure 8C This is an exemplary view showing the operation of a multi-posture chair according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein the posture of the chair changes from a normal sitting posture to a relaxed posture.

[0123] When the tilting actuator 270 passes through Figure 8A When the tilt drive unit 280 is activated and the seat cushion 200 moves backward and downward in the normal seating posture shown, the sliding link 220 rotates clockwise, and the rear end of the seat cushion 200 moves downward, as shown. Figure 8B As shown.

[0124] Subsequently, by activating the tilt drive unit 320, the seat backrest frame 300 is tilted backward to a predetermined angle, and the seat back is folded to a certain angle, so that the passenger leans back on the seat at an angle, thereby changing the seat posture to a relaxed posture.

[0125] As can be clearly seen from the above description, various aspects of the present invention aim to provide a multi-posture seat configured to not only achieve a prone position with the seat back folded forward for horizontal positioning and a flat position with the seat back folded backward for parallel to the seat cushion, but also a relaxed position obtained by adjusting the angle of the seat back. The posture of the seat can be changed in various ways, thereby maximizing the space availability in the passenger cabin.

[0126] For ease of interpretation and precise definition of the appended claims, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “inner,” “outer,” “up,” “lower,” “upward,” “downward,” “front,” “back,” “rear,” “inner,” “outer,” “inward,” “outer,” “inner,” “outer,” “inner,” “outer,” “forward,” “backward,” etc., are used to describe features of exemplary embodiments with reference to the posture of these features shown in the accompanying drawings. It will be further understood that the term “connection” or its derivatives refer to both direct and indirect connections.

[0127] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the invention has been given for purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the exact forms disclosed, and many modifications and variations will be apparent from the foregoing teachings. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described to explain certain principles of the invention and its practical application, so that others skilled in the art can utilize the various exemplary embodiments of the invention, as well as their various alternatives and modifications. The scope of the invention is intended to be defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A multi-posture chair, comprising: A base frame and a seat cushion frame, the seat cushion frame being located above the base frame and connected to the base frame via a linkage mechanism; A height component is configured to move the chassis mounted on the vehicle body; The sliding component is configured to move the seat frame up and down via a sliding operation in the front-to-back direction through the linkage mechanism; The tilting component is configured to move the rear end of the seat cushion frame up and down; The seat backrest frame is hinged to the rear end of the base frame to tilt; A skirt frame is rotatably attached to the lower end of the seat back frame to rotate about a skirt hinge axis; A side frame is formed on the front surface of the seat back frame, with its lower end extending toward the front surface of the skirt frame to restrict the rotation of the skirt frame when the seat back frame is folded forward; as well as An elastic member is configured to provide an elastic force to cause the end of the skirt frame to rotate toward the side frame.

2. The multi-posture seat according to claim 1, wherein, The height component includes: Leg supports installed on the floor of the passenger compartment; A height linkage is arranged between the leg frame and the base frame, and is connected to it via a four-bar linkage. The height drive unit is configured to provide driving force; and The gear meshing structure is configured to transmit the driving force provided by the height drive unit to the height linkage to rotate the height linkage.

3. The multi-posture seat according to claim 2, further comprising: A drive gear is mounted on the output shaft of the height drive unit; as well as The driven gear is positioned at a predetermined radial distance from the hinge axis of the height link to mesh with the drive gear.

4. The multi-posture seat according to claim 3, wherein, The drive gear is located on the base frame, and the driven gear is formed around the hinge axis of the height link coupled to the base frame.

5. The multi-posture seat according to claim 3, further comprising: A sector-shaped stop hole, the center of which is located at the hinge shaft, wherein the stop hole is formed between the hinge shaft of the height link and the driven gear; as well as A stop is arranged in the stop hole to limit the rotation angle of the height link.

6. The multi-posture seat according to claim 1, wherein, The sliding component includes: The sliding drive unit is configured to provide driving force; A prone connecting rod, the first and second ends of which are respectively connected to the front ends of the seat frame and the base frame; and A sliding linkage unit, the front end of which is connected to the sliding drive unit, and the rear end of which is rotatably connected to the rear end of the seat frame, so as to slide together with the seat frame in the front-back direction by the driving force of the sliding drive unit.

7. The multi-posture seat according to claim 6, wherein, The sliding link unit includes: A sliding link is rotatably connected to the seat frame at its rear end; A sliding bracket, rotatably connected at its front end to the front end of the sliding link; and A sliding actuator rod is connected at its front end to the sliding drive unit to provide driving force, and at its rear end to the rear end of the sliding bracket.

8. The multi-posture seat according to claim 7, wherein, The sliding drive unit and the sliding actuator are connected to each other through a ball screw structure, so that the rotational driving force of the sliding drive unit is converted into the linear motion of the sliding actuator.

9. The multi-posture seat according to claim 7, further comprising a sliding guide rail, the sliding guide rail being coupled to the base frame and having a guide hole extending in the sliding direction of the sliding linkage unit. in, A guide hinge portion is arranged in the guide hole and moves in the guide hole in the front-back direction, wherein the front end of the sliding link and the front end of the sliding bracket are connected to the guide hinge portion.

10. The multi-posture seat according to claim 1, wherein, The tilting component includes: The tilt drive unit is configured to provide driving force; and A tilt actuator is connected to the rear end of the seat frame and the tilt drive unit, and moves linearly in the front-back direction using the driving force of the tilt drive unit to move the rear end of the seat frame up or down.

11. The multi-posture seat according to claim 10, wherein, The tilt drive unit and the tilt actuator are connected to each other via a ball screw structure, so that the rotational driving force provided by the tilt drive unit is converted into linear motion of the tilt actuator.

12. The multi-posture seat according to claim 10, wherein, The rear end of the tilt drive unit is hinged to the base frame, so that the tilt actuator rod and the front end of the tilt drive unit rotate up and down together around the rear end of the tilt drive unit.

13. The multi-posture seat according to claim 1, wherein, The seat cushion frame is rotated forward and downward by the operation of the sliding component, and the seat back frame is folded forward completely by the tilting operation, thereby achieving a prone position with the rear surface of the seat back horizontal.

14. The multi-posture seat according to claim 1, wherein, The base frame is rotated and moved upward by operating the height component, the rear end of the seat cushion frame is moved upward by operating the tilt component, and the seat back frame is folded completely backward by tilting, thereby achieving a flat position where the upper surface of the seat cushion and the front surface of the seat back are flush with each other in a horizontal state.

15. The multi-posture seat according to claim 1, wherein, The rear end of the seat cushion frame moves downward by operating the tilting component, and the seat back frame folds backward within a predetermined angle range by tilting, thereby achieving a relaxed posture for the multi-posture seat.

16. The multi-posture seat of claim 14, further comprising a controller configured to perform control to determine, based on the current gear position and the posture of a passenger sitting in the multi-posture seat, whether to allow the multi-posture seat to transition from or into the plank posture.

17. The multi-posture seat according to claim 16, wherein, The controller is electrically connected to the height component, the sliding component, and the tilt component, and the controller is configured to control at least one of the height component, the sliding component, and the tilt component to allow the posture of the multi-posture seat to be converted to the flat posture only when the vehicle is in "P" gear.

18. The multi-posture seat according to claim 16, wherein, The controller is configured to perform control to allow the driver to select the vehicle's "D" gear when the multi-position seat changes from the flat position to a normal sitting position.

19. The control method for a multi-posture seat according to claim 1, the method comprising the following steps: A controller electrically connected to the height component, the sliding component, and the tilt component determines whether the multi-posture seat is allowed to transition from a plank position or to a plank position, based on the current gear position and the posture of the passenger sitting in the multi-posture seat. as well as The controller allows the multi-position seat to be converted to the plank position only when the vehicle is in "P" gear. as well as When the multi-position seat changes from the flat position to the normal sitting position, the controller allows the driver to select the vehicle's "D" gear.

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