Rotatable vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention provides a rotatable vehicle seat. The rotatable vehicle seat includes: a seat portion; a pair of lock pins disposed to face each other, each of the lock pins configured to extend in a longitudinal direction of each of the lock pins; an inner plate coupled to the seat portion and configured to accommodate a pair of lock pins therein; an outer plate configured to rotatably accommodate the inner plate, the outer plate including a plurality of lock pin fixing grooves, and one end of each of the lock pins being configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the lock pin fixing grooves; and a lock pin holder provided on the inner plate. The locking pin bracket includes a first end and a second end connected to the pair of locking pins, respectively.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10 - 2023 - 0193478, filed on December 27, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a rotatable vehicle seat. Background art

[0004] Recently, with the development of data communication, processing, and sensor technologies, research and development on autonomous driving of vehicles have been actively carried out. With the development of autonomous driving technology, a vehicle can be transformed from a simple transportation tool into a public space capable of performing various functions.

[0005] For example, when performing autonomous driving, passengers can watch movies inside the vehicle. In addition, artworks can be displayed inside the vehicle, or the vehicle can be used as a café where passengers inside the vehicle can freely talk to each other.

[0006] In particular, in order to perform the above - mentioned functions, it is necessary to develop built - in seats that are configured to be freely movable inside the vehicle to provide various adjustable seating positions and are freely rotatable.

[0007] Generally, a vehicle seat has the function of providing convenience for passengers and stably supporting passengers when the vehicle is running. In particular, when a vehicle collision occurs, the vehicle seat needs to be stably and firmly connected to the vehicle body and the vehicle floor to ensure the safety of passengers.

[0008] Therefore, similarly, in the case of a rotatable seat, the rotation of the rotatable seat needs to be controlled by a locking and unlocking function provided in the seat. In addition, in the locked state of the rotatable seat, it is necessary to ensure sufficient connection rigidity between the vehicle body and the rotatable seat.

[0009] The above - mentioned information disclosed in this background art section is only for deepening the understanding of the background of the present disclosure. Therefore, the above - mentioned information may include information that does not constitute the prior art already known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Summary of the invention

[0010] The present disclosure is directed to solving the above - mentioned problems related to the prior art, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide a rotatable vehicle seat configured to be rotatable inside a vehicle.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides a rotatable vehicle seat, which includes: a seat portion; a pair of locking pins arranged to face each other, each of the locking pins being configured to extend in the longitudinal direction of each of the locking pins; an inner plate coupled to the seat portion and configured to accommodate the pair of locking pins therein; an outer plate configured to rotatably accommodate the inner plate, the outer plate including a plurality of locking pin fixing grooves, and one end of each of the locking pins being configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves; and a locking pin bracket provided on the inner plate, wherein the locking pin bracket includes a first end and a second end, and the first end and the second end are respectively connected to the pair of locking pins.

[0012] In another exemplary embodiment, a guiding protrusion is formed on one surface of each of the locking pins, the guiding protrusion being formed to protrude outward from the inner plate, and a slot hole is formed in the locking pin bracket, each of the slot holes being configured to movably accommodate a corresponding one of the guiding protrusions of the locking pins therein.

[0013] In another exemplary embodiment, a lever rod is provided on the locking pin bracket, and the lever rod is connected to the locking pin bracket and the inner plate and is configured to separate one end of each of the locking pins from a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves based on a release force applied to the lever rod.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment, a shaft is provided at the rotation center of the inner plate, and the shaft connects the inner plate to the locking pin bracket and the lever rod.

[0015] In another exemplary embodiment, when the lever rod rotates by a release force, each of the guiding protrusions of the locking pins is configured to move toward the center of the locking pin bracket along a corresponding one of the slot holes, thereby separating one end of each of the locking pins from a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves.

[0016] In another exemplary embodiment, when one end of each of the locking pins is separated from a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves by a release force applied to the lever rod, the inner plate and the seat portion are configured to enter a rotatable state.

[0017] In another exemplary embodiment, in the case where the inner plate rotates as the seat portion rotates, when any one of the locking pins accommodated in the inner plate is inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of locking pin fixing grooves, the inner plate is configured to be fixed.

[0018] In another exemplary embodiment, the inner plate and the locking pin bracket are interconnected by a torsion spring.

[0019] In another exemplary embodiment, a pair of torsion springs is provided, each of the torsion springs including one end and the other end, and the other end of each of the torsion springs is respectively connected to the first end and the second end of the locking pin bracket.

[0020] In another exemplary embodiment, a guiding portion is provided on the inner side of the outer plate. The guiding portion is formed at a position adjacent to the locking pin fixing groove, and each of the guiding portions is formed on the outer plate at a depth different from that of the corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves, and each of the guiding portions and the corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves are arranged in a stepped manner.

[0021] In another exemplary embodiment, each of the locking pins has an end opposite to one end, and the inner plate can be rotated to a state where one end of each of the locking pins is separated from the corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves, and the other end of each of the locking pins is configured to contact the corresponding one of the guiding portions.

[0022] In another exemplary embodiment, each of the locking pins has an end opposite to one end, and when the other end of each of the locking pins contacts the corresponding one of the guiding portions by continuously rotating the inner plate, each of the locking pins is configured to move in a direction away from the corresponding one of the guiding portions through the corresponding one of the guiding portions, so that one end of each of the locking pins is inserted into the corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves.

[0023] In another exemplary embodiment, each of the locking pins includes an end opposite to one end, the other end of each of the locking pins is formed to correspond in depth to the corresponding one of the guiding portions, and by rotating the inner plate so that one end of each of the locking pins is inserted into the corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves, one end of each of the locking pins is configured to be located above the corresponding one of the guiding portions.

[0024] In another exemplary embodiment, the locking pin bracket and the inner plate are interconnected by a torsion spring. One end of the torsion spring is connected to the inner plate, and the other end of the torsion spring is connected to the locking pin bracket.

[0025] In another exemplary embodiment, a pair of torsion springs are provided, and the directions of the respective forces of the pair of torsion springs are opposite to each other and parallel, so as to rotate the locking pin bracket.

[0026] In another exemplary embodiment, a locking pin receiving groove is formed on the inner plate. The locking pin receiving groove is configured such that a pair of locking pins can be movable within their respective locking pin receiving grooves, and each of the locking pin receiving grooves serves as a reciprocating movement path for the corresponding one of the locking pins.

[0027] In another exemplary embodiment, an inner plate receiving space is formed on the outer plate. The inner plate receiving space is configured to receive the inner plate within the inner plate receiving space.

[0028] In another exemplary embodiment, the locking pin fixing grooves are formed at equal intervals along the circumference of the outer plate. Other aspects and exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed below.

[0029] It is understood that the terms "vehicle", "vehicular", and other similar terms as used herein generally include motor vehicles, such as passenger vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUVs), buses, trucks, various commercial vehicles, watercraft including various ships and vessels, aircraft, etc., and include hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles, hydrogen-powered vehicles, and other alternative fuel (e.g., fuels derived from resources other than petroleum) vehicles. As referred to herein, a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle having two or more power sources, such as a gasoline and electric dual-power vehicle.

[0030] The above and other features of the present disclosure are discussed below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The above and other features of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure shown in the accompanying drawings, in which the drawings are given by way of illustration only and thus do not limit the present disclosure, wherein:

[0032] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a rotatable vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 2 is a view showing the coupled state of a rotatable vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 3 is a view showing an example of applying a rotatable vehicle seat to a vehicle;

[0035] Figure 4 is a view showing an inner plate and a locking pin received in the inner plate;

[0036] Figure 5 and Figure 6 are views respectively showing the results of observing the state where one end of the locking pin is separated from the locking pin fixing groove from above;

[0037] Figure 7 and Figure 8 are views respectively showing the results of observing the state where one end of the locking pin is inserted into another locking pin fixing groove from above; and

[0038] Figures 9 to 14 are views respectively showing the results of observing the operating sequence of the rotatable vehicle seat from below.

[0039] It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and present a somewhat simplified representation of various example features illustrating the basic principles of the present disclosure. Specific design features of the present disclosure as disclosed herein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations, positions, and shapes, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment.

[0040] In the figures, reference numerals always refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present disclosure throughout several views of the drawings. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0041] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described in detail through example embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts, and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0042] When describing the embodiments disclosed herein, the detailed description of well-known technologies related to the present disclosure may obscure the gist of the present disclosure, and thus the detailed description will be omitted. In addition, it should be understood that the drawings are only shown for the purpose of easily describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification. Therefore, the technical idea disclosed in this specification is not limited by the drawings. In addition, it should be noted that the drawings include all modifications, equivalents, and alternative forms that fall within the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0043] On the other hand, in the present disclosure, terms such as "first" and / or "second" may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components.

[0044] In this specification, unless otherwise clearly specified in the context, expressions in the singular form also include the plural meaning.

[0045] It should be understood that expressions such as "including" and "having" in this specification are intended to specify the presence of the indicated features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more features, quantities, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

[0046] Hereinafter, the suffixes "module", "unit", and "section" of the components used in the following description are provided only for the convenience of writing this specification. Therefore, these suffixes themselves do not have important meanings or functions.

[0047] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "joined" to another component, the one component can be directly connected or joined to the other component, but it should be understood that other components can exist between the one component and the other component. On the other hand, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected to" another component or being "in direct contact with" another component, it should be understood that no other components exist between the one component and the other component.

[0048] Figure 1 is an exploded view of a rotatable vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 2 is a view showing a coupling state of a rotatable vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Figure 3 is a view showing an example of applying the rotatable vehicle seat to a vehicle.

[0049] Referring to Figures 1 to 3 , a rotatable vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a pair of locking pins 100, which are arranged to face each other and are formed to extend in the longitudinal direction; an inner plate 200, which is configured such that a seat portion S can be coupled to the outside of the inner plate 200 and the locking pins 100 are accommodated inside the inner plate 200; and an outer plate 300, which is configured to rotatably accommodate the inner plate 200 inside the outer plate 300, wherein the outer plate 300 has a plurality of locking pin fixing grooves 310 and 310', the plurality of locking pin fixing grooves 310 and 310' are respectively formed at a plurality of positions on the outer plate 300 and are configured to fix the locking pins 100, one end of each of the locking pins 100 is inserted into a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves 310 and 310', and the locking pins 100 are selectively inserted into a part of the plurality of locking pin fixing grooves 310 and 310' by the rotation of the inner plate 200.

[0050] The seat of the present disclosure has a function of rotating in the interior space of the vehicle. When necessary, the seat can be rotated so that the passenger can be seated in the desired direction. At the same time, it is prevented that the seat rotates from the desired position of the passenger after the seat rotates. Since it is necessary to reliably ensure the safety of the passenger against vehicle collisions while the vehicle is continuously running, it is necessary to prevent the rotation of the seat while the vehicle is running.

[0051] For this purpose, the present disclosure can provide a device capable of rotating the seat relative to the vehicle body floor or a guide rail provided on the vehicle body floor.

[0052] Specifically, the seat portion S can be coupled to the outside of the inner plate 200. A seat coupling hole 210 is formed in the upper surface of the inner plate 200, and the seat coupling hole 210 is configured such that the seat portion S can be coupled to the inner plate 200. In this way, when either the seat portion S or the inner plate 200 rotates, the other component can also rotate.

[0053] The inner plate 200 can be made of metal or plastic and can be formed by injection molding. Since the inner plate 200 is connected to the vehicle seat, the inner plate 200 is preferably made of a material with sufficient rigidity.

[0054] On the other hand, referring to Figure 3 , the rotatable seat 1000 including the inner plate 200 is connected to a seat rail R provided on the vehicle floor or directly connected to the vehicle floor, thereby providing a rotatable seat 1000 in the vehicle.

[0055] As described above, the rotatable vehicle seat is mounted on a seat rail provided in the vehicle, so that not only can the free movement and free rotation of the seat be achieved, but also a vehicle seat that can be placed in various positions in the vehicle can be provided.

[0056] Figure 4 is a view showing the inner plate and the locking pins accommodated in the inner plate. The locking pins 100 are accommodated in the inner plate 200. The locking pins 100 perform linear reciprocating motion in the inner plate 200. A pair of locking pin receiving grooves 220 are formed on the inner plate 200, and the pair of locking pin receiving grooves 220 are configured such that a pair of locking pins 100 can be accommodated inside the inner plate 200. A pair of locking pins 100 are accommodated in the pair of locking pin receiving grooves 220 so as to achieve linear reciprocating motion of the pair of locking pins 100 in the pair of locking pin receiving grooves 220. That is, the locking pin receiving grooves 220 serve as the reciprocating motion path of the locking pins 100.

[0057] Therefore, when one end of the locking pin 100 is inserted into the locking pin fixing groove 310 of the outer plate 300, the inner plate 200 is fixed. When one end of the locking pin 100 is separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310, the inner plate 200 becomes rotatable.

[0058] The locking pins 100 are used to fix the inner plate 200 to the outer plate 300 to prevent the rotation of the inner plate 200. Here, in a state where the locking pins 100 are inserted into the locking pin fixing grooves 310 of the outer plate 300, it is necessary to prevent the locking pins 100 from being separated from the locking pin fixing grooves 310 due to external impact. In addition, the locking pins can be made of metal or plastic to ensure sufficient rigidity, so as to prevent the locking pins 100 from being cut off in a state where the locking pins 100 are inserted into the locking pin fixing grooves 310.

[0059] The inner side of the inner plate 200 accommodates a pair of locking pins 100 in a state where the locking pins 100 are arranged to face each other. However, this structural configuration is only an embodiment, and in some cases, a single locking pin 100 can be provided, or a pair or more pairs of locking pins 100 can be provided.

[0060] When multiple locking pins 100 are provided, the inner plate 200 can be more firmly fixed to the outer plate 300.

[0061] In this way, one end of the locking pin 100 can be inserted into the locking pin fixing groove 310 formed in the outer plate 300, or one end of the locking pin 100 can be separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310.

[0062] An inner plate accommodation space 320 is formed on the outer plate 300. The inner plate accommodation space 320 is configured to accommodate the inner plate 200 therein, so as to accommodate the inner plate 200 in the outer plate 300. As Figure 5 shown, when one end of the locking pin 100 accommodated in the inner plate 200 is inserted into the locking pin fixing groove 310 of the outer plate 300, the inner plate 200 becomes non-rotatable. On the other hand, as Figure 6 shown, when one end of the locking pin 100 is separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310 of the outer plate 300, the inner plate 200 is rotatable within the outer plate 300. Therefore, the inner plate 200 accommodated in the outer plate is rotatable.

[0063] One end of the locking pin 100 accommodated in the inner plate 200 is repeatedly inserted into and separated from the outer plate 300. In addition, the outer plate has a locking pin fixing groove 310 which is configured such that one end of the locking pin 100 can be inserted into the locking pin fixing groove 310 and fixed thereto. The inner plate 200 rotates repeatedly within the outer plate 300. Therefore, the outer plate preferably ensures at least the same rigidity as that of the inner plate 200 or the locking pin 100. More preferably, the outer plate 300 ensures a stronger rigidity than that of the inner plate 200 or the locking pin 100.

[0064] As described above, by accommodating the locking pin 100 in the inner plate 200 and accommodating the inner plate 200 in the outer plate 300, a compact-sized device suitable for rotating a seat can be manufactured. In addition, since the device is made of a material capable of ensuring sufficient rigidity, the risk of damage can be reduced even when a vehicle collision occurs outside the vehicle.

[0065] In addition, since the locking pin 100 is firmly fixed to the outer plate 300, it is possible to prevent the coupling member from separating from the device due to vibrations occurring during vehicle travel, or to prevent vibrations from being transmitted to the seat, thereby providing a comfortable driving experience.

[0066] As Figures 5 to 8As shown, the locking pin fixing grooves 310 and 310' can be formed at equal intervals along the circumference of the outer plate 300. When a user attempts to rotate the seat part S coupled to the inner plate 200, one end of the locking pin 100 can be separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310, so that the seat part S becomes rotatable. When the seat part S rotates, the inner plate 200 rotates, and then the locking pin 100 is inserted into a locking pin fixing groove 310' different from the locking pin fixing groove 310 into which the locking pin 100 was previously inserted. In this way, the rotation of the seat part S can be completed while the inner plate 200 is fixed.

[0067] Specifically, the locking pin fixing grooves 310 are formed along the circumference of the outer plate 300 and are respectively configured such that the distance between the locking pin fixing grooves into which the locking pin 100 can be inserted is not large enough in the counterclockwise and clockwise directions. Therefore, even if an impact is applied to the vehicle body from any direction, the inner plate 200 can be stably fixed to the outer plate 300.

[0068] In addition, when a plurality of locking pin fixing grooves are formed in the outer plate, the seat can be rotatable to achieve a desired viewing angle. In the drawings, four locking pin fixing grooves are shown and the seat can be rotated 90 degrees. On the other hand, four or more locking pin fixing grooves can be provided so that the seat rotates by an angle less than 90 degrees.

[0069] In the above, a brief description of the operation sequence of the vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is given. In the following, the specific operation sequence will be described.

[0070] First, in order to make the seat part S in a rotatable state, one end of the locking pin 100 is separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310.

[0071] Figure 5 and Figure 6 are diagrams respectively showing the results of observing the state in which one end of the locking pin 100 is separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310 from above. Referring to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , one end of the locking pin 100 can be separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310 by applying a release force C to a lever rod 400 which will be described later. Therefore, the inner plate 200 enters a rotatable state.

[0072] Here, the release force C refers to an external force applied by a user or other device to the lever rod 400.

[0073] Specifically, referring to Figure 4, a guide projection 110 is formed on the locking pin 100, and the guide projection 110 is formed to protrude outward from the inner plate 200. In addition, a slot hole 510 is formed in the locking pin bracket 500, and the slot hole 510 is configured such that the guide projection 110 of the locking pin 100 can be movable in the slot hole 510. Here, the locking pin bracket 500 can be accommodated outside the inner plate 200.

[0074] The locking pin bracket 500 is a component configured to urge the locking pin 100 to move and rotate through the slot hole 510 formed in the locking pin bracket 500, and is a necessary component for separating the locking pin 100 inserted into the locking pin fixing groove 310 from the locking pin fixing groove 310. The locking pin bracket 500 can be provided on the inner plate 200. The locking pin bracket 500 can have a first end and a second end respectively connected to a pair of locking pins 100. That is, the first end of the locking pin bracket 500 can be connected to one of the pair of locking pins 100, and the second end of the locking pin bracket 500 can be connected to the other of the pair of locking pins 100.

[0075] The locking pin bracket 500 is coupled to the inner plate 200 through a shaft 900 described later.

[0076] The locking pin 100 is coupled to the locking pin bracket 500 such that the guide projection 110 is received in the slot hole 510 formed in the locking pin bracket 500. Therefore, when the locking pin bracket 500 rotates, the guide projection 110 moves in the slot hole 510, thereby realizing the linear reciprocating motion of the locking pin 100.

[0077] The slot hole 510 is preferably formed wider than the width of the guide projection 110 so that the guide projection 110 can move smoothly in the slot hole 510, and the guide projection 110 preferably has an appropriate height to be smoothly received in the slot hole 510.

[0078] On the other hand, referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the rotation of the locking pin bracket 500 is performed by a lever rod 400 connected to the locking pin bracket 500 and the inner plate 200. A lever 410 is formed at one end of the lever rod 400, and the lever 410 is configured to allow a release force to be applied to the lever 410. That is, when the lever 410 is pulled, a release force is applied to the lever rod 400 to cause the lever rod 400 to rotate.

[0079] The lever rod 400 is connected to the locking pin bracket 500, and the locking pin bracket 500 also rotates through the rotation of the lever rod 400. When the guide projection 110 received in the locking pin bracket 500 moves along the slot hole 510, the linear motion of the locking pin 100 can be urged.

[0080] More specifically, the connection relationship between the locking pin bracket 500, the lever bar 400, and the inner plate 200 will be described.

[0081] Regarding the connection relationship between the lever bar 400 and the locking pin bracket 500, a shaft 900 is provided at the inner plate 200. The shaft 900 is configured to penetrate the inner plate 200, and the locking pin bracket 500 and the lever bar 400 are coupled to the shaft 900. Therefore, the force applied to the lever bar 400 can also be transmitted to the locking pin bracket 500. The position of the shaft 900 can coincide with the position of the rotation center of each of the rotating inner plate 200 and the locking pin bracket 500.

[0082] In addition, referring to Figure 2 and Figure 4 , the locking pin bracket 500 and the inner plate 200 are interconnected by a torsion spring 600. A spring coupling projection 240 is formed on the upper surface of the inner plate 200, and the spring coupling projection 240 is coupled to the torsion spring 600. Here, one end of the torsion spring 600 is coupled to the spring coupling projection 240. In addition, a spring coupling hole 520 is formed in an end portion of the locking pin bracket 500, and the other end of the torsion spring 600 is coupled to the spring coupling hole 520.

[0083] A pair of torsion springs 600 are provided. Here, the pair of torsion springs 600 can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the locking pin bracket 500. Therefore, forces can be applied to the locking pin bracket 500 in opposite directions.

[0084] The torsion spring 600 applies a force to the inner plate 200 or the locking pin bracket 500 according to the relative positions of the inner plate 200 and the locking pin bracket 500. That is, the locking pin bracket 500 and the inner plate 200 are rotatably provided, and the torsion spring 600 connecting the locking pin bracket 500 to the inner plate 200 also changes the position of the torsion spring 600 according to the rotation of the locking pin bracket 500 and the inner plate 200 (refer to the arrow B shown in Figure 5 ).

[0085] Therefore, when the position of the torsion spring 600 changes, the direction of the force acting on the inner plate 200 and the locking pin bracket 500 also changes, and the force acts on the locking pin 100 in the inward or outward direction of the inner plate 200. Therefore, the locking pin 100 can perform a linear reciprocating motion within the inner plate 200.

[0086] Figures 5 to 8 are diagrams respectively showing the direction A of the force of the torsion spring.

[0087] Hereinafter, the specific direction of the force applied to the locking pin 100 and the like will be described according to the operation sequence of the rotatable vehicle seat of the present disclosure.

[0088] First, a description will be given of the process of separating one end of the locking pin 100 from the locking pin fixing groove 310 according to the above connection relationship. Refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , Figure 5 are diagrams showing the following state: Due to the force generated by the torsion spring 600, the locking pin 100 is subjected to a force in the outward direction of the inner plate 200, such that one end of the locking pin 100 moves to the locking pin fixing groove 310. One end of the torsion spring 600 can be connected to the inner plate 200, and the other end of the torsion spring 600 can be connected to the locking pin bracket 500. The direction A of the force of the torsion spring 600 can be substantially similar to the direction extending from one end of the torsion spring 600 to the other end of the torsion spring 600. In other words, the direction A of the force of the torsion spring 600 is oriented such that the other end of the torsion spring 600 connected to the locking pin bracket 500 moves away from one end of the torsion spring 600 connected to the inner plate 200. In addition, the respective directions A of the forces of a pair of torsion springs 600 can be opposite to each other and parallel.

[0089] That is, the torsion spring 600 applies a force in the clockwise direction, and the lever rod 400 and the locking pin bracket 500 connected to the lever rod 400 are subjected to the force applied in the clockwise direction. Therefore, the locking pin 100 is subjected to a force in the outward direction of the inner plate 200.

[0090] At this time, in order to rotate the seat portion S, when a release force (exceeding the force generated by the torsion spring) is applied to the lever rod 400 in the counterclockwise direction to rotate the lever rod 400 in the counterclockwise direction, the locking pin bracket 500 connected to the lever rod 400 also rotates.

[0091] That is, since the release force applied to the lever rod 400 is greater than the force generated by the torsion spring 600, one end of the locking pin 100 is subjected to a force in the direction away from the locking pin fixing groove 310, that is, in the inward direction of the inner plate 200.

[0092] Therefore, as the guide projection 110 of the locking pin 100 moves along the slot hole 510 toward the rotation center of the locking pin bracket 500, one end of the locking pin 100 separates from the locking pin fixing groove 310, thereby entering Figure 6 the state shown.

[0093] In addition, refer to Figure 5 and Figure 6 , when one end of the locking pin 100 is completely separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310, the position of the torsion spring 600 also changes rotatably through the rotation of the locking pin bracket 500. When the position of the torsion spring 600 changes rotatably, the force applied from the torsion spring 600 to the locking pin bracket 500 and the inner plate 200 acts in the counterclockwise direction.

[0094] That is, as shown in Figure 5As shown, before the lever rod 400 rotates, the force of the torsion spring 600 acts in the clockwise direction, but as Figure 6 shown, when the lever rod 400 rotates, the force of the torsion spring 600 acts in the counterclockwise direction, and the locking pin bracket 500 and the inner plate 200 connected to the locking pin bracket 500 are subjected to a force in the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, the locking pin 100 is subjected to a force that urges the locking pin 100 to move inwardly of the inner plate 200.

[0095] As described above, when one end of the locking pin 100 is separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310 by applying a release force to the lever rod 400, the seat portion S coupled to the inner plate 200 can be in a rotatable state. In this state, when a rotational force is applied to the seat portion S to rotate the seat portion S, the inner plate 200 connected to the seat portion S can rotate.

[0096] Here, the rotational force refers to an external force applied by a user to the seat to rotate the seat.

[0097] That is, in the Figure 6 shown state, a passenger in the vehicle can rotate the seat, and the rotation of the seat can be completed through the Figure 7 and Figure 8 shown states.

[0098] Next, the inner plate 200 rotates by the rotation of the seat portion S, and the locking pin 100 is inserted into another locking pin fixing groove 310', thereby completing the rotation of the seat portion S. When the inner plate 200 rotates by the rotation of the seat portion S, the locking pin 100 accommodated in the inner plate 200 can be inserted into any one of the plurality of locking pin fixing grooves 310. When the locking pin 100 is inserted into any one of the plurality of locking pin fixing grooves 310, the inner plate 200 can be fixed in a non-rotatable state.

[0099] Referring to Figures 9 to 14 , a guide portion 390 is provided inside the outer plate 300. The guide portions 390 are respectively formed at positions adjacent to the locking pin fixing grooves 310. Each of the guide portions 390 is formed on the outer plate with a depth different from that of the corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves 310 and 310'. In addition, the other end of each of the locking pins 100 can move by contacting the corresponding one of the guide portions 390. The guide portion 390 and the locking pin fixing groove 310 can be provided in a stepped manner. The guide portion 390 can be formed to protrude from the inner wall of the outer plate 300 toward the rotation center of the inner plate 200, and the locking pin fixing groove 310 can be a portion recessed into the inner wall of the outer plate 300 in a direction away from the rotation center of the inner plate 200. For example, the number of the guide portions 390 can be the same as the number of the locking pin fixing grooves 310.

[0100] One end and the other end of each of the locking pins 100 are formed on the outer plate 300 at different heights / depths. One end of the locking pin 100 is formed at the height / depth formed by each of the locking pin fixing grooves 310 and 310' of the outer plate 300, and the other end of the locking pin 100 is formed at the height / depth formed by the guiding portion 390 of the outer plate 300. The locking pin 100 has the other end opposite to one end, and the other end of the locking pin 100 can be formed to correspond to the guiding portion 390 in terms of height / depth. When one end of the locking pin 100 is inserted into the locking pin fixing groove 310, one end of the locking pin 100 can be located above the guiding portion 390.

[0101] On the other hand, in a state where one end of the locking pin 100 is separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310, when the seat portion S rotates clockwise or counterclockwise, the guiding portion 390 formed on the outer plate 300 can push the other end of the locking pin 100 in the direction of the force applied to the seat portion S, and can apply a force directed outward from the inner plate 200 to the locking pin 100. The guiding portion 390 can be formed to protrude from the inner wall of the outer plate 300 toward the rotation center of the inner plate 200. For example, a plurality of guiding portions 390 can be provided on the inner wall of the outer plate 300, and the number of the guiding portions 390 can be the same as the number of the locking pin fixing grooves 310. When the inner plate 200 rotates to a state where one end of the locking pin 100 is separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310, the other end of the locking pin 100 can contact the guiding portion 390. When the inner plate 200 continuously rotates to a state where the other end of the locking pin 100 contacts the guiding portion 390, the locking pin 100 can move in a direction away from the guiding portion 390 through the guiding portion 390, and one end of the locking pin 100 can be inserted into the locking pin fixing groove 310.

[0102] Figures 9 to 14 are diagrams respectively showing the results of the operation sequence of the rotatable vehicle seat observed from below. First, referring to Figure 9 and Figure 10 , by applying a release force to the lever rod 400, the locking pin 100 is separated from the locking pin fixing groove 310. Subsequently, the seat portion S becomes rotatable.

[0103] Thereafter, when a rotational force is applied to the seat portion S, the rotational force is transmitted to the inner plate 200 connected to the seat portion S, and the force is also transmitted to the locking pin 100 accommodated in the inner plate 200. Referring to Figures 10 to 12 , the direction in which the locking pin 100 moves is determined by the force transmitted to the locking pin 100 through the rotation of the seat portion S.

[0104] Then, the inner plate 200 rotates as the seat part S rotates, and the other end of the locking pin 100 starts to contact the outer peripheral surface of the guide part 390. In addition, the other end of the locking pin 100 continuously moves in the direction in which the locking pin 100 moves due to the reaction force generated on the outer peripheral surface of the guide part 390 until the other end of the locking pin 100 separates from the outer peripheral surface of the guide part 390.

[0105] Due to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the guide part 390, the other end of the locking pin 100 continues to move until the other end of the locking pin 100 separates from the outer peripheral surface of the guide part 390.

[0106] Due to the reaction force from the guide part 390, a force directed outward from the inner plate 200 is applied to the locking pin 100. In particular, the outer peripheral surface of the guide part 390 is formed in a shape adapted to push the other end of the locking pin 100, and the guide part 390 applies a reaction force to the other end of the locking pin 100. Therefore, a force directed outward from the inner plate 200 can be applied to the locking pin 100.

[0107] Thereafter, when the other end of the locking pin 100 and the outer peripheral surface of the guide part 390 separate from each other in the state shown in Figure 12 ), due to the continuous rotational force of the inner plate 200 and the force acting on the locking pin 100 in the outward direction of the inner plate 200 (refer to Figure 7 ), one end of the locking pin 100 is inserted into a locking pin fixing groove 310' different from the locking pin fixing groove 310 into which one end of the locking pin 100 was previously inserted. Thereafter, the locking pin 100 is coupled to the outer plate 300, and the inner plate 200 stops rotating, thereby completing the rotation of the seat part S.

[0108] As is apparent from the above description, the present disclosure provides a rotatable vehicle seat having the following advantages: The vehicle seat can be rotated, and the device capable of rotating the vehicle seat is simple and compact in size.

[0109] In particular, the user can easily control the locked state and the unlocked state of the rotatable vehicle seat, and in the locked state, the coupling rigidity between the rotatable vehicle seat and the vehicle body can be stably maintained, thereby ensuring the safety of passengers to the maximum extent in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0110] The present disclosure has been described in detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will understand that these embodiments can be changed without departing from the principles and spirit of the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A rotatable vehicle seat, comprising: Seat section; a pair of locking pins arranged to face each other; an inner plate coupled to the seat portion and configured to receive a pair of the locking pins therein; an outer plate configured to rotatably receive the inner plate, the outer plate including a plurality of locking pin fixing grooves, and one end of each of the locking pins being configured to be inserted into a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves; as well as A locking pin bracket is arranged on the inner plate, Wherein, the locking pin bracket includes a first end and a second end, and the first end and the second end are respectively connected to a pair of locking pins.

2. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein: A guide protrusion is formed on one surface of each of the locking pins, the guide protrusion being formed to protrude outward from the inner plate, and The locking pin bracket has slots formed therein, each of the slots enabling a corresponding one of the guide projections of the locking pin to be movably received in each of the slots.

3. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 2, wherein: A lever rod is provided on the locking pin bracket and is connected to the locking pin bracket and the inner plate and is configured to separate one end of each of the locking pins from a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves based on a release force applied to the lever rod.

4. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein: A shaft is provided at a rotation center of the inner plate, and connects the inner plate to the locking pin bracket and the lever rod.

5. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein: When the lever rod is rotated by the release force, each of the guide protrusions of the locking pin is configured to move toward the center of the locking pin bracket along a corresponding one of the slot holes, thereby separating one end of each of the locking pins from a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves.

6. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein: When one end of each of the locking pins is separated from a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves by the release force applied to the lever rod, the inner panel and the seat portion are configured to be in a rotatable state.

7. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 6, wherein: The inner panel is configured to be fixed when any one of the locking pins accommodated in the inner panel is inserted into a corresponding one of the plurality of locking pin fixing grooves in a case where the inner panel is rotated by rotation of the seat portion.

8. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein: The inner plate and the locking pin bracket are connected to each other via a torsion spring.

9. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 8, wherein: A pair of the torsion springs is provided, each of the torsion springs includes one end and the other end, and the other end of each of the torsion springs is connected to the first end and the second end of the locking pin bracket, respectively.

10. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein: The outer plate is provided with guide portions at an inner side thereof, the guide portions being formed at positions adjacent to the locking pin fixing grooves, and each of the guide portions being formed on the outer plate at a depth different from a depth of a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves, and Each of the guide portions and a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves are provided in a stepped shape.

11. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 10, wherein: Each of the locking pins has another end opposite to one end, and wherein the inner plate can be rotated to the following state: one end of each of the locking pins is separated from a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves, and the other end of each of the locking pins is configured to contact a corresponding one of the guide portions.

12. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 11, wherein: By continuously rotating the inner plate when the other end of each of the locking pins contacts the corresponding one of the guide portions, each of the locking pins is configured to move through the corresponding one of the guide portions in a direction away from the corresponding one of the guide portions so that one end of each of the locking pins is inserted into the corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves.

13. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 10, wherein: Each of the locking pins includes the other end opposite to the one end, the other end of each of the locking pins being formed to correspond in depth to a corresponding one of the guide portions, and One end of each of the locking pins is configured to be located above a corresponding one of the guide portions by rotating the inner plate so that one end of each of the locking pins is inserted into a corresponding one of the locking pin fixing grooves.

14. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 3, wherein: The locking pin bracket and the inner plate are connected to each other through a torsion spring, one end of the torsion spring is connected to the inner plate, and the other end of the torsion spring is connected to the locking pin bracket.

15. The rotatable vehicle seat according to claim 14, wherein: A pair of said torsion springs is provided, and The directions of the forces of the pair of torsion springs are opposite to and parallel to each other, thereby rotating the lock pin bracket.

16. The rotatable vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein: The inner plate is formed with locking pin accommodating grooves configured so that a pair of the locking pins are movable within the respective locking pin accommodating grooves and each of the locking pin accommodating grooves serves as a reciprocating motion path for a corresponding one of the locking pins.

17. The rotatable vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein: An inner panel receiving space is formed on the outer panel and is configured to receive the inner panel therein.

18. The rotatable vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein: The locking pin fixing grooves are formed at equal intervals along the circumference of the outer plate.

Images