Vehicle seats

Abstract

A vehicle seat is provided, which includes a passenger seat occupied by a passenger, an independent seat positioned behind the passenger seat and operated independently of the rear seats, and a slide rail provided on a vehicle floor along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the passenger seat and the independent seat being connected in the slide rail so as to allow independent sliding.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a vehicle seat. Background Art

[0002] Typically, a vehicle seat is provided to adjust the inclination of a seat back, the position of the seat, and the height of the seat to accommodate different body types of drivers or passengers in the vehicle.

[0003] Infants or children under 6 years old can ride in the vehicle. For safety reasons, infants or children sit in a car seat that is installed separately on the seat. In particular, the car seat is usually installed in the rear seat behind the driver's seat and the passenger seat. The driver is forced to pay attention to the infant or child in the rear car seat, which distracts the driver's attention from the front and rear of the vehicle, increasing the danger while driving.

[0004] Therefore, there is a need for a vehicle seat that provides better stability for caring for an infant or child.

[0005] It should be understood that the above description of the background art is only for promoting understanding of the background of the present disclosure, and should not be construed as admitting that the prior art is already known to those skilled in the art. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure takes into consideration the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and the present disclosure aims to provide a vehicle seat that allows a driver to stably take care of an infant or a child.

[0007] To achieve this objective, the vehicle seat according to the present disclosure includes: a passenger seat; an independent seat, which is positioned behind the passenger seat and operates independently of the rear seats; and a slide rail, which is arranged on the vehicle floor along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, wherein the passenger seat and each of the independent seats are connected to the slide rail so as to slide independently on the slide rail.

[0008] The vehicle seat may include: a switch configured to cause the passenger seat or at least one of the independent seats to slide; and a controller configured to control the passenger seat or at least one of the independent seats to cause the passenger seat or at least one of the independent seats to slide or to inquire whether to slide the passenger seat or at least one of the independent seats based on at least one of the following factors: operation of the switch; weight detected from the passenger seat or the independent seat; or detection of a crying sound of an infant or child in the vehicle.

[0009] The controller may slide the passenger seat and the independent seat rearwardly in response to detecting the presence of the infant or child in the passenger seat.

[0010] The controller may deactivate a passenger air bag or inquire whether to deactivate the passenger air bag in response to detecting the presence of the infant or child in the passenger seat.

[0011] The controller may slide the passenger seat and the independent seat forward in response to detecting the presence of the infant or child in the independent seat.

[0012] The passenger seat and the independent seat may be positioned a distance apart.

[0013] The controller may activate a curtain air bag or inquire whether to activate the curtain air bag in response to detecting the presence of the infant or child in the passenger seat or the independent seat.

[0014] An AVN system may be further included. The controller may inquire whether to slide the passenger seat or the independent seat via the AVN system in response to detecting that the infant or child is present in the passenger seat or the independent seat.

[0015] According to the vehicle seat of the present disclosure, the driver can adjust the position of the passenger seat or the independent seat to stably take care of the baby or child. Adjusting the position of the passenger seat or the independent seat allows the space in the vehicle to be effectively utilized. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 1 is a layout diagram of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 2 The positions of the passenger seat and the independent seat corresponding to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure are shown.

[0018] Figure 3 The positions of the passenger seat and the independent seat corresponding to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure are shown.

[0019] Figure 4 The positions of the passenger seat and the independent seat corresponding to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure are shown.

[0020] Figure 5 The diagram shows a front view and a side view of a switch provided in a vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Hereinafter, the embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The same or similar constituent elements are given the same reference numerals regardless of the reference numerals, and their repeated descriptions will be omitted.

[0022] In the description of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, when it is determined that the specific description of the known related technology may obscure the subject matter of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, the specific description will be omitted. In addition, it should be understood that the drawings are provided only to make it easy for those skilled in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical spirit disclosed in this specification is not limited by the drawings, and includes all changes, equivalents and substitutions included in the spirit and technical scope of this disclosure.

[0023] Terms including ordinal numbers such as "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various constituent elements, but the constituent elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one constituent element from another constituent element.

[0024] A singular expression includes a plural expression unless clearly described as having a different meaning in the context.

[0025] In this specification, it should be understood that the terms "comprises", "includes", "including", "contains", "has" or other variations thereof are inclusive, and thus specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0026] When a component is described as being "coupled" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the component can be directly coupled or connected to the other component, and there may be intermediate components between the components. On the other hand, when a component is described as being "directly coupled" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

[0027] The controller may include a communication device configured to communicate with another control unit or sensor to control the corresponding function, a memory configured to store an operating system, logic instructions and input / output information, and one or more processors configured to perform determinations, calculations, decisions, etc. required to control the corresponding function.

[0028] Figure 1 is a layout diagram of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 , the interior of the vehicle includes a driver's seat 100 occupied by a driver, a passenger seat 200 located next to the driver's seat, and a rear seat 300 located behind both the driver's seat 100 and the passenger seat 200. In the rear seat 300, an independent seat 350 may be provided at the rear of the passenger seat 200, and operated independently of the rear seat 300.

[0029] The driver's seat 100 and the passenger's seat 200 are both coupled to the slide rails 530 and 550 provided on the vehicle floor in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The driver's seat and the passenger's seat, which are respectively coupled to the slide rails 530 and 550, slide on the slide rails 530 and 550 through seat adjustment of the driver and the passenger, allowing the passenger to adjust the seat position to suit their body.

[0030] The rear seat 300 is usually fixed to the floor of the vehicle. According to the present disclosure, in the rear seat 300, the rear seat behind the passenger seat 200 is equipped with an independently operable independent seat 350. Specifically, the slide rail 550 to which the passenger seat 200 is connected extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, so that the independent seat 350 is also connected to the slide rail 550.

[0031] Therefore, the occupant of the vehicle can adjust the positions of the passenger seat 200 and the independent seat 350 on the slide rail 550. The positions of the passenger seat 200 and the independent seat 350 can be arbitrarily adjusted. An embodiment of adjusting the positions of the passenger seat 200 and the independent seat 350 will be described below.

[0032] Implementation Method 1

[0033] Figure 2 The positions of the passenger seat and the independent seat are shown corresponding to Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure. In Embodiment 1, the passenger seat 200 and the independent seat 350 are positioned as close to the front as possible. Positioning the passenger seat 200 and the independent seat 350 as far forward as possible allows the rear space to be freed up for the independent seat 350. According to Embodiment 1, the additional freed up space in the vehicle can be utilized in various ways.

[0034] Implementation Method 2

[0035] Figure 3 The positions of the passenger seat and the independent seat corresponding to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure are shown. In Embodiment 2, the passenger seat 200 is positioned as close to the front as possible, and the independent seat 350 is positioned at a certain distance behind the passenger seat 200. The independent seat 350 can be equipped with a car seat for riding infants or children.

[0036] An infant or a child younger than 6 years old may ride in a vehicle with a driver. For safety reasons, the infant or child sits in a car seat installed on the independent seat 350. The driver is forced to pay attention to the infant or child in the car seat installed on the independent seat 350, which distracts the driver's attention to the front and rear, increasing the danger while driving.

[0037] According to Embodiment 2, the independent seat 350 can be positioned closer to the side of the driver's seat, thereby allowing the baby or child to be placed closer to the driver's body. Therefore, the driver's psychological comfort increases as the body distance to the baby or child is closer, resulting in safer driving.

[0038] In addition, as in Embodiment 1, the space behind the independent seat 350 can be utilized. However, according to Embodiment 2, when the car seat is mounted on the independent seat 350, the passenger seat 200 and the independent seat 350 are positioned at a certain distance. This is to protect the baby or child from shock and vibration by preventing direct contact between the passenger seat 200 and the independent seat 350.

[0039] Implementation 3

[0040] Figure 4 The positions of the passenger seat and the independent seat corresponding to Embodiment 3 of the present disclosure are shown. In Embodiment 3, the independent seat 350 is located at the rearmost part, and the passenger seat 200 is located at the rear. The passenger seat 200 is located behind the driver's seat 100, and the passenger seat 200 can be equipped with a car seat for riding infants or children.

[0041] According to Embodiment 3, the baby or child can be placed closer to the driver's body as in Embodiment 2. Therefore, the driver's psychological comfort increases as the distance to the baby or child's body becomes closer, resulting in safer driving.

[0042] Typically, there are cases where the passenger seat 200 has greater operational functionality than the rear seat 300 (e.g., heated seats or ventilated seats are not applied to the rear seats, but only to the driver's seat and the passenger seat), which may result in the car seat being installed on the passenger seat 200 to seat an infant or child. Therefore, when it is necessary to seat a child in the passenger seat 200, the independent seat 350 may be positioned closer to the rear, and the passenger seat 200 may be positioned to the side rear of the driver's seat 100 to utilize the inherent seat function of the passenger seat 200.

[0043] Meanwhile, the instrument panel 600 located in front of the passenger seat 200 may be equipped with a passenger airbag 650 to protect the passenger sitting in the passenger seat 200. Depending on the situation, the driver or the passenger may turn on or off the activation feature of the passenger airbag 650. For example, in the case of Embodiment 1, Embodiment 2, and Embodiment 3, the activation feature of the passenger airbag 650 may be turned off. In Embodiment 1, when no passenger is sitting, the activation feature of the passenger airbag 650 may be turned off. In Embodiment 2 and Embodiment 3, the activation feature of the passenger airbag 650 may be turned off to protect an infant or child sitting in a car seat.

[0044] As will be described later, the on-off of the activation feature of the passenger airbag 650 may be controlled by detecting the presence of a passenger, the presence of a car seat, and the presence of an infant or child.

[0045] A switch 800 may be provided inside the vehicle to slide at least one of the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350, and a controller may be provided to slide at least one of the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 or to inquire whether to slide at least one of the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 based on at least one of the following factors: operation of the switch 800; weight detected from the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350; and detection of a crying sound of an infant or child in the vehicle.

[0046] Figure 5 The diagram shows a front view and a side view of a switch provided in a vehicle.

[0047] The switch 800 may be provided on a central dashboard or a central console inside the vehicle, and the driver may operate the switch and slide at least one of the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 forward and backward. For example, briefly pressing the switch forward may move the passenger seat 200 forward, and briefly pressing the switch backward may move the passenger seat 200 backward. On the other hand, pressing the switch forward for a long time may move the independent seat 350 forward, and pressing the switch backward for a long time may move the independent seat 350 backward.

[0048] The controller may detect the operation of the switch 800 and slide at least one of the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 .

[0049] The controller can slide at least one of the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 or inquire whether to slide at least one of the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 based on at least one of the following factors: operation of a switch; weight detected from the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 in the vehicle; and detection of a crying sound of an infant or child in the vehicle.

[0050] Specifically, the controller can obtain information about the car seat installation and the presence of an infant or child based on the weight detected from the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 in the vehicle, and can automatically slide the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350, or can inquire whether to slide.

[0051] In addition, through the microphone installed in the vehicle, the controller can detect the crying sound of an infant or child. When the crying sound of an infant or child is detected, the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 can slide. When the crying sound of an infant or child is detected, the seat occupied by the infant can slide to the side of the driver's seat 100 so that the driver can pay attention to the infant or child. When the noise decreases, or when less infant movement is detected from the seat, it is determined that the infant or child is sleeping, and the seat occupied by the infant can slide back to the rear.

[0052] Additionally, when it is determined that an infant or child is sleeping, the controller may minimize the volume of audio emanating from the vehicle.

[0053] An audio, video, navigation (AVN) system may also be provided in the vehicle. When it is detected that an infant or child is present in the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350, the controller may inquire through the AVN whether to slide the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350. When the crying sound of an infant or child is detected, the controller may inquire through the AVN system whether to slide the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 to the side of the driver's seat 100. When it is determined that the infant or child is sleeping, the controller may inquire whether to slide the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350 to the rear of the driver's seat.

[0054] When an infant or a child is detected to be present in the passenger seat 200 , the controller may automatically turn off the operation of the passenger airbag 650 or inquire through the AVN system whether to turn off the operation of the passenger airbag 650 .

[0055] The vehicle may also include a curtain airbag 700 to protect passengers from side collisions. When a baby or child is detected to be present in the passenger seat 200 or the independent seat 350, the controller may open the curtain airbag 700 or inquire whether to open the curtain airbag 700, similar to the case of the passenger airbag 650.

[0056] While specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the present disclosure without departing from the technical spirit of the present disclosure defined in the appended claims.

[0057] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0058] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2023-0132779 filed on Oct. 5, 2023, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat, comprising: Passenger seat; an independent seat positioned behind the passenger seat and operable independently of the rear seats; as well as A slide rail is arranged on the vehicle floor along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, Wherein, each of the passenger seat and the independent seat is coupled to the slide rail so as to slide independently on the slide rail.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, further comprising: a switch configured to slide at least one of the passenger seat or the independent seat; as well as a controller configured to control at least one of the passenger seat or the independent seat to slide the at least one of the passenger seat or the independent seat or to inquire whether to slide the at least one of the passenger seat or the independent seat based on at least one of the following factors: operation of the switch; weight detected from the passenger seat or the independent seat; or a crying sound of an infant or child is detected in the vehicle.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, in, The controller slides the passenger seat and the independent seat rearward in response to detecting the presence of the infant or child in the passenger seat.

4. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, in, The controller turns off a passenger air bag or inquires whether to turn off the passenger air bag in response to detecting the presence of the infant or child in the passenger seat.

5. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, in, The controller slides the passenger seat and the independent seat forward in response to detecting the presence of the infant or child in the independent seat.

6. The vehicle seat according to claim 5, in, The passenger seat and the independent seat are positioned at a distance from each other.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, in, The controller activates a curtain air bag or inquires whether to activate the curtain air bag in response to detecting that the infant or child is present in the passenger seat or the independent seat.

8. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, further comprising: AVN system, namely audio, video, navigation system, The controller inquires whether to slide the passenger seat or the independent seat via the AVN system in response to detecting that the infant or child is present in the passenger seat or the independent seat.

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