SEAT FRAME FOR A VEHICLE

Abstract

Seat frame of a vehicle, comprising: a main frame (100) having one end connected to the vehicle so as to be movable forward and backward, and having an opposite end connected to an arch of the vehicle so as to adjust a height of the main frame (100) up and down; a subframe (200) provided in an interior of the main frame (100) and connected to the main frame (100) so as to be rotatable with respect to the main frame (100) so as to be unfolded and folded; and a rail (300) into which the main frame (100) is fitted, forming a path along which the main frame (100) is configured to move in the vehicle in a direction from a front of the vehicle to a rear of the vehicle or in a direction from the rear of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a seat frame of a vehicle which can be installed in the interior of the vehicle so as to be movable forward and backward, and which can be used as a seat when unfolded and as a partition wall separating a luggage compartment when folded. BACKGROUND

[0002] The interior of a vehicle can be broadly divided into a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment at the rear of the vehicle. Seats may be provided in the passenger compartment for passengers to sit, and a cargo compartment for loading items may be provided at the rear of the vehicle for items to be loaded into the cargo compartment.

[0003] Conventionally, a car or a sport utility vehicle (SUV) has a first row of seats with a driver's seat and a front passenger seat, a second row of passenger seats behind the first row, and a luggage compartment behind the second row. In a large SUV or a van, a third-row seat may be provided behind the second row so that it can be folded or unfolded. The space of the third-row seat can become a seat for passengers when the third-row seat is unfolded, and can become a luggage compartment for items to be loaded when the third-row seat is folded.

[0004] In a conventional vehicle, there are limitations on expanding or reducing the luggage space or adjusting the position of the seats. Even if neither the second nor the third row of seats is used, loading restrictions may exist because the expansion of the luggage space is extremely limited. Furthermore, even if the luggage space is not used, the space for the second or third row of seats can only be expanded to a limited extent. Furthermore, a separate partition wall is required to separate the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment.

[0005] Due to the limitations, the interior of the vehicle cannot be used efficiently.

[0006] For this purpose, a movable partition wall is known from US 2008 / 0 253 857 A1.

[0007] KR 10 2007 064 466 A also discloses a movable partition with a seat attached thereto.

[0008] US 8 235 443 B2 also shows a movable partition wall. SUMMARY

[0009] It is therefore the object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a seat frame of a vehicle which is connected to be movable in the interior of the vehicle so that its position can be changed and which can be freely unfolded or folded to be used as a seat or a partition wall dividing the interior.

[0010] The object is achieved by a seat frame for a vehicle having the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments can be found in the subclaims.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a seat frame of a vehicle includes: a main frame, one end of which is connected to the vehicle so as to be movable forward and backward, and the opposite end of which is connected to an arch of the vehicle so as to adjust the height of the main frame upward and downward; a subframe provided in an interior space of the main frame and connected to the main frame so as to be rotatable with respect to the main frame so as to be folded and unfolded with respect to the main frame; and a rail into which the main frame is fitted and provides a track along which the main frame is configured to move in the vehicle in a direction from a front of the vehicle to a rear of the vehicle or in a direction from the rear of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle.

[0012] A lower end of the main frame may be movably connected to a floor of the vehicle, and an upper end of the main frame may be connected to the arch of the vehicle such that the height of the main frame is adjusted according to a height from the floor to the arch and the rail is provided on the floor of the vehicle.

[0013] A rack may be arranged on an inner surface of the rail, a pinion may be arranged in the main frame fitted in the rail, and the position of the main frame may be moved by an engagement relationship of the rack and the pinion.

[0014] A drive device that drives the pinion may be provided in the main frame so that the main frame moves along the rail when the drive device rotates.

[0015] The subframe may include a seatback frame and a seat cushion frame, the seatback frame is connected to the main frame side by side, and the seat cushion frame may be connected to the seatback frame so as to rotate with respect to the seatback frame to be unfolded and folded.

[0016] A headrest frame connected to the seatback frame so as to be movable upwardly and downwardly may be provided at an upper portion of the seatback frame.

[0017] The seat cushion frame may be arranged at a rear side of the seat back frame so as to be held in a linear shape when folded and to have a curved shape when unfolded.

[0018] A motor may be provided on an inner surface of the seat back frame, a projection is embedded in the motor, and the projection can be pulled out toward the seat back frame when the seat back frame is unfolded, so that the shape of the seat back frame is adjusted.

[0019] The main frame may be made of a rigid material, and the subframe may be made of a flexible material that is more flexible than the rigid material.

[0020] An outer cover may be mounted on the subframe, a winding spool on which the outer cover is wound may be provided at a lower end of the subframe, and the outer cover may be pulled out of or inserted into the winding spool when the subframe is unfolded or folded, and the outer cover may comprise a mesh material.

[0021] The main frame may be provided with a stopper provided at a connection point with the subframe and fixing the subframe while the subframe is unfolded.

[0022] The subframe may be configured to rotate through a predetermined angle with respect to the main frame so that it can be unfolded and folded.

[0023] The subframe may be configured to be unfolded so that the subframe serves as a seat, and the subframe may be configured to be folded so that the subframe serves as a partition that divides an interior of the vehicle.

[0024] Since the main frame is movably connected to the floor of the vehicle and the arch and the height of the main frame can vary according to the height of the arch, in the seat frame according to the present disclosure, the passenger space or the luggage space can be enlarged or reduced according to the user's needs, so that the space can be used efficiently.

[0025] Since the subframe can be folded out or folded to serve as a seat or partition, it can also be used as a seat or partition as needed.

[0026] Furthermore, since the subframe includes a seat back frame, a seat cushion frame, and a headrest frame, it has a shape and structure that can make a passenger feel comfortable and provide a stable feeling. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a seat frame of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are views illustrating an appearance in which the seat frame of the vehicle is moved according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are views illustrating an appearance in which the seat frame of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is unfolded or folded; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the seat frame of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure; and Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a mesh seat and a winding coil of the seat frame of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals throughout the drawings denote like elements.

[0029] The present disclosure relates to a seat frame connected to be movable along a floor F of a vehicle, and is a disclosure in which a main frame 100 is connected to be movable, and a subframe 200 serves as a seat (S) when unfolded and serves as a partition when folded, allowing the interior of the vehicle to be freely utilized. Specifically, in the case of three-row seats, a space can be efficiently utilized while using one seat frame as a seat (S) when necessary, while dividing the space into a luggage compartment and an interior.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a seat frame of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to Fig. 1, a seat frame of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a main frame 100, a subframe 200, and a rail 300.

[0031] The main frame 100 may have a ring shape. A lower end of the main frame 100 may be connected to a floor F of the vehicle, and an upper end of the main frame 100 may be connected to an arch L of the vehicle.

[0032] The lower end of the main frame 100 may be movably connected to the floor F. The rail 300 may be provided on the floor F, and the lower end of the main frame 100 is fitted into and connected to the rail 300 so as to be movable forward and backward along the rail 300. When the main frame 100 is moved forward and backward along the rail 300 in the interior of the vehicle, the position of a seat or the position of a partition wall can be adjusted. The rail 300 is in Fig. 2 shown.

[0033] The upper end of the main frame 100 may be connected to the arc L to be movable along the arc L. Since the upper end of the main frame 100 is connected to the arc L, the height of the main frame 100 can be adjusted along the height of the arc L. Since the arc L of the vehicle has a shape in which the center of the vehicle body is the highest and the height of the vehicle body decreases forward and backward, the height of the arc L should vary according to a point where the main frame 100 is located in the interior of the vehicle.

[0034] Accordingly, the main frame 100 may be configured such that the up / down height of the main frame 100 is adjusted according to the height from the ground F to the arch L. As shown in Fig. 1, the height of the main frame 100 can be configured to vary according to its movement. To adjust the height of the main frame 100, the side surface of the main frame 100 can have a multi-level structure.

[0035] The subframe 200 may be provided inside the main frame 100. The subframe 200 may be connected to the main frame 100 so as to be unfolded or folded at a predetermined angle with respect to the main frame 100. When unfolded, the subframe 200 serves as a seat while defining approximately 90 degrees with the main frame 100, and when folded, it is arranged side by side with the main frame 100 to serve as a partition that divides the interior of the vehicle body.

[0036] The interior of the vehicle may be divided into a luggage compartment for loading luggage and a passenger compartment for riding a passenger. Since the subframe 200 serves as a partition wall that can divide the interior of the vehicle when folded, the luggage compartment and the passenger compartment can be distinguished by changing the position of the subframe 200 to partition the interior of the vehicle. Accordingly, the interior of the vehicle can be freely divided for use.

[0037] In a situation where a seat is required in the interior of the vehicle, the subframe 200 can be used as a seat by disposing the main frame 100 at a suitable location and unfolding the subframe 200. Furthermore, when the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment for loading luggage are to be distinguished, the luggage compartment can be formed by folding the subframe 200 and moving the main frame 100. In this way, the limited interior space of the vehicle can be efficiently utilized.

[0038] Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 are views illustrating an appearance in which the seat frame of the vehicle is moved according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] With reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the rail 300 may be a track along which the main frame 100 is moved forward and backward in the interior of the vehicle. The rail 300 may be provided on the floor F of the vehicle, and a lower end of the main frame 100 may be fitted into the rail 300.

[0040] With reference to Fig. 3, a rack 310 may be formed on an inner surface of the rail 300, and a pinion 101 may be formed on an outer surface of the main frame 100, which is fitted into the rail 300. When the main frame 100 is to be moved, the pinion 101 may be moved along the rack 310. That is, the position of the main frame 100 is moved by an engagement relationship of the gears. Furthermore, the main frame 100 may simply be slid onto the rail 300, and in this case, a magnetic module may be provided to fix the position of the main frame 100.

[0041] Furthermore, the main frame 100 may be provided with a drive device 103 that drives the pinion 101. The drive device 103 may be connected to the pinion 101 by a shaft 102 and drive the pinion 101 such that the pinion 101 is moved along the rack 310 when the pinion 101 is rotated. A direction in which the main frame 100 is moved can be controlled by adjusting the rotation direction of the drive device 103. The position of the main frame 100 can be adjusted by operating the drive device 103.

[0042] Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are views illustrating an appearance in which the seat frame of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is unfolded or folded. Fig. 4 is a view showing only the main frame 100 and the subframe 200 in Fig. 3 represents.

[0043] With reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the subframe 200 of the seat frame of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a seatback frame 210 and a seat cushion frame 230. The seatback frame 210 may be connected to the main frame 100 side-by-side, for example, to support a passenger when the passenger is seated. The seat cushion frame 230 may be connected to the seatback frame 210 in a rotatable manner so that the seat cushion frame 230 can be unfolded and folded. As shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5, the seat cushion frame 230 can be rotated while being moved to the underside of the seat back frame 210 to face the front side, and thus a seat can be formed.

[0044] Further, a headrest frame 220 connected to the seatback frame 210 so as to be movable forward and downward may be provided at an upper portion of the seatback frame 210. The headrest H corresponds to a portion against which a passenger's head rests when the passenger is seated. The headrest frame 220 can be retracted through an upper portion of the seatback frame 210 when not in use and lifted upward to be extended to the top of the seatback frame 210 when in use. If the headrest frame 220 can be retracted and extended, a space can be prevented from being unnecessarily occupied by the headrest frame 220, and the space can be used efficiently.

[0045] The main frame 100 may be connected to the frame of the vehicle and may be made of a rigid material, such as metal, to firmly support the subframe 200. Since the subframe 200 contacts the body of an occupant, it may be made of a flexible material that is more flexible than the rigid material.

[0046] The seat cushion frame 230 may be inserted into the rear side of the seat back frame 210 so as to be held in the folded state, and may maintain a linear shape in the held state by the seat back frame 210, and may have a curved shape so that the passenger can sit when unfolded. The subframe 200 may be made of a flexible material so that the shape of the seat cushion frame 230 can be deformed depending on its use state. Accordingly, when the subframe 200 is used as a partition, the seat cushion frame 230 may be maintained in a linear shape to create a luggage space, and when the subframe 200 is used as a seat, the seat cushion frame 230 may have a curved shape so that the passenger feels comfortable when sitting.

[0047] Further, the seat cushion frame 230 may include a first seat cushion frame 231 that supports the lower body of the seated passenger, and a second seat cushion frame 232 that can hold an arm. The second seat cushion frame 232 may be provided at the height of a passenger's arm, and the center of the second seat cushion frame 232 may have an upwardly curved shape so that the passenger's arm can be held.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 5, the main frame 100 may be provided with a stopper 500 that fixes the subframe 200. The stopper 500 may be inserted into the subframe 200 at a point where the subframe 200 is connected to the main frame 100. When the stopper 500 is inserted into the subframe 200 in a state where the subframe 200 is rotated to unfold, the subframe 200 can be fixed to prevent reverse rotation. Accordingly, when a passenger is riding, the seat can be stably fixed by inserting the stopper 500 into the subframe 200.

[0049] Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the seat frame of a vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 shows a state in which the subframe 200 is unfolded.

[0050] With reference to Fig. 6, a motor 240 may be provided on an inner surface of the seatback frame 210. Since the passenger leans his or her back against the seatback frame 210, the passenger can feel comfortable if the seatback frame 210 has a shape similar to the shape of the back. A protrusion 250 protruding toward the seatback frame 210 is embedded in the motor 240, and the protrusion 250 can be pulled out when the motor 240 is driven. The protrusion 250 can push the seatback frame 210 outward to deform the shape of the seatback frame 210 into a curved shape.

[0051] The motor 240 may be configured to be driven by the movement of the seat cushion frame 230. When the seat cushion frame 230 is rotated, the shape of the seat back frame 210 may become a shape that is comfortable when the passenger is seated because the protrusion 250 is pulled out of the motor 240, so that the shape of the seat back frame 210 is bent.

[0052] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a mesh seat and a winding coil 410 of the seat frame of the vehicle according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0053] With reference to Fig.7, an outer cover 400 may be attached to the subframe 200. The outer cover 400 may be formed of a mesh material that exhibits excellent ventilation efficiency and excellent drying efficiency. A winding spool 410 may be provided at the lower end of the subframe 200, on which the outer cover 400 is wound.

[0054] The outer cover 400 can be wound onto the winding spool 410 to be held, and can be pulled out from or inserted into the winding spool 410 by the required amount according to the folded or unfolded state of the subframe 200. When the subframe 200 is folded and then unfolded, the outer cover 400 is pulled out from the winding spool 410 along the subframe 200 to cover the entire subframe 200.

[0055] As described above, the seat frame of a vehicle according to the present disclosure can be installed in the interior of the vehicle so as to be movable, and can utilize the space because the space toward the passenger compartment or the luggage compartment can be expanded or contracted. When multiple passengers are riding, the main frame 100 can be moved to the rear of the vehicle to create a large passenger compartment. Furthermore, when a large number of items are loaded, the main frame 100 can be moved to the front of the vehicle to create a large luggage compartment.

[0056] In particular, the subframe 200 may be connected to the main frame 100 so as to be rotatable so that it can be folded or unfolded, and thus can be used as a seat or a partition, and accordingly, it is not necessary to provide a seat and a partition separately.

Claims

[1] Seat frame of a vehicle, comprising: a main frame (100) having one end connected to the vehicle so as to be movable forward and backward, and having an opposite end connected to an arch of the vehicle so as to adjust a height of the main frame (100) up and down; a subframe (200) provided in an interior of the main frame (100) and connected to the main frame (100) so as to be rotatable with respect to the main frame (100) so as to be unfolded and folded; and a rail (300) into which the main frame (100) is fitted, forming a path along which the main frame (100) is configured to move in the vehicle in a direction from a front of the vehicle to a rear of the vehicle or in a direction from the rear of the vehicle to the front of the vehicle. [2] The seat frame according to claim 1, wherein a lower end of the main frame (100) is connected to the floor of the vehicle so as to be movable, and an upper end of the main frame (100) is connected to the arch of the vehicle so that the height of the main frame (100) is adjusted according to a height from the floor to the arch, and the rail (300) is provided on the floor of the vehicle. [3] The seat frame according to claim 1, further comprising a rack (310) disposed on an inner surface of the rail (300) and a pinion (101) disposed in the main frame (100) fitted in the rail (300), and wherein the position of the main frame (100) is moved by an engagement relationship of the rack (310) and the pinion (101). [4] The seat frame according to claim 3, further comprising a drive device (103) that drives the pinion (101) and is provided in the main frame (100) so that the main frame (100) moves along the rail (300) when the drive device (103) rotates. [5] The seat frame according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary frame (200) comprises a seat back frame (210) and a seat cushion frame (220), the seat back frame (210) is connected to the main frame (100) side by side, and the seat cushion frame (230) is connected to the seat back frame (210) so as to be rotated with respect to the seat back frame (210) to be unfolded and folded. [6] The seat frame according to claim 5, wherein a headrest frame (220) connected to the seat back frame (210) so as to be movable upward and downward is provided at an upper portion of the seat back frame (210). [7] The seat frame according to claim 5, wherein the seat cushion frame (230) is arranged on a rear side of the seat back frame (210) so as to be held in a linear shape when folded and to have a curved shape when unfolded. [8] The seat frame according to claim 5, further comprising a motor (240) provided on an inner surface of the seat back frame (210), and a projection (250) embedded in the motor (240), the projection (250) being pulled out toward the seat back frame (210) when the seat back frame (210) is unfolded so that a shape of the seat back frame (210) is adjusted. [9] The seat frame of claim 1, wherein the main frame (100) is made of a rigid material and the subframe (200) is made of a flexible material that is more flexible than the rigid material. [10] The seat frame of claim 1, further comprising an outer cover mounted on the subframe (200), and a winding spool (410) on which the outer cover is wound, which is provided at a lower end of the subframe (200), wherein the outer cover is pulled out of the winding spool (410) or inserted into the winding spool (410) when the subframe (200) is unfolded or folded in. [11] The seat frame of claim 10, wherein the outer cover comprises a mesh material. [12] The seat frame according to claim 1, wherein the main frame (100) is provided with a stopper which is provided at a connection point with the subframe (200) and fixes the subframe (200) when the subframe (200) is unfolded. [13] The seat frame according to claim 1, wherein the subframe (200) is configured to be rotatable with respect to the main frame (100) by a predetermined angle so as to be unfolded and folded. [14] The seat frame according to claim 1, wherein the subframe (200) is configured to be unfolded so that the subframe (200) serves as a seat, and the subframe (200) is configured to be folded so that the subframe (200) serves as a partition wall that divides the interior of the vehicle.

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