VEHICLE HAVING RECONFIGURED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT MODES

Abstract

A motor vehicle includes a passenger compartment having a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion; a floor; a seat track system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; and a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row. Each seat assembly includes a seat base coupled to the seat track system, a seat movably coupled to the seat base, a seatback movably coupled to the seat base, and seat actuators configured to activate the seat assemblies.The vehicle includes a center console on a longitudinally extending center console rail system, a center console actuator, and a controller that receives an input commanding a selected passenger compartment arrangement and controls the actuators to position the seat assemblies and the center console in the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to motor vehicles and, more particularly, to a motor vehicle having an adjustable seating assembly within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Passenger vehicles typically include a passenger compartment, typically equipped with a plurality of seat assemblies. The positioning of the plurality of seat assemblies within the passenger compartment can define a seating arrangement. Existing approaches to passenger compartment designs are typically limited to adjusting the overall seating capacity or forward and rearward adjustments or tilt adjustments of the seat assemblies. It would be desirable to provide an adjustable seating arrangement that offers greater flexibility. SUMMARY OF REVELATION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle includes a passenger compartment having a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion, a floor, a seat track system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, and a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row. Each of the seat assemblies includes a seat base coupled to the seat track system, a seat movably coupled to the seat base, a seat back movably coupled to the seat base, and one or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assemblies to a plurality of positions.The vehicle further includes a center console track system having a center console positioned on the center console track system extending longitudinally on the floor, a center console actuator for actuating the center console on the center console track system, and a controller configured to receive an input commanding a selected passenger compartment arrangement, the controller controlling the actuators to position the seat assemblies and the center console in the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - a user input device for entering a selection of user input, the user input device including one of a telephone, a remote key, a microphone, a gesture sensing device, and a touchscreen display; - a selected seating arrangement including one of a driving mode, a social mode and a cargo mode; - a selected passenger compartment layout including an office mode and a child seat mode; - Seat assemblies in the second row of seats which have a swivel actuator for rotating the seats about a vertical axis; - a third row of seats having a backrest adjacent to a rear wall of the passenger compartment; - in a driving mode, a front area including the first row, a middle area including the second row and a rear area including the third row; - a pickup truck having three doors on each of the opposite lateral sides to access the three rows of seats.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a pickup truck includes a passenger compartment including a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion, a floor, a seat track system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle, a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row. Each of the seat assemblies includes a seat base coupled to the seat track system, a seat movably coupled to the seat base, a seat back movably coupled to the seat base, and one or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assemblies to a plurality of positions.The pickup truck also includes a center console track system, a center console positioned on the center console track system extending longitudinally on the floor, a center console actuator to actuate the center console on the center console track system, and a controller configured to receive an input commanding a selected passenger compartment arrangement, the controller controlling the actuators to position the seat assemblies and the center console in the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

[0006] Embodiments of the second aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - a user input device for entering a selection of user input, the user input device comprising one of a telephone, a remote key, a microphone, a gesture sensing device, and a touchscreen display; - a selected seating arrangement comprising one of a driving mode, a social mode and a cargo mode; - a selected passenger compartment arrangement further includes an office mode and a child seat mode; - Seat assemblies in the second row of seats, further comprising a swivel actuator for rotating the seats about a vertical axis; - a third row of seats having a backrest adjacent to a rear wall of the cabin; and - three doors on each of the opposite lateral sides to access the three rows of seats.

[0007] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be better understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims, and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The following applies in the drawings: Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment with an adjustable seat and center console assembly; Fig. 1A is a perspective view of exemplary user input devices for selecting a passenger seat and center console bin arrangement of the vehicle; Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the motor vehicle, shown having an arrangement of seat assemblies and the center console in a drive mode; Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of the motor vehicle, shown having an arrangement of seat assemblies and the center console in an office mode; Fig. 4 is a side perspective view of the motor vehicle shown having an arrangement of seat assemblies and the center console in a social mode; Fig. 5 is a side perspective view of the motor vehicle shown having an arrangement of seat assemblies and the center console in a third row access mode; Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of the motor vehicle shown having an arrangement of seat assemblies and the center console in a first cargo mode; Fig. 7 is a side perspective view of the motor vehicle shown having an arrangement of seat assemblies and the center console in a second cargo mode; Fig. 8 is a side perspective view of the motor vehicle shown having an arrangement of seat assemblies and the center console in a relaxation mode; Fig. 9 is a side perspective view of the motor vehicle, shown having an arrangement of seat assemblies and the center console in a child seat loading mode; Fig. 10 is a state diagram illustrating a plurality of selectable passenger seat and center console modes according to one embodiment; Fig. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a controller for receiving a user-selectable passenger compartment layout input command and controlling the seats and center console to reconfigure the cabin interior in the selected layout; the Fig. 12A-12D are a flowchart illustrating a routine for initiating a selectable arrangement of the passenger seats and the center console; the Fig. 13A-13D are a flowchart illustrating a routine for transitioning the passenger compartment from the drive mode to the office mode according to an example; the Fig. 14A-14B are a flowchart illustrating a routine for transitioning the passenger compartment from the drive mode to the social mode according to an example; and the Fig. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a routine for transitioning the passenger compartment from the drive mode to the child loading mode according to an example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to designate the same or similar parts. In the drawings, the illustrated structural elements are not to scale, and certain components are enlarged relative to other components for emphasis and clarity.

[0010] As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures do not necessarily depict a detailed embodiment; some schematic representations may be exaggerated or reduced to show a functional overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure.

[0011] For the purposes of description in this document, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “right”, “left”, “back”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal” and derivatives thereof refer to the concepts in their orientation in Fig. 1. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Thus, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics are not to be considered limiting with respect to the embodiments disclosed herein unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

[0012] The presently illustrated embodiments consist primarily of combinations of method steps and device components associated with a vehicle having user-selectable seat and center console assemblies, and a method for controlling the assemblies. Accordingly, the device components and method steps have been represented in the drawings by conventional symbols where appropriate, showing only those specific details relevant to an understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that would be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description. Further, like reference numerals represent like elements in the description and the drawings.

[0013] As used herein, the term "and / or," when used in a listing of two or more elements, means that each of the listed elements may be employed individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements may be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition may contain only A; only B; only C; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0014] herein, reference terms such as first and second, upper and lower, and the like are used merely to distinguish one entity or act from another entity or act, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or acts. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, procedure, article, or device that includes a list of elements includes not only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such a process, procedure, article, or device. An element that "comprises a...' does not exclude, without further limitation, the presence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article or device incorporating that element.

[0015] As used herein, the term "about" means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and properties are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and / or greater or lesser if desired, and may reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement errors, and the like, and other factors known to those skilled in the art. When the term "about" is used to describe a value or an endpoint of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or endpoint being referenced. Regardless of whether a numerical value or an endpoint of a range includes "about" in the description, the numerical value or endpoint of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "about" and one not modified by "about."It is further understood that the endpoints of each of the domains are significant both relative to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0016] The terms "substantially," "substantially," and variations thereof, as used herein, are intended to indicate that a described characteristic is equal to or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially planar" surface is intended to mean that a surface is flat or approximately flat. Furthermore, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values are equal to or approximately equal. In some embodiments, "substantially" may refer to values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

[0017] As used herein, the terms "the," "the," "a," or "a" or "an" mean "at least one" and are not intended to be limited to "only one" unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "a component" includes embodiments having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0018] With reference to Fig. 1, a motor vehicle 10 is illustrated generally in the form of a pickup truck having a body 12, a cab interior defining a passenger compartment 14, and a cargo bed 16 at the rear end. The motor vehicle 10 shown and described herein is a pickup truck including, within the passenger compartment 14, three rows of passenger seats 20, 22, and 24 positioned generally proximate three rows of six doors 40A-40F, with forward first and second doors 40A and 40B located on opposite sides of the first row of seats 20, middle third and fourth doors 42A and 42B located on opposite lateral sides of the second row of seats 22, and rear fifth and sixth doors 44A and 44B located on opposite sides of the third row of seats 24.The passenger compartment includes a front portion generally including the first row of seats, a middle portion generally including the second row of seats, and a rear portion generally including the third row of seats. Thus, according to the example shown, the motor vehicle 10 provides seating for passengers in three rows, which may include two seats in the first row 20, two seats in the second row 22, and three seats in the third row 24.

[0019] The first and second doors 40A and 40B have hinges at the front end that allow the first and second doors 40A and 40B to pivot between an open and a closed position. Likewise, the third and fourth doors 42A and 42B have hinges at the front end that allow the third and fourth doors 42A and 42B to pivot between an open and a closed position. The first and sixth doors 44A and 44B are smaller doors that pivot about hinges at the rear end when the third and / or fourth doors 42A and 42B are in the open position to provide an enlarged door opening.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is shown to include a first seat assembly 20A and a second seat assembly 20B located in the first or front row of seats 20. The first seat assembly 20A may be a driver's seat generally located behind a steering wheel. Each of the seat assemblies 20A and 20B generally includes a seat base 26 and a seat back 28 that can be tilted and reclined relative to the seat base 26.

[0021] The second or middle row of seats 22 includes a third seat assembly 22A and a fourth seat assembly 22B. Each of the third and fourth seat assemblies 22A and 22B includes a seat base 26 and a seat back 28 that can be rotated to tilt or recline relative to the seat base 26. The second row of seats 22 is generally positioned behind the first row of seats with respect to the vehicle.

[0022] The third or rear seat row 24 includes a fifth seat assembly 24A, a sixth seat assembly 24B, and a seventh seat assembly 24C. The sixth seat assembly 24B is generally located between the fifth and seventh seat assemblies 24A and 24C. The fifth, sixth, and seventh seat assemblies 24A, 24B, and 24C include the seat base and a backrest 28 that may extend across the entire width of the third seat row 24. The backrest 28 of the third seat row 24 may be generally uprightly mounted to a rear wall 15 of the passenger compartment 14 and therefore may not be adjustable for rake or recline. The seat base 26 of the third row seats 24 is operable to pivot upwardly into a folded upright stowed position to allow improved access or storage within the passenger compartment 14.

[0023] The first row of seats 20 and the second row of seats 22 include seats mounted or secured to a seat track system having a pair of rails 30 and 32 that may form guideways extending longitudinally on the floor 18 within the passenger compartment 14 of the vehicle to allow each of the seat assemblies 20A-20D to move forward and rearward. To this end, each of the seat assemblies 20A and 20B and 22A and 22B is coupled to a pair of rails 30 or 32 or guideways on opposite lateral sides and is actuated, for example, via a seat linear motor 50 and a gear 52 to move the corresponding seat forward or rearward on the pair of rails or guideways with respect to the vehicle.

[0024] In addition, the motor vehicle 10 includes a center console 36 generally located between the first seat assembly 20A and the second seat assembly 20B, as shown in Fig. 2. The center console 36 is mounted on a center console rail system having a pair of rails 34 that can form guideways extending on the floor 18 in the longitudinal direction within the vehicle passenger compartment 14. Thus, the center console 36 can move forward with respect to the vehicle into the Fig. 2 or may move rearwardly with respect to the vehicle to a position located between the third seat assembly 22A and the fourth seat assembly 22B in the second row of seats 22 and provided in front of the third row of seats 24, specifically directly in front of the sixth seat assembly 24B. The center console 36 is actuated to move rearwardly and forwardly with respect to the vehicle by an actuator including a center console motor 58, which may include a gear, according to one example.The third and fourth seat assemblies 22A and 22B, disposed in the second row of seats 22, further include a pivot actuator having a seat pivot motor 62 operable to rotate or pivot the seat assembly about a vertical axis to move from a normally forward-facing position with respect to the vehicle ninety degrees (90°) to a sideways position or one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to a rearward-facing position with respect to the vehicle. The rails or guideways may include slide rails operatively coupled to guideways, allowing the rails to slide relative to the guideways.

[0025] It is understood that the movement of the seat assemblies and the center console is realized to achieve a user-selected passenger compartment arrangement in response to user input. The user input device may include, for example, a touchscreen display 38, a portable electronic device such as a telephone 46, or a remote key fob 48, or a microphone for receiving spoken input commands, or a hand gesture device for capturing gesture inputs via a camera or other sensor. The seat assemblies and the center console may be positioned in a variety of selectable passenger compartment arrangements, for example, Fig. 2-9. The passenger compartment arrangements with the positioning of seats and center console can, according to one example, be switched between the plurality of selectable modes as shown in the Fig. 10 shown state diagram.

[0026] In Fig. 2, the motor vehicle 10 is shown arranged in a driving mode which is the normal conventional forward-facing seating arrangement with the center console 36 located between the front and second seat assemblies 20A and 20B in the front row of seats 20. In this arrangement, all occupants, including the driver and passengers, sit generally facing forward, and the center console 36 is positioned and available to allow the driver and front row passenger to rest their arm on the console lid / armrest and position one or more beverage containers or other items on the center console 36.

[0027] The seat assemblies and the center console 36 are movable to other locations and positions, such as the passenger compartment arrangement in office mode, as in Fig. 3. In this office mode arrangement, the third and fourth seat assemblies 22A and 22B in the second row of seats are pivoted and rotated one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to face rearward with respect to the vehicle. In addition, the third row seat base is actuated upward to a vertical position, and a work table 60 is unfolded to provide the work table 60 in front of the third seat assembly 22A. In addition, the center console 36 is actuated to a rearward position with respect to the vehicle to place the center console 36 adjacent the third and fourth seat assemblies 22A and 22B. In this position, a work environment may be provided to one or more occupants of the motor vehicle 10. In the office mode arrangement, the motor vehicle 10 is generally expected to be non-operational, in park, and not moving.

[0028] With reference to Fig. 4, the interior of the passenger compartment 14 of the vehicle is shown in a social mode arrangement, with the third and fourth seat assemblies 22A and 22B of the second row of seats 22 shown in a rearward position relative to the vehicle, generally facing the third row of seats 22, with the seat base of a third row of seats 24 in the down horizontal position or seating position, and the center console 36 positioned generally rearward of the motor vehicle 10. In the social mode arrangement, the motor vehicle 10 is generally expected to be non-operational, in park, and not moving. Referring to Fig. 5, in the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10, the seat assemblies and center console 36 are shown arranged in a third row access mode. In this mode, the fourth seat assembly 22B in the second row of seats 22 is actuated to a forward position with the seat base actuated upward to be compactly located behind the second seat assembly 20B. Additionally, the second seat assembly 20B is preferably actuated to a forward-most position. The seat base of the third row seat assembly is available in the horizontal seating position. The center console 36 remains in the generally forward position. In this configuration, an increased open space is available between the fourth seat assembly 22B and the third row of seats 24 to allow access to the third row of seats.It will be appreciated that the second and third rows of doors in this configuration may provide a sufficiently large opening to provide access to the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10.

[0029] In Fig. 6, the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is illustrated in a first cargo mode, providing an increased storage area within the rear portion of the passenger compartment 14. In the first cargo mode, the third and fourth seat assemblies 22A and 22B of the second row of seats 22 have their seat bases folded to the upright, stowed position and the seat assemblies actuated to a forwardmost position. Additionally, the seat base of the third row of seats 24 is actuated to an upright, stowed position. As a result, an improved area for storage is provided between the third row of seats 24 and the second row of seats 22.

[0030] In Fig. 7, the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is illustrated in a second cargo mode configuration. In this configuration, the third and fourth seat assemblies 22A and 22B are folded such that the seat base is folded upward into a stowed position, and the third and fourth seat assemblies 22A and 22B are actuated to the rearmost position in the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 with the seat base on the third row of seats 24 in the stowed position. In this position, an enlarged area for storage is provided between the first row of seats 20 and the second row of seats 22. This is particularly useful when moving cargo into and out of the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 via the second row of doors 42A and 42B and the third row of doors 44A and 44B.

[0031] In Fig. 8 illustrates the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 arranged in a relaxation mode according to one example. In this mode, the second seat assembly 20B is actuated to a reclined position in which the seatback is tilted rearward, and the remaining seat assemblies are shown positioned generally in a forward orientation with respect to the vehicle. In the relaxation mode arrangement, the motor vehicle 10 is generally expected to be non-operational, in the park position, and not moving.

[0032] In Fig. 9, the passenger compartment 14 of the motor vehicle 10 is illustrated arranged in a child seat mode configuration. In this configuration, the fourth seat assembly 22B in the second row of seats 22 is rotated about a vertical axis to pivot ninety degrees (90°) into a side-facing position facing the center door on the same side of the motor vehicle 10. In this position, a small child, such as a baby, can be easily loaded into or unloaded from a base seat or the seat itself through an open door on the side of the motor vehicle 10. The remaining seats can remain in their generally forward-facing positions with respect to the vehicle. In the child seat mode configuration, the motor vehicle 10 is generally expected to be non-operational, in park, and not moving.

[0033] With reference to Fig. 10 illustrates a plurality of selectable passenger compartment layout modes according to a state diagram. It should be understood that the state diagram illustrates each of the selectable modes shown in Fig. 2-9. In the example shown, the state diagram includes drive mode 362, child seat mode 372, office mode 364, social mode 366, cargo modes 368, which may include first and second cargo modes, and third row access mode 370. Additional modes, such as relax mode, may be included in other examples. It should be understood that the seat and center console configuration may change from one mode to another based on user-selectable inputs.It will also be appreciated that when the motor vehicle 10 is in a first user-selected mode, the motor vehicle 10 may be transitioned from any mode, as shown by the state diagram, to any other mode upon request by a user providing input via a user input device, such as a telephone 46, a remote key fob 49, or input on a user device 38, including the touchscreen display or a microphone, or a gesture sensing device or other input devices.

[0034] The motor vehicle 10 is equipped with a controller 80 that controls the operation and actuation of the various seat assemblies and the center console to achieve a user-selected passenger compartment arrangement according to the passenger seat and center console mode. The controller 80 is, according to an example in Fig. 11. The controller 80 may include a microprocessor 82 or other analog and / or digital circuitry. Additionally, the controller 80 may include a memory 84 that may be configured to store one or more routines 100, 200, 300, 400 for controlling the actuation of the seat assemblies and the center console into a particular passenger compartment configuration based on the mode selected by a user. Further, the setpoints for each of the seats and the center console in the various positions may be stored in the memory 84.

[0035] The controller 80 receives various inputs, which in the example shown include inputs from the exterior and interior cameras 86, inputs from the exterior and interior microphones 88, the seat occupant classification 90, the seat presence detection 92, signals from the infrared sensor 94, one or more LIDAR sensors 96, seat control inputs 98, and inputs from the touchscreen 38, a microphone 88, a camera 86, a mobile application 46, and the remote key 48. The controller 80 may process the various inputs with one or more of the routines 100, 200, 300, 400 to generate control signals for controlling various output devices.In the example shown, the output devices may include the seat linear motors 50 for each seat, the seat motors 54 for each seat, the seatback motors 56 for each seat, the center console motor 58, the seat swivel motors 62 for each seat, the rear seat motors 64 for each seat, and the footrest motors 65 associated with each seat assembly or the center console. By controlling the actuation of the various motors, the configuration of the seat assembly and the center console can be controlled from among the plurality of passenger compartment modes.

[0036] With reference to Fig. 12A-12D illustrates a control routine 100 for transitioning the passenger compartment of the vehicle between drive mode and office mode, according to one example. Routine 100 begins at step 102 in drive mode and proceeds to step 104 to receive a user-inputted request to transition from drive mode to office mode. Routine 100 then proceeds to decision step 106 to check for occupants in the vehicle. If one or more occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 100 stops at step 108. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 100 proceeds to perform a door check at step 110. If a door is open, the routine stops at step 108. Otherwise, if no doors are detected as open, routine 100 proceeds to each of steps 112, 128, 132, 142, and 148.

[0037] At step 112, routine 100 adjusts the second-row driver's side seat to recline to the design position, which is the normal, forward-facing seating position with respect to the vehicle. Next, at step 114, the second-row driver's side seat cushion is folded to an upright position. At step 116, the second-row driver's side seat pivots counterclockwise one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to face rearward with respect to the vehicle. Next, at step 118, the second-row driver's side seat track moves forward, and at step 120, the second-row driver's side seat cushion is folded down to the seating position. Routine 100 then proceeds to step 122 to wait for an idle time to elapse before proceeding to step 124 to complete entry into office mode.

[0038] At step 128, routine 100 commands the center console to move forward on the guideway or rails and proceeds to step 130 to command the center console guideway to move rearward relative to the vehicle. Routine 100 then waits at step 122 until the idle time has expired before proceeding to step 124 to complete entry into office mode.

[0039] At step 132, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to recline to the design position. Next, at step 134, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to fold the cushion up to the upright position. At step 136, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to pivot clockwise about a vertical axis one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to face rearward with respect to the vehicle. At step 138, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to move forward on the guide track or rails. At step 140, the second-row passenger seat cushion is commanded to fold down to the seating position before proceeding to wait for the idle time to expire at step 122 and then proceeding to complete entry into office mode at step 124.

[0040] At step 142, the front-row passenger seat is commanded to tilt upward. Next, at step 144, the front-row passenger seat is adjusted upward in height. Thereafter, at step 146, the front-row passenger seat is moved forward along the guideway, and then routine 100 waits at step 122 until the idle time expires before proceeding to complete entry into office mode at step 124.

[0041] At step 148, the driver's side third-row seat is commanded to raise the cushion to the upright position. Routine 100 then waits at step 122 until the idle time has elapsed before proceeding to complete entry into office mode at step 124.

[0042] After completing entry into office mode at step 124, routine 100 proceeds to decision step 126 to determine whether the seating assembly should return to drive mode and stops at step 108 if not. If it is determined that the passenger seating assembly should return to drive mode, routine 100 proceeds to step 150 to receive a user-inputted request from the user to transition from office mode to drive mode. Next, routine 100 performs an occupant check at decision step 152. If occupants are detected according to this check, routine 100 stops at step 108. If no occupants are detected, routine 100 proceeds to perform a door check at step 154. If it is determined that any doors are open, routine 100 stops at step 108.If the door test shows that the doors are closed, routine 100 proceeds to each of steps 156, 168, 170, 180, and 184.

[0043] At step 156, routine 100 commands the second-row driver-side seat to move from the reclined position to the design position. Next, at step 158, the second-row driver-side seat cushion is commanded to fold upward to an upright position. Next, at step 160, the second-row driver-side seat is moved rearward on the guide track or rails with respect to the vehicle. At step 162, the second-row driver-side seat is rotated to pivot clockwise about a vertical axis one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to face forward with respect to the vehicle. Next, at step 164, the second-row driver-side seat cushion is folded down to the use position before proceeding to step 166 to wait for an idle time to expire.

[0044] At step 168, routine 100 commands the center console to move forward along the guideway or rails. Then, at step 166, routine 100 proceeds to wait until the idle time has elapsed.

[0045] At step 170, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the construction position. At step 172, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to fold the cushion up to the upright position. At step 174, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to move rearward on the guide track or rails. At step 176, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to pivot counterclockwise one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to the forward-facing position with respect to the vehicle. At step 178, the second-row passenger seat cushion is commanded to fold down to the use position. Thereafter, routine 100 proceeds to step 166 to wait for the idle time to expire.

[0046] At step 180, the front-row passenger seat is commanded to move rearward along the guideway relative to the vehicle. Next, at step 182, the front-row passenger seat is commanded to be adjusted downward in height. Routine 100 then waits at step 166 until the idle time expires.

[0047] At step 184, the third-row driver's side seat cushion is commanded to fold down to the use position. Then, at step 166, routine 100 waits until the idle time expires. After the idle time expires at step 166, routine 100 returns to step 102 with the seats and center console positioned in the drive mode.

[0048] With reference to Fig. 13A illustrates a control routine 200 for transitioning the vehicle's passenger compartment from drive mode to social mode, according to one example. Routine 200 begins at step 202 in drive mode and proceeds to step 204 to receive a user-inputted request to transition from drive mode to social mode. Routine 200 then proceeds to decision step 106 to perform an occupant detection check and verify that no obstructions are present. It should be understood that an interior camera and other sensors may be used to detect an obstruction in the path of travel of the seat assemblies, and the center console may use the sensed signals to allow transitions to occur only when no obstructions are present in the path of travel. If seated occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 200 stops at step 208.If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 200 proceeds to perform a door check to see if any doors are open. If any doors are detected as open, routine 200 stops at step 208. If all doors are closed, routine 200 proceeds to step 212, step 224, step 234, step 238, and step 248, respectively.

[0049] At step 212, routine 200 commands the front-row driver's side seat to tilt forward to an upward position. Next, at step 214, the front-row driver's side seat is adjusted upward in height. At step 216, the front-row driver's side seat is moved forward on the guideway relative to the vehicle. Thereafter, routine 200 proceeds to wait at step 218 for an idle time to elapse before entering social mode completion at step 220.

[0050] At step 224, the second-row driver's side seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the construction position. Next, at step 226, the second-row driver's side seat is commanded to fold the cushion upward to the upright position. At step 228, the second-row driver's side seat is then rotated to pivot counterclockwise about a vertical axis one hundred eighty degrees (180°). At step 230, the second-row driver's side seat is commanded to move forward on the guide track relative to the vehicle. At step 232, the second-row driver's side seat is commanded to fold the cushion down to the use position. Thereafter, at step 218, routine 200 waits for the idle time to expire before entering social mode completion at step 220.

[0051] At step 234, the center console is commanded to move forward along the guide path relative to the vehicle. Next, at step 236, the center console is moved rearward along the guide path relative to the vehicle. Thereafter, routine 200 proceeds to wait at step 218 until the idle time has elapsed before entering the social mode completion at step 220.

[0052] At step 238, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the construction position. Next, at step 240, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to fold the cushion up to the upright position. Next, at step 242, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to pivot clockwise about a vertical axis one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to face rearward with respect to the vehicle. At step 244, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to move forward on the guide track with respect to the vehicle. At step 246, the second-row passenger seat cushion is commanded to fold down to the use position.Thereafter, routine 200 proceeds to wait at step 218 until the idle time has expired before entering social mode completion at step 220.

[0053] At step 248, the front-row passenger seat is commanded to tilt forward and upward to an upright position. At step 250, the front-row passenger seat is adjusted upward in height. Next, at step 256, the front-row passenger seat is commanded to move forward along the guideway. Thereafter, at step 218, routine 200 waits for the idle time to expire before entering the social mode at step 220.

[0054] In social mode at step 220, routine 200 proceeds to decision step 222 to determine whether the vehicle should return to drive mode and, if not, stops at step 208. If it is determined that the vehicle should return to drive mode, routine 200 proceeds to step 254 to await a user-input request to transition from social mode to drive mode. Once the user-input request is received, routine 200 performs an occupant check at step 256. If any occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 200 stops at step 208. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 200 proceeds to perform a door check at step 258. If a vehicle door is detected open, routine 200 stops at step 208.If no vehicle doors are detected as open, routine 200 proceeds to step 260, step 268, step 278, step 280, and step 290, respectively.

[0055] At step 260, the driver's side front row seat is commanded to move rearward along the guideway relative to the vehicle. Next, at step 262, the driver's side front row seat is adjusted downward in height. At step 264, the driver's side front row seat is commanded to recline downward. Thereafter, routine 200 proceeds to wait for an idle time to elapse at step 266 before returning to the drive mode at step 202.

[0056] At step 268, the second-row driver's side seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the design position. At step 270, the second-row driver's side seat is commanded to fold the cushion upward to the upright position. At step 272, the second-row driver's side seat is commanded to move rearward on the guide track relative to the vehicle. At step 274, the second-row driver's side seat is commanded to pivot clockwise one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to the forward-facing position relative to the vehicle. At step 276, the second-row driver's side seat is commanded to fold the cushion down. Thereafter, routine 200 waits for the idle time to expire at step 266 before returning to the drive mode at step 202.

[0057] At step 278, the center console is commanded to move forward along the guide path relative to the vehicle. Routine 200 then waits until the idle time expires at step 266 before returning to drive mode at step 202.

[0058] At step 280, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to move from the reclined position to the design position. Next, at step 282, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to fold the seat cushion up to the upright position. At step 284, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to move rearward on the guide track. At step 286, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to rotate to pivot counterclockwise one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to face forward with respect to the vehicle. At step 288, the second-row passenger seat is commanded to fold down to the use position. Therefore, routine 200 proceeds to wait for the idle time to expire at step 266 before returning to the drive mode at step 202.

[0059] At step 290, the front-row passenger seat is commanded to move rearward along the guideway relative to the vehicle. Next, at step 292, the front-row passenger seat is commanded to adjust its height downward. At step 294, the front-row passenger seat is commanded to recline downward. Routine 200 then waits for the idle time to expire at step 266 before returning to the drive mode at step 202.

[0060] After the idle time expires at step 266, routine 200 returns to step 202 with the vehicle's passenger compartment in the drive mode.

[0061] With reference to Fig. 14A and Fig. 14B illustrates a control routine 300 for transitioning the vehicle's passenger compartment from an office mode to a social mode, according to one example. Routine 300 begins at step 302 in office mode and proceeds to step 304 to receive a user request to transition from office mode to social mode. Routine 300 then proceeds to decision step 306 to perform an occupant check. If one or more occupants are detected seated in the vehicle, routine 300 proceeds to stop at step 308. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 300 proceeds to perform a door check at step 310. If any vehicle doors are detected open, routine 300 stops at step 308. If no doors are detected open, routine 300 proceeds to each of step 312 and step 326.

[0062] At step 312, the driver-side front-row seat is commanded to recline. Next, at step 314, the driver-side front-row seat is commanded to adjust its height upward. At step 316, the driver-side front-row seat is commanded to move forward along the guide path relative to the vehicle. At step 318, the driver-side second-row seat is commanded to move forward along the guide path relative to the vehicle. At step 320, routine 300 waits for an idle time to expire before completing the transition to social mode at step 322.

[0063] At step 326, the third-row driver's side seat is commanded to fold the seat cushion to the down-facing use position. Next, at step 328, the center console is commanded to move forward on the guideway relative to the vehicle to a center position. Thereafter, routine 300 proceeds to wait at step 320 until the idle time has elapsed before transitioning to the social mode at step 322.

[0064] Once in social mode, routine 300 proceeds to decision step 324 to determine whether the assembly should return to office mode and stops at step 308 if not. If it is determined that the assembly should return to office mode, routine 300 proceeds to step 330 to receive a user-inputted request to transition from social mode to office mode. Thereafter, routine 300 proceeds to perform an occupant check at step 332 to determine if one or more occupants are seated in the vehicle and that no obstructions detected by an interior camera are present. If seated occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 300 stops at step 308. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 300 performs a door check at step 334. If any doors are detected open, routine 300 stops at step 308.If no doors are detected as open, routine 300 proceeds to each of step 336 and step 346.

[0065] At step 336, the second-row driver-side seat is commanded to move rearward along the guide track relative to the vehicle. Next, at step 338, the first-row driver-side seat is commanded to move rearward along the guide track. At step 340, the first-row driver-side seat is commanded to adjust its height downward. At step 342, the first-row driver-side seat is commanded to recline downward. At step 344, routine 300 waits for the idle time to expire before completing the transition to office mode at step 302.

[0066] At step 346, the center console is commanded to move rearward along the guideway to the rearward position relative to the vehicle. Next, at step 348, the driver's side third-row seat cushion is commanded to fold upward to an upright position. Thereafter, at step 344, routine 300 waits for the idle time to expire before completing the transition to office mode at step 302. Referring to Fig.15 illustrates a control routine 400 for transitioning the passenger compartment of the vehicle from a drive mode to an entry / exit mode, according to one example. Routine 400 begins at step 402 in drive mode and proceeds to step 404 to receive a user-inputted request to transition from drive mode to entry / exit mode. Routine 400 then proceeds to decision step 406 to perform an occupant check. If one or more occupants are detected seated in the vehicle, routine 400 stops at step 408. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 400 proceeds to decision step 410 to perform a door check. If any doors are detected open, routine 400 stops at step 408. If no doors are detected open, routine 400 proceeds to step 412.

[0067] At step 412, the second-row passenger seat is rotated to pivot clockwise about a vertical axis one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to a rearward-facing position relative to the vehicle. Next, at step 414, routine 400 waits for an idle time to expire. After the idle time expires, routine 400 proceeds to step 416 to complete the transition to the entry / exit mode.

[0068] Once the entry / exit mode is reached, routine 400 proceeds to decision step 418 to determine whether the vehicle should return to drive mode and, if not, stops at step 408. If it is determined that the vehicle should return to drive mode, routine 400 proceeds to step 420 to receive a user-inputted request to transition from the entry / exit mode to drive mode. Once the user-inputted request is received, routine 400 proceeds to perform an occupant check at step 424. If one or more occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 400 proceeds to step 408 to stop. If no occupants are detected in the vehicle, routine 400 proceeds to decision step 426 to perform a door check. If any doors are detected open, routine 400 stops at step 408.If no doors are detected open, routine 400 proceeds to step 428, where the second-row passenger seat is commanded to rotate to pivot counterclockwise one hundred eighty degrees (180°) to face forward with respect to the vehicle. Routine 400 then waits at step 430 for an idle time to expire before fully transitioning to drive mode.

[0069] It should be understood that the motor vehicle 10 may include additional control routines stored in memory 84 and executed by the microprocessor 82 to perform transitions of the passenger compartment from one mode to another mode. For example, the motor vehicle 10 may be configured to transition from the drive mode to the child load mode by commanding the second-row passenger-side or driver-side seat to rotate ninety degrees (90°) to pivot from the drive mode passenger configuration to the child load passenger configuration to make the seat available for loading a child thereon. The child load mode may be transitioned back to the drive mode by reversing the process and rotating the second-row seat ninety degrees (90°) in the opposite direction to face forward with respect to the vehicle.

[0070] Likewise, the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle 10 may be equipped with a control routine for transitioning from drive mode to cargo mode. This may involve folding up the seat bases of the third-row and second-row seats and sliding the second-row seats rearward relative to the vehicle near the front of the rear-row seats to provide a cargo loading area between the first and second-row seats. This process may be reversed by moving the second-row seats forward relative to the vehicle and folding down the second- and third-row seat bases to return the passenger compartment to drive mode.It will be understood that other types of transitions of the passenger compartment between the various modes provided herein may be performed by controlling the one or more actuators to move the seats and center console between the various positions.

[0071] Accordingly, a motor vehicle 10 is provided in the form of a three-row pickup truck having six doors and a convertible passenger compartment 14 with a seat and center console assembly that can be configured to convert into any of a variety of passenger compartment configurations. A user can simply initiate transition to a passenger compartment mode using an input device, such as a phone, remote key fob, touchscreen display, audio input, or other inputs, to change the seat and center console configurations to accommodate a selected passenger compartment configuration.

[0072] It is to be understood that variations and modifications may be made to the foregoing structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it is further understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless such claims expressly state otherwise by their language.

[0073] According to the present invention, a motor vehicle is provided, comprising: a passenger compartment having a front region, a middle region, and a rear region; a floor; a seat track system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle; a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row, each of the seat assemblies comprising: a seat base coupled to the seat track system; a seat movably coupled to the seat base; a seat back movably coupled to the seat base; and one or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assemblies to a plurality of positions; a center console track system; a center console positioned on the center console track system that extends longitudinally on the floor;a center console actuator to actuate the center console on the center console track system; and a controller configured to receive an input commanding a selected passenger compartment arrangement, the controller controlling the actuators to position the seat assemblies and the center console in the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a user input device for entering a selection of the user input.

[0075] According to one embodiment, the user input device comprises one of a telephone, a remote key, a microphone, a gesture sensing device, and a touchscreen display.

[0076] According to one embodiment, the selected seating arrangement includes one of a driving mode, a social mode, and a cargo mode.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the selected passenger compartment arrangement further includes an office mode and a child seat mode.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the seat assemblies in the second row of seats further comprise a pivot actuator for rotating the seats about a vertical axis.

[0079] According to one embodiment, the third row of seats comprises a backrest adjacent to a rear wall of the passenger compartment.

[0080] According to one embodiment, in a driving mode, the front area includes the first row, the middle area includes the second row, and the rear area includes the third row.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the vehicle comprises a pickup truck.

[0082] According to one embodiment, the pickup truck comprises three doors on each of the opposite lateral sides for access to the three rows of seats.

[0083] According to the present invention, a motor vehicle configured as a pickup truck is provided, the motor vehicle comprising: a passenger compartment having a front portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion; a floor; a seat track system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle; a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row, each of the seat assemblies comprising: a seat base coupled to the seat track system; a seat movably coupled to the seat base; a seat back movably coupled to the seat base; and one or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assemblies to a plurality of positions; a center console track system;a center console positioned on the center console track system extending longitudinally on the floor; a center console actuator to actuate the center console on the center console track system; and a controller configured to receive an input commanding a selected passenger compartment arrangement, the controller controlling the actuators to position the seat assemblies and the center console in the commanded passenger compartment arrangement.

[0084] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a user input device for entering a selection of the user input.

[0085] According to one embodiment, the user input device comprises one of a telephone, a remote key, a microphone, a gesture sensing device, and a touchscreen display.

[0086] According to one embodiment, the selected seating arrangement includes one of a driving mode, a social mode, and a cargo mode.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the selected passenger compartment arrangement further includes an office mode and a child seat mode.

[0088] According to one embodiment, the seat assemblies in the second row of seats further comprise a pivot actuator for rotating the seats about a vertical axis.

[0089] According to one embodiment, the third row of seats comprises a backrest adjacent to a rear wall of the cabin.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the pickup truck comprises three doors on each of opposite lateral sides for access to the three rows of seats.

Claims

[1] Motor vehicle, comprising: a passenger compartment having a front section, a middle section and a rear section; a floor; a seat rail system positioned on the floor and extending along a longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle; a plurality of seat assemblies arranged in the passenger compartment in a first row, a second row, and a third row, each of the seat assemblies comprising: a seat base coupled to the seat rail system; a seat movably coupled to the seat base; a backrest movably coupled to the seat base; and one or more seat actuators configured to actuate the seat assemblies into a plurality of positions; a center console rail system; a center console positioned on the center console rail system extending lengthwise on the floor; a center console actuator to operate the center console on the center console rail system; and a controller configured to receive an input commanding a selected passenger compartment arrangement, the controller controlling the actuators to position the seat assemblies and the center console in the commanded passenger compartment arrangement. [2] The vehicle of claim 1, further comprising a user input device for entering a selection of the user input. [3] The vehicle of claim 2, wherein the user input device comprises one of a telephone, a remote key, a microphone, a gesture sensing device, and a touchscreen display. [4] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the selected seating arrangement includes one of a driving mode, a social mode, and a cargo mode. [5] The vehicle of claim 4, wherein the selected passenger compartment arrangement further includes an office mode and a child seat mode. [6] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the seat assemblies in the second row of seats further comprise a pivot actuator for rotating the seats about a vertical axis. [7] The vehicle of claim 1, wherein the third row of seats includes a backrest adjacent to a rear wall of the passenger compartment. [8] A vehicle according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein in a driving mode the front area includes the first row, the middle area includes the second row and the rear area includes the third row. [9] The vehicle of claim 8, wherein the vehicle comprises a pickup truck. [10] The vehicle of claim 9, wherein the pickup truck includes three doors on each of the opposite lateral sides for accessing the three rows of seats.

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