Rear seat arrangement for a vehicle, and vehicle

Abstract

Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) for a vehicle (1) comprising two outer backrests (7-3, 7-4) and at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2), wherein the at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2) has a strut (2a; 2b); and wherein only the at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2) is designed in such a way that it can be pivoted into a rearward-folded position in order to connect the strut brace (2a; 2b) to a fastening structure (22; 23) on a body of the vehicle (1).

Description

Technical area

[0001] The present invention relates to a rear seat arrangement and a vehicle with a rear seat arrangement, in particular a car with a rear seat arrangement. background

[0002] Vehicles with high-performance engines, such as those used for off-road driving or racing, may place higher demands on the rigidity of the vehicle body. Strut braces (i.e., stiffening bars) can be used to connect two strut towers. A strut tower is a structure of springs and shock absorbers that allows the suspension to compensate for uneven road surfaces. Installing a strut brace provides a combined suspension system that can increase rigidity and prevent uneven compression of either side of the suspension.

[0003] An example of a strut brace is known from KR 10 2016 059 045 A, which consists of a hollow-formed body part. EP 2 495 125 A1 relates to a vehicle seat. EP 1 625 053 B1 relates to a military vehicle for troop transport. DE 10 2014 226 133 B4 relates to an adjustment device for a rear seat backrest.

[0004] Strut braces are typically offered as optional equipment that can be installed manually. The strut brace is therefore installed as a separate component, which adds weight and requires additional installation space.

[0005] Furthermore, the direct loading path for a rear strut brace usually runs straight through the luggage compartment, significantly reducing the loading capacity. Additionally, the reduced storage space makes it difficult to load long items.

[0006] Furthermore, tools are required to remove the strut brace, and holes will remain in the inner edge of the trunk afterwards.

[0007] Therefore, one of the aims of the invention is to create a more convenient way of arranging a strut brace in a car. Disclosure of the invention

[0008] This problem is solved by a rear seat arrangement and a vehicle according to the independent patent claims.

[0009] Further embodiments of the present invention are the subject of the further dependent claims and the following description with reference to the drawings.

[0010] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a rear seat arrangement for a vehicle, comprising at least one backrest. The at least one backrest includes a strut brace. At least one of the at least one backrest is designed to be pivotably folded into a rearward-folding position in order to connect the strut brace to a mounting structure on a body (i.e., a body-in-white) of the vehicle.

[0011] According to a second aspect, the invention provides a vehicle comprising a body with a mounting structure for a strut brace. The vehicle further comprises a rear seat arrangement, such that the strut brace of said rear seat arrangement can be connected to the mounting structure of the vehicle body.

[0012] The idea of ​​the invention is to integrate the strut brace into the rear seat assembly. The strut brace is brought into the correct mounting position by folding the rear seat backrests into a rearward position, i.e., towards the rear of the vehicle. The angle of at least one backrest relative to the normal seating position can depend on the overall structure of the vehicle, i.e., on the relative position of (a) the backrest and (b) the mounting structure for the strut brace in the optimal load path.

[0013] Accordingly, the invention offers a fully integrated system for use with upgraded rear seats. A strut brace located in the rear seats can be used to stiffen the vehicle's body in the rear area, thereby improving driving and handling characteristics. The strut brace has no negative impact on the vehicle's everyday use.

[0014] An advantage of the rear seat arrangement according to the invention is that the trunk volume is not affected by the strut brace. In particular, the backrests can be folded forward, i.e., towards the front of the vehicle. In this position, long objects can be loaded without or with negligible interference from the strut brace.

[0015] Furthermore, the overall weight can be reduced by at least partially integrating the strut brace into the backrests. In particular, existing backrest structures can be used for the implementation of the strut brace.

[0016] No additional components are required. Therefore, no additional installation space is needed. Furthermore, it is not necessary to remove the strut brace for improved trunk usability.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the rear seat arrangement, the backrests can be folded into three different positions: the folded-back position, a normal upright position, and a folded-forward position to increase the loading capacity.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the rear seat arrangement, the strut brace includes at least one locking mechanism for securely connecting the strut brace to the mounting structure on the vehicle body. Preferably, the locking mechanism is a quick-release mechanism that allows the user to easily detach the strut brace from the mounting structure in order to return the seatbacks to their upright, normal position. The locking mechanism may include at least one of the following components: screws, clamps, locks, latches, and the like.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the rear seat arrangement, there is a single backrest that encompasses the entire strut brace. According to other embodiments, several backrests together encompass the strut brace.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the rear seat arrangement consists of a plurality of backrests. At least two backrests of said plurality each comprise a strut segment of the strut brace. The strut segments of the strut brace are connectable to one another. The rear seat arrangement can, for example, comprise four or five backrests. The inner two or three backrests can correspond to seats for up to three occupants, while the outer two backrests are either fixed or foldable only forwards.

[0021] According to another embodiment of the rear seat arrangement, the strut brace segments can be connected to each other via a plug connection.

[0022] According to a further embodiment of the rear seat arrangement, at least one of the strut brace segments is installed in a slidable manner in order to move between a mounted position in which the strut brace segment is connected to an adjacent strut brace segment and an unmounted position in which the strut brace segment is separated from the adjacent strut brace segment.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the rear seat arrangement, the at least two backrests that comprise the respective strut segment are designed such that they can be folded independently of one another in a state where the strut segments are not connected to each other. This has the advantage that the individual strut segments can be moved into a rearward or forward-folding position as required.

[0024] The rear seat arrangement has two outer backrests and at least one inner backrest, the at least one inner backrest comprising the strut brace.

[0025] Only the inner backrest (at least one) is designed to swivel into the folded-back position. The outer backrests can be fixed or only fold forward.

[0026] According to another embodiment of the rear seat arrangement, the at least one backrest comprises a support frame. The strut brace is formed at least partially by at least a portion of the support frame. This helps to save weight, as few or no additional strut brace structures are required beyond the already necessary support frame of the at least one backrest. Furthermore, this allows a strut brace to be integrated into the backrest without requiring additional space.

[0027] In another embodiment of the rear seat arrangement, the strut brace is attached to a rear section of at least one backrest. The strut brace can be welded, bolted, or attached to the backrest using another fastening mechanism. This allows existing backrests to be retrofitted with the strut brace.

[0028] According to another embodiment of the rear seat arrangement, the at least one backrest includes a mounting device for attaching a racing harness. Four-, five-, or six-point racing harnesses require additional attachment points for the upper straps that restrain the driver's shoulders and torso. The strut brace can provide the necessary support for attaching the racing harness. Furthermore, when the racing harness is correctly attached, the angle between the harness and a horizontal plane is subject to a condition: the angle must be less than a predefined value. By incorporating the strut brace into the rear seat arrangement, the angle at which the backrests fold back into the rearward position can be adjusted to meet this requirement. This makes it easy to integrate racing harnesses, further enhancing the vehicle's racing capabilities.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the vehicle, the fastening structure on the vehicle body includes at least one locking mechanism for fastening the strut brace to the vehicle body.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the vehicle, the fastening structure includes at least one screw connection for fastening the strut brace to the body of the vehicle.

[0031] According to a further embodiment of the vehicle, the vehicle also includes an actuator designed to automatically attach the strut brace to the vehicle body via the screw connection. A sensor can further be provided that detects when the strut brace has been moved into its installed position, i.e., when the seatbacks have been folded down. The sensor sends a signal to a controller, which then activates the actuator to automatically attach the strut brace to the vehicle body via the screw connection. The strut brace is thus permanently installed without requiring any manual interaction from the driver.

[0032] In general, the backrests can be positioned in the stiffening position without tools, either manually or automatically, e.g. by electronic actuators, or semi-automatically, e.g. by manually folding back the backrest with automatic attachment of the strut brace.

[0033] According to a further embodiment, the vehicle also includes a racing belt which can be connected to or is connected to a fastening device of the at least one backrest of the rear seat arrangement.

[0034] According to a further embodiment, the vehicle also includes rear shock absorbers and springs, wherein the mounting structure for the strut brace is arranged in a load path of the rear shock absorbers and springs. The strut brace is therefore arranged between the upper elevations of the rear axle suspension, i.e., in the optimal position for increasing the vehicle's rigidity.

[0035] The features described here for the rear seat arrangement are also disclosed for the vehicle and vice versa. Brief description of the characters

[0036] The accompanying drawings serve to further understand the present invention and are included in and form part of this specification. The drawings illustrate the embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale with respect to one another. In the figures, reference numerals of the same type denote identical or functionally similar components, unless otherwise indicated. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle illustrating the position of the strut brace in the folded-back position of at least one backrest; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section of a rear seat arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic oblique view of the rear seat arrangement of Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 4 shows another schematic diagonal view of the rear seat arrangement of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3; Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic front view of the backrests of a rear seat arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of the backrests of Fig. 5; Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a plug connection between two adjacent strut segments of a rear seat arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 8 shows a detailed view of another plug connection between two adjacent dome strut segments; Fig. Figure 9 shows a schematic front view of a rear seat arrangement according to a further embodiment of the invention; Fig. Figure 10 shows a detailed schematic front view of the rear seat arrangement of Fig. 9, which shows a connection of outer strut segments as an example of installation in normal (upright) or forward-folded position; Fig. Figure 11 shows a detailed schematic view of the rear seat arrangement of Fig. 9, which shows a connection of the inner strut brace segments as an example of the folded-back position, with the strut brace then being installed at the attachment points; Fig. Figure 12 shows a schematic view of a locking mechanism for securing the strut brace; Fig. Figure 13 shows a schematic representation of another assembly connection for fixing the dome strut segments to each other; Fig. Figure 14 shows a schematic front view of a fastening mechanism of the strut brace to the body of the vehicle; Fig. Figure 15 shows a schematic view of a bolt for attaching the strut brace to the body of the vehicle; Fig. Figure 16 shows a schematic view of a screw connection for attaching the strut brace to the body of the vehicle; Fig. Figure 17 shows a schematic representation of a driver's seat with a racing harness for connection to the rear seat arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention; and Fig. Figure 18 shows an illustration of a connection of a racing belt with a backrest of the rear seat arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0037] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a vehicle 1. In addition to several stiffening structures 3, the vehicle 1 includes a strut brace 2a, which is integrated into or arranged on at least one backrest (not shown) of the vehicle 1.

[0038] The term "backrest" here refers to structural elements of the rear seat that are, or can be, positioned upright for normal use, i.e., in a seated position. The term "backrest" can refer to individual sections that can be separated from one another.

[0039] At least some of the seatbacks can be swivelled into a forward and / or backward-folding position. The forward-folding position refers to a loading position, i.e., to increase trunk volume or to transport long items. There may be a single seatback that can be folded down as one piece. There may also be multiple seatbacks, for example, two seatbacks that can be folded down individually. The seatbacks can divide the entire rear seat in any ratio, for example, in a 60 / 40 configuration. It is also possible that only some of the seatbacks are foldable, while the others are fixed. Furthermore, it is possible that only some of the seatbacks can be folded down, while the others are fixed or can only be folded forward.

[0040] The position of the strut braces 2a is shown in a rearward-folded position of the at least one backrest, i.e., in a position where the at least one backrest is folded towards the rear end of the vehicle 1. In the rearward-folded position, the strut brace 2a is located in a load path 5 of the rear shock absorbers and springs corresponding to the rear wheels 4.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section of a rear seat arrangement 6a, which pivots about an axis 8 into the Fig. The backrest 7, shown in the rearward-folding position, is pivotally mounted. The strut 2 is integrated into the backrest 7 and is located in one direction of the shock absorber load 10 of a shock absorber 11 and in one direction of the spring load 9 of a spring.

[0042] Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagonal view of the rear seat arrangement 6a of the Fig. 2.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4 shows another schematic diagonal view of the rear seat arrangement 6a of the Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

[0044] Fig. Figure 5 shows a schematic front view of another rear seat arrangement 6b. The rear seat arrangement 6b consists of two independently foldable backrests 7-1 and 7-2. A strut brace 2b is shown in the figure, wherein the strut brace is divided into two strut brace segments 2-1 and 2-2, which can be connected to each other. Each strut brace segment 2-1 and 2-2 is integrated into one of the backrests 7-1 and 7-2, respectively. Preferably, the strut brace segments 2-1 and 2-2 are part of a support frame 12 of the backrests 7-1 and 7-2 or are formed integrally with it.

[0045] Fig. Figure 6 shows a schematic side view of the backrest 7-1 from Fig. 5, which shows a possible location of the dome strut 2b.

[0046] Fig. Figure 7 shows a schematic representation of a plug connection between two adjacent strut brace segments 2-1, 2-2 of a rear seat assembly. The strut brace segments 2-1 and 2-2 are installed so that they can slide between a mounted position, in which the strut brace segments 2-1, 2-2 are connected, and an unmounted position, in which the strut brace segments 2-1, 2-2 are separated. The strut brace segments can be connected to each other by a plug connection 13a.

[0047] Fig. 8 shows a detailed view of Fig. Figure 7 shows a plug connection 13b between two adjacent strut brace segments 2-1, 2-2. To improve the direct compression load path between the outer attachment points, direct contact surfaces 14 are provided, which are attached to one or both of the strut brace segments 2-1, 2-2. The contact surfaces 14 are inclined to allow self-centering. The contact surfaces 14 can be magnetic to create a secure connection. However, this is not necessary. The strut brace segments 2-1, 2-2 are connected directly and without gaps to form a strut brace suitable for axial compression loading.

[0048] Fig. Figure 9 shows a schematic front view of another rear seat arrangement 6c. In addition to the two inner backrests 7-1, 7-2, an additional outer backrest 7-3, 7-4 is provided on each side. Only the inner backrests 7-1, 7-2 form the strut brace and can be folded backwards.

[0049] Fig. Figure 10 shows another schematic front view of the rear seat arrangement 6c from Fig. 9, which shows the outer connections 15a, 15b of the outer dome strut segments 2-3, 2-4 arranged in the outer backrests 2-3, 2-4 with the inner dome strut segments 2-1, 2-2 arranged in the inner backrests 2-1, 2-2.

[0050] Fig. Figure 11 shows a schematic front view of the rear seat arrangement of the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, which shows an internal connection 15c of the inner strut segments 2-1, 2-2, which are suitable to be folded backwards and positioned in the ‘stiffening’ position.

[0051] In the seated position, the outer backrests 7-3 and 7-4 are connected to the inner backrests 7-1 and 7-2, see Fig. 10.

[0052] In the loading position, all backrests 7-1 to 7-4 are folded forward. Alternatively, the inner backrests 7-1 and 7-2 are separated, and only the inner backrests 7-1 and 7-2 are folded forward.

[0053] In the stiffening position, the inner backrests 7-1 and 7-2 are separated from the outer backrests 7-3 and 7-4. They are connected to each other so that they form a single strut brace, and are folded back into the rearward position and then mounted to a mounting structure on the body of vehicle 1.

[0054] Fig. Figure 12 shows a schematic representation of a bar 16 for connecting the individual dome strut segments. The bar 16 is movable in a direction A perpendicular to the dome strut segments 2-1 to 2-4. The bar 16 can be arranged on the backrests 7-1 to 7-4.

[0055] Fig. Figure 13 shows a schematic representation of another possible connection 17 for fixing the strut 2-1. The reference numeral 21 refers to a fastening element corresponding to another strut segment 2-1 to 2-4.

[0056] By pressing down a first button 18, located on a strut brace segment 2-1 to 2-4, a second button 19 is also moved downwards, allowing the strut brace segment 2-1 to 2-4 to slide into the fastening element 21. When the first button 18 is released, the second button 19 engages firmly with a counterpart 20 of the fastening element 21. The connection can be released again by pressing down the first button 18 and sliding the strut brace segment 2-1 to 2-4 out of the fastening element 21.

[0057] Fig. Figure 14 shows a schematic front view of a fastening mechanism for the strut brace 2 on the body of the vehicle 1. The fastening structure on the body of the vehicle 1 comprises a first fastening element 22, a second fastening element 23, and a clamping device 24. The first and second fastening elements 22, 23 are attached to the body of the vehicle 1. By moving the strut brace 2 in the direction of movement B towards the second fastening element 23, which serves as a contact surface, the strut brace 2 engages firmly in the second fastening element 23. Furthermore, the clamping device 24 moves towards the strut brace 2 to engage firmly in the strut brace 2 and thereby fix the strut brace between the first and second fastening elements 22, 23.

[0058] Fig. Figure 15 shows a schematic representation of a latch or clamping lever 25 as an example of a clamping device 24 for attaching the strut brace 2 to the first mounting structural element 22 of the vehicle body 1. The latch 25 can be actuated manually or automatically by an actuator. The strut brace 2 can be clamped to the vehicle body 1 with a predetermined preload to ensure the stiffening of the vehicle body 1. The clamping force can be adjusted with an adjusting thread 29.

[0059] Fig. Figure 16 shows a schematic representation of a screw connection 26 for attaching the strut brace 2 to the body of the vehicle 1. The screw 26 engages in an internal thread 30 of the strut brace 2. Here too, the screw connection 26 can be actuated manually or automatically with an actuator.

[0060] Fig. Figure 17 shows a schematic representation of a driver's seat 27 with a racing harness 28 for connection to a rear seat arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. The racing harness can be a 4-, 5-, or 6-point harness. An angle α between a horizontal axis and the direction of extension of the racing harness to an attachment point of the racing harness 28 must lie between two predefined angle values, e.g., 0° and -20°.

[0061] Fig. Figure 18 shows a representation of the connection between a racing harness 28 and a backrest 7. The racing harness 28 can be attached to or near the strut brace 2. An angle β between a horizontal axis and the direction of extension of the racing harness is smaller than a predefined angle value, e.g., approximately -14°.

Claims

[1] Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) for a vehicle (1) comprising two outer backrests (7-3, 7-4) and at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2), wherein the at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2) has a strut (2a; 2b); and wherein only the at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2) is designed in such a way that it can be pivoted into a rearward-folded position in order to connect the strut brace (2a; 2b) to a fastening structure (22; 23) on a body of the vehicle (1). [2] Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) according to claim 1, wherein the strut brace (2a; 2b) has at least one locking mechanism for firmly connecting the strut brace (2a; 2b) to the fastening structure (22; 23) on the body of the vehicle (1). [3] Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) according to claim 1 or 2 with a plurality of inner backrests (7-1, 7-2), wherein at least two inner backrests (7-1, 7-2) of the plurality of inner backrests (7-1, 7-2) each comprise struts (2a; 2b) segments (2-1, 2-2) of the strut (2a; 2b), wherein the struts (2a; 2b) segments (2-1, 2-2) of the strut (2a; 2b) are connectable to each other. [4] Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) according to claim 3, wherein the struts (2a; 2b) segments (2-1, 2-2) can be connected to each other via a plug connection (13a; 13b). [5] Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein at least one of the strut (2a; 2b) segments (2-1, 2-2) is slidably installed to move between a mounted position in which the strut (2a; 2b) segment (2-1, 2-2) is connected to an adjacent strut (2a; 2b) segment (2-1, 2-2) and an unmounted position in which the strut (2a; 2b) segment (2-1, 2-2) is separated from the adjacent strut (2a; 2b) segment (2-1, 2-2). [6] Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the at least two inner backrests (7-1, 7-2) comprising the respective strut (2a; 2b) segment (2-1, 2-2) are designed such that they can be folded independently of each other in a state in which the strut (2a; 2b) segments (2-1, 2-2) are not connected to each other. [7] Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2) has a support frame (12), wherein the strut (2a; 2b) is formed at least partially by at least a part of the support frame (12). [8] Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the strut brace (2a; 2b) is attached to a rear section of the at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2). [9] Rear seat arrangement (6a-c) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2) has a fastening device for attaching a racing belt (28). [10] Vehicle (1), comprising: a body comprising a mounting structure (22; 23) for a strut brace (2a; 2b); and a rear seat arrangement (6a-c) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the strut brace (2a; 2b) of the rear seat arrangement (6a-c) is connectable to the fastening structure (22; 23) of the body of the vehicle (1). [11] Vehicle (1) according to claim 10, wherein the fastening structure (22; 23) on the body of the vehicle (1) has at least one locking mechanism for fastening the strut brace (2a; 2b) to the body of the vehicle (1). [12] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 10 or 11, wherein the fastening structure (22; 23) has at least one screw connection (26) for fastening the strut brace (2a; 2b) to the body of the vehicle (1). [13] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising an actuator configured to automatically attach the strut brace (2a; 2b) to the body of the vehicle (1) via the screw connection (26). [14] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 10 to 13, further comprising a racing belt (28) which can be connected or is connected to a fastening device of the at least one inner backrest (7-1, 7-2) of the rear seat arrangement (6a-c). [15] Vehicle (1) according to one of claims 10 to 14, further comprising rear shock absorbers (11) and springs, wherein the mounting structure (22; 23) for the strut brace (2a; 2b) is arranged in a load path of the rear shock absorbers (11) and springs.

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