Multifunctional vehicle seat, seat assembly and vehicle
By designing multi-function electric vehicle seats, the problem of poor comfort in the rear seats of existing passenger cars between the 3-person and 2-person seat structures is solved, and the automatic conversion and flexible adjustment of the seats between the 3-person and 2-person seat structures is realized, improving the comfort and space utilization of the seats.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202410179711.3
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-02-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-08-19
AI Technical Summary
The rear seats of existing passenger cars have poor comfort when switching between 3-person and 2-person seat structures, and cannot be automatically adjusted, making it impossible to achieve flexible conversion between 3-person seats and 2-person seats.
A multi-functional electric vehicle seat is designed, including a left armrest assembly, a middle seat part and a right armrest assembly. The seat is automatically converted between the 3-person seat structure and the 2-person seat structure through an electric drive mechanism. The middle seat part and the left and right armrest assembly can be moved between the closure position and the use position. The left and right armrest assembly can be rotated or raised, and the middle seat can be folded or used as a center console.
The automatic conversion of seats between 3-person and 2-person seat structures is realized, the comfort and flexibility of the seats are improved, and the automatic adjustment can be made according to the needs of the number of people, increasing the seat usage ratio and space utilization rate.
Smart Images
Figure CN120503666A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of vehicles, in particular to a multifunctional vehicle seat, a seat assembly having the multifunctional vehicle seat and a vehicle having the seat assembly. Background Art
[0002] The rear (second or third row) power seats in existing passenger cars typically adopt a split bench style (typically with a 60-40 or 50-50 ratio) or a 100-ratio bench style. These seats can accommodate two or three people. However, due to the lack of a center armrest, these seats are not very comfortable, especially when two or even just one person is sitting.
[0003] Currently, there are split-section power seats on the market that utilize a 40-20-40 bench seat configuration, with the center section comprising 20% of the seat and the left and right sections each comprising 40%. The center section's backrest folds down 90 degrees to serve as an armrest for the left and right seats, creating a two-person seat configuration. To accommodate three people, the center section's backrest retracts. However, this two-person seat configuration offers limited comfort. Furthermore, the seat cannot be adjusted side to side, nor can the individual sections be adjusted individually.
[0004] Furthermore, there is no power seat assembly that is capable of automatically converting between a 3-passenger seating configuration and a 2-passenger seating configuration. Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention is directed to overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages. Specifically, the present invention provides a multifunctional electric vehicle seat that can be used in a seat assembly, such as a second and / or third row of rear seats, to automatically convert between a three-passenger seating configuration and a two-passenger seating configuration, and that can improve the comfort of the seat assembly.
[0006] The multifunctional seat includes three parts, namely a left armrest assembly, a center seat section, and a right armrest assembly. The left and right armrest assemblies are movable between a stowed position and an in-use position, and the center seat section is movable between the stowed position and the in-use position, so that the multifunctional seat can be converted between a first position, a second position, and a third position. In the first position, the left and right armrest assemblies are in the stowed position, the center seat section is in the in-use position, and the three parts are arranged side by side to define a seating surface. In the second position, the left and right armrest assemblies are in the in-use position and the center seat section is in the in-use position. In the third position, the left and right armrest assemblies are in the in-use position and the center seat section is in the stowed position, the left and right armrest assemblies are arranged adjacent to each other, and the center seat section is located below the left and right armrest assemblies.
[0007] According to an embodiment, the middle seat part may be connected to the vehicle floor.
[0008] According to an embodiment, the left and right armrest assemblies can move closer to or farther away from each other, for example, by a left and right motion drive mechanism of the left and right seats of the seat assembly.
[0009] According to an embodiment, both the left and right armrest assemblies include a main body and an armrest movable relative to the main body.
[0010] According to one embodiment, the armrest is rotatable relative to the main body. In the in-use position, the armrest is rotated downward relative to the main body compared to the stowed position. The rotational movement is achieved, for example, by a rotary drive mechanism, such as a recliner. In addition, in the stowed position, the armrest can function as part of the seat backrest.
[0011] According to another embodiment, the armrest is linearly movable up and down relative to the main body. In the in-use position, the armrest is raised relative to the main body compared to the stowed position. The linear movement is achieved, for example, by a sliding drive mechanism. Furthermore, in the stowed position, the armrest can function as part of the seating surface.
[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the middle seat portion comprises a backrest portion and a seat cushion portion. Preferably, the backrest portion can be folded onto the seat cushion portion to lay the middle seat portion flat or serve as a center console to provide additional storage space.
[0013] According to an embodiment, in the stowed position, the middle seat part is moved toward the rear and downward compared to the use position. This movement is achieved, for example, by a connecting rod drive mechanism.
[0014] The present invention further provides a seat assembly comprising the multifunctional seat. According to an embodiment, the multifunctional seat can be used as a middle seat of the seat assembly.
[0015] According to an embodiment, the seat assembly is a split type with a 40-20-40 ratio.
[0016] According to an embodiment, the seat assembly further includes left and right side seats arranged side by side with the middle seat, and the left and right side armrest assemblies are respectively connected to the left and right side seats.
[0017] According to an embodiment, separate zero-gravity seats may be used for the left and right seats, which can be adjusted individually to further improve comfort.
[0018] According to the seat assembly of the present invention, the left and right seats can move toward and away from each other left and right, for example, by a left and right motion drive mechanism.
[0019] The present invention also provides a vehicle comprising the above-mentioned seat assembly. According to an embodiment, the seat assembly can be used as a second row seat or a third row seat.
[0020] The idea of the present invention is to combine two separate rear-row (second or third row) electric seats (such as zero-gravity seats, as left and right seats) in the vehicle cabin with a multifunctional seat (as a middle seat), wherein the left and right seats can move forward and backward and left and right, and the left and right armrest assemblies of the middle seat can move left and right together with the left and right seats. When the two side seats are in the outermost position (close to the door), the middle seat reaches the first position, for example, occupying a 20 ratio, and is flush with the left and right side seats to provide 3 seats. When the two side seats move inward toward each other, the left and right armrest assemblies move inward toward each other, and at the same time the armrests rotate downward or rise upward to the use position to act as armrests, and the middle seat portion moves rearward and downward, so that when the left and right armrest assemblies are close to each other, the middle seat portion is located below the left and right armrest assemblies, thereby providing 2 seats. The above movements can all be achieved by an electric drive mechanism.
[0021] Thus, according to the present invention, the seat assembly can automatically convert between a three-person seat configuration and a two-person seat configuration. When three people are required to sit, the middle multifunctional seat can function as a normal seat. However, when only two or one person is seated, the multifunctional seat can be converted into an armrest to provide comfort for the occupants.
[0022] Due to the modular design of the multifunctional seat, when using the multifunctional seat according to the present invention, the vehicle compartment can be easily converted from 4 seats (when there are two rows of seats) to 5 seats, or 6 seats (when there are three rows of seats) to 7 seats or 8 seats.
[0023] Furthermore, the left and right armrest assemblies can serve as a portion of the seat back or seating surface, thereby simplifying the seat structure.
[0024] In addition, under the 6-seat system, the multifunctional seat can be moved forward and backward, for example, by means of slide rails. Thus, the multifunctional seat can be moved to the second row of seats or to the third row of seats to serve as a middle seat, so that the occupants can freely choose whether to seat 3 people in the second or third row of seats. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:
[0026] Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a seat assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown, wherein the multi-function middle seat is in a first position;
[0027] Figure 2A Shows Figure 1 A schematic perspective view of a multifunctional center seat in a seat assembly is shown;
[0028] Figure 2B Shows Figure 2A An exploded perspective view of the multi-function middle seat is shown;
[0029] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2A A schematic side view of the multi-function middle seat is shown;
[0030] Figure 4 Shows Figure 2A Another schematic side view of the multifunctional middle seat shown;
[0031] Figure 5 Shows Figure 1 Another schematic perspective view of the seat assembly is shown with the multi-function center seat in the second position;
[0032] Figure 6 Shows Figure 1 Another schematic perspective view of the seat assembly is shown with the center seat in a third position;
[0033] Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a seat assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the multi-function middle seat is in a first position;
[0034] Figure 8A Shows Figure 7 A schematic perspective view of a multifunctional center seat in a seat assembly is shown;
[0035] Figure 8B Shows Figure 8A An exploded perspective view of the multi-function middle seat is shown;
[0036] Figure 9 Shows Figure 8A A schematic side view of the multi-function middle seat is shown;
[0037] Figure 10 Shows Figure 8A Another schematic side view of the multifunctional middle seat shown;
[0038] Figure 11 Shows the Figure 7 Another schematic perspective view of the seat assembly is shown with the multi-function center seat in the second position;
[0039] Figure 12 Shows the Figure 7 Another schematic perspective view of the seat assembly is shown with the center seat in a third position.
[0040] The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Like reference numbers in the drawings indicate similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of description, directional terms are used in the specification, which refer to directions in a vehicle.
[0042] Figure 1 Shown is a seat assembly 1 according to a first embodiment, comprising a multifunctional center seat 10, a right seat 20 and a left seat 30. In this example, the seats on both sides are zero-gravity seats. For clarity, only the seat frames are shown.
[0043] The seat assembly 1 is a split type with a ratio of 40-20-40, that is, the left and right seats each account for 40% and the middle seat accounts for 20%.
[0044] Figure 2A and Figure 2B The center multifunctional seat 10 is shown in detail and comprises three sections: a center seat section 11, a right armrest assembly 12, and a left armrest assembly 13. The center seat section 11 is connected to the vehicle floor 40 and includes a backrest portion 11a and a seat cushion portion 11b. The left and right armrest assemblies each include a body 12a, 13a and an armrest 12b, 13b movable relative to the body. They are connected to the left and right seats 20 and 30, respectively, via brackets 50 and 60.
[0045] In this example, the backrest portion is fixed relative to the seat cushion portion. It is conceivable that the backrest portion can also be folded onto the seat cushion portion so that the seat can be laid flat.
[0046] The middle seat portion 11 can be moved between a stowed position and a use position, such as Figure 3 , where the in-use position is shown by solid lines and the stowed position by dashed lines. As shown, in the stowed position, the middle seat section 11 is moved rearward and downward compared to the in-use position. This movement is achieved via a connecting rod drive mechanism 14, which is actuated by a motor (not shown). The middle seat section 11 is connected to the vehicle floor 40 via the connecting rod drive mechanism 14.
[0047] The left and right armrest assemblies 12 and 13 can be moved between a stowed position and a use position. Figure 4 As shown, the in-use position is shown by dashed lines, and the stowed position is shown by solid lines. The armrests 12b, 13b are rotatable relative to their respective bodies 12a, 13b. In the in-use position, the armrests are rotated downward relative to the body compared to the stowed position. This rotational movement is achieved via recliners 12c, 13c, which are driven by a motor (not shown).
[0048] Furthermore, in the stowed position, the armrests 12b, 13b also function as part of the seat back.
[0049] Thus, the multifunctional seat 10 can be converted between a first position, a second position and a third position. In the first position, the left and right armrest assemblies 12 and 13 are in the stowed position, the middle seat part 11 is in the use position, and the three parts are arranged side by side to define a sitting surface 15.
[0050] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The second and third positions of the multifunctional seat 10 are shown respectively. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 2 , in the second position, the left and right armrest assemblies 12 and 13 are in the use position, and the middle seat portion 11 is also in the use position. Figure 6 As shown, in the third position, the left and right armrest assemblies 12 and 13 are in the use position, and the middle seat portion 11 is in the stowed position, and the left and right armrest assemblies 12 and 13 are arranged closely together, and the middle seat portion 11 is moved below the left and right armrest assemblies 12 and 13 ( Figure 5 and Figure 6 not visible in the ).
[0051] When the left and right seats 20 and 30 are moved toward and away from each other, the left and right armrest assemblies 12 and 13 are moved toward or away from each other. This is achieved by the left and right motion drive mechanism (not shown) of the left and right seats.
[0052] Figure 7 Shown is a seat assembly 100 according to another embodiment, which includes a multifunctional middle seat 110, a right seat 120 and a left seat 130. In this example, the seats on both sides are also zero-gravity seats. For the sake of clarity, only the seat frames are shown.
[0053] Figure 8A and Figure 8B Details of the center multi-functional seat 110 are shown, which also comprises three sections: a center seat section 111, a right armrest assembly 112, and a left armrest assembly 113. Center seat section 111 is connected to vehicle floor 140 and includes a backrest portion 111a and a seat cushion portion 111b. Left and right armrest assemblies 112 and 113 each include a body 112a, 113a and armrests 112b, 113b that are movable relative to the body. They are connected to left and right seats 120 and 130, respectively, via brackets 150 and 160.
[0054] The middle seat portion 111 can be moved between a stowed position and a use position, such as Figure 9, where the in-use position is shown by solid lines and the stowed position is shown by dashed lines. As shown, in the stowed position, the middle seat section 111 is moved rearward and downward compared to the in-use position. This movement is achieved via a connecting rod drive mechanism 114, which is actuated by a motor (not shown). The middle seat section 111 is also connected to the vehicle floor 140 via this connecting rod drive mechanism 114.
[0055] The left and right armrest assemblies 112 and 113 can be moved between a stowed position and a use position. Figure 10 As shown, the in-use position is indicated by dashed lines, and the stowed position is indicated by solid lines. In this example, the armrests 112b and 113b are capable of linearly moving up and down relative to their respective bodies 112a and 113a. In the in-use position, the armrests are raised relative to the bodies compared to the stowed position. This movement is achieved by a motor drive mechanism (not shown).
[0056] Furthermore, in the stowed position, the armrests 112b, 113b serve as part of the seating surface 115.
[0057] Thus, the multifunctional seat 110 can be converted between a first position, a second position and a third position. In the first position, the left and right armrest assemblies 112 and 113 are in the stowed position, the middle seat part 111 is in the use position, and the three parts are arranged side by side to define a sitting surface 115.
[0058] Figure 11 and Figure 12 The second and third positions of the multifunctional seat 110 are shown respectively. Figure 11 As shown in FIG. 2 , in the second position, the left and right armrest assemblies 112 and 113 are in the use position, and the middle seat portion 111 is also in the use position. Figure 12 As shown, in the third position, the left and right armrest assemblies 112 and 113 are in the use position, and the middle seat part 111 is in the stowed position, and the left and right armrest assemblies 112 and 113 are arranged closely together, and the middle seat part 111 is moved below the left and right armrest assemblies 112 and 113.
[0059] In some cases, features disclosed in the present invention may be used independently of other features. On the other hand, when necessary, features disclosed in the present invention may be combined to provide various combinations.
[0060] The terms and expressions used in this invention are illustrative rather than restrictive, and therefore, the use of these terms and expressions is not intended to exclude any equivalents of the features illustrated and described from the scope of the invention. Various modifications, variations, and alternatives are possible within the scope of the claims. The claims are intended to cover all such equivalents.
Claims
1. A multifunctional seat for a vehicle seat assembly, characterized in that The multifunctional seat includes a left armrest assembly, a middle seat part and a right armrest assembly. The left and right armrest assemblies are capable of moving between a stowed position and a use position, and the middle seat part is capable of moving between a stowed position and a use position, so that the multifunctional seat can be converted between a first position, a second position and a third position. In the first position, the left and right armrest assemblies are in the stowed position, the middle seat part is in the use position, and the left and right armrest assemblies and the middle seat part are arranged side by side to define a sitting surface. In the second position, the left and right armrest assemblies are in the use position, and the middle seat part is in the use position. In the third position, the left and right armrest assemblies are in the use position, the middle seat part is in the stowed position, the left and right armrest assemblies are arranged close together, and the middle seat part is located below the left and right armrest assemblies.
2. The multifunctional seat according to claim 1, characterized in that: The left and right armrest assemblies can move closer to or farther away from each other.
3. The multifunctional seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The left and right armrest assemblies each include a main body and an armrest that can move relative to the main body.
4. The multifunctional seat according to claim 3, characterized in that: The armrest is rotatable relative to the main body. In the use position, the armrest is rotated downward relative to the main body compared to the stowed position.
5. The multifunctional seat according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the stowed position, the armrest acts as part of the seat back.
6. The multifunctional seat according to claim 3, characterized in that: The armrest can be linearly moved up and down relative to the main body. In the use position, the armrest is raised relative to the main body compared to the stowed position.
7. The multifunctional seat according to claim 6, characterized in that: In the stowed position, the armrests function as part of the seating surface.
8. The multifunctional seat according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The middle seat portion includes a backrest portion and a seat cushion portion.
9. The multifunctional seat according to claim 8, characterized in that: The backrest portion can be folded onto the seat cushion portion.
10. The multifunctional seat according to claim 8, characterized in that: In the stowed position, the middle seat section is moved rearward and downward compared to the use position.
11. A seat assembly, characterized in that: The seat assembly comprises the multifunctional seat according to any one of claims 1 to 10, which serves as a middle seat of the seat assembly.
12. The seat assembly of claim 11, wherein: The seat assembly is a split type with a 40-20-40 ratio.
13. The seat assembly according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The seat assembly also includes left and right side seats arranged side by side with the middle seat, and the left and right side armrest assemblies are respectively connected to the left and right side seats.
14. The seat assembly of claim 13, wherein: The left and right seats can be moved towards and away from each other.
15. The seat assembly according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that The middle seat can be moved fore and aft.
16. A vehicle, characterized in that: A vehicle comprises a seat assembly according to any one of claims 11-15.