Seating arrangement

Abstract

Seating arrangement for a vehicle (4) comprising at least two seats (14a, 14b) arranged side by side in a seat row (12), each seat (14a, 14b) comprising at least one seat module, each seat module comprising a contact surface for a person, a side bolster (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) being arranged on one side of each seat module facing an immediately adjacent seat (14a, 14b), a first position and a second position being provided for each side bolster (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b), the side bolsters (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) of the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) being folded in the first position, with a contact surface for a person being arranged between the two immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) in the first position there is a gap (30), wherein the side cheeks (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) of at least two of the immediately adjacent seats (14a,14b) are unfolded in the second position and bridge the gap (30) between the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b), wherein the side wings (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) of the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) that are unfolded in the second position touch between the seats (14a, 14b), wherein the side wings (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) are designed to connect the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) in the second position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a seat arrangement for a vehicle and a method for adjusting a seat arrangement for a vehicle.

[0002] A motor vehicle typically has two rows of seats arranged one behind the other. A first front row of seats has two separate seats for a driver and a front passenger. In contrast, the seats in a second rear row are connected to each other, forming a continuous bench.

[0003] The document DE 10 2007 007 116 A1 shows a vehicle seat device with movable cushions.

[0004] Convertible seats for an aircraft are known from the document EP 0 443 664 B1.

[0005] A convertible seating device is described in the document GB 1 439 335 A.

[0006] The document US 2 621 708 A describes a seat with fold-out side parts of a backrest and fold-out armrests.

[0007] Furthermore, a seat for a vehicle is known from the document JP 2005-289207 A.

[0008] A device for adjusting at least one side bolster of a seat part is known from the document WO 2017 / 153526 A1.

[0009] A seat arrangement for a vehicle having a folding feature is described in the document DE 10 2014 210 795 A1.

[0010] The document DE 10 2017 122 823 A1 describes a vehicle seat with a cushion and a seat backrest as well as with a base and an extension section that can be moved along an axis towards and away from the base.

[0011] A vehicle seat for a motor vehicle is known from document DE 10 2013 011 929 B3. One form of the vehicle seat is adjusted for manual driving and autonomous driving.

[0012] Against this background, one task was to design vehicle seats in a variable manner.

[0013] This object is achieved by a seat assembly and a method having the features of the independent patent claims. Embodiments of the seat assembly and the method are evident from the dependent patent claims and the description.

[0014] The seat arrangement or seat structure according to the invention is designed for a vehicle and has at least two seats arranged next to one another in a row of seats, each seat having a backrest and / or a seat surface as at least one seat module, each seat module having a contact surface for a person. In this case, on one side of a seat module of a respective seat, which side faces a seat arranged immediately adjacent or next to it within the row of seats, a side bolster is arranged, which can also have a contact surface. In this case, a first position and a second position are provided for each side bolster. Furthermore, a first and a second position are provided for the seats arranged directly next to one another and thus also for the seat arrangement.The side bolsters of the immediately adjacent seats are folded in the first position, with a gap between the two immediately adjacent seats in the first position, and the two seats being spaced apart from one another. In addition, the side bolsters of at least two usually similar seat modules of the immediately adjacent seats are folded out in the second position, with the side bolsters bridging the gap and the distance between the immediately adjacent seats. It is intended that the side bolsters, and thus also the seats, can be set to the two positions provided here, and it is possible to switch between the settings.

[0015] In this case, the side bolsters of the directly adjacent seats, when unfolded in the second position, touch each other between the seats. Additionally, the side bolsters are designed to connect the directly adjacent seats in the second position, providing or forming an additional seat between the two seats in the second position. Furthermore, the side bolsters are designed to separate the directly adjacent seats from each other in the first position.

[0016] As a rule, the contact surface of each side bolster in the first position is oriented at an angle of no more than 90°, i.e., at an acute angle or largely perpendicular to the contact surface of the seat module on which the side bolster is arranged. Furthermore, in the second position, the contact surface of each side bolster is oriented largely parallel to the contact surface of the seat module on which the side bolster is arranged, taking normal manufacturing tolerances into account. In the second position, the contact surfaces of the side bolsters of the seats arranged directly next to one another are also largely parallel to one another and, together with the contact surfaces of the seat modules, form a continuous, seamless bench seat.

[0017] In one embodiment, each side bolster is assigned at least one actuator, which is designed to move the side bolster between the two positions relative to the seat module on which it is arranged and to fix it in a respective position. The at least one actuator is designed to be mechanical and / or pneumatic. The side bolster can be movable or can be moved relative to the seat module via the at least one actuator.

[0018] The seating arrangement is intended or designed, for example, for a vehicle designed as a motor vehicle or a car. Furthermore, the seating arrangement is intended or designed for a first row of seats in the vehicle. It is also possible for the seats in the row to be arranged parallel to one another, at least in a basic position perpendicular to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle. It is certainly possible for each seat in the row to be moved individually and thus independently of any other seat in that row, parallel to the forward direction of travel. However, even in this case, the seats in the same row are arranged next to one another, depending on the definition.

[0019] The method according to the invention is provided for adjusting a seat arrangement or seat structure for a vehicle, wherein the seat arrangement has at least two seats arranged next to one another in a row of seats, wherein each seat has a backrest and / or a seat surface as at least one seat module, wherein each seat module has a contact surface for a person, wherein on one side of a seat module of a respective seat, which side faces a seat arranged immediately adjacent or next to it, a side bolster is arranged, which likewise has a contact surface. For each side bolster, a first position and a second position are defined.Position is provided, wherein the side bolsters of the immediately adjacent seats are folded in in the first position, wherein a gap is provided between the two immediately adjacent seats in the first position, wherein the two seats are spaced apart from one another. In addition, the side bolsters of at least two usually similar seat modules, i.e. of two seat surfaces and / or two backrests, of the immediately adjacent seats are folded out in the second position, wherein the gap and thus the distance between the immediately adjacent seats are bridged by the folded-out side bolsters.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first position of the seats is adjusted during manual or active vehicle operation. The second position is adjusted during automated vehicle operation. A respective position can be adjusted automatically, which is also possible, for example, while the vehicle is moving.

[0021] The fact that the side bolsters of at least two similarly designed seat modules of two seats arranged directly next to one another are folded out in their second position means that the side bolsters of two seat surfaces are folded out as similar seat modules in the second position, and / or that the side bolsters of two backrests are folded out in the second position. It is therefore possible that only the side bolsters of seat surfaces are folded out as similar seat modules in the second position. It is also possible that only the side bolsters of two backrests arranged directly adjacent to one another are folded out as similar seat modules. However, it is also possible that both the side bolsters of two seat surfaces arranged directly next to one another and, at the same time, the side bolsters of two backrests arranged directly next to one another are folded out in the second position.

[0022] The variable seating arrangement or a corresponding variable seating system is intended, among other things, for a vehicle, e.g. a rail-independent land vehicle, with which an autonomous journey can be carried out.

[0023] With the seat arrangement and the method, two different arrangements or configurations, and thus positions, can be set for each row of seats in the vehicle, including the first row. For example, if two seats in the row, i.e., side bolsters or their side walls, are in the first position, the seats in this row are designed as individual seats. If the seats in the row, i.e., side bolsters or their side walls, are in the second position, the seats connected by their side bolsters together form a continuous bench seat.

[0024] The individual seats in the row, for example, in a motor vehicle or passenger car, are equipped with more or less pronounced or large side bolsters in the area of ​​the seat surfaces and backrests, depending on the vehicle's sportiness. To increase comfort and provide lateral support for a person sitting in the respective seat when cornering, depending on the driving mode, the side bolsters can be pneumatically and / or mechanically adjusted to the contours of the person's body when in the first position.

[0025] The seating arrangement presented is designed to meet the requirements of active driving, when a driver controls the vehicle themselves, for example by steering, and to meet the requirements of automated driving, when the vehicle drives independently or autonomously. With the transition from active driving to automated driving, for example in a stage known as “level 4”, a strict fixation of the contact surfaces of the side bolsters in the second position in the forward direction of travel can be released, with this fixation being reset for active driving with the first position. Rotating an entire seat is indeed complex, but the positions of the seat contact surfaces can be adjusted as required. The seating arrangement can therefore also be set up as a continuous bench seat, as in a vehicle from the 1950s, thus enabling communication and / orThe ability to communicate between people sitting in the row of seats, the possibility of stepping through or ensuring a seamless passage between two side doors of the vehicle with the row of seats located between them, and the comfort level are all improved when the seats are in the second position. Even when a seat is in the alternative first position, the folded-in side bolsters still provide good lateral support for each person sitting on it. Furthermore, a front passenger seat can be individually adjusted relative to a driver's seat.

[0026] The seating arrangement presented here enables a multifunctional combination of two possible seat row designs: a design with individual, separate or spaced-apart seats and a design with a continuous bench seat. The seating arrangement can be switched between these two designs as required. In the second position, the front row of seats has the appearance of a continuous bench seat, with the two individual seats directly adjacent to one another in the middle of the vehicle, e.g., in the middle of the vehicle's interior, or, for example, asymmetrically offset from the driver, and can be moved or adjusted individually or together, e.g., parallel to the forward direction of travel. The adjacent seats are coupled to one another in the second position unless they are actively uncoupled in the first position for active driving when required.

[0027] Additional space is created between the two seats by the horizontally folded out or folded down side bolsters, whereby the side bolsters can be folded into the classic first position, for example up, if necessary, e.g. for active driving. In addition to this classic first position, the transition to autonomous driving now opens up new usage possibilities. This means that the individual seats can be formed into a connected seating group, with the driver being able to use this seating group, designed as a bench, as a sofa. Furthermore, a temporary additional seat, e.g. a third seat, can be provided between two seats in the first row by folding out the side bolsters. Furthermore, when using the additional space created by the folded out side bolsters, it is possible to attach a child seat or an additional storage unit between the seats.Such additional space is created or provided by the extended side bolsters. This additional space can be used to secure a communications device or work media. It also provides optimal access, as a person can slide "seamlessly" across the seats, which are seamlessly connected in the second position.

[0028] Since the side bolsters of the seats can be adjusted mechanically and / or pneumatically, for example, and thus between the two positions, different settings can be made for the proposed seating arrangement, combining different requirements with regard to two different driving styles or operating modes of the vehicle. On the one hand, this applies to an active operating mode or journey in which the driver actively steers the vehicle. If this active operating mode is intended, the seating arrangement is set to the first position. On the other hand, in the autonomous operating mode or journey, the vehicle is intended to drive autonomously, with the seating arrangement being set to the second position. Such variability of a seating function controlled via the side bolsters or seat bolsters is usually possible not only in the first row of seats, but in every row of seats in the vehicle.For example, two seats arranged side by side in a second or third row, which could be referred to as so-called luxury seats, can be temporarily converted into three seats without any loss of comfort by folding out the side bolsters. An additional seat formed between the two seats from the side bolsters can also be designed and / or used as a child seat. It would also be possible to convert a two-seater into a one-seater when the seats are in the second position. This is possible, for example, in the middle of the vehicle in the front or rear row.

[0029] The seating arrangement presented is intended, for example, for a passenger car (car). It is possible to change the position of the seat bolsters and thus the seating arrangement even while driving, and thus to switch between the two intended positions. Such a change is possible at any time and is reversible. This means that it is possible to switch between the continuous seat bench (second position) and the individual seats (first position) even while driving. When the vehicle is in operation, it is intended, among other things, that switching between active driving or self-driving by the driver of the vehicle to autonomous driving of the vehicle (or the driver being driven) and vice versa can be carried out within a certain period of time, depending on the degree of automation of the vehicle.

[0030] Regardless of the current configuration and thus position of the seats or seat arrangement, longitudinal adjustment of the seats parallel to the forward direction of travel of the vehicle is also possible. In addition, the contact surfaces of a respective seat module and a respective side bolster arranged on it are changed relative to one another depending on the respective position, whereby the overall contour of the seats and thus the seat arrangement is changed. As already mentioned, it is possible to switch between the two positions even while the vehicle is moving. This is possible, for example, by operating an input device that is connected to the actuators and is designed to control the actuators via which the side bolsters are connected to the seat modules. This allows a driver of the vehicle to select a suitable position as needed.It is also possible that a change between the two positions of the seating arrangement is usually carried out automatically, corresponding to a change between active driving and automated or autonomous driving and vice versa.

[0031] The provision is that the position of the seat modules of the immediately adjacent seats remains unchanged in the transverse direction, i.e. perpendicular to the forward direction of travel, since only the side bolsters are moved back and forth between the two intended positions, whereby the space or a corresponding gap between the individual seats is closed and a continuous bench seat is provided. The two side bolsters, which are arranged in the second position between the seat modules of the two seats, can be used to provide an additional middle seat for another person. Alternatively or additionally, the seat bolsters folded out in the second position provide a more comfortable, variable seating position, for example during automated driving.

[0032] In a further embodiment, it is conceivable for a side bolster to be arranged on each side of a seat module, with both the first and second positions being adjustable for each side bolster. In an embodiment of the method, at least the positions of the side bolsters of similar seat modules are adjusted between the two seats arranged directly next to one another. In an optional embodiment of the method, side bolsters of seat modules can also be adjusted between the two positions facing away from a seat arranged directly adjacent to one another.

[0033] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawings using an embodiment and is described schematically and in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the seat arrangement according to the invention from different perspectives.

[0034] The figures are described coherently and comprehensively, and the same components are assigned the same reference numbers.

[0035] Fig. 1a shows a top view of an interior 2 of a vehicle 4, wherein a forward direction of travel of the vehicle 4 is indicated here by a first arrow 6. Starting from a bow of the vehicle 4, in the interior 2, in the direction of the rear of the vehicle 4 and thus counter to the forward direction of travel, there are arranged one behind the other a dashboard 8 with a steering wheel 10, a first row of seats 12 with a first seat 14a for a driver and a second seat 14b for a passenger, and a second row of seats 18 with further seats arranged next to one another.

[0036] Fig. 1b shows only the two seats 14a, 14b of the first row of seats 12 from a frontal perspective, which is opposite to the forward direction of travel, whereby in Fig. 1b a horizontally oriented transverse direction of the vehicle 4 perpendicular to the forward direction of travel is indicated by a second arrow 20 and a vertically oriented vertical direction of the vehicle 4 is indicated by a third arrow 22. Fig. 1c shows the two seats 14a, 14b of the first row of seats 12 in plan view opposite parallel to the third arrow 22 of Fig. 1b.

[0037] Each seat 14a, 14b of the first row 12 comprises a seat surface 24a, 24b, a backrest 26a, 26b, and, as an additional seat module, a headrest 28a, 28b. Furthermore, a gap 30 is located between the two seats 14a, 14b, with a distance between similar seat modules, here between the two seat surfaces 24a, 24b and the two backrests 26a, 26b, being indicated by a double arrow 32. The two seats 14a, 14b of the first row 12 also form the embodiment of the seat arrangement 16 according to the invention, which can also be designed and / or referred to as a seat structure.

[0038] The Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b and Fig. 1c further show that a side bolster 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b is arranged on one side of each seat module, which side bolster faces a directly adjacent seat 14a, 14b. Each side bolster 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b is adjustable, for example pivotable, between two positions, namely a first position and a second position, relative to the respective seat module on which it is arranged. In detail, a side bolster 34a is arranged on an inner side of the seat surface 24a of the first seat 14a, which in turn faces the directly adjacent second seat 14b. Furthermore, a side bolster 34b is arranged on an inner side of the seat surface 24b of the second seat 14b, which in turn faces the directly adjacent first seat 14a.A side bolster 36a is arranged on a first inner side of the backrest 26a of the first seat 14a, which in turn faces the immediately adjacent second seat 14b. Similarly, a side bolster 36b is arranged on an inner side of the backrest 26b of the second seat 14b, which in turn faces the immediately adjacent first seat 14a.

[0039] In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, which can be carried out with the embodiment of the seat arrangement 16 presented here, it is provided that the side bolsters 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b are folded in a first position, which is not shown here, relative to the seat module on which they are arranged. In contrast, one side bolster 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b is in the second position, as can be seen from the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, Fig. 1c, unfolded relative to the seat module on which it is arranged.

[0040] In the first position, when the side bolsters 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b are folded in, the mutually facing side bolsters 34a, 34b between the two seat surfaces 24a, 24b are oriented largely parallel to the vertical direction (arrow 22) of the vehicle 4. Furthermore, the side bolsters 36a, 36b of the mutually facing sides of the backrests 26a, 26b, as seat modules in the first position when folded in, are oriented largely parallel to the forward direction of travel (arrow 6) of the vehicle 4. In this first position, the space 30 between the two seats 14a, 14b remains free, with the seat arrangement 16 having two separate individual seats 14a, 14b in the first position.

[0041] In contrast, in the second position, as can be seen from the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, Fig.1c, when the side bolsters 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b are unfolded, the respective side bolsters 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b are oriented largely parallel to the transverse direction (arrow 20) of the vehicle 4. In this case, the two side bolsters 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b fill the intermediate space 30 between the seat surfaces 24a, 24b and the backrests 26a, 26b between the two respectively similar seat modules, i.e. the seat modules designed as seat surfaces 24a, 24b and the seat modules designed as backrests 26a, 26b, wherein it is provided here that the side bolsters 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b touch each other on similar seat modules. Overall, in the second position of the seat arrangement 16, a continuous seat bench is provided from the two seats 14a, 14b and the side bolsters 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b folded out between them, whereas in the first position the seat arrangement 16 provides the two separate individual seats 14a, 14b.

[0042] In an embodiment of the method, the first position of the seat arrangement 16 is set when a driver of the vehicle 4 is controlling the vehicle themselves, including steering it, when the vehicle 4 is being controlled or driven by them during an active journey. The second position of the seat arrangement 16 is set when the vehicle 4 is controlling itself during an autonomous journey, without any intervention from the driver being required. Furthermore, switching between the two provided positions is also possible during a journey or between an active and autonomous journey and vice versa.

[0043] The space 30 between the identical seat modules of both seats 14a, 14b now offers a variety of possible uses. For example, the seats 14a, 14b can be used as a sofa in the second position. The side bolsters 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b, which are folded out in the second position, can be used as a temporary third seat or seating space, or for attaching or securing a storage unit, a communications device, or a work medium. Furthermore, the seats 14a, 14b, connected in the second position, provide access through the interior 2 of the vehicle 4. Reference numbers: 2 Interior 4 vehicle 6 Arrow 8 Dashboard 10 Steering wheel 12 rows of seats 14a, 14b, seat 16 Seating arrangement 18 rows of seats 20, 22 Arrow 24a, 24b Seat 26a, 26b Backrest 28a, 28b Headrest 30 space 32 double arrow 34a, 34b, 36a, 36b sidewall

Claims

[1] Seat arrangement for a vehicle (4), which has at least two seats (14a, 14b) arranged next to one another in a row of seats (12), wherein each seat (14a, 14b) has at least one seat module, wherein each seat module has a contact surface for a person, wherein on one side of a seat module of a respective seat (14a, 14b) which faces an immediately adjacent seat (14a, 14b), a side bolster (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) is arranged, wherein a first position and a second position are provided for each side bolster (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b), wherein the side bolsters (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) of the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) are folded in the first position, wherein between the two immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) in the first position there is an intermediate space (30), wherein the side walls (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) of at least two of the immediately adjacent seats (14a,14b) are folded out in the second position and bridge the gap (30) between the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b), wherein the side cheeks (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) of the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) folded out in the second position touch each other between the seats (14a, 14b), wherein the side cheeks (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) are designed to connect the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) in the second position. [2] Seat arrangement according to claim 1, wherein each seat (14a, 14b) has a backrest (26a, 26b) and / or a seat surface (24a, 24b) as the at least one seat module, wherein in the second position side bolsters (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) of at least two similar seat modules are folded out. [3] Seat arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each side cheek (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) has a contact surface, wherein the contact surface of a respective side cheek (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) in the first position is oriented at an angle of maximum 90° to the contact surface of the seat module on which the side cheek (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) is arranged, and wherein the contact surface of the respective side cheek (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) in the second position is oriented largely parallel to the contact surface of the seat module on which the side cheek (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) is arranged. [4] Seat arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which each side cheek (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) is assigned at least one actuator which is designed to move the side cheek (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) between the two positions, wherein the at least one actuator is designed to be mechanical and / or pneumatic. [5] Seat arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, which is provided for a vehicle (4) designed as a motor vehicle. [6] Seat arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, which is provided for a first row of seats (12) of the vehicle (4). [7] Seat arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, in which the seats (14a, 14b) of the row of seats (12) are arranged parallel to one another perpendicular to a forward direction of travel of the vehicle (4). [8] Method for adjusting a seat arrangement (16) for a vehicle (4), wherein the seat arrangement (16) has at least two seats (14a, 14b) arranged next to one another in a row of seats (12), wherein each seat (14a, 14b) has at least one seat module, wherein each seat module has a contact surface for a person, wherein a side bolster (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) is arranged on one side of a seat module of a respective seat (14a, 14b) which faces an immediately adjacent seat (14a, 14b), wherein a first position and a second position are provided for each side bolster (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b), wherein the side bolsters (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) of the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) are folded in the first position wherein a space (30) is provided between the two immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) in the first position, wherein the side cheeks (34a, 34b, 36a,36b) of at least two seat modules of the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) are folded out in the second position, wherein the intermediate space (30) between the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) is bridged by the side bolsters (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b), wherein the side bolsters (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) of the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) are folded out in the second position and touch each other between the seats (14a, 14b), wherein the side bolsters (34a, 34b, 36a, 36b) are designed to connect the immediately adjacent seats (14a, 14b) in the second position. [9] Method according to claim 8, wherein the first position of the seats (14a, 14b) is adjusted during an active journey, and wherein the second position of the seats (14a, 14b) is adjusted during an autonomous journey.

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