Vehicle with a folding mid-gate with integrated seat

Abstract

Vehicle (10), comprising: a passenger compartment (20) having a ceiling (26); a loading space (22) extending from the passenger compartment (20) and having a loading surface (28) with a support surface (28); a mid-gate (34) having a first surface (44) facing the passenger compartment (20) and a second surface (46) facing the cargo space (22), the mid-gate (34) being pivotally connected with respect to the cargo area (28) between a first position in which the mid-gate (34) separates the cargo space (22) from the passenger compartment (20) and a second position in which the second surface (46) forms part of the support surface (28); and a window (36) disposed adjacent to the mid-gate (34), separating the passenger compartment (20) and the cargo space (22) and pivotable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, the window (36) having a first end segment and a second end segment opposite the first end segment and disposed adjacent to the mid-gate (34) in the closed configuration; characterized in that the ceiling (26) of the passenger compartment (20) carries a latch (70) which, in the open configuration of the window (36), engages the second end segment to secure the window (36) in the open configuration.

Description

introduction

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of vehicles and in particular to a vehicle according to the preamble of claim 1 with a foldable mid-gate with integrated seat, as is essentially known from US 2004 / 0 195 888 A1.

[0002] Further prior art can also be found in the documents DE 602 06 818 T2, DE 20 2017 105 430 U1, DE 10 2010 042 439 A1, EP 1 508 463 A1 and US 7 566 094 B2.

[0003] Pickup trucks typically have a passenger compartment and a cargo bed separated by a bulkhead or mid-gate. A rear passenger seat is often located directly adjacent to the mid-gate. In most cases, the mid-gate supports a rear window. In certain trim packages, a portion of the rear window can be slid open. The rear window can be moved manually or using an electric motor. In other trim packages, the rear window can be completely removed to increase the effective length of the cargo bed.

[0004] Removing the rear window presents several challenges. First, the rear passenger seat is operated to gain access. Next, the rear window is released from the mid-gate and lowered. Due to the weight of the rear window, this step is not practical for all users. Once lowered, the rear window must be protected and stowed. Even after all this effort, the dimensions of the rear window limit the number of objects that can be transferred from the truck bed into the passenger compartment. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a vehicle that expands the cargo capacity of a truck bed without the need for complicated relocation of components.

[0005] The invention is therefore based on the task of fulfilling this wish. Summary

[0006] This object is achieved by a vehicle having the features of claim 1.

[0007] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the mid-gate includes a first end and a second end opposite the first end, the second end being pivotally connected to the support surface via a hinge.

[0008] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the support surface comprises a first end portion disposed on the passenger compartment and a second end portion, wherein the second end of the mid-gate is pivotally connected to the first end portion of the support surface.

[0009] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the hinge includes a piano hinge connecting the second end of the mid-gate to the first end portion of the support surface.

[0010] In addition to one or more of the features described here, the first end of the mid-gate overlaps the second end segment of the window.

[0011] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a mid-gate motor is operatively connected to the mid-gate, the mid-gate motor selectively pivoting the mid-gate about the second end.

[0012] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a window motor is operatively connected to the window, the window motor selectively rotating the window about the first end segment.

[0013] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a controller is operatively connected to the mid-gate motor and the window motor, the controller sequentially adjusting the mid-gate by the first end segment and the window by the first end segment.

[0014] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, an actuator is operatively connected to the controller, the actuator being activated to signal the controller to adjust the mid-gate and the window.

[0015] In addition to one or more of the features described here, the actuator is mounted on the mid-gate.

[0016] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, a backrest is mounted on the first surface of the mid-gate.

[0017] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the mid-gate includes a first segment supporting a first portion of the backrest and a second segment supporting a second portion of the backrest.

[0018] Further disclosed is an unclaimed method for configuring a passenger compartment of a vehicle having a load floor with a support surface, wherein a rear window is raised and a mid-gate is lowered such that a rear surface of the mid-gate is substantially coplanar with the support surface.

[0019] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the method includes securing the window with a latch mounted on the ceiling of the passenger compartment.

[0020] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the method includes folding a seat base forward.

[0021] In addition to one or more of the features described herein, the method includes activating a mid-gate motor and a window motor to fold the rear window and the mid-gate.

[0022] The above features and advantages, as well as other features and advantages of the invention, will be readily apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Short description of the drawings

[0023] Other features, advantages and details appear in the following detailed description only by way of example, the detailed description referring to the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle having a foldable mid-gate with integrated seat according to an example; Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the hinged mid-gate in a first configuration according to an example; Fig. 3 a schematic side view of the vehicle of Fig. 1, which illustrates the hinged mid-gate in the first configuration according to an example; Fig. 4 a schematic side view of the vehicle of Fig. 3 illustrating a forward-folding lower seat member according to an example; Fig. 5 a schematic side view of the vehicle of Fig. 4 is a view showing the hinged mid-gate folded forward into a second configuration according to an example; Fig. 6 a side view of the vehicle from Fig. 5, which shows a window positioned above the hinged mid-gate folded upwards according to an example; Fig. 7 a transition of the mid-gate from Fig. 2 into the second configuration according to an example; Fig. 8 the window of Fig. 5, which swings upwards, according to an example; and Fig. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a motor controller connected to a folding mid-gate motor and a window motor, according to an example. Detailed description

[0024] The following description is merely exemplary in nature. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals refer to like or corresponding parts and features. As used herein, the term module refers to processing circuitry, which may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (collectively, dedicated, or as a group), and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, combinational logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

[0025] A vehicle according to an example is in Fig. 1, designated 10. The vehicle 10 includes a body 12 supported by a frame (not shown) and a plurality of wheels, one of which is designated 16. The vehicle 10 has a passenger compartment 20 and a cargo area 22. The passenger compartment 20 includes a plurality of seats 24 and a ceiling 26. The cargo area 22 includes a support surface or load floor 28. The cargo area 22 may also include a tailgate 30. In one example, the passenger compartment 20 is separated from the cargo area 22 by a hinged mid-gate 34 and a window 36.

[0026] In an example shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 and with continued reference to Fig. 1, the mid-gate 34 includes a first end 40 and a second end 42. The second end 42 is opposite the first end 40. The mid-gate 34 also has a first surface 44 and a second surface 46. The first surface 44 is selectively exposed to or faces the passenger compartment 20 and supports a backrest 48. A seat base 49 is adjacent the backrest 48. The second surface 46 can become an extension of the support surface 28, as will be explained in detail hereinafter. That is, the mid-gate 34 is pivotally mounted to the vehicle 10. More specifically, the support surface 28 includes a first end portion 50 ( Fig. 3) disposed proximate the passenger compartment 20, and a second end portion 52 disposed on a tailgate 30. In one example, the first end 40 of the mid-gate 34 is connected to the first end portion 50 of the support surface 28 via a hinge 55. In one example, the hinge 55 is a piano hinge 57. In this way, when folded forward, there is no gap between the mid-gate 34 and the support surface 28. In one example, the mid-gate 34 includes a first section 59 supporting a first portion 60 of the backrest 48 and a second section 61 supporting a second portion 62 of the backrest 48. The first section 59 may be 40% of the width of the mid-gate 34, and the second section 61 may be 60% of the width of the mid-gate 34.

[0027] In one example, the window 36 is also pivotally mounted in the passenger compartment 20. The window 36 includes a first end section 64 and a second end section 66 opposite the first end section 64, as well as side sections (not separately labeled). The first end section 64, the second end section 66, and the side sections surround a glass pane 68. In one example, the first end section 64 of the window 36 is pivotally connected to the vehicle 10 in the passenger compartment 20. With this arrangement, the window 36 can pivot between a first configuration in which the second end 42 of the mid-gate 34 overlaps the second end section 66 and a second configuration in which the mid-gate 34 is rotated forward and the window 36 is pivoted upward, as in Fig. 8, which exposes or opens the passenger compartment 20 to the cargo space 22. In one example, the vehicle 10 has a lock 70 provided on the ceiling 26 ( Fig. 8). The latch 70 engages the second end section 66 to hold the window 36 in the second configuration.

[0028] In an example, the mid-gate 34 and the window 36 are as in Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the passenger compartment 20 and the cargo compartment 22 are physically or spatially separated from each other. If additional cargo space is desired, such as when transporting lumber, kayaks, or the like, the passenger compartment 20 and the cargo compartment 22 can be connected. To connect the passenger compartment 20 and the cargo compartment 22, the mid-gate 34 and the window 36 are moved or adjusted to the second configuration, as explained in more detail below.

[0029] As in Fig. 4, the seat base 49 is rotated forward, making room for the mid-gate 34. The mid-gate 34 can be rotated forward, as shown in Fig. 5 and Fig. 7. After the mid-gate 34 has been folded forward, the window 36 can be released and rotated upwards, as shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 8. At this point, the passenger compartment 20 and the load floor 22 are physically connected to the second surface 46, which forms an extension of the load floor 28. In this way, the support surface 28 has effectively been extended to accommodate longer loads.

[0030] In one example, the vehicle 10 may include an option to adjust the mid-gate 34 and the window 36 between the first configuration and the second configuration in a hands-free manner. Referring to Fig. 9 and with continued reference to Fig. 1-8, the mid-gate 34 may be operatively connected to a mid-gate motor 84, and the window 36 may be operatively connected to a window motor 86. In one example, the mid-gate motor 84 and the window motor 86 are connected to a controller 90 having a motor control module 92. The motor control module 92 controls the adjustment of the mid-gate 34 and the window 36 between the first and second configurations, as described herein.

[0031] An actuator 94 is connected to the controller 90. The actuator 94 is mounted in the passenger compartment 20. The actuator 94 may be part of an instrumentation system and / or infotainment system or, in one example, may be attached to a (not separately labeled) side of the mid-gate 34, as shown in Fig.2. If the actuator 94 is activated, the motor control module 92 signals the mid-gate motor 84 to rotate the mid-gate 34 and the window motor 86 to rotate the window 36 from the first configuration to the second configuration or from the second configuration to the first configuration. In addition to the mid-gate motor 84 and window motor 86, the vehicle 10 may include a seat base motor and a latch release mechanism (not shown) connected to the controller 90.

[0032] At this point, it should be understood that the examples described herein provide a system for easily physically connecting a passenger compartment and a cargo area of ​​a vehicle. The physical connection may be made manually or, in one example, hands-free. The physical connection may have a substantially seamless surface defined by the support surface and the mid-gate, created using the hinge.

Claims

[1] Vehicle (10), comprising: a passenger compartment (20) having a ceiling (26); a loading space (22) extending from the passenger compartment (20) and having a loading surface (28) with a support surface (28); a mid-gate (34) having a first surface (44) facing the passenger compartment (20) and a second surface (46) facing the cargo space (22), the mid-gate (34) being pivotally connected with respect to the cargo area (28) between a first position in which the mid-gate (34) separates the cargo space (22) from the passenger compartment (20) and a second position in which the second surface (46) forms part of the support surface (28); and a window (36) disposed adjacent to the mid-gate (34), separating the passenger compartment (20) and the cargo space (22) and pivotable between a closed configuration and an open configuration, the window (36) having a first end segment and a second end segment opposite the first end segment and disposed adjacent to the mid-gate (34) in the closed configuration; characterized by , that the ceiling (26) of the passenger compartment (20) carries a latch (70) which, in the open configuration of the window (36), engages the second end segment to secure the window (36) in the open configuration. [2] The vehicle (10) of claim 1, wherein the mid-gate (34) has a first end (40) and a second end (42) opposite the first end (40), the second end (42) being pivotally connected to the support surface (28) via a hinge. [3] The vehicle (10) of claim 2, wherein the support surface (28) has a first end portion (50) disposed on the passenger compartment (20) and a second end portion (52), the second end (42) of the mid-gate (34) being pivotally connected to the first end portion (50) of the support surface (28). [4] The vehicle (10) of claim 3, wherein the hinge comprises a piano hinge connecting the second end (42) of the mid-gate (34) to the first end portion (50) of the support surface (28). [5] The vehicle (10) of claim 1, further comprising a mid-gate (34) motor (84) operatively connected to the mid-gate (34), the mid-gate (34) motor (84) selectively pivoting the mid-gate (34) about the second end (42), and a window motor (86) operatively connected to the window (36), the window motor (86) selectively rotating the window (36) about the first end segment. [6] The vehicle (10) of claim 5, further comprising a controller (90) operatively connected to the motor (84) for the mid-gate (34) and the window motor (86), the controller (90) sequentially adjusting the mid-gate (34) about the first end (40) and the window (36) about the first end segment. [7] The vehicle (10) of claim 6, further comprising an actuator (94) operatively connected to the controller (90), the actuator (94) being activated to signal the controller (90) to adjust the mid-gate (34) and the window (36).

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