Vehicle with reconfigured passenger compartment mode

Abstract

The invention provides a vehicle with a reconfigured passenger compartment mode. A motor vehicle has a passenger compartment having a forward region, a central region, and a rearward region; a floor; a seat rail system positioned on the floor and extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a plurality of seating assemblies are arranged in a first row, a second row, and a third row in the passenger compartment. Each seat assembly has a seat base coupled to the seat rail system, a seat movably coupled to the seat base, a seat back movably coupled to the seat base, and a seat actuator configured to activate the seat assembly. A vehicle has a center console on a longitudinally extending center console rail system, center console actuators, and a controller that receives an input commanding a selected passenger compartment arrangement and controls the actuators to position a seating assembly and the center console in the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to motor vehicles, and more particularly to motor vehicles having an adjustable seat arrangement within a passenger compartment of the vehicle. Background Art

[0002] Passenger vehicles typically have a passenger compartment that is generally provided with a plurality of seat assemblies. The positioning of the plurality of seat assemblies within the passenger compartment can define a seat arrangement. Existing methods of passenger compartment design are generally limited to adjusting only the overall seating capacity of the seat assemblies or the forward and backward or recline adjustments. There is a desire to provide an adjustable seat arrangement that provides greater flexibility. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle has: a passenger compartment having a forward region, a central region, and a rearward region; a floor; a seat rail system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle; and a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row. Each of the seat assemblies has a seat base coupled to the seat rail system, a seat movably coupled to the seat base, a seat backrest movably coupled to the seat base, and one or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assembly to a plurality of positions. The vehicle further has: a center console rail system, wherein the center console is positioned on the center console rail system extending longitudinally on the floor; a center console actuator for actuating the center console on the center console rail system; and a controller configured to receive an input of a commanded passenger compartment arrangement selection, wherein the controller controls the actuators to position the seat assemblies and the center console into the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

[0005] - A user input device for inputting a selection of a user input, the user input device including one of a telephone, a key fob, a microphone, a gesture detection device, and a touch screen display;

[0006] - A selected seat arrangement, which includes one of a driving mode, a social mode, and a cargo mode;

[0007] - A selected passenger compartment arrangement, which includes an office mode and a child seat mode;

[0008] - A seat assembly in the second row of seats, which has a rotational actuator for rotating the seat about a vertical axis;

[0009] - A third row seat, which has a seat backrest adjacent to a rear wall of the passenger compartment;

[0010] - In the driving mode, it includes the forward area of the first row, the central area including the second row, and the rearward area including the third row;

[0011] - A pickup truck having three doors on each of the opposite lateral sides for accessing each of the three rows of seats.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a pickup truck having: a passenger compartment including a forward area, a central area, and a rearward area; a floor; a seat rail system positioned on the floor and extending along the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle; and a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row. Each of the seat assemblies has a seat base coupled to the seat rail system, a seat movably coupled to the seat base, a seat back movably coupled to the seat base, and one or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assembly to a plurality of positions. The pickup truck further has: a center console rail system, a center console positioned on the center console rail system extending longitudinally on the floor, a center console actuator for actuating the center console on the center console rail system, and a controller configured to receive an input of a command selection for the passenger compartment arrangement, wherein the controller controls the actuators to position the seat assembly and the center console into the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

[0013] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features:

[0014] - A user input device for inputting a selection of a user input, wherein the user input device is one of a telephone, a key fob, a microphone, a gesture detection device, and a touch screen display;

[0015] - A selected seat arrangement having one of a driving mode, a social mode, and a cargo mode;

[0016] - The selected passenger compartment arrangement further includes an office mode and a child seat mode;

[0017] - The seat assembly in the second row of seats further has a rotational actuator for rotating the seat about a vertical axis;

[0018] - The third row of seats has a seat back adjacent to the rear wall of the cab; and

[0019] - Three doors on each of the opposite lateral sides for accessing the three rows of seats.

[0020] Those skilled in the art will further understand and appreciate these and other features, advantages, and objectives of the present disclosure by referring to the following specification, claims, and drawings. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] In the drawings:

[0022] Figure 1 is a top - down schematic view of a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment with an adjustable seat and a center console arrangement;

[0023] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary user input device for selecting a passenger seat and center console compartment arrangement of a vehicle;

[0024] Figure 2 is a side - perspective view of a motor vehicle shown with a seat assembly and center console arrangement in a driving mode;

[0025] Figure 3 is a side - perspective view of a motor vehicle shown with a seat assembly and center console arrangement in an office mode;

[0026] Figure 4 is a side - perspective view of a motor vehicle shown with a seat assembly and center console arrangement in a social mode;

[0027] Figure 5 is a side - perspective view of a motor vehicle shown with a seat assembly and center console arrangement in a third - row access mode;

[0028] Figure 6 is a side - perspective view of a motor vehicle shown with a seat assembly and center console arrangement in a first cargo mode;

[0029] Figure 7 is a side - perspective view of a motor vehicle shown with a seat assembly and center console arrangement in a second cargo mode;

[0030] Figure 8 is a side - perspective view of a motor vehicle shown with a seat assembly and center console arrangement in a leisure mode;

[0031] Figure 9 is a side - perspective view of a motor vehicle shown with a seat assembly and center console arrangement in a child - seat loading mode;

[0032] Figure 10 is a state diagram showing a plurality of selectable passenger seat and center console modes according to one embodiment;

[0033] Figure 11 is a block diagram showing a controller for receiving user - selectable passenger compartment input commands and controlling the seat and center console to reconfigure the interior of the compartment into a selected arrangement;

[0034] Figures 12A to 12D is a flowchart showing a procedure for initiating an alternative arrangement of a passenger seat and a center console;

[0035] Figures 13A to 13D is a flowchart showing a procedure for converting a passenger compartment from a driving mode to an office mode according to an example;

[0036] Figures 14A to 14B is a flowchart showing a procedure for converting a passenger compartment from a driving mode to a social mode according to an example; and

[0037] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing a procedure for converting a passenger compartment from a driving mode to a child loading mode according to an example. Detailed Description

[0038] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. In the drawings, the structural elements depicted are not drawn to scale, and for purposes of emphasis and understanding, some components are enlarged relative to other components.

[0039] As needed, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present disclosure, which may be implemented in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily detailed designs; some schematic diagrams may be enlarged or minimized to show a functional overview. Accordingly, the specific structural details and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the present disclosure in different ways.

[0040] For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concept of orientation as Figure 1 oriented in. However, it should be understood that unless explicitly specified to the contrary, the said concept may assume various alternative orientations. It should also be understood that the specific devices and processes shown in the drawings and described in the following specification are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, unless the claims expressly state otherwise, the specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein should not be considered limiting.

[0041] The illustrated embodiments are mainly present in a combination of method steps and apparatus components related to a vehicle having a user-selectable seat and center console arrangement and a method of controlling such an arrangement. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the present disclosure with details that are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, the same reference numerals in the specification and drawings denote the same elements.

[0042] As used herein, the term "and / or" when used in reference to a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed items can be employed alone or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain: only A; only B; only C; a combination of A and B; a combination of A and C; a combination of B and C; or a combination of A, B, and C.

[0043] In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, etc., are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by "comprising..." does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

[0044] As used herein, the term "about" means that a quantity, dimension, formulation, parameter, and other quantity and characteristic are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement error, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe the endpoints of a value or range, the present disclosure is to be understood to include the specific value or recited endpoint. Whether or not the numerical or range endpoints in the specification are recited with "about," the endpoints of the numerical or range are intended to include both embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about." It should also be understood that each endpoint of a range is significant both in relation to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0045] As used herein, the terms "substantially", "essentially" and variations thereof are intended to indicate that the described feature is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to indicate a planar or approximately planar surface. Additionally, "essentially" is intended to mean that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "essentially" may indicate that the values are within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0046] Unless explicitly indicated to the contrary, as used herein, the terms "the", "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "only one". Thus, for example, a reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0047] Reference Figure 1 , motor vehicle 10 is generally shown in the form of a pickup truck having a body 12, an interior of the passenger compartment 14 defined therein, and a cargo bed 16 at the rear end. The motor vehicle 10 shown and described herein is a pickup truck that includes in the passenger compartment 14 three rows of passenger seats 20, 22, and 24 located generally proximate to three rows of six doors 40A to 40F, where a first front door 40A and a second front door 40B are located on opposite sides of the first row of seats 20, a third intermediate door 42A and a fourth intermediate door 42B are located on opposite lateral sides of the second row of seats 22, and a fifth rear door 44A and a sixth rear door 44B are located on opposite sides of the third row of seats 24. The passenger compartment has a forward region that generally includes the first row of seats, a central region that generally includes the second row of seats, and a rearward region that generally includes the third row of seats. Thus, according to the example shown, the motor vehicle 10 can seat passengers in three rows, which can include two seats in the first row of seats 20, two seats in the second row of seats 22, and three seats in the third row of seats 24.

[0048] The first door 40A and the second door 40B have hinges at the front end that permit the first door 40A and the second door 40B to pivot between an open position and a closed position. Similarly, the third door 42A and the fourth door 42B have hinges at the front end that permit the third door 42A and the fourth door 42B to pivot between an open position and a closed position. The first door 44A and the sixth door 44B are smaller doors that pivot about hinges at the rear end to present an enlarged size door opening when the third door 42A and / or the fourth door 42B is in the open position.

[0049] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2, the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is shown as having a first seat assembly 20A and a second seat assembly 20B in the first or front row of seats 20. The first seat assembly 20A can be the driver's seat typically located behind the steering wheel. Each of the seat assemblies 20A and 20B generally includes a seat base 26 and a seat back 28, and the seat back can recline and tilt relative to the seat base 26.

[0050] The second or middle row of seats 22 includes a third seat assembly 22A and a fourth seat assembly 22B. Each of the third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B includes a seat base 26 and a seat back 28, and the seat back can rotate relative to the seat base 26 to tilt or recline. The second row of seats 22 is generally positioned rearward of the first row of seats in the vehicle.

[0051] The third or rear row of seats 24 includes a fifth seat assembly 24A, a sixth seat assembly 24B, and a seventh seat assembly 24C. The sixth seat assembly 24B is generally located between the fifth seat assembly 24A and the seventh seat assembly 24C. The fifth seat assembly 24A, the sixth seat assembly 24B, and the seventh seat assembly 24C include a seat base and a seat back 28, and the seat back can extend across the entire width of the third row of seats 24. The seat back 28 of the third row of seats 24 can be generally fixed against the rear wall 15 of the passenger compartment 14 and may thus be non-adjustable in terms of tilting or reclining. The seat base 26 of the third row of seats 24 can be actuated to pivot upward to a folded upright stowed position to allow enhanced access to or storage in the passenger compartment 14.

[0052] The first row of seats 20 and the second row of seats 22 include seats mounted or assembled to a seat rail system having a pair of rails 30 and 32, and the pair of rails can form tracks longitudinally extending on the floor 18 in the vehicle passenger compartment 14, allowing each of the seat assemblies 20A to 20D to move forward and backward. To this end, each of the seat assemblies 20A and 20B and 22A and 22B is coupled to a pair of rails 30 or 32 or tracks on opposite lateral sides and is actuated via a seat linear motor 50 and gears 52, for example, to move the corresponding seat forward or backward in the vehicle on the pair of rails or tracks.

[0053] In addition, the motor vehicle 10 has a center console 36 generally located between the first seat assembly 20A and the second seat assembly 20B, as Figure 2 shown. The center console 36 is mounted to a center console rail system having a pair of rails 34, and the pair of rails can form tracks longitudinally extending on the floor 18 in the vehicle passenger compartment 14. Thus, the center console 36 can be moved forward in the vehicle to Figure 2The position shown or can be moved rearward of the vehicle to a position between the third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B in the second row of seats 22 and presented in front of the third row of seats 24, particularly directly in front of the sixth seat assembly 24B. According to one example, the center console 36 is actuated to move rearward and forward of the vehicle by an actuator having a center console motor 58 and may include gears. The third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B disposed in the second row of seats 22 also include a rotational actuator having a seat rotation motor 62, which can actuate the corresponding seat assembly to rotate or turn the seat assembly about a vertical axis, such as to move ninety degrees (90°) from a position normally facing forward of the vehicle to a lateral position or one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to a position facing the rear of the vehicle. The guide rail or track may include a slide rail operatively coupled to the track, which allows the guide rail to slide relative to the track.

[0054] It should be understood that the movement of the seat assemblies and the center console is implemented to achieve a passenger compartment layout selected by the user in response to user input. The user input device may include a touch screen display 38, a portable electronic device (such as a phone 46) or a key fob 48, or a microphone for receiving verbal input commands, or a gesture device for detecting gesture input via, for example, a camera or other sensors. The seat assemblies and the center console may be positioned, for example, in Figures 2 to 9 the multiple selectable passenger compartment layouts shown. According to one example, a passenger compartment layout with the seats and the center console positioned may move between multiple selectable modes shown in a state diagram as Figure 10 shown.

[0055] In Figure 2 , the motor vehicle 10 is shown arranged in a driving mode, which is a normal conventional forward-facing seat arrangement, where the center console 36 is located between the front seat assembly 20A and the second seat assembly 20B in the front row of seats 20. In this arrangement, the occupants, including the driver and the passenger, are generally seated facing forward, and the center console 36 is positioned such that the driver and the front passenger can rest their arms on the console lid / armrest and place one or more beverage containers or other items on the center console 36.

[0056] The seat assemblies and the center console 36 can be moved to other positions and locations, such as as Figure 3The office mode passenger cabin layout shown. In this office mode layout, the third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B in the second row of seats are rotated and pivoted one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to face the rear of the vehicle. Additionally, the seat bases of the third row of seats are actuated upward to a vertical position, and the workbench 60 is deployed to provide the workbench 60 in front of the third seat assembly 22A. Additionally, the center console 36 is actuated to a rearward vehicle position to position the center console 36 adjacent to the third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B. In this position, a work environment can be presented to one or more occupants of the motor vehicle 10. In the office mode layout, it is generally expected that the motor vehicle 10 is not operating, will be in park, and is not moving.

[0057] Reference Figure 4 , the interior of the vehicle passenger cabin 14 is shown in a social mode layout, where the third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B of the second row of seats 22 are shown in a rearward vehicle-facing position generally facing the third row of seats 22, where the seat bases of the third row of seats 24 are in a downward horizontal or seated position, and the center console 36 is generally positioned at the rear of the motor vehicle 10. In the social mode layout, it is generally expected that the motor vehicle 10 is not operating, will be in park, and is not moving.

[0058] Reference Figure 5 , the passenger cabin 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is shown to have seat assemblies and a center console 36 arranged in a third row access mode. In this mode, the fourth seat assembly 22B in the second row of seats 22 is actuated to a forward position, where the seat base is actuated upward to be compactly located behind the second seat assembly 20B. Additionally, the second seat assembly 20B is preferably actuated to the most forward position. The seat bases of the third row seat assemblies are presented in a horizontal seated position. The center console 36 remains in a generally forward position. In this configuration, an enlarged open space is presented between the fourth seat assembly 22B and the third row of seats 24 to allow access to the third row of seats. It should be understood that in this configuration, the second row door and the third row door can provide openings large enough to access the passenger cabin 14 of the motor vehicle 10.

[0059] In Figure 6 , the passenger cabin 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is shown in a first cargo mode, which provides an enlarged storage area within the rear of the passenger cabin 14. In the first cargo mode, the seat bases of the third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B of the second row of seats 22 are folded to an upright stowed position, and the seat assemblies are actuated to the most forward position. Additionally, the seat base of the third row of seats 24 is actuated to an upright stowed position. Thus, an enhanced area for storage is presented between the third row of seats 24 and the second row of seats 22.

[0060] In Figure 7 , the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is shown in a second cargo mode configuration. In this configuration, the third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B are folded such that the seat bases are folded upward to a stowed position and the third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B are actuated to the rearmost position in the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10, where the seat bases of the third row seats 24 are in the stowed position. In this position, an enlarged area for storage is provided between the first row seats 20 and the second row seats 22. This is particularly useful when loading and unloading cargo into and out of the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 via the second row doors 42A and 42B and the third row doors 44A and 44B.

[0061] In Figure 8 , according to one example, the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is shown arranged in a leisure mode. In this mode, the second seat assembly 20B is actuated to a reclined position in which the seat back reclines backward, and the remaining seat assemblies are generally shown positioned in the vehicle forward orientation. In the leisure mode arrangement, it is generally expected that the motor vehicle 10 is not operating, will be in park, and is not moving.

[0062] In Figure 9 , the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is shown arranged in a child seat mode arrangement. In this arrangement, the fourth seat assembly 22B in the second row seats 22 rotates about a vertical axis to rotate ninety degrees (90°) to a laterally facing position facing the middle door on the same side of the motor vehicle 10. In this position, a young child (e.g., an infant) can be easily loaded into or unloaded from the base seat or the seat itself through an open door on the side of the motor vehicle 10. The remaining seats can remain in their generally vehicle forward facing positions. In the child seat mode arrangement, it is generally expected that the motor vehicle 10 is not operating, will be in park, and is not moving.

[0063] Referring Figure 10 to the state diagram, a plurality of selectable passenger compartment arrangement modes are shown. It should be understood that the state diagram includes Figures 2 to 9Each of the selectable modes shown. In the example shown, the state diagram includes a drive mode 362, a child seat mode 372, an office mode 364, a social mode 366, a cargo mode 368 that can include a first cargo mode and a second cargo mode, and a third row access mode 370. For example, additional modes such as a leisure mode can be included in other examples. It should be understood that the seat and center console configurations can be changed from one mode to another based on user-selectable inputs. It should also be understood that when the motor vehicle 10 is in a first user-selected mode, the motor vehicle 10 can be changed from any one of the modes shown in the state diagram to any other different requested mode by the user providing an input through a user input device such as a phone 46, a key fob 49, or by providing an input on a user device 38 that includes a touchscreen display or a microphone, or a gesture detection device or other input device.

[0064] The motor vehicle 10 is equipped with a controller 80 that controls the operation and actuation of various seat assemblies and the center console to achieve a user-selected passenger compartment layout according to the passenger seat and center console modes. According to one example, the controller 80 is shown in Figure 11 In the figure. The controller 80 can include a microprocessor 82 or other analog and / or digital circuitry. Additionally, the controller 80 can include a memory 84 that can be configured to store one or more programs 100, 200, 300, 400 for controlling the actuation of the seat assemblies and the center console to a specific passenger compartment layout based on the user-selected mode. Further, the set points for each of the seats and the center console in various positions can be stored in the memory 84.

[0065] The controller 80 receives various inputs, which in the example shown include inputs from external and internal cameras 86, inputs from external and internal microphones 88, seat occupant classification 90, seat presence detection 92, signals from an infrared sensor 94, signals from one or more lidar sensors 96, seat control inputs 98, and inputs from the touchscreen 38, the microphone 88, the camera 86, the mobile application 46, and from the key fob 48. The controller 80 can process the various inputs using one or more of the programs 100, 200, 300, 400 to generate control signals to control various output devices. In the example shown, the output devices can include seat linear motors 50 for each seat, seat motors 54 for each seat, seat back motors 56 for each seat, a center console motor 58, seat rotation motors 62 for each seat, rear seat motors 64 for each seat, and footrest motors 65 associated with each seat assembly or the center console. By controlling the actuation of the various motors, the seat layout and the configuration of the center console can be controlled in multiple passenger compartment modes.

[0066] Reference Figures 12A to 12D According to one example, a control program 100 for transitioning a vehicle passenger compartment between a driving mode and an office mode is shown. Program 100 starts at step 102 in the driving mode and proceeds to step 104 to receive a user input prompt to transition from the driving mode to the office mode. Then, program 100 proceeds to decision step 106 to check for occupants in the vehicle. If one or more occupants are detected in the vehicle, program 100 will stop at step 108. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, program 100 proceeds to perform a door check at step 110. If the door is open, the program stops at step 108. Otherwise, if no door opening is detected, program 100 proceeds to each of steps 112, 128, 132, 142, and 148.

[0067] At step 112, program 100 will adjust the second row driver's side seat to recline to a designed position, which is the normal seated position facing forward in the vehicle. Next, at step 114, the second row driver's side seat cushion will be flipped to an upright position. At step 116, the second row driver's side seat will be rotated counterclockwise one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to face the rear of the vehicle. Next, at step 118, the second row driver's side seat track will be moved forward, and at step 120, the second row driver's side seat cushion will be flipped down to the seated position. Then, program 100 proceeds to step 122 to wait for an idle time to expire and then proceeds to step 124 to complete entering the office mode.

[0068] At step 128, program 100 will command the center console to move forward on a track or guide rail and proceed to step 130 to command the center console track to move toward the rear of the vehicle. Then, program 100 will wait at step 122 for an idle time to expire and then proceed to complete entering the office mode at step 124.

[0069] At step 132, the second row passenger side seat is commanded to recline to the designed position. Next, at step 134, the second row passenger side seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion up to the upright position. At step 136, the second row passenger side seat is commanded to rotate one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) clockwise about a vertical axis to face the rear of the vehicle. At step 138, the second row passenger side seat is commanded to move forward on a track or guide rail. At step 140, the second row passenger seat cushion is commanded to flip down to the seated position and then proceeds to continue waiting at step 122 for an idle time to expire and then proceeds to complete entering the office mode at step 124.

[0070] At step 142, command the first row passenger seat to recline upward. Next, at step 144, adjust the height of the first row passenger seat upward. Thereafter, at step 146, the first row passenger seat moves forward on the track and then program 100 waits at step 122 for the expiration of the idle time and then proceeds to complete entering the office mode at step 124.

[0071] At step 148, command the third row driver seat to flip the seat cushion upward to the upright position. Thereafter, program 100 waits at step 122 for the expiration of the idle time and then proceeds to complete entering the office mode at step 124.

[0072] After completing entering the office mode at step 124, program 100 proceeds to decision step 126 to determine whether the seat arrangement should return to the driving mode, and if not, stops at step 108. If it is determined that the passenger seat arrangement returns to the driving mode, program 100 proceeds to step 150 to receive a user input prompt to transition from the office mode to the driving mode from the user. Next, at decision step 152, program 100 performs an occupant check. If an occupant is detected based on this check, program 100 stops at step 108. If no occupant is detected, program 100 proceeds to perform a door check at step 154. If it is determined that any door is open, program 100 stops at step 108. If the door check shows that the doors are closed, program 100 proceeds to each of steps 156, 168, 170, 180, and 184.

[0073] At step 156, program 100 commands the second row driver seat to move from the reclined position to the designed position. Next, at step 158, command the second row driver seat cushion to flip upward to the upright position. Next, at step 160, the second row driver seat moves rearward on the track or guide rail of the vehicle. At step 162, rotate the second row driver seat so that it rotates 180 degrees (180°) clockwise about the vertical axis to face the front of the vehicle. Next, at step 164, flip the second row driver seat cushion downward to the use position and then proceed to step 166 to wait for the expiration of the idle time.

[0074] At step 168, program 100 commands the center console to move forward on the track or guide rail. Thereafter, program 100 proceeds to wait at step 166 for the expiration of the idle time.

[0075] At step 170, the second row passenger seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the designed position. At step 172, the second row passenger seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion upward to the upright position. At step 174, the second row passenger seat is commanded to move rearward on the track or guide rail of the vehicle. At step 176, the second row passenger seat is commanded to rotate counterclockwise by one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to face the front of the vehicle. At step 178, the second row passenger seat cushion is commanded to flip downward to the use position. Thereafter, program 100 proceeds to wait for the expiration of the idle time at step 166.

[0076] At step 180, the first row passenger seat is commanded to move rearward on the track of the vehicle. Next, at step 182, the first row passenger seat is commanded to adjust its height downward. Thereafter, program 100 waits for the expiration of the idle time at step 166.

[0077] At step 184, the third row driver seat cushion is commanded to flip downward to the use position. Thereafter, program 100 waits for the expiration of the idle time at step 166. After the expiration of the idle time at step 166, program 100 returns to step 102, where the seats and the center console are arranged in the driving mode.

[0078] Reference Figure 13A , according to an example, a control program 200 for transitioning a vehicle passenger compartment from a driving mode to a social mode is shown. Program 200 starts at step 202 in the driving mode and proceeds to step 204 to receive a user input prompt to transition from the driving mode to the social mode. Then, program 200 proceeds to decision step 106 to perform an occupant detection check and verify that there are no obstacles. It should be understood that an internal camera and other sensors can be used to detect obstacles in the movement path of the seat assembly, and the center console can use the sensed signals to allow the transition to occur only when there are no obstacles in the movement path. If an occupant is detected sitting in the vehicle, program 200 will stop at step 208. If no occupant is detected in the vehicle, program 200 will proceed to perform a door check to check if any doors are open. If any doors are detected as open, program 200 will stop at step 208. If all doors are closed, program 200 proceeds to each of step 212, step 224, step 234, step 238, and step 248.

[0079] At step 212, program 200 commands the driver's side first row seat to recline forward to the upright position. Next, at step 214, the height of the driver's side first row seat is adjusted upward. At step 216, the driver's side first row seat moves forward on the track towards the front of the vehicle. Thereafter, program 200 proceeds to wait at step 218 for the expiration of the idle time, and then enters the completion of the social mode at step 220.

[0080] At step 224, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the designed position. Next, at step 226, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion upward to the upright position. Then, in step 228, the driver's side second row seat is rotated to rotate counterclockwise one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) about the vertical axis. At step 230, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to move forward on the track towards the front of the vehicle. At step 232, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion downward to the use position. Thereafter, program 200 will wait at step 218 for the expiration of the idle time, and then enter the completion of the social mode at step 220.

[0081] At step 234, the center console is commanded to move forward on the track towards the front of the vehicle. Next, at step 236, the center console moves backward on the track towards the rear of the vehicle. Thereafter, program 200 proceeds to wait at step 218 for the expiration of the idle time, and then enters the completion of the social mode at step 220.

[0082] At step 238, the passenger side second row seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the designed position. Next, at step 240, the passenger side second row seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion upward to the upright position. Next, at step 242, the passenger side second row seat is commanded to rotate clockwise one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) about the vertical axis to face the rear of the vehicle. At step 244, the passenger side second row seat is commanded to move forward on the track towards the front of the vehicle. At step 246, the passenger side second row seat cushion is commanded to flip downward to the use position. Thereafter, program 200 proceeds to wait at step 218 for the expiration of the idle time, and then enters the completion of the social mode at step 220.

[0083] At step 248, the passenger side first row seat is commanded to recline forward and upward to the upright position. At step 250, the height of the passenger side first row seat is adjusted upward. Next, at step 256, the passenger side first row seat is commanded to move forward on the track. Thereafter, program 200 waits at step 218 for the expiration of the idle time, and then enters the social mode at step 220.

[0084] In the social mode at step 220, program 200 proceeds to decision step 222 to determine whether the vehicle is to return to the driving mode, and if not, stops at step 208. If it is determined that the vehicle is to return to the driving mode, program 200 proceeds to step 254 to wait for a user input prompt for the transition from the social mode to the driving mode. Once the user input prompt is received, program 200 performs an occupant check at step 256. If an occupant is detected in the vehicle, program 200 stops at step 208. If no occupant is detected in the vehicle, program 200 performs a door check at step 258. If any door is detected as open, program 200 stops at step 208. If no door is detected as open, program 200 proceeds to each of step 260, step 268, step 278, step 280, and step 290.

[0085] At step 260, the driver's side first row seat is commanded to move rearward in the track. Next, at step 262, the height of the driver's side first row seat is adjusted downward. At step 264, the driver's side first row seat is commanded to recline downward. Thereafter, program 200 proceeds to wait for the expiration of the idle time at step 266 and then returns to the driving mode at step 202.

[0086] At step 268, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the designed position. At step 270, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion upward to the upright position. At step 272, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to move rearward in the track. At step 274, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to rotate clockwise by one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to face the front of the vehicle. At step 276, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion downward. Thereafter, program 200 waits for the expiration of the idle time at step 266 and then returns to the driving mode at step 202.

[0087] At step 278, the center console is commanded to move forward in the track. Thereafter, program 200 waits for the expiration of the idle time at step 266 and then returns to the driving mode at step 202.

[0088] At step 280, the second row passenger side seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the designed position. Next, at step 282, the second row passenger side seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion upward to the upright position. At step 284, the second row passenger side seat is commanded to move backward on the track. At step 286, the second row passenger side seat is commanded to rotate counterclockwise by one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to face the front of the vehicle. At step 288, the second row passenger side seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion downward. Thus, program 200 proceeds to wait for the expiration of the idle time at step 266, and then returns to the driving mode at step 202.

[0089] At step 290, the first row passenger side seat is commanded to move rearward on the track of the vehicle. Next, at step 292, the height of the first row passenger side seat is commanded to be adjusted downward. At step 294, the first row passenger side seat is commanded to recline downward. Thereafter, program 200 waits for the expiration of the idle time at step 266, and then returns to the driving mode at step 202.

[0090] After the expiration of the idle time at step 266, program 200 returns to step 202, where the vehicle passenger compartment is arranged in the driving mode.

[0091] Reference Figure 14A and Figure 14B According to an example, a control program 300 for transitioning a vehicle passenger compartment from an office mode to a social mode is shown. Program 300 starts at step 302 in the office mode and proceeds to step 304 to receive a user prompt to transition from the office mode to the social mode. Then, program 300 proceeds to a decision step 306 to perform an occupant check. If one or more occupants are detected sitting in the vehicle, program 300 proceeds to stop at step 308. If no occupants are in the vehicle, program 300 proceeds to perform a door check at step 310. If any door is detected to be open, program 300 stops at step 308. If no door is detected to be open, program 300 proceeds to each of step 312 and step 326.

[0092] At step 312, the first row driver side seat is commanded to recline upward. Next, at step 314, the height of the first row driver side seat is commanded to be adjusted upward. At step 316, the first row driver side seat is commanded to move forward on the track of the vehicle. At step 318, the second row driver side seat is commanded to move forward on the track of the vehicle. At step 320, program 300 waits for the expiration of the idle time, and then completes the transition to the social mode at step 322.

[0093] At step 326, the driver's side third row seat is commanded to flip the seat cushion downward to the use position. Next, at step 328, the center console is commanded to move forward on the track to the middle position. Thereafter, program 300 proceeds to wait for the idle time to expire in step 320 and then transitions to the social mode at step 322.

[0094] Once in the social mode, program 300 proceeds to decision step 324 to determine whether the arrangement should return to the office mode, and if not, stops at step 308. If it is determined that the arrangement should return to the office mode, program 300 proceeds to step 330 to receive a user input prompt to transition from the social mode to the office mode. Thereafter, program 300 proceeds to perform an occupant check at step 332 to determine whether one or more occupants are seated in the vehicle and no obstacles are detected by the interior camera. If any occupants are detected sitting in the vehicle, program 300 will stop at step 308. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, program 300 performs a door check at step 334. If any doors are detected as open, program 300 stops at step 308. If no doors are detected as open, program 300 proceeds to each of step 336 and step 346.

[0095] At step 336, the driver's side second row seat is commanded to move rearward on the track. Next, at step 338, the driver's side first row seat is commanded to move backward on the track. At step 340, the height of the driver's side first row seat is commanded to be adjusted downward. At step 342, the driver's side first row seat is commanded to recline downward. At step 344, program 300 waits for the idle time to expire and then completes the transition to the office mode at step 302.

[0096] At step 346, the center console is commanded to move rearward on the track to the rear position. Next, at step 348, the driver's side third row seat cushion is commanded to flip upward to the upright position. Thereafter, program 300 waits for the idle time to expire at step 344 and then completes the transition to the office mode at step 302.

[0097] Reference Figure 15, according to an example, a control program 400 for transitioning a vehicle passenger compartment from a driving mode to an entry / exit mode is shown. Program 400 starts at step 402 in the driving mode and proceeds to step 404 to receive a user input prompt to transition from the driving mode to the entry / exit mode. Then, program 400 proceeds to decision step 406 to perform an occupant check. If one or more occupants are detected sitting in the vehicle, program 400 stops at step 408. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, program 400 proceeds to decision step 410 to perform a door check. If any door is detected as open, program 400 stops at step 408. If no door is detected as open, program 400 proceeds to step 412.

[0098] At step 412, the second row passenger seat is rotated clockwise one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) about a vertical axis to a position facing the rear of the vehicle. Next, at step 414, program 400 waits for an idle time to expire. After the idle time has expired, program 400 proceeds to step 416 to complete the transition to the entry / exit mode.

[0099] Once in the entry / exit mode, program 400 proceeds to decision step 418 to determine if the vehicle is to return to the driving mode, and if not, stops at step 408. If it is determined that the vehicle is to return to the driving mode, program 400 proceeds to step 420 to receive a user input prompt to transition from the entry / exit mode to the driving mode. Once the user input prompt is received, program 400 proceeds to perform an occupant check at step 424. If one or more occupants are detected in the vehicle, program 400 proceeds to step 408 to stop. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, program 400 proceeds to decision step 426 to perform a door check. If any door is detected as open, program 400 stops at step 408. If no door is detected as open, program 400 proceeds to step 428, where the second row passenger seat is commanded to rotate counterclockwise one hundred and eighty degrees (180°) to face the front of the vehicle. Thereafter, program 400 waits at step 430 for an idle time to expire and then fully transitions to the driving mode.

[0100] It should be understood that the motor vehicle 10 may include additional control programs stored in the memory 84 and executed by the microprocessor 82 to perform a passenger compartment transition from one mode to another. For example, the motor vehicle 10 may be configured to transition from a driving mode to a child loading mode, whereby the second row seat on the passenger side or the driver side is commanded to rotate ninety degrees (90°) from the driving mode passenger configuration to the child loading passenger configuration to present a seat for loading a child thereon. The child loading mode may be transitioned back to the driving mode by reversing the process and rotating the second row seat ninety degrees (90°) in the opposite direction to face forward in the vehicle.

[0101] Similarly, the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 10 may be equipped with a control program for transitioning from a driving mode to a cargo mode. This may include flipping up the seat bases on the third row seat and the second row seat, and sliding the second row seat forward laterally towards the rear of the rear row seat to present a cargo area between the first row seat and the second row seat. The process may be reversed by moving the second row seat forward in the vehicle and flipping down the seat bases on the second row and the third row to return the passenger compartment to the driving mode. It should be understood that other types of transitions between the various modes provided herein for the passenger compartment may be accomplished by controlling one or more actuators to move the seats and the center console between various positions to transition from one mode to another.

[0102] Accordingly, there is provided a motor vehicle 10 in the form of a three-row seat pickup truck having six doors and a convertible passenger compartment 14 having a seat and center console arrangement that may be configured to transition into any one of a plurality of passenger compartment arrangements. A user may simply initiate a transition to a passenger compartment mode on an input device (such as a phone, key fob, touch screen display, audio input, or other input) to change the seat and center console configuration to accommodate the selected passenger compartment arrangement.

[0103] It should be understood that changes and modifications may be made to the foregoing structures without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, and further that such spirit is intended to be covered by these claims unless the claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

[0104] According to the present invention, there is provided a motor vehicle having: a passenger compartment having a forward region, a central region, and a rearward region; a floor; a seat rail system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle; a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row, each of the seat assemblies including: a seat base coupled to the seat rail system; a seat movably coupled to the seat base; a seat backrest movably coupled to the seat base; and one or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assembly to a plurality of positions; a center console rail system; a center console positioned on the center console rail system extending longitudinally on the floor; a center console actuator for actuating the center console on the center console rail system; and a controller configured to receive an input of a commanded passenger compartment arrangement, wherein the controller controls the actuators to position the seat assemblies and the center console into the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

[0105] According to an embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a user input device for inputting a selection of a user input.

[0106] According to an embodiment, the user input device includes one of a telephone, a key fob, a microphone, a gesture detection device, and a touch screen display.

[0107] According to an embodiment, the selected seat arrangement includes one of a driving mode, a social mode, and a cargo mode.

[0108] According to an embodiment, the selected passenger compartment arrangement further includes an office mode and a child seat mode.

[0109] According to an embodiment, the seat assembly in the second row of seats further includes a rotational actuator for rotating the seat about a vertical axis.

[0110] According to an embodiment, the third row of seats includes a seat backrest adjacent to a rear wall of the passenger compartment.

[0111] According to an embodiment, in the driving mode, the forward region includes the first row, the central region includes the second row, and the rearward region includes the third row.

[0112] According to an embodiment, the vehicle includes a pickup truck.

[0113] According to an embodiment, the pickup truck includes three doors on each of the opposite lateral sides for accessing the three rows of seats.

[0114] According to the present invention, there is provided a motor vehicle configured as a pickup truck, the motor vehicle having: a passenger compartment having a forward area, a central area, and a rearward area; a floor; a seat rail system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle; a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row, each of the seat assemblies including: a seat base coupled to the seat rail system; a seat movably coupled to the seat base; a seat back movably coupled to the seat base; and one or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assembly to a plurality of positions; a center console rail system; a center console positioned on the center console rail system extending longitudinally on the floor; a center console actuator for actuating the center console on the center console rail system; and a controller configured to receive an input of a commanded passenger compartment arrangement, wherein the controller controls the actuators to position the seat assemblies and the center console into the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

[0115] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a user input device for inputting a selection of a user input.

[0116] According to an embodiment, the user input device includes one of a telephone, a key fob, a microphone, a gesture detection device, and a touch screen display.

[0117] According to an embodiment, the selected seat arrangement includes one of a driving mode, a social mode, and a cargo mode.

[0118] According to an embodiment, the selected passenger compartment arrangement further includes an office mode and a child seat mode.

[0119] According to an embodiment, the seat assembly in the second row of seats further includes a rotational actuator for rotating the seat about a vertical axis.

[0120] According to an embodiment, the third row of seats includes a seat back adjacent to a rear wall of the cab.

[0121] According to an embodiment, the pickup truck includes three doors on each of the opposite lateral sides for accessing the three rows of seats.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising: A passenger compartment having a forward area, a central area, and a rearward area; A floor; A seat rail system positioned on the floor and extending along the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle; A plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row, each of the seat assemblies including: A seat base coupled to the seat rail system; A seat movably coupled to the seat base; A seat backrest movably coupled to the seat base; and One or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assembly to a plurality of positions; A center console rail system; A center console positioned on the center console rail system extending longitudinally on the floor; A center console actuator for actuating the center console on the center console rail system; and A controller configured to receive an input of a commanded passenger compartment arrangement, wherein the controller controls the actuators to position the seat assembly and the center console into the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a user input device for inputting a selection of a user input.

3. The vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the user input device includes one of a telephone, a key fob, a microphone, a gesture detection device, and a touch screen display.

4. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the selected seat arrangement includes one of a driving mode, a social mode, and a cargo mode.

5. The vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the selected passenger compartment arrangement further includes an office mode and a child seat mode.

6. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the seat assembly in the second row of seats further includes a rotation actuator for rotating the seat about a vertical axis.

7. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the third row of seats includes a seat backrest adjacent to the rear wall of the passenger compartment.

8. The vehicle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein in the driving mode, the forward area includes the first row, the central area includes the second row, and the rearward area includes the third row.

9. The vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the vehicle includes a pickup truck.

10. The vehicle according to claim 9, wherein the pickup truck includes three doors on each of the opposite lateral sides for accessing the three rows of seats.

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