Vehicle with a vehicle interior

Abstract

Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle (1), with a vehicle interior (2) comprising a driver's seat (7), at least one row of seats (9) arranged behind the driver's seat with at least one passenger seat (10, 11) and at least one user interface unit (13), characterized in that the user interface unit (13) is arranged on a central tunnel (12) extending past the driver's seat (7) in the direction of the row of seats (9), that the user interface unit (13) extends from the central tunnel (12) in front of the passenger seat (11) through the vehicle interior (2) in the direction of a side wall (4) of the vehicle, and that the vehicle interior (2) comprises a front passenger seat (8) arranged in front of the passenger seat (11), wherein a backrest (21) of the front passenger seat (8) is partially or completely foldable to form a footrest (23) associated with the passenger seat (11) when folded down.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, with a vehicle interior comprising a driver's seat, at least one row of seats arranged behind the driver's seat with at least one passenger seat and at least one user interface unit. State of the art

[0002] Vehicles of the type mentioned above are known from the prior art. For example, WO 01 / 03981 A1 discloses a vehicle with an interior which—as in virtually all motor vehicles—features a user interface unit on the dashboard, positioned next to the driver's seat, to display vehicle-related data to the driver or to receive commands, such as inputs to a navigation system. Furthermore, a mount for another user interface unit in the form of a computer is provided on the dashboard. The entire system is essentially oriented towards the driver. In a chauffeur-driven vehicle, where the chauffeur or passenger is typically located in the back seat, both user interface units would be inaccessible to the passenger.

[0003] DE 102 33 510 B3 discloses a vehicle with a vehicle interior in which a driver's seat and a row of seats behind the driver's seat are arranged. The vehicle has a user interface unit in the form of a screen mounted on a support arm, which is located on a center console.

[0004] Mounting brackets for screens are also shown in US 5 177 616 A and JP H05 131 879 A.

[0005] Furthermore, US 2005 / 0 140 191 A1 also shows a user interface arranged on a support arm, whereby this construction is not attached to a center console, but to the back of a driver's seat.

[0006] Furthermore, DE 10 2005 005 654 A1 discloses a system in which a user interface unit is integrated into the backrest of a front seat. However, this requires a complex design for the front seat. At the same time, the position of the user interface unit depends on the position of the front seat.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a vehicle that offers a passenger, in particular a chauffeured person, a comfortable user interface unit that does not require any special modification of a front seat.

[0008] The problem underlying the invention is solved by a vehicle with the features of claim 1. It has the advantage that the user interface unit is independent of a front seat; in particular, the presence of a front seat is not even necessary. Furthermore, the vehicle according to the invention allows for an arrangement of the user interface unit that is optimized for the passenger or chauffeur in order to increase user comfort. The vehicle according to the invention is characterized in that the user interface unit is arranged on a central tunnel of the vehicle, which extends past the driver's seat towards the row of seats, and that the user interface extends from the central tunnel in front of the passenger seat through the vehicle interior towards a side wall of the vehicle.This makes the user interface unit independent of a front / passenger seat, with its electrical and signal connections to the vehicle being made via the center tunnel. In most vehicles, a center tunnel extends along the interior floor from approximately the dashboard in the center of the vehicle to the rear seats. The center tunnel typically houses the driveshaft of the vehicle's powertrain if it has a front engine and a driven rear axle. Cables, particularly the wiring harness, are also frequently routed through the center tunnel. This allows for easy connection of the user interface unit to the cables running through the center tunnel. Of course, a wireless signal connection is also possible.

[0009] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the user interface unit has means for detachable attachment to a connection device of the center tunnel. This allows the user interface unit to be removed from the vehicle interior if necessary. The connection device expediently also provides connection options for the signaling and / or power supply connection of the user interface unit to the center tunnel or the vehicle. In particular, the center tunnel and the connection device are designed such that the corresponding interfaces are automatically brought into operative contact when the user interface unit is positioned or attached to the center tunnel.

[0010] Preferably, the user interface unit is mounted on the center tunnel by means of a swivel arm that is articulated to the user interface unit and / or the center tunnel. The articulated connection of the swivel arm to the center tunnel and / or the user interface unit allows for subsequent adjustment of the user interface unit's position to the passenger seat or the passenger / fellow passenger or driver. The means for detachably fastening the user interface unit to the connection point of the center tunnel expediently include the swivel arm, so that the user interface unit, together with the swivel arm, can be detached or removed from the center tunnel.Particularly preferably, the articulated connection of the swivel arm allows the swivel arm or the user interface unit to pivot about an axis oriented transversely to the longitudinal extent of the center tunnel or the vehicle. According to a preferred embodiment, the user interface unit can also be pivoted about at least one vertical axis within the vehicle interior via the articulated connection, in order to position it optimally.

[0011] According to the invention, the interior features a passenger seat, located particularly next to the driver's seat, behind which the passenger seat and, in particular, the user interface unit are arranged. The backrest of the passenger seat can be partially or completely folded down to form a footrest associated with the passenger seat when folded down. The passenger seat can thus be transformed into a footrest to increase the comfort of the passenger or the person being chauffeured. For this purpose, the backrest can be folded down, in particular, forwards or backwards towards the passenger seat, so that the passenger can comfortably rest their feet on the back or front of the backrest. Since the user interface unit is independent of the passenger seat, it remains in its position even when the backrest is folded down accordingly.

[0012] Preferably, the user interface unit has a headrest assigned to the passenger seat, which can be adjusted to a position that provides an unobstructed view. Positioning the passenger seat headrest on the user interface unit, rather than on the backrest of the passenger seat as is usually the case, has the advantage that the backrest of the passenger seat can be folded more easily into the footrest position, since the overall height of the backrest is correspondingly reduced. For example, if the user interface unit is located at a suitable height, the backrest of the passenger seat can simply be folded down underneath it.

[0013] It is particularly preferred that the user interface unit has at least one graphical and / or acoustic user interface, in particular at least one touchscreen, so that the passenger can be conveniently provided with information and input control commands. The graphical user interface can display current vehicle data or information beyond the vehicle itself, for example, via internet access. The acoustic user interface can convey information to the passenger, for example, via voice output. Preferably, the passenger can also operate or control the content of the user interface unit via voice commands using the acoustic user interface. For example, the passenger can operate the vehicle's navigation system by voice input.

[0014] Preferably, the user interface unit is designed to display vehicle-related data. This data can include, for example, driving data such as speed or travel time, and also data from the navigation system. This gives the passenger an overview of vehicle-related information, making it unnecessary to ask the driver for information.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the user interface unit, and in particular only the user interface unit, is designed to operate all comfort and / or entertainment features of the vehicle. This allows the passenger or chauffeur to operate, for example, the air conditioning and / or an entertainment system of the vehicle themselves. Especially when only the user interface unit allows operation of all comfort and / or entertainment features of the vehicle, the information provided to the driver is limited to what is necessary for chauffeuring or driving. The operating concept is thus entirely geared towards the chauffeur, who can operate all the essential features of the vehicle themselves.

[0016] A particularly desirable feature is that the passenger seat can be moved into a sleeping position, further enhancing passenger comfort. This can be achieved, for example, by moving the backrest of the passenger seat backward and, if necessary, the seat cushion forward to create a comfortable sleeping position. Especially when combined with the folding backrest of the front passenger seat, this allows for a seamless sleeping solution for the chauffeur.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the user interface extends almost over the entire longitudinal extent of the passenger seat from the center tunnel to near the side wall.

[0018] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A motor vehicle in a perspective side view, Fig. 2. The motor vehicle in a perspective view from behind, Fig. 3 a user interface unit of the motor vehicle in a detailed view and Fig. 4. A simplified representation of a swivel mechanism of the user interface unit.

[0019] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of a motor vehicle 1, in which the roof is not shown for the sake of clarity. Fig. Figure 2 also shows the motor vehicle 1 in a perspective view, essentially viewed from behind.

[0020] The motor vehicle 1 has an interior 2, which is bounded at the front by a dashboard 3 and a windshield (not shown) and at the sides by side walls 4, 5, the side walls 4, 5 being essentially formed by the doors of the motor vehicle (not shown in detail here). Furthermore, the interior 2 has a front row of seats 6 with a driver's seat 7 and a front passenger seat 8, and a rear row of seats 9 with two passenger seats 10 and 11.

[0021] A central tunnel 12 runs from the dashboard between the driver's seat 7 and the passenger seat 8, extending to the seat row 9. The central tunnel 12 primarily serves to house transmission components of the vehicle 1, and also carries power and signal lines, for example in the form of a wiring harness.

[0022] A user interface unit 13 is arranged on the central tunnel 12. According to the present embodiment, this unit is designed as a graphical interface with a touch-sensitive screen or touchscreen 14 extending substantially across the entire width of the user interface unit 13. The user interface unit 13 extends from the central tunnel 12 to near the side wall 4 in front of the passenger seat 11 and substantially behind the front passenger seat 8. The user interface unit 13 has a housing 15 which is pivotally connected on one side to a swivel arm 16, as shown particularly in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 shown.

[0023] Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective detail view of the user interface unit 13, together with the center tunnel 12, the front passenger seat 8, and the rear seat row 10. The swivel arm 16 is pivotally attached to both the housing 15 and the center tunnel 12. The swivel arm 16, together with the housing 15, forms a first pivot axis 17, and together with the center tunnel 12, a second pivot axis 18. The two pivot axes 17 and 18 are at least substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal extent of the center tunnel 12. The swivel arm 16 thus allows the user interface unit 13 to be moved into an optimal orientation for the person sitting in the passenger seat 11.In at least one position, the user interface unit 13 with the housing 15 can be placed on a projection 19 of the side wall 4, especially in the area of ​​the so-called B-pillar, so that it is supported on both sides (as best shown in . Fig. 2 shown). The swivel arm 16 also has an operable flap 20 on its side facing the row of seats 10, which serves to release or close a storage space formed in the swivel arm 16. Fig. Figure 3 shows flap 20 in the open position, i.e., with the storage space released.

[0024] According to Fig. 3 The front passenger seat 8 is in a normal driving position, with the backrest essentially upright. A headrest 22 associated with the backrest 21 is fixed to the user interface unit 13 and not, as usual, attached to the backrest 21. This has the advantage that the backrest 21, as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the backrest 21 can be easily folded backwards under the user interface unit 13, i.e., towards the passenger seat 11, to serve as a footrest 23 for the person sitting in the passenger seat 11. Alternatively, the backrest 21 can also be folded forwards onto the seat surface of the front passenger seat 8 to serve as a footrest. Since the headrest 22 is located on the user interface unit 13, the backrest 21 is shorter overall and can be folded as shown in Figure 2. Fig. As shown in Figure 1, the seat folds back in such a way that it is more or less flush with the seat surface of the passenger seat 11 or rests against its front edge to form a continuous support for the passenger. The passenger seat 11 is itself advantageously designed as a sleeping seat, which can be adjusted from a working position, as shown in Figure 1. Fig. 3 shown, in a sleeping position, as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 shown, can be used. In this sleeping position, the passenger seat 11 together with the backrest 21 of the front passenger seat 8 forms a continuous lying surface for the passenger.

[0025] The headrest 22 is arranged on the user interface unit 13 or on the housing 15 such that it can be supported from a support position as shown in Fig. 3 shown, in a free viewing position, as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the headrest 22 is repositionable. It can be folded forward by approximately 90° so that it essentially disappears from the passenger's field of vision on the passenger seat 11. This gives the passenger an advantageous view of the driving situation. The passenger can also access current driving data at any time via the user interface unit 13. In particular, the user interface unit 13 is designed so that it alone is capable of operating the comfort and / or entertainment features of the vehicle 1. For example, the passenger can use the user interface unit 13, or the touchscreen 14, to set a desired interior temperature and / or a desired song title on the sound system.Preferably, the motor vehicle 1 is equipped with an internet connection so that the passenger also has access to the World Wide Net (Internet) via the touchscreen 14.

[0026] The user interface unit 13 is statically and electrically connected to the center tunnel 12, or to the vehicle 1, via the swivel arm 16. If the swivel arm 16 is preferably designed as a telescopic arm, height adjustment of the user interface unit 13 can also be achieved. Furthermore, the pivotability of the swivel arm 16 ensures that the passenger seat 8, in its normal position (i.e., with the backrest 21 upright), is at least partially longitudinally movable. Preferably, the user interface unit 13 can be coupled to the backrest 21 to transmit the movement of the passenger seat 8 to the user interface unit 13.

[0027] Fig. Figure 4 shows the user interface unit 13 in a starting position and, indicated by dashed lines, in two further positions into which it can be pivoted. A connection device 25 of the central tunnel 12 is also visible, which is designed for the detachable attachment of the pivot arm 16 or the user interface unit 13. In particular, the connection device 25 allows for automatic electrical contacting of the respective power supply and signal paths. According to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4 recognizable, armrests 26, 27 for the driver's seat 7 and the passenger seat 8 are also articulated to the swivel arm 16, which are moved longitudinally on an upper side of the center tunnel 12 when the swivel arm 16 is pivoted.

[0028] A user interface unit 24 in the dashboard 3, assigned to the driver's seat 7, displays only the data and information necessary for the driver or chauffeur. For example, the passenger can enter a desired destination via the user interface unit 13, which is then displayed to the driver on the user interface unit 24. The chauffeur's options are thus limited to what is necessary for driving. The entire interior design of the vehicle 1 is geared towards the person in the passenger seat 11.

[0029] Of course, it is also conceivable to assign a corresponding user interface unit 13 to the passenger seat 10, with the limitation that the backrest of the driver's seat 7 could not be folded back to serve as a footrest while driving. The vehicle 1 is configured as a left-hand drive vehicle in this case, although a corresponding arrangement could naturally also be provided for a right-hand drive vehicle.

Claims

[1] Vehicle, in particular motor vehicle (1), with a vehicle interior (2) which has a driver's seat (7), at least one row of seats (9) arranged behind the driver's seat with at least one passenger seat (10, 11) and at least one user interface unit (13), characterized by in that the user interface unit (13) is arranged on a center tunnel (12) which extends past the driver's seat (7) in the direction of the row of seats (9), in that the user interface unit (13) extends from the center tunnel (12) in front of the passenger seat (11) through the vehicle interior (2) in the direction of a side wall (4) of the vehicle, and in that the vehicle interior (2) has a front passenger seat (8) arranged in front of the passenger seat (11), wherein a backrest (21) of the front passenger seat (8) can be partially or completely folded down in order to form a footrest (23) assigned to the passenger seat (11) in the folded down state. [2] Vehicle according to the preceding claim, characterized by that the user interface unit (13) has means for releasably fastening to a connecting device (25) of the center tunnel (12). [3] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the user interface unit (13) is arranged on the center tunnel (12) by means of a pivot arm (16) which is articulated on the user interface unit (13) and / or on the center tunnel (12). [4] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the user interface unit (13) carries a headrest (22) associated with the passenger seat (8), which headrest can be displaced in particular into a clear-view position. [5] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the user interface unit (13) has at least one graphical and / or acoustic user interface, in particular a touchscreen (14). [6] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the user interface unit (13) is designed to display, in particular, vehicle-relevant data. [7] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the user interface unit (13), in particular only the user interface unit (13), is designed to operate all comfort and / or entertainment devices of the vehicle. [8] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the passenger seat (11) can be moved into a sleeping position. [9] Vehicle according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the user interface unit (13) extends from the center tunnel (12) substantially behind the passenger seat (8) through the vehicle interior (2) in the direction of the side wall (4) of the vehicle up to close to this side wall (4).

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