Vehicle seat

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion frame; a seat back frame including an upper frame and a lower frame, where the upper frame is connected to the seat cushion frame at a first connection point and a second connection point, and the lower frame is connected to the seat cushion frame at a third connection point; and a plurality of actuators, an end portion of each actuator being connected to any one of the first to third connection points, and each actuator being configured to effect movement of at least one of the upper frame and the lower frame by actuation.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0120344, filed with the Korean Intellectual Property Office on September 4, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to a vehicle seat. Background Technology

[0004] With the development of autonomous driving technology, vehicles are transforming into spaces that perform multiple functions. Vehicles can serve as office spaces for busy modern people, provide comfortable entertainment spaces for long journeys, or communication spaces where multiple people can communicate face-to-face.

[0005] However, with the development of autonomous driving technology, there is a demand for increased freedom of seating orientation within vehicles. A typical example is a rotary structure that allows the seat to rotate. However, rotary structures have the following limitations: when the entire seat is rotated within a limited space, interference occurs with surrounding components. Therefore, this disclosure aims to provide a vehicle seat that allows for bidirectional seating, thereby overcoming the limitation of the drive radius caused by rotational motion.

[0006] The matters disclosed in this section are intended only to enhance the understanding of the general context of this disclosure and should not be construed as an admission of prior art known to those skilled in the art or any form of implication regarding such matters. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, in view of the above problems, this disclosure is made, and the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a vehicle seat that can be used for sitting in both directions, thereby overcoming the limitation of the drive radius caused by rotational motion.

[0008] The technical problems to be solved by this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and those skilled in the art can clearly understand other technical problems not mentioned from the following description.

[0009] To achieve the above objectives, a vehicle seat according to the present disclosure includes: a seat cushion frame; a seat back frame including an upper frame and a lower frame, the upper frame being connected to the seat cushion frame at a first connection point and a second connection point, and the lower frame being connected to the seat cushion frame at a third connection point; and a plurality of actuators, each actuator having an end connected to one of the first connection point, the second connection point and the third connection point, each actuator being configured to actuate at least one of the upper frame and the lower frame.

[0010] The upper frame can be connected to a first connection point via a first hinge and to a second connection point via a second hinge, and the upper frame is configured to rotate about the first or second connection point. The lower frame can be connected to a third connection point via a third hinge and is configured to rotate about the third connection point.

[0011] A space for the lower frame to rotate can be defined between the lower ends of the upper frame.

[0012] The seat cushion frame may include: a seat portion, including a seat cushion; and a connecting portion to which the seat back frame is connected. The connecting portion may include a first bracket to which the upper frame is connected and a second bracket to which the lower frame is connected.

[0013] The first connection point and the second connection point can be positioned on the first support, the third connection point can be positioned on the second support, and the first connection point can be positioned higher than the second connection point.

[0014] The actuators may include: a first drive motor, an end of which is connected to a first connection point, the first drive motor being configured to move the upper frame; a second drive motor, an end of which is connected to a second connection point, the second drive motor being configured to move the upper frame; and a third drive motor, an end of which is connected to a third connection point, the third drive motor being configured to move the lower frame.

[0015] The seat cushion frame may include a connecting portion to which the seat back frame is connected, wherein the connecting portion may include a first bracket to which the upper frame is connected and a second bracket to which the lower frame is connected, and wherein a first drive motor and a second drive motor may be connected to the first bracket and a third drive motor may be connected to the second bracket.

[0016] The end of the first drive motor can be connected to the upper frame at the first connection point via the first shaft, the end of the second drive motor can be connected to the upper frame at the second connection point via the second shaft, and the end of the third drive motor can be connected to the lower frame at the third connection point via the third shaft.

[0017] The first connection point can be positioned higher than the second connection point, and the second drive motor can be configured to be driven together with the third drive motor to rotate the upper frame and the lower frame in the same direction, thereby achieving the tilting movement of the seat back frame.

[0018] A rotatable space for the lower frame can be defined between the lower ends of the upper frame, and the first drive motor and the third drive motor can be configured to rotate the upper frame and the lower frame in different directions respectively to provide a face-to-face seating mode.

[0019] The third drive motor can be configured to be driven to rotate the lower frame toward the rear seat to provide a leg rest mode.

[0020] The third connection point can be located behind the first and second connection points.

[0021] The first axis, the second axis, and the third axis can extend parallel to each other.

[0022] The third connection point can be located at the far end of the second bracket.

[0023] The movement space can extend to the bottom of the upper frame.

[0024] The first connection point can be located at the distal end of the first bracket, and the second connection point can be located at the opposite end of the first bracket.

[0025] The upper frame may include a first seat back cushion, and the lower frame may include a second seat back cushion, with the first and second seat back cushions being separate from each other.

[0026] The second seat back cushion can be configured to be recessed or protruded relative to the first seat back cushion in reclined mode, through the movement space.

[0027] When viewed from the side of the vehicle seat, the connecting portion can extend from the seat portion at a predetermined angle relative to the seat portion, and the first bracket can extend at another predetermined angle relative to the second bracket.

[0028] The third drive motor can be located inside the lower frame and configured to rotate with the lower frame about its axis of rotation.

[0029] According to the vehicle seat disclosed herein, in the normal occupant seating mode, a face-to-face seating mode, a leg rest mode, or a reclining mode can be achieved by various movements of the seat back frame.

[0030] The effects that can be obtained from this disclosure are not limited to those described above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0031] The above and other objects, features and advantages of this disclosure will become clearer from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Figure 1 The front of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 2 The rear of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figures 3 to 5 Side views of seats according to various vehicle seating configurations are shown. Figure 3 The leg support mode is shown. Figure 4 The face-to-face seating arrangement is shown. Figure 5 The tilt pattern is shown.

[0035] Figures 6 to 8 This is an enlarged view used to illustrate each of the multiple actuators. Detailed Implementation

[0036] In the following description, embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. When describing the embodiments disclosed herein, detailed descriptions of related known technologies will be omitted where it is determined that such detailed descriptions may obscure the essence of the embodiments disclosed herein. Furthermore, the drawings are merely for ease of understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein, and it should be understood that the technical concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the drawings and include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions within the scope of the ideas and techniques of this disclosure.

[0037] Terms including ordinal numbers such as first and second can be used to describe various components, but components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

[0038] Singular expressions include plural expressions, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0039] In this specification, terms such as “comprising” or “having” are intended to indicate the presence of features, figures, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof described in the specification, and should be understood as not precluding the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0040] The suffixes “module” and “unit” used for components in the following description are given or used interchangeably only for ease of writing instructions and do not have a distinguishing meaning or function from each other.

[0041] When it is said that a component is "connected" or "linked" to another component, it should be understood that the component can be directly connected or linked to another component, but there can be other components between the two components. On the other hand, when it is said that a component is "directly connected" or "directly linked" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components between the two components.

[0042] The controller may include: a communication device for communicating with another controller or sensor to control the functions it is responsible for; a memory for storing the operating system, logic commands, input / output information, etc.; and one or more processors for performing the judgments, calculations, decisions, etc. required to control the functions it is responsible for.

[0043] In the following description, the embodiments disclosed herein will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, the same or similar components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions of the same or similar components will be omitted.

[0044] Figure 1 The front of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 The rear of a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The diagram shows the vehicle seat position in the basic drive mode, and assumes that in other modes (face-to-face seating mode, leg rest mode) described later, the movement of the seat back frame is from... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The drive mode shown is executed.

[0045] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion frame 100; a seat back frame 300, including an upper frame 310 and a lower frame 330, wherein the upper frame 310 is connected to the seat cushion frame 100 at a first connection point P1 and a second connection point P2, and the lower frame 330 is connected to the seat cushion frame 100 at a third connection point P3; and a plurality of actuators M, each actuator having an end connected to any one of the first connection point P1, the second connection point P2, and the third connection point P3, and each actuator being configured to actuate at least one of the upper frame 310 and the lower frame 330. The seat cushion frame 100 forms: a seat portion 110, on which a seat cushion for occupant seating is formed; and a connecting portion 130 to which the seat back frame 300 is connected. A floor guide L for moving the seat in the fore-and-aft direction may be provided at the lower part of the seat cushion frame 100.

[0046] The seat back frame 300 has a seat back cushion, which the occupant's back can rest against when seated. According to an embodiment of this disclosure, the seat back frame 300 is divided into two parts: an upper frame 310 and a lower frame 330. When seated, the upper frame 310 supports the upper part of the occupant's upper body, and the lower frame 330 supports the lower part of the occupant's upper body. The upper frame 310 and the lower frame 330 can each move independently or in coordination with each other via a plurality of actuators M, which will be described later, and various seat modes can be achieved through the independent and coordinated movement of the upper frame 310 and the lower frame 330. Specifically, the upper frame 310 has a space between its two lower ends connected to the seat cushion frame 100, and the lower frame 330 is disposed within this space. That is, the lower frame 330 is disposed between the upper frames 310, and the space between the upper frames 310 is referred to as the movement space 10. The lower frame 330 is capable of rotating within the motion space 10 via multiple actuators M. In order to allow the lower frame 330 to move freely without being constrained by the upper frame 310, the seat back cushions formed on the lower frame 330 and the upper frame 310 are separated from each other.

[0047] On the other hand, the upper frame 310 is connected to the seat cushion frame 100 at the first connection point P1 and the second connection point P2. The upper frame 310 is hinged at the first connection point P1 and the second connection point P2, and can rotate around the first connection point P1 or the second connection point P2, that is, around the seat cushion frame 100.

[0048] The lower frame 330 is connected to the seat frame 100 at the third connection point P3. The lower frame 330 is also hinged at the third connection point P3 and can rotate around the third connection point P3.

[0049] Multiple actuators M can be disposed at the seat frame 100. Each end of the multiple actuators M disposed at the seat frame 100 can be connected to any one of the first connection point P1, the second connection point P2 and the third connection point P3, and when any one of the multiple actuators M is driven, the movement of any one of the upper frame 310 and the lower frame 330 can be realized.

[0050] That is, when the actuator connected to the first connection point P1 is driven, the upper frame 310 rotates around the first connection point P1. When the actuator connected to the second connection point P2 is driven, the upper frame 310 rotates around the second connection point P2. When the actuator connected to the third connection point P3 is driven, the lower frame 330 rotates around the third connection point P3.

[0051] The rotation of the upper frame 310 or the lower frame 330 can be achieved by driving only one of the multiple actuators M, but of course, two or more of the multiple actuators M can be driven to achieve the coordinated movement of the upper frame 310 and the lower frame 330.

[0052] Figures 3 to 5 A side view of the seat is shown, according to various vehicle seating configurations. Figure 3 The leg support mode is shown. Figure 4 The face-to-face seating arrangement is shown. Figure 5 The tilting mode is shown. Specifically, when the actuator connected to the third connection point P3 is driven, the lower frame 330 rotates around the third connection point P3, so that the lower frame 330 can perform the function of a leg rest, allowing the rear occupant to place their feet on the leg rest.

[0053] When the actuator connected to the first connection point P1 is driven to rotate the upper frame 310 toward the seat cushion frame 100, and the actuator connected to the third connection point P3 is driven to rotate the lower frame 330 in the opposite direction to the upper frame 310, the seat can become a seat in which the occupant sitting in the rear seat can sit facing each other. That is, the seat cushion is exposed through the movement space 10 formed in the upper frame 310, allowing the occupant to sit on the seat cushion. The folded upper frame 310 can support the occupant's back or neck, while the lower frame 330, in turn, functions as a leg rest for the occupant sitting on the seat cushion in the opposite direction to the rear seat.

[0054] Furthermore, when the actuator connected to the second connection point P2 and the actuator connected to the third connection point P3 are driven, the upper frame 310 rotates based on the second connection point P2 and the lower frame 330 rotates based on the third connection point P3, thereby realizing the tilting mode of the seat back frame.

[0055] On the other hand, the connecting portion 130 of the seat frame 100 may include a first support 131 to which the upper frame 310 is connected and a second support 132 to which the lower frame 330 is connected. The first support 131 and the second support 132 are configured as separate components. A first connection point P1 and a second connection point P2 are located on the first support 131 to which the upper frame 310 is connected, and a third connection point P3 is located on the second support 132 to which the lower frame 330 is connected. More specifically, the first connection point P1 is positioned higher than the second connection point P2, and the third connection point P3 may be positioned behind the first connection point P1 and the second connection point P2. This is to position the first connection point P1 higher than the second connection point P2 so that in the face-to-face seating mode, the upper frame 310 can stably support the upper body of the occupant, and in the tilt mode, the upper frame 310 can rotate based on the second connection point P2 without interfering with the first connection point P1, so that the tilt mode can be performed naturally.

[0056] The second bracket 132 to which the lower frame 330 is connected is configured to be fixed to the seat cushion frame 100. On the other hand, the first bracket 131 to which the upper frame 310 is connected is configured to be rotatable about the seat cushion frame 100. That is, the first bracket 131 is hinged to the seat cushion frame 100, and when the tilt mode is achieved, the first bracket 131 rotates and the tilt angle of the upper frame 310 changes. At the same time, the lower frame 330 also rotates, thereby achieving the tilt mode.

[0057] On the other hand, the multiple actuators M include a first drive motor M1, a second drive motor M2, and a third drive motor M3. The end of the first drive motor M1 is connected to a first connection point P1 and moves the upper frame 310. The end of the second drive motor M2 is connected to a second connection point P2 and moves the upper frame 310. The end of the third drive motor M3 is connected to a third connection point P3 and moves the lower frame 330. In other words, the first drive motor M1 and the third drive motor M3 can cooperate to achieve a face-to-face sitting mode, the second drive motor M2 and the third drive motor M3 can cooperate to achieve a tilting mode, and the third drive motor M3 can be operated to achieve a leg rest mode.

[0058] More specifically, refer to Figures 6 to 8 The end of the first drive motor M1 is connected to the upper frame 310 at the first connection point P1 of the first bracket 131 via the first shaft S1. The end of the second drive motor M2 is connected to the upper frame 310 at the second connection point P2 of the first bracket 131 via the second shaft S2. The end of the third drive motor M3 is connected to the lower frame 330 at the third connection point P3 of the second bracket 132 via the third shaft S3.

[0059] According to this configuration, the second drive motor M2 can be driven together with the third drive motor M3 to rotate the upper frame 310 and the lower frame 330 in the same direction, thereby achieving a tilting movement of the seat back frame 300. The second drive motor M2 and the third drive motor M3 can be driven simultaneously to achieve the tilting movement, and the second drive motor M2 can be driven first to adjust the tilt angle of the upper frame 310, and then the third drive motor M3 can be driven to adjust the tilt angle of the lower frame 330. In this way, the occupant can adjust the tilt angle to suit their body shape, allowing the seat back cushion formed on the lower frame 330 to protrude or recline compared to the seat back cushion formed on the upper frame 310.

[0060] In addition, the third drive motor M3 can be driven to rotate the lower frame 330 toward the rear seat, thereby realizing the leg rest mode, and the first drive motor M1 and the third drive motor M3 can be driven to rotate the upper frame 310 and the lower frame 330 in different directions, thereby realizing the face-to-face sitting mode.

[0061] The vehicle seat according to embodiments of this disclosure may further include a controller for controlling the actuation of the first drive motor M1, the second drive motor M2, and the third drive motor M3. A controller for controlling the movement of the seat back frame 300 or the seat cushion frame 100 may be disposed on the side of the seat back frame 300 or the seat cushion frame 100. To enable rear-seat passengers to control the front seat, it is preferable to configure the controller as a remote control type, but configuring the controller as a switch type is also acceptable.

[0062] The vehicle seat disclosed herein has the following advantages: it can provide a vehicle seat that allows for reversible seating by adjusting the tilt of the seat back frame, which is divided into an upper frame and a lower frame, without the need for a separate rotating device. In addition, it has the following advantages: multiple modes can be provided by adjusting the angle of the upper frame and the lower frame.

[0063] Although specific embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described and illustrated, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various improvements and modifications may be made within the scope of the technical spirit of this disclosure without departing from the technical spirit provided by the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising: a seat cushion frame; a seat back frame including an upper frame and a lower frame, the upper frame being connected to the seat cushion frame at a first connection point and a second connection point, the lower frame being connected to the seat cushion frame at a third connection point; and a plurality of actuators, an end of each actuator being connected to one of the first connection point, the second connection point, and the third connection point, each actuator being configured to move at least one of the upper frame and the lower frame.

2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, the upper frame being connected to the first connection point by a first hinge and to the second connection point by a second hinge, the upper frame being configured to rotate about the first connection point or the second connection point, wherein wherein the lower frame is connected to the third connection point by a third hinge and is configured to rotate about the third connection point. a movement space in which the lower frame is able to rotate is defined between lower ends of the upper frame.

3. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat cushion frame includes:

4. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein, a seat portion including a seat cushion; and a connection portion to which the seat back frame is connected, the connection portion including a first bracket to which the upper frame is connected and a second bracket to which the lower frame is connected. the first connection point and the second connection point are positioned on the first bracket, the third connection point is positioned on the second bracket, and the first connection point is positioned higher than the second connection point.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 4, wherein, the plurality of actuators includes:

6. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein, a first drive motor, an end of the first drive motor being connected to the first connection point, the first drive motor being configured to move the upper frame; a second drive motor, an end of the second drive motor being connected to the second connection point, the second drive motor being configured to move the upper frame; and a third drive motor, an end of the third drive motor being connected to the third connection point, the third drive motor being configured to move the lower frame.

7. The vehicle seat according to claim 6, the seat cushion frame includes a connection portion to which the seat back frame is connected, wherein wherein the connection portion includes a first bracket to which the upper frame is connected and a second bracket to which the lower frame is connected, and wherein the first drive motor and the second drive motor are connected to the first bracket, and the third drive motor is connected to the second bracket. an end of the first drive motor is connected to the upper frame at the first connection point by a first shaft, an end of the second drive motor is connected to the upper frame at the second connection point by a second shaft, and an end of the third drive motor is connected to the lower frame at the third connection point by a third shaft.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein, the first connection point is positioned higher than the second connection point, and the second drive motor is configured to be driven together with the third drive motor to rotate the upper frame and the lower frame in the same direction to provide a reclining movement of the seat back frame.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein, ​ 10. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein, A movement space in which the lower frame is rotatable is defined between lower end portions of the upper frame, and the first driving motor and the third driving motor are configured to rotate the upper frame and the lower frame in different directions from each other, respectively, to provide a face-to-face seating mode.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein, The third driving motor is configured to be driven to rotate the lower frame toward a rear seat to provide a leg rest mode.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 5, wherein, The third connection point is positioned rearward of the first connection point and the second connection point.

13. The vehicle seat of claim 8, wherein, The first shaft, the second shaft, and the third shaft extend parallel to each other.

14. The vehicle seat of claim 5, wherein, The third connection point is positioned at a distal end of the second support.

15. The vehicle seat of claim 3, wherein, The movement space extends to a lowermost end of the upper frame.

16. The vehicle seat of claim 5, wherein, The first connection point is positioned at a distal end of the first support, and the second connection point is positioned at the other end of the first support opposite to the distal end of the first support.

17. The vehicle seat of claim 3, wherein, The upper frame includes a first seat back cushion, and the lower frame includes a second seat back cushion, the first seat back cushion and the second seat back cushion being separated from each other.

18. The vehicle seat of claim 17, wherein, The second seat back cushion is configured to be recessed or protruded through the movement space compared to the first seat back cushion in a reclining mode.

19. The vehicle seat of claim 4, wherein, When viewed from a side of the vehicle seat, the connection portion extends from the seat portion at a predetermined angle with respect to the seat portion, and the first support extends at another predetermined angle with respect to the second support.

20. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein, The third driving motor is disposed inside the lower frame and is configured to rotate together with the lower frame around a rotation axis of the lower frame.

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