VEHICLE WITH VARIABLE INTERIOR

Abstract

Interior variable vehicle, comprising: Instrument panels (100) provided on one side of the interior of the vehicle, wherein a portion of the instrument panels (100) is selectively overlapped to form an embedding portion of the interior upon development, or to form an opening (150) through which the interior of the vehicle is exposed to the outside of the vehicle when the portion thereof is overlapped; a seat (200) movable to a predetermined location; a guide (300) provided on a floor of the vehicle, the floor forming the interior space, wherein a lower end portion of the seat (200) is slidably coupled to the guide (300), and the guide (300) provides a path on which the seat (200) is movable from the interior of the vehicle to an opening side of the instrument panels (100); and a fastening module (400) configured to fasten the seat (200) to a point of the guide (300) and to release the fastening of the seat (200) from the point of the guide (300) when the seat (200) is to be moved through the opening (150) of the instrument panels (100) to the outside of the vehicle.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle with variable interior space, comprising a seat that can reach the outside of the vehicle by including instrument panels designed to form an opening that releases the interior of the vehicle to the outside, and a movable seat. Description of the state of the art

[0002] A conventional vehicle protects the safety of its occupants and maintains interior climate control by blocking the interior space from the outside when people enter. However, in a convertible, a portion of the vehicle body is selectively opened to expose the vehicle's interior to the outside, and in such a convertible, opening is usually limited to the roof of the vehicle.

[0003] Furthermore, the conventional seat is attached to the floor of the vehicle and designed to face forward. However, as autonomous driving technology, which is capable of self-driving without driver intervention, is actively developed, the shape of the seat is also expected to change.

[0004] The vehicle developed so far was limited to opening the roof, even when a portion of the vehicle body was selectively opened. This served purely aesthetic purposes rather than practical ones. Furthermore, the seating arrangement and entry position are expected to change with the development of autonomous driving technology, but so far the seat can only be repositioned within the vehicle.

[0005] Modern cars are expected to become living spaces rather than mere means of transportation. To create a future vehicle that is docked in such a way that the vehicle is connected to the interior of a building and the seat moves inside the building to be in close contact with residential and office spaces, rather than simply being parked outside the building and people exiting the vehicle, it is necessary to develop a part of the vehicle body that can be opened and a seat that can be moved to the outside of the vehicle.

[0006] From DE 10 2019 132 179 A1, a vehicle seat assembly is already known which comprises an actuating carriage coupled to a bottom side thereof, a plurality of anchorages extending from the actuating carriage, each of the anchorages being rotatable about a fixed vertical axis, and a plurality of rollers rotatably coupled to each of the anchorages by an axis.

[0007] WO 2012 / 141 212 A1 discloses the provision of brake levers on rear wheel stays supporting the rear wheels. These brake levers are integrated into braking devices that operate when the rear wheels are in the use position and are equipped with brake parts as braking elements. When the rear wheels are stored in the upper storage position, the control parts of the brake levers are configured to act as control elements when pressed against the rear wheels to control the rotation of the rear wheels.

[0008] Furthermore, JP 2010-207561 A discloses that, in order to allow a wheelchair user to board a vehicle, the respective seat cushions of a driver's seat, a front passenger seat, and a rear seat can be raised to rest on the support surfaces of the respective backrests, the front passenger seat being placed in the frontmost position adjacent to an instrument panel, and the driver's seat being placed in the rearmost position with the backrest 17 resting against the seat cushion of the rear seat. While the wheels of the wheelchair are rolled on a wheelchair exit board, the wheelchair is moved from the road surface into the interior of a cabin R between the lower part of the door opening of the side part of the vehicle body and the road surface, and then the wheelchair, which has been moved into the interior of the cabin R, is rotated into a forward-facing posture.

[0009] The information disclosed in this section regarding the background of the invention is merely intended to facilitate understanding of the general background of the invention and is not intended as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information constitutes prior art already known to those skilled in the art. SHORT SUMMARY

[0010] It is the object of the present invention to provide a vehicle with a variable interior in which instrument panels form an opening exposed to the outside of the vehicle and in which a seat is movable and selectively fixed and can reach the outside of the vehicle.

[0011] The object is achieved by an internally variable vehicle having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments can be found in the subclaims.

[0012] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an interior variable vehicle includes: instrument panels provided on a side of the interior of the vehicle, having a structure in which a portion thereof overlaps, which, when designed, form an embedding portion of the interior and form an opening through which the interior of the vehicle is exposed to the outside of the vehicle when the portion thereof overlaps; a seat movable outward from the interior of the vehicle; a guide provided on the floor of the interior of the vehicle, coupled to a lower end portion of the seat, and providing a track on which the seat is movable from the interior of the vehicle to an opening side of the instrument panels;and a fastening module configured to fasten the seat to a point of the guide and to release the fastening of the seat from the point of the guide when it is necessary for the seat to be moved through the opening of the instrument panels to the outside of the vehicle;

[0013] The internally variable vehicle may further comprise a lateral step provided outside the vehicle at a predetermined point of the vehicle where the opening is formed, and which is opened between the opening and the ground when the seat moves to the outside of the vehicle to assist in placing the seat on the ground.

[0014] The side step may be hingedly coupled to one side of the vehicle so as to form part of the vehicle body and may be hingedly rotated when opened to form the opening.

[0015] The seat may be provided with movable portions inserted into the guide on a bottom portion thereof and may be movable along the guide by a drive member when the fixing module releases the fixing of the seat.

[0016] The fastening module may include a fastening portion provided in the floor, inserted into the floor, projecting upward from the floor when the seat is fastened, and coupled to a lower surface of the seat to fasten the seat.

[0017] The guide may be secured to the floor in a shape that surrounds supports of the seat when the seat is secured, and at least a portion of the guide may be disengaged from the supports of the seat upon release of the seat to release the seat.

[0018] The fastening module may include a position sensor, and in response to the seat being positioned at a fixed point according to a detection signal from the position sensor, the fastening module may fasten the seat.

[0019] The guide may be formed on the opposite side of the opening to prevent interference by moving a seat adjacent to the seat moving to the outside of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle.

[0020] The instrument panels may include lower panels inclined at a predetermined angle to the ground and upper panels provided on the lower panels, and the upper panels and the lower panels may form the opening by overlapping the upper panels and overlapping the lower panels, respectively.

[0021] When the opening is formed, the upper plates may have a structure in which a portion thereof is stacked and overlapped with an upper portion of the remaining portion.

[0022] The lower surfaces of the upper plates may be provided with one or more support bars having a structure separated into both sides to enhance rigidity of the upper plates, and the support bars may be separated when the upper plates are stacked and overlapped, and may be folded together with the upper plates.

[0023] The lower plates may have a sliding structure and overlap in one direction to form the opening.

[0024] The methods and apparatus of the present invention have other features and advantages which will be apparent from or further explained in the accompanying drawings incorporated herein and the following detailed description, which together serve to explain certain principles of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a view exemplifying a figure in which a seat in an interior variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is moved to the outside of the vehicle. Fig. 2 is a view exemplifying a figure in which a seat in an interior variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is moved to the outside of the vehicle by a side step. Fig. 3 is a view exemplifying a figure in which the seat of the internally variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is fixed by a fixing module. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of instrument panels of the interior variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 is a view exemplifying a figure in which the instrument panels of the internally variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention form an opening.

[0025] In the figures, reference numerals designate the same or equivalent parts of the present invention in the different figures of the drawing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention relates to an internally variable vehicle in which an interior of the vehicle is opened to form an opening 150 exposed to the exterior of the vehicle, and in which a seat 200 is movable outward through the opening 150. The present invention relates to a modern vehicle in which the vehicle evolves from a simple means of transportation to part of a living space by proposing a concept in which the vehicle is docked inside a building and a seat 200 can move directly from the vehicle to an office space or living space.

[0027] Fig. 1 is a view exemplifying a figure in which a seat 200 in an interior-variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is moved to the outside of the vehicle. Referring to Fig. 1, an internally variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include instrument panels 100, a guide 300, and a mounting module 400.

[0028] The instrument panels 100 may be provided on one side of the vehicle interior. When the instrument panels 100 are opened, the vehicle interior may be exposed to the exterior of the vehicle to form an opening 150 through which the seat 200 can pass.

[0029] The instrument panel 100 may have a structure in which portions thereof overlap to form the opening 150. When the instrument panels 100 are developed, an embedding portion of the interior space is formed, and when some of the instrument panels 100 overlap, the opening 150 is formed through which the interior space is exposed to the exterior of the vehicle.

[0030] The instrument panels 100 may include upper panels 110 formed horizontally with a floor of the vehicle and lower panels 120 formed to form a certain angle with the floor, and details thereof will be described later.

[0031] The seat 200 is secured to the vehicle by the attachment module 400, and when the attachment is released, the seat 200 can be configured to be movable from the interior of the vehicle to the exterior. The seat 200 can have the same shape and function as the seat 200 of a general vehicle, except for the movement function.

[0032] The guide 300 can perform the function of providing a movement path along which the seat 200 moves in the interior of the vehicle. The guide 300 is provided at the floor of the interior of the vehicle and can be coupled to a lower end portion of the seat 200. The seat 200 can be coupled to the guide 300 in a form in which a portion of the lower end portion of the seat 200 is inserted into the guide 300, and the seat 200 can move toward the opening 150 side of the instrument panels 100 in the interior of the vehicle along the guide 300.

[0033] Furthermore, a portion of the guide 300 may be formed on the opposite side of the opening 150. Since the guide 300 is partially formed on the opposite side of the opening 150, the seat 200 can be configured to be movable to the opposite side on which the instrument panels 100 are formed. Therefore, when the seat 200 moves to the outside of the vehicle, a seat 200 adjacent to the movable seat 200 can be moved to the opposite side of the opening 150 so as not to interfere. As shown in Fig. 1, the seat 200 adjacent to the seat 200 moving to the outside of the vehicle is rotated or moved to prevent interference.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a distal end of the guide 300 is branched into at least two paths.

[0035] The attachment module 400 may perform a function of selectively securing the seat 200 to the vehicle. The attachment module 400 may secure the seat 200 to a point on the guide 300 and then release the attachment when the seat 200 moves to allow movement.

[0036] With reference to Fig. 1, the fastening module 400 is configured to surround a support 210 provided at the lower end portion of the seat 200 to secure the seat 200 to the floor. In the event of a release of the fastening, a portion of the fastening module 400 can be detached from the support 210 to release the fastening. Fig. 1, a seat 200 disposed on the right side of a first pillar illustrates a state in which a portion of the fixing module 400 is detached from the support 210 and the fixing is released.

[0037] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mounting module 400 is electrically connected to a controller to control its operation.

[0038] Fig. 2 is a view exemplifying a figure in which the seat 200 of the interior variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is moved to the outside of the vehicle by a side step 500.

[0039] With reference to Fig. 2, the internally variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include a side step 500 to assist the seat 200 in landing on the ground when the seat 200 moves to the outside of the vehicle. In a case where there is a gap between the vehicle and the ground or there is a height difference between a vehicle body and the ground, the seat 200 can be stably landed on the ground by side steps 500. As shown in Fig. 2, the side step 500 selectively projects to the outside of the vehicle body and is disposed on a path through which the seat 200 moves, which assists the seat 200 in moving stably.

[0040] The side step 500 is provided at a point where the opening 150 is formed on the exterior of the vehicle, and when the instrument panels 100 overlap to form the opening 150, the side step 500 can be formed so that it is exposed between the vehicle and the ground. The side step 500 can be hinged 520 to a side of the vehicle to form part of the vehicle body, and can be hinged 520 to rotate upon opening to form the opening 150.

[0041] In addition, as in Fig. 2, movable portions 220 inserted into the guide 300 may be provided under the seat 200. A wheel may be formed in the drive member 220, and when the opening 150 is formed, the seat 200 can be moved to the outside of the vehicle by the movable portions 220.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the movable portions 220 are equipped with a drive unit and a control unit for controlling the drive unit to move the seat 200 from one position to another position.

[0043] Fig. 3 is a view exemplifying a figure in which the seat 200 of the internally variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is attached by the attachment module 400.

[0044] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along line AA of Fig. 1. With reference to Fig. 3, the fastening module 400 may include a fastening portion 410 provided in the floor, inserted into the floor, protruding upward from the floor when fastening the seat 200, and coupled to a lower surface of the seat 200. A groove 440 recessed inwardly so that the fastening portion 410 can be inserted may be formed on the lower surface of the seat 200.

[0045] In addition, the fastening module 400 may further include a position sensor 450. The position sensor 450 may detect whether the seat 200 is positioned at a fixed point or not by sensing the position of the seat 200. When the position sensor 450 detects that the seat 200 is positioned at the fixed point, the fastening module 400 may fasten the seat 200. When the seat 200 is positioned at a correct fixed position by the position sensor 450, the seat 200 may be fastened by the fastening module 400.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fastening module 400 may include an electrical, mechanical, or pneumatic actuator connected to a controller to move the fastening module 400 according to the control signal from a controller connected to the fastening module 400.

[0047] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the instrument panels 100 of the internally variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 5 is a view exemplifying a figure in which the instrument panels 100 of the internally variable vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention form the opening 150.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the instrument panel 100 may include a lower plate 120 forming a predetermined angle with the ground, and an upper plate 110 provided on the lower plate 120. The lower plates 120 and the upper plates 110 may be opened by partially overlapping the lower plates 120 and partially overlapping the upper plates 110, and upon opening, the exterior of the vehicle and the interior can be connected. The lower plates 120 and the upper plates 110 may be formed in a structure in which the lower plates 120 overlap each other and the upper plates 110 overlap each other, thereby forming an area where the opening 150 is to be formed by a simple and efficient structure in a narrow area.

[0049] As in Fig. 5, when the opening 150 is formed, the upper plates 110 may have a structure in which a portion thereof is stacked and overlapped on an upper portion of the remaining portion. Since the upper plates 110 encompass both sides, the portion thereof may be stacked and overlapped on the upper portion of the remaining portion.

[0050] Furthermore, one or more support rods 111 may be provided on a lower surface of the upper plate 110. The support rods 111 are coupled to the lower surface of the upper plate 110 to reinforce a rigidity of the upper plate 110 and are configured to prevent the upper plate 110 from being damaged by an external impact. The support rods 111 are formed in a separate structure and can be separated together with the upper plate 110. In a case where the upper plate 110 is folded, since the support rods 111 can also be separated and folded, there is an advantage in that the rigidity can be enhanced without taking up much space. One side of the separated portions of the support rods 111 may protrude, and the other side thereof may be recessed inward.When the upper plates 110 are deployed, the support rods 111, which are separated on both sides, can be coupled together by a mounting structure. Furthermore, the support rod 111 can be formed into a telescopic structure so that its length can be increased. The support rods 111 can be formed on the lower plates 120 to enhance the rigidity of the lower plates 120.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a receiving space 115 is formed between the upper plate 110 and the support rods 111, so that the upper plate 110 and the support rods 111 are slidably connected to a vehicle body through the receiving space 115.

[0052] As with the Fig. 4, the lower plates 120 may be configured to overlap on both sides, and as in the exemplary embodiment shown in Fig.In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the lower plates 120 may be formed with a sliding structure that is open or closed to one side thereof. The lower plates 120 may be formed to form the predetermined angle with the floor, and thus may be formed with the sliding structure and form an opening 150 with a simple structure.

[0053] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the opening exposing the interior of the vehicle to the outside is formed by folding the instrument panels, and the seat is accessible through the opening, which allows the vehicle to be directly connected to a living space.

[0054] In addition, the vehicle is docked in the building, and the seat is moved directly into the living space, thereby reducing travel time and minimizing equipment in the living space, and since the attachment module has a simple structure, it can be easily manufactured.

Claims

[1] Internally variable vehicle, comprising: Instrument panels (100) provided on one side of the interior of the vehicle, wherein a portion of the instrument panels (100) is selectively overlapped to form an embedding portion of the interior upon development, or to form an opening (150) through which the interior of the vehicle is exposed to the outside of the vehicle when the portion thereof is overlapped; a seat (200) movable to a predetermined location; a guide (300) provided on a floor of the vehicle, the floor forming the interior space, wherein a lower end portion of the seat (200) is slidably coupled to the guide (300), and the guide (300) provides a path on which the seat (200) is movable from the interior of the vehicle to an opening side of the instrument panels (100); and a fastening module (400) configured to fasten the seat (200) to a point of the guide (300) and to release the fastening of the seat (200) from the point of the guide (300) when the seat (200) is to be moved through the opening (150) of the instrument panels (100) to the outside of the vehicle. [2] An internally variable vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising a side step (500) provided at a predetermined point of the vehicle, wherein the opening (150) is formed outside the vehicle and is provided between the opening (150) and a floor when the seat (200) is configured to move to the outside of the vehicle to assist the seat (200) in seating on the floor. [3] An internally variable vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the side step (500) is pivotally coupled to a side of the vehicle to form part of a vehicle body and pivotally rotated when moved to form the opening (150). [4] Internally variable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the seat (200) is provided with a drive element (220) which is mounted in the guide (300) and is movable along the guide (300) by the drive element (220) when the fastening module (400) releases the fastening of the seat (200). [5] The internally variable vehicle of claim 1, wherein the attachment module (400) comprises an attachment portion (410) provided in the floor and selectively attaching the seat (200) to the floor. [6] The internally variable vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the fixing portion (410) of the fixing module (400) is configured to protrude upward from the floor and to be coupled to a lower surface of the seat (200) to fix the seat (200) to the floor. [7] The internally variable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the guide (300) is fixed to the floor by surrounding supports (210) of the seat (200) when the seat (200) is fixed, and at least a portion of the guide (300) is detached from the supports (210) of the seat (200) when the seat (200) is released to release the attachment of the seat (200). [8] Internally variable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the fastening module (400) comprises a position sensor (450), and wherein, in response to the seat (200) being positioned at the predetermined location in accordance with a detection signal from the position sensor (450), the fastening module (400) is configured to fasten the seat (200) to the floor. [9] An internally variable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the guide (300) is formed on a side of the vehicle opposite to the opening (150) so as to prevent interference by moving an adjacent seat (200) adjacent to the seat (200) moving to the outside of the vehicle to the rear of the vehicle. [10] The internally variable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein a distal end of the guide (300) is branched into at least two paths in a direction opposite to the opening (150). [11] Internally variable vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the instrument panels (100) comprise lower panels (120) inclined at a predetermined angle with the ground and upper panels (110) provided on the lower panels (120), and wherein the upper plates (110) and the lower plates (120) form the opening (150) by the upper plates (110) overlapping each other and the lower plates (120) overlapping each other, respectively. [12] The internally variable vehicle according to claim 11, wherein, when the opening (150) is formed, a portion of the upper plates (110) is stacked and overlapped on an upper portion of a remaining portion of the upper plates (110). [13] An internally variable vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the lower surfaces of the upper panels (110) are provided with one or more support bars (111) separated into first and second sides to reinforce a rigidity of the upper panels (110), and wherein the one or more support bars (111) are separated when the upper panels (110) are stacked and overlapped and folded with the upper panels (110). [14] An internally variable vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the lower surfaces of the upper plates (110) are provided with one or more support rods (111), and wherein the one or more support rods (111) are formed in a telescopic structure so that the length thereof can be selectively increased. [15] An internally variable vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the lower surfaces of the upper plates (110) are provided with one or more support rods (111), and wherein a receiving space is formed between the upper plates (110) and the one or more support rods (111) such that the upper plates (110) and the support rods (111) are slidably coupled to a vehicle body through the receiving space. [16] An internally variable vehicle according to claim 13, wherein the lower panels (120) are slidably mounted in a vehicle body and overlap in one direction to form the opening (150).

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