Improved seat assembly and vehicle comprising such seat assembly

Abstract

A rear seat assembly (6) of a vehicle (1) is provided with a seat (11) and a backrest (12) between an interior space (3) and a trunk (8). The rear seat assembly (6) includes a seat (10; 100) suitable for transporting a child, which is carried by the rear seat assembly (6). The rear seat assembly (6) is configured to present a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the seat (10; 100) is housed in the trunk (8) and the seat (11) and backrest (12) are freely usable. In the second configuration, the backrest (12) is movable to allow the seat (10; 100) to be pulled out of the trunk (8) for transporting a child.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This patent application claims priority to Italian patent application 102020000020821, filed on September 1, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates to a seat assembly for a vehicle, and more particularly to a seat assembly for a vehicle suitable for transporting children and complying with current regulations concerning the transport of children. Background Technology

[0004] As is well known, child car seat systems are designed to allow for the safe transport of children in road vehicles in the event of an accident.

[0005] In fact, the seat positions and seat belts used by adults cannot be used to protect children because, in an accident, children are ejected from the vehicle in a different way than adults due to their weight and / or height, and this can be more dangerous.

[0006] For this purpose, it is well known that child car seats need to be secured to vehicle seats and configured to safely accommodate children in the vehicle.

[0007] Specifically, according to the recent UN ECE R129 regulations, there are three different types of car seats specifically designed for different height ranges: • Type A car seats are suitable for transporting children who are 0 to 76-83 cm tall; • Type B car seats are suitable for transporting children between 76-83 cm and 105 cm tall; and • “C” type car seat, suitable for transporting children 105cm to 150cm tall.

[0008] Each type of car seat also needs to be equipped with a lateral support device, and if it is a Type A or Type B car seat, it also needs to be equipped with a special seat belt.

[0009] Therefore, as children grow, three different types of car seats must be purchased, and these car seats must be installed / removed from the seats and placed / taken out of the trunk when needed.

[0010] Therefore, families with children must bear a considerable expense because these car seats and the continuous installation / removal operations, as well as storing the car seats in the trunk, are time-consuming and complex, and can be dangerous if not performed correctly.

[0011] Examples of known solutions are shown in documents DE4140637 C1, US5035465 A, US2011 / 043014 A1, or US2009 / 051188 A1, although these solutions are insufficient to solve the problem described above.

[0012] Therefore, existing car seats must be improved to allow the transport of children while meeting all the requirements of current regulations and reducing costs and the complexity of the operations that users must perform to install current car seats.

[0013] The purpose of this invention is to meet the above-mentioned needs. Summary of the Invention

[0014] The aforementioned objective is achieved by the rear seat assembly described in this application and the vehicle including the rear seat assembly. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The invention will be better understood by referring to the accompanying drawings and by reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments provided by way of non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 The preceding view shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the seat assembly according to the present invention, with some parts removed for clarity; Figure 2 It is shown in the back. Figure 1 A perspective view of the seat assembly, with some parts removed for better clarity; Figures 3 to 6 yes Figure 1 A schematic side view of the seat assembly under different operating conditions; Figure 7 and Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing different operating steps of the seat assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention, with some parts removed for clarity; Figure 9 This illustrates another configuration of the seat assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 8 Perspective view; Figures 10 to 12 yes Figure 7 and Figure 8 A schematic side view of the seat assembly under different operating conditions; and Figure 13 yes Figure 8 An enlarged perspective view of a portion of the seat assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0016] In the accompanying drawings, the number 1 generally represents a road vehicle used for passenger transport, the so-called "bus", which is known to include multiple walls 2 that define the interior space 3.

[0017] As is well known, the vehicle houses an instrument panel 4 and multiple seat assemblies 5, 6 (e.g., front seat assembly 5 and rear seat assembly 6) in the interior space 3.

[0018] As shown in the attached figures, the plurality of seat assemblies 5 and 6 are supported by the bottom 7 of the vehicle, and the plurality of front seat assemblies 5 are arranged between the dashboard 4 and the plurality of rear seat assemblies 6 along the driving direction of the vehicle 1, while the plurality of rear seat assemblies 6 are arranged between the plurality of front seat assemblies 5 and the trunk 8 along the driving direction of the vehicle 1.

[0019] Specifically, the trunk 8 is part of the interior space 3 defined by a cover 9, which is typically removably supported between multiple rear seat components 6 and the wall 2 of the vehicle 1.

[0020] As is well known, each seat assembly includes a seat 11 fixed to the bottom 7 of the vehicle and a backrest 12 typically movably connected to the seat 11. For the reasons described above, the cover 9 is detachably supported between the wall 2 of the vehicle 1 and the upper part of the backrest 12.

[0021] According to the invention, at least one of the plurality of rear seat assemblies 6 includes a child seat 10 housed within a trunk 8 and movably connected relative to the seat assembly 6. The seat 6 is configured to present a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the seat 10 is housed within the trunk 8, and the seat 11 and backrest 12 are freely usable. In the second configuration, the backrest 12 is movable to allow the seat 10 to be pulled out of the trunk 8 for transporting a child. according to Figures 1 to 6 In the first embodiment, the seat assembly 6 is provided with an A-type seat 10, which is suitable for transporting children from 0cm to 76-83cm.

[0022] according to Figure 1 and 2 In this embodiment, the seat 10 is supported by the backrest 12 of the corresponding seat assembly 6 and is oriented to have opposite support relative to the backrest 12.

[0023] In this embodiment, the seat 11 is supported by the bottom 7 via a hinge device 13, which is configured to allow the seat 11 to rotate about an axis A perpendicular to the vehicle's direction of travel, and is arranged near the front edge of the seat 11, i.e., on the opposite side relative to the backrest 12. Figure 3 The hinge device 13 allows the seat 11 to switch from a first closed and normal configuration that allows passengers to sit to a second flip configuration in which the seat 11 contacts the front seat assembly 5 located in front of the rear seat assembly 6 provided with the seat 10 according to the invention.

[0024] In this embodiment, the backrest 12 is slidably supported by the bottom 7, thus presenting a first retracted configuration allowing the passenger to sit and a second open and flip-up configuration where the backrest 12 is closer to the front seat assembly 5. Furthermore, the backrest 12 is connected to the bottom 7 via hinge devices 14, which are designed to allow the seat 11 to rotate about an axis B parallel to axis A and to be slidably supported on the bottom 7. Due to these hinge devices 14, the backrest 12 can rotate such that when in the second configuration, the backrest tilts, thereby contacting the backrest of the front seat assembly 5 in front of the seat assembly 6 on which the seat 10 according to this embodiment is located.

[0025] Specifically, the hinge device 14 is slidably supported on a linear guide 15, which is operably located between the backrest 12 and the bottom 7, and is configured to allow the backrest to move between the aforementioned first and second configurations.

[0026] according to Figure 6 Seat 10 is configured to rotate about axis C, which is known to be around a support fixed to seat 12.

[0027] The seat assembly 6 according to this configuration also includes a panel 16 connected to the bottom 7, housed in the trunk 8, and configured to present a first configuration and a second operating configuration. In the first configuration, the panel is located below the seat 10 in the trunk 8. In the second operating configuration, once the backrest 12 has been moved to its second configuration, the panel engages with a cover 9 to define the trunk 8.

[0028] Specifically, panel 16 is configured to rotate about axis D, which is parallel to axes A and B, and is defined by a hinge device 17 obtained between the front edge and bottom 7 of panel 16. In the case described herein, the hinge device 17 is obtained from one end of a linear guide 15. On the opposite side, panel 16 is configured to detachably engage with cover 9, for example, via a mechanical coupling.

[0029] Preferably, the seat 10 is movably coupled to the backrest 12 along an extension of the backrest due to the sliding device 18 (e.g., a linear guide operably located between the seat 10 and the backrest 12).

[0030] The movement of the backrest between the first and second configurations or the movement of the seat 10 relative to the backrest 12 can be manually operated or controlled by a specific actuation device (not shown), such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or an electromechanical device controlled by the vehicle's electronic unit.

[0031] After being moved, the backrest 12 remains in its position due to a known locking device not shown herein. Furthermore, the standard seatbelt of vehicle 1 can be used to further securely hold the backrest 12 in the reclined position. On the other hand, the seat 10 is equipped with its own seatbelt suitable for this purpose.

[0032] The vehicle 1 advantageously includes an image acquisition device 20, such as a camera, which is supported by a wall 2 and configured to frame the field of view including the seat 10.

[0033] Therefore, vehicle 1 includes a display device 21, such as a screen, which is carried by, for example, the dashboard 4 and electrically connected to the image acquisition device 20, for example, by wires or electromagnetic means, so as to allow the display of images of seat 10.

[0034] refer to Figures 3 to 6 The above-described embodiment of seat assembly 6 operates as follows.

[0035] If the user wants to move from the standard passenger transport status (i.e. from...) Figure 1 and Figure 2 The configuration is switched to child transport status (i.e., switched to child transport status). Figure 6 (Configuration), you can perform the following operations (manually or automatically via a button).

[0036] First, seat 11 needs to be flipped over ( Figure 3 The seat 10 is positioned so that it rests against the front seat assembly 5. The backrest 12 can then be released, moved, and rotated until it contacts the front seat assembly 5. Once in this position, the backrest 12 can be locked, the height of the seat 10 relative to the backrest can be adjusted, and the seatbelt can be wrapped around the backrest 12 as a further safety measure.

[0037] When transporting children, the presence of the image acquisition device 20 and the display 21 allows the vehicle driver / other passenger sitting in the front seat assembly 5 to check the status of the child housed in the seat 10 without having to turn their head and look away from the road.

[0038] according to Figures 7 to 13 In the second embodiment, the seat assembly 6 is provided with a type B and / or type C seat 100, which is suitable for transporting children taller than 76-83cm.

[0039] In this embodiment, according to Figure 10The seat 100 is supported by a bottom 7 behind the corresponding seat assembly 6 and is oriented to define support for the child in the same direction as defined by the backrest 12 of the adult passenger. Specifically, the seat 100 is fixed to a wall 30 that is slidably supported relative to the bottom 7. Specifically, the wall 30 is supported by the bottom 7 via a linear guide 31 operably positioned between the wall 30 and the bottom 17.

[0040] In this embodiment, the seat 11 is fixedly supported by the bottom 7, while the backrest 12 includes two parts 12a and 12b, which are movably connected around the frame 12c. Figure 13 As can be seen more clearly, and configured to rotate about the respective axis of rotation E. Thus, the portions 12a, 12b are advantageously connected to the aforementioned element by hinges 32 obtained at their side edge.

[0041] Advantageously, portions 12a and 12b are symmetrical to each other with respect to the sagittal axis of the backrest 12, and, taking into account the aforementioned hinge connection 32, define according to Figure 10 First shutdown configuration and according to Figure 7 In the second opening configuration, in the first closed configuration, portions 12a, 12b contact the edge opposite to the edge connected by hinge 32 and allow the passenger to be seated. In the second opening configuration, portions 12a, 12b open and allow insertion of seat 100 as described below.

[0042] The movement and locking of parts 12a and 12b can be operated manually or controlled by a specific actuation device (not shown), such as a hydraulic cylinder, a pneumatic cylinder, or an electromechanical device controlled by the vehicle's electronic unit.

[0043] As explained above, seat 100 can move along linear guide rail 31 to present a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the seat is fully accommodated in the trunk 8. In the second configuration, the seat is placed on seat 11 in the free space left by the opening of portions 12a and 12b.

[0044] In particular, such as Figure 8 and 9 As clearly visible in the image, the seat 100 includes a seat 101 and a headrest 102. The seat 101 is supported by a wall 30 and is configured to be laterally contained between portions 12a and 12b. The headrest 102 is slidably supported by the wall 30 and includes an outer portion 102a and an inner portion 102b.

[0045] like Figure 8 and 9 As shown, the headrest 102 is configured to move vertically relative to the seat 101, for example, due to a linear guide (not shown) obtained between the wall 30 and the outer side 102a of the headrest 102.

[0046] Furthermore, the seat 101 can be selectively removed from the wall 30, for example, by means of a threaded element or a detachable mechanical coupling not shown herein, and the interior 102b is configured to separate from the exterior 102a of the headrest 102 in order to switch from a “B” configuration to a “C” configuration.

[0047] Specifically, in the "B" configuration, seat 101 rests on seat 11 and defines a lateral support designed to hold the child in a proper position, while in the "C" configuration, the child can be placed directly on seat 11, and portions 12a and 12b of the backrest 12 define lateral supports to hold the child in a proper position. Therefore, the wall portion 30 facing portions 12a and 12b is covered with a soft material to allow the child to lean his / her back against it.

[0048] Because the headrest 102 can move vertically, the head can be adjusted to the current height of the child to be transported in two configurations.

[0049] according to Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the "B" configuration, the removable seat 101 is equipped with a dedicated seat belt, and according to Figure 9 The "C" configuration does not have seat belts because the standard seat belts already in the vehicle can be used.

[0050] according to Figure 13 The wall 30 can be selectively secured to the frame 12c by a locking device 33, which is configured to selectively secure the wall 30 to the frame 12c, thus allowing the seat 100 to remain stable.

[0051] Specifically, according to this embodiment, the locking device 33 is an electromechanical device and includes an electric actuator 34 configured to allow a pair of pins 35 to be inserted into the corresponding seat (not shown) obtained in the frame 12c.

[0052] Preferably, the electric actuator 34 controls the pin 35 via a lever mechanism 36, which includes: a pair of triangular supports 37 hinged to the wall 36 at one vertex; and a plurality of rods 38 that connect the electric actuator 34, the supports 37 and the pin 35 to each other.

[0053] refer to Figures 10 to 13 The above-described embodiment of seat assembly 1 operates as follows.

[0054] If a user wants to switch from standard passenger transport to child transport, i.e., switch to Figure 8 With configuration 9, the following operations can be performed (manually or automatically via a button).

[0055] First, the headrest needs to be removed, and seat 11 needs to be flipped up. Figure 10 This allows the portions 12a and 12b of the seat 12 to be released and rotated, thereby allowing them to reach their second configuration ( Figure 11 At this point, the seat 100 can be moved until the wall 30 is locked within the frame 12c, that is, in the case described herein, until the pin 35 becomes integral with the frame 12c.

[0056] Seat 100 can now be used, and the position of headrest 102 can be adjusted according to the child's height. If the user needs to switch from Type B to Type C configuration, it is sufficient to remove the interior 102a of seat 101 and headrest 102. In the case of a Type B seat, the child can be secured to seat 100 using a specific safety belt included in seat 101, while in the Type C configuration, a standard safety belt can be used.

[0057] The aforementioned seats 10 and 100 can be clearly configured to have two seats and include one or more sensors electrically connected to an electronic control unit (e.g., the vehicle's ECU) to provide support information.

[0058] The electronic unit is electrically connected to the sensor and is configured to warn the driver, and / or the rescue network, and / or disable the vehicle's functions upon detecting a specific predetermined size indicating a dangerous situation for a child housed in a car seat.

[0059] An example of the first sensor could be a weight sensor that detects or does not detect the presence of a child. In this case, the electronic unit is configured to alert the vehicle driver of his / her presence if he / she wants to change the seat configuration or close the door (to prevent abandonment) and / or avoid such actions.

[0060] A second sensor example could be an acceleration sensor configured to detect impacts to a car seat. In this case, the electronic unit is configured to send automated rescue messages to public facilities such as aid stations or police stations.

[0061] For the reasons described above, the advantages of the seat assembly 6 according to the present invention are obvious.

[0062] Due to the specific arrangement of the seat assembly 6 with car seats 10 and 100, the conversion from a passenger seat to a seat with a child car seat can be automatic or become very simple and reliable.

[0063] Furthermore, parents no longer need to purchase three different types of car seats, but only two, as the change from a Type B to a Type C configuration can be achieved simply by removing some components from a Type B car seat. All three types of car seats have apparently passed type approval to meet the requirements of currently implemented regulations.

[0064] The integration of car seats 10 and 100 into the backrest 12 of seat assembly 6 further saves space in the trunk.

[0065] In addition, the presence of cameras and monitors allows parents to easily monitor their children when using Type A car seats.

[0066] Finally, the seat assembly 6 according to the invention can be varied and modified, but such variations and modifications do not exceed the scope of protection set forth in the appended claims.

[0067] For example, the number, shape, and type of seats in vehicle 1, as well as the type of vehicle 1, can be significantly different.

[0068] Furthermore, the actuator devices described herein and the motions shown herein are merely examples of possible embodiments.

[0069] In addition to the basic elements claimed herein, other different elements may also be included.

Claims

1. A rear seat assembly of a vehicle, said rear seat assembly comprising a seat and a backrest interposed between an interior space and a trunk of said vehicle, said rear seat assembly comprising a child seat adapted to transport a child, said child seat being carried by said rear seat assembly, said rear seat assembly being configured to assume a first configuration in which said child seat is housed within said trunk and said seat and said backrest are freely available, and a second configuration in which said backrest is moved to allow said child seat to be pulled out of said trunk and used to transport a child, characterized in that, The child seat is supported by the backrest and is configured to flip relative to its front edge, transitioning from a first closed configuration to a second open configuration. In the second open configuration, the seat contacts the front seat assembly of the vehicle, and the backrest is configured to slide and tilt relative to the bottom of the vehicle to transition from a first retracted configuration to a second open and flip configuration. In the second open and flip configuration, the backrest contacts and locks in rotation with the front seat assembly, and the child seat is away from the front seat assembly.

2. The rear seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The child seat is supported by the backrest in a manner that allows it to slide relative to its length.

3. The rear seat assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The seat is hinged to the bottom.

4. The rear seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The backrest is connected to a linear guide that slides relative to the bottom via a hinge mechanism, the hinge mechanism being configured to allow the backrest to rotate relative to the linear guide.

5. The rear seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising a wall connected to the rear seat assembly and configured to present a first open configuration and a second operational configuration, wherein in the first open configuration the wall contacts the bottom within the trunk, and in the second operational configuration the wall is coupled to elements of the vehicle to define the trunk when the backrest is in the second configuration.

6. A rear seat assembly for a vehicle, the rear seat assembly including a seat and a backrest located between an interior space and a trunk of the vehicle, the rear seat assembly including a child seat suitable for transporting a child, the child seat being carried by the rear seat assembly, the rear seat assembly being configured to present a first configuration and a second configuration, in the first configuration the child seat is accommodated within the trunk and the seat and the backrest are freely usable, in the second configuration the backrest is movable to allow the child seat to be pulled out from the trunk for transporting a child, characterized in that... The backrest includes a pair of portions supported by a frame fixed to the vehicle, the pair of portions rotating about a respective axis of rotation, the pair of portions being configured to present a first closed configuration and a second open configuration, the rear seat assembly including a child seat slidably supported relative to the bottom and configured to present a first configuration and a second configuration, in the first configuration the seat is housed within the trunk, and in the second configuration the seat is located between the pair of portions.

7. The rear seat assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The child seat includes a wall that slides relative to the bottom, a seat supported by the wall and sized to be accommodated between the pair of parts and located above the seat, and a headrest supported by the wall in a movable manner.

8. The rear seat assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The wall can be slidably supported on the bottom via linear guide rails.

9. The rear seat assembly according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The child seat can be selectively removed from the wall.

10. The rear seat assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The headrest of the child seat includes an outer portion housed between the pair of portions and slidably supported by the wall, and an inner portion supported in a manner that allows selective removal from the outer portion.

11. The rear seat assembly according to claim 7, wherein, The rear seat assembly includes a locking device configured to selectively lock the wall to the frame.

12. The rear seat assembly of claim 6, comprising at least one of the following: An actuator device configured to allow automatic movement of the seat and backrest of the rear seat assembly; A sensor device configured to detect the presence of a child accommodated in the child seat; and / or A sensor device configured to detect impacts from the child seat.

13. A vehicle comprising at least one rear seat assembly according to any one of the preceding claims.

14. The vehicle according to claim 13, comprising: An image acquisition device configured to acquire a field of view including a child seat; And a display device electrically connected to the image acquisition device and configured to allow visualization of the field of view acquired by a passenger housed in the front seat assembly of the vehicle.

15. The vehicle of claim 13, comprising an electronic unit electrically connected to a sensor and configured to warn the driver and / or alert a rescue network and / or disable the vehicle's functions upon detecting a specific predetermined size indicating a dangerous condition of a child housed in a car seat.

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