VEHICLE WITH A CONTROLLED FOLDING SEAT

Abstract

A vehicle comprising a seat with a seat cushion and a backrest that folds from an upright sitting position to a reclined position, a user input for entering a command to move the backrest into the reclined position, and at least one door that can be moved between an open and a closed position. A door sensor detects the at least one door in the open or closed position, and a controller is configured to control the movement of the backrest from the sitting position to the reclined position.The control system allows the backrest to be activated so that it moves into the folded-down position when the input is received, at least one door is in the open position and it is determined that the vehicle is not moving, and prevents the backrest from moving into the folded-down position if the vehicle is moving or at least one door is in the closed position.

Description

AREA OF REVELATION

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle seats and in particular to the control of folding a seat in a motor vehicle into a stowed position. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Motor vehicles are typically equipped with front and rear rows of seats. For example, a motor vehicle may have one front row of seats and one or more rear rows of seats. In some vehicles, the rear seats may include a backrest that can be locked in an upright position and folded forward and down onto the seat cushion into a stowed, generally flat position by pressing a button to unlock the backrest, which is then spring-loaded forward and folded into the generally flat position. It may be desirable to provide a seating system that controls the activation of the folding seat. SUMMARY OF THE REVELATION

[0003] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle has a seat with a seat surface and a backrest that can fold down from an upright sitting position to a folded-down position, a user input for entering an input to move the backrest to the folded-down position, and at least one door that is movable between an open position and a closed position. A door sensor detects the at least one door in the open or closed position, and a controller is configured to control the movement of the backrest from the upright sitting position to the folded-down position. The controller determines whether the vehicle is stationary and whether the at least one door is in the open or closed position.The control system allows the backrest to be activated so that it moves into the folded-down position when the input is received, at least one door is in the open position and it is determined that the vehicle is not moving, and prevents the backrest from moving into the folded-down position if the vehicle is moving or at least one door is in the closed position.

[0004] Embodiments of the first aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - which includes at least one door, a rear door at a rear end of the vehicle; - the rear door is a tailgate; - which includes at least one rear side door; - the rear side door is located near a rear row of seats, which is behind a front row of seats; - the seat is a folding seat; - the folding seat has a locking mechanism that can be released to allow the backrest to fold forward with a preload spring; The backrest is moved via an actuator; - the user input includes a switch; - the switch is located near one rear end of the vehicle; and - The control requires a first and a second user input attempt before the backrest is moved into the folded-down position.

[0005] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle has a seat comprising a seat cushion and a backrest. The backrest can be folded down from an upright sitting position to a reclined position. A user input is provided for entering a signal to move the backrest into the reclined position. The user input includes a switch that can be operated by a user. At least one door is movable between an open position and a closed position. The vehicle has a door sensor for detecting whether the at least one door is in the open or closed position and a control unit configured to control the movement of the backrest from the sitting position to the reclined position. The control unit determines whether the vehicle is stationary and whether the at least one door is in the open or closed position.The control system allows the seatback to be activated, moving into the folded position, when input is received, at least one door is in the open position, and the vehicle is determined to be stationary. It prevents the seatback from moving into the folded position if the vehicle is moving or if at least one rear side door is closed. The at least one door includes a rear door at the rear of the vehicle or near a rear row of seats. The control system requires a first and a second user input attempt before the seatback moves into the folded position.

[0006] The present disclosure also includes a method for controlling the folding down of a seat backrest in a motor vehicle. The method includes receiving a user input to move the backrest from an upright seating position to a folded-down position, detecting whether the at least one door is in an open or closed position, determining whether the vehicle is moving or not, activating the backrest with the control so that it moves into the folded-down position when the input is received, the at least one door is in the open position, and it is determined that the vehicle is not moving, and preventing the backrest from moving into the folded-down position with the control when it is determined that the vehicle is moving or that the at least one door is in the closed position.

[0007] Embodiments of the third aspect of the present disclosure may include any one or a combination of the following features: - the steps of detecting a first and a second user input attempt before the backrest is moved into the folded-down position; - the user input includes a switch; - the switch is located near the rear end of the vehicle or near a seat in a rear row of seats in the vehicle; - the step of providing an output to a user indicating that the reclining of the backrest is prevented; - the backrest moves from the upright sitting position to the folded-down position via a pre-tension spring when a locking mechanism is released; and - The movement of the backrest is provided by an actuator.

[0008] These and other features, advantages and functions of the present disclosure are better understood and comprehended by the person skilled in the art by reference to the following description, claims and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The following applies to the drawings: Fig. Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a motor vehicle having a seating arrangement with a rear row of fold-down seats; Fig. Figure 2 is a side view of the motor vehicle, illustrating in more detail the rear row of folding seats, one of which is in a folded position and one in a position of use; Fig. Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating a standard folding lock system for use when controlling the folding seats; Fig. Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating a double-tap reminder system for use in processing the output signal for the standard folding lock and generating a seat folding signal; Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a system for controlling the folding vehicle seats according to an example; and the Fig. Figures 6A-6B illustrate a method for controlling the folding down of a folding seat in the vehicle according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0010] A detailed reference will now be made to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote identical or similar parts. In the drawings, the structural elements depicted are not to scale, and certain components have been enlarged relative to the other components for the purpose of emphasis and clarity.

[0011] In accordance with the requirements, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed in this document; however, it is understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure, which can be implemented in various and alternative forms. The figures do not necessarily represent a detailed embodiment; some schematic representations may be enlarged or reduced to show a functional overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed in this document are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching the skilled person the diverse applications of the present disclosure.

[0012] For the purposes of description in this text, the terms "above", "below", "right", "left", "back", "front", "vertical", "horizontal" and derivatives thereof refer to the concepts in their orientation in Fig. 1. It is understood, however, that the concepts can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly stated otherwise. It is also understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in the following description are merely exemplary embodiments of the concepts according to the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical properties relating to the embodiments disclosed in this document are not to be considered limiting unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims.

[0013] The embodiments illustrated herein consist mainly of combinations of process steps and equipment components related to a vehicle having a seat with a controlled, foldable backrest. Accordingly, the equipment components and process steps are represented in the drawings, where appropriate, by conventional symbols, showing only those specific details relevant to understanding the embodiments of this disclosure, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that are readily apparent to the person skilled in the art from the present description. Furthermore, identical reference numerals in the description and the drawings denote identical elements.

[0014] In this context, the expression "and / or" when used in a list of two or more elements means that each of the listed elements can be used individually, or any combination of two or more of the listed elements can be used. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and / or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0015] In this writing, reference terms such as first and second, upper and lower, and the like are used merely to distinguish one unit or action from another, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order of such unit or action between such units or actions. It is intended that the terms "includes," "comprehensive," or any other variation thereof cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, procedure, article, or facility comprising an enumeration of elements may include not only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, procedure, article, or facility. An element that "includes..."The presence of “ein” does not, without further limitations, preclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, procedure, article or facility that includes the element.

[0016] As used in this document, the term "approximately" means that quantities, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantitative information and properties are not, and need not be, exact, but may be approximate and / or larger or smaller if desired, and may reflect tolerances, conversion factors, rounding, measurement errors, and the like, and other factors known to the person skilled in the art. When the term "approximately" is used to describe a value or an endpoint of a range, the disclosure should be understood as including the specific value or endpoint to which reference is made. Regardless of whether a numerical value or an endpoint of a range includes "approximately" in the description, the numerical value or endpoint of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by "approximately" and one not modified by "approximately".It is further understood that the endpoints of each of the areas are significant both with respect to the other endpoint and independently of the other endpoint.

[0017] It is intended that the terms "essentially," "substantially," and variations thereof, as used in this document, indicate that a described feature is equal to or nearly equal to a value or description. For example, a "substantially flat" surface is intended to mean that a surface is flat or nearly flat. Furthermore, "substantially" is intended to mean that two values ​​are equal to or nearly equal to each other. In some embodiments, "substantially" may denote values ​​within approximately 10% of each other, such as within approximately 5% of each other or within approximately 2% of each other.

[0018] In the present context, the terms "the", "a", "a", or "a" mean "at least one" and should not be limited to "just one" unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to "one component" includes embodiments having two or more such components, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0019] Regarding the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a motor vehicle 10, generally in the form of a passenger SUV, comprising a body 12 and an interior, generally defined as a passenger compartment 14. The motor vehicle 10 shown and described here is an SUV, which includes the passenger compartment 14 equipped with a front row of seats, comprising seats 22A and 22B, and a second row of seats, comprising seats 24A and 24B. It is understood that the motor vehicle 10 may include one or more seats in each row and may furthermore include more than two rows of seats. The body 12 includes a pair of front side doors 16A and 16B, generally aligned with the front row of seats, and a pair of rear side doors 18A and 18B, generally aligned with the second rear row of seats.The vehicle 10 further includes a rear end door in the form of a tailgate 20, located at the rear end of the motor vehicle 10. The rear end door can otherwise be configured as a trunk or as a side-hinged swing door or swing doors.

[0020] The front row of seats may include the front row seat 22A, configured as the driver's seat, which is generally located behind a steering wheel and foot pedal controls in relation to the vehicle, and may include a center console located between the two front row seats 22A and 22B. A display 21, such as a touchscreen display, may generally be located in front of the driver's seat. The display 21 provides a human-machine interface (HMI) that may include user input and visual display output. It is understood that the vehicle may include 10 other HMIs, such as other displays, a microphone, and one or more speakers to provide audible communication. The first and second front seats 22A and 22B may include a seat cushion and backrest that may be adjustable either manually or by powered actuators.

[0021] The second row of seats comprises seats 24A and 24B, each of which can be configured with a seat surface 26 and a folding backrest 28. The backrest 28 can be locked in an upright position, referred to as the usage or seating position. When either seat 24A or 24B is not occupied by a passenger or other object, the backrest 28 can be rotated forward and downward into a stowed, flat-folded position on the seat surface 26. To move the backrest 28 into the flat-folded position, the backrest 28 can be equipped, according to one embodiment, with a locking mechanism that can be released by an actuator and a preload spring that springs the backrest 28 forward toward the flat-folded position.According to another embodiment, the seat can include an actuator that operates the backrest 28, causing it to rotate from the upright sitting position to the flat, folded-down position. The actuator can include the use of an electric motor and a drive assembly.

[0022] The motor vehicle 10 is further equipped with seat control user input switches, namely, in the illustrated example, seat-mounted switches 25, which are shown mounted on each of the rear seats 24A and 24B, and a user input switch 35, which is located near the rear end of the motor vehicle 10, such as on an interior wall of the vehicle's interior. Switches 25 and 35 can, for example, be mechanical switches, touch switches, or be represented on a touchscreen display. A user can actuate either switch 25 or 35 as an input to cause the backrest 28 to unlock and fold down into the flat position.According to one embodiment with an electric motor, the user input switches 25 and 35 can be actuated by a user to activate a motor to rotate the backrest into the flat folded position and, in the opposite direction, to move the backrest from the flat folded position to the seated position. To fold the backrest 28 into the flat folded position, a user can access the seat-mounted switches 25 from either of the rear side doors 18A and 18B. A user can also access the user input switch 35 from the rear of the vehicle 10 via the rear opening when the tailgate 20 is in the open position.A user can activate one of the switches 25 or 35 to cause the backrest 28 to fold down from the seated position into the flat folded position to provide a flat storage surface in the rear and / or middle sections of the motor vehicle 10.

[0023] The vehicle 10 is equipped with a system 30 for the standard folding lock (Lock Folding by Default - LFD), which controls the activation of the folding mechanism for the rear seat backrest 28. The LFD system 30 includes a controller 32, which, according to the illustration, is configured in an example with logic comparators containing logic gates. The controller 32 includes a reader 34 for the activated LFD setting, which can indicate whether the LFD system 30 is activated. The controller 32 also includes an open / closed reader 36 for the rear doors, which detects whether each of the rear side doors is in the open or closed position. The controller 32 also includes an open / closed reader 38 for the tailgate, which detects whether the tailgate is in the open or closed position.The controller 32 compares the outputs of the open / closed reader 36 of the rear doors with the output of the open / closed reader 38 of the tailgate using an OR logic gate 40 and generates an output signal. If either of the rear side doors and the trunk or the tailgate is in the open position, the OR logic gate 40 provides an output signal to an AND logic gate 44. The AND logic gate 44 performs a logical AND operation on the output of the activated reader 34, the output of the OR gate 40, and a signal from block 42 indicating a parking mode speed of 0 (zero). The parking mode signal 42 is received by a parking sensor 52, which provides speed and other data.It is understood that the signal from the rear side doors can be detected by an open / closed sensor 48 of the rear side doors, and the open / closed signal from the tailgate can be detected by an open / closed sensor 50 of the tailgate. The signal from the activated reader is provided via MMS-LFD settings 46, which can be entered, for example, by a user. It is understood that the logic comparisons and decisions can be carried out with other analog and / or digital circuits, such as with one or more processors.

[0024] The LFD system 30 includes a folding request transmitter 56, which receives an input signal from a request 60 for electric folding, which can be entered via one of the user input switches 25 and 35, and the output from the controller 32, indicating that the vehicle 10 is in a park mode in which at least one of the rear side doors and the tailgate is in the open position and the LFD setting is activated. The folding request transmitter 56 then generates a signal 58 of a request for electric folding and provides an output to the instrument panel cluster (IPC) 54.

[0025] Regarding Fig. Figure 4 illustrates a Double Tap Reminder (DTR) system 62 for further processing the output of the LFD system 30 to generate the seat-folding control signal. The DTR system 62 receives a request for electric flat folding at block 64 and has a fold-down request counter 66 that counts the number of taps or activations of the user input switch and determines when the number of switch inputs attempted by the user is greater than or equal to 2 (two). A fold-down request transmitter 56 then transmits a signal as the seat-folding control signal when the fold-down request counter has had more than two activations.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 5 further shows the IPC 54 communicating with an Enhanced Central Gateway (ECG) 72 and a Power Folding Seat Module (PFSM) 84. The MMS-LFD settings 46 and the second-row seat open / close sensor 48, the tailgate open / close sensor 50, and the parking sensor 52 communicate with the ECG 72 and provide signals and data to the system 30 for the standard folding lock. The LFD system 30 provides a seat folding signal to the Double Tap Reminder (DTR) system 62, which in turn provides a seat folding signal to the second-row remote seat signal gateway 74. Outputs from the LFD system 30 are also provided to the IPC 54 with folding lock messages, and the Double Tap Reminder system 62 provides a safety reminder signal to the IPC 54.

[0027] The PFSM 84 receives a seat folding control signal from the ECG 72 and generates a flat folding command 86, which is sent to the flat folding actuator 90 in the corresponding seat 24A or 24B of the second row. In addition, the PFSM 84 generates a manual tilt lock release 88 as a seat locking warning, which can be sent to the ECG 72.

[0028] Regarding the Fig. 6A and Fig.Section 6B illustrates a procedure for controlling and activating the folding of a rear-row seat backrest according to an example. Procedure 100 begins at step 102 and proceeds to step 104 to detect that a customer presses the user input switch to fold down a seat. Next, at decision step 106, procedure 100 determines whether the LFD system is disabled in Settings by the user and, if so, proceeds to decision step 126. If the LFD system is not disabled, procedure 100 proceeds to step 108, where the LFD comparator decides to transmit the seat-folding request, and then proceeds to decision step 110 to determine whether the vehicle speed is zero or if the vehicle is otherwise in a park mode.If the vehicle speed is not zero or if the vehicle is not in park mode, procedure 100 proceeds to step 112, where the LFD system blocks the seat folding and prevents the transmission of the folding request. Procedure 100 then proceeds to step 114, where the LFD system displays a pop-up message communicating the blocked seat folding attempt, the reason, and the option to disable the LFD's blocking system in the HMI settings, before proceeding to step 116, where the LFD system emits a warning tone announcing the blocked seat folding state, before concluding at step 118.

[0029] If the vehicle speed is zero or the vehicle is otherwise in a park mode, procedure 100 proceeds to decision step 120 to determine if the tailgate is in the open position and, if not, to decision step 122 to determine if either of the rear side doors is in the open position. If neither the tailgate nor the rear side doors are in the open position, procedure 100 proceeds to step 112 to block the seat folding and prevent the transmission of the seat folding request. Otherwise, if either the tailgate or the rear side doors are in the open position, procedure 100 proceeds to step 124 to transmit a seat folding request to the DTR system.Next, procedure 100 proceeds to decision step 126 to determine if the DTR system is disabled by the user in settings. If so, at step 130, it transmits the folding request to the seats and performs a seat folding operation before ending at step 118. If the DTR system has not been disabled by the user in settings, routine 100 proceeds to decision block 128 to determine if this is the first folding request for the first attempt to fold the system by pressing the user input switch once. If not, at step 130, it transmits the folding request to the seats and performs the folding operation before ending at step 118.If this is the first fold-down request, procedure 100 proceeds to step 132, where the DTR requests the counter to add a count request to the counter to save the status once the user has pressed the fold-down button. Next, procedure 100 proceeds to step 134, where the DTR system displays a pop-up reminding the user to check if the seat is empty and requests a second fold-down request to press the fold-down button again. Finally, procedure 100 proceeds to step 136, where the DTR system plays a warning tone to get the user's attention before ending at step 118.

[0030] Accordingly, a motor vehicle 10 is advantageously equipped with a folding seat 24A or 24B, which is controlled to move the backrest 28 into the folded position when the motor vehicle 10 is not in use, such as when the vehicle is in park and at least one of the rear side doors and the rear door, such as a tailgate, is in an open position. Thus, under certain circumstances, unintentional operation of the backrest 28 of the seat of the motor vehicle 10 can be reduced or prevented.

[0031] It is understood that variations and modifications to the aforementioned structure may be made without deviating from the concepts of the present disclosure, and it is further understood that such concepts shall be covered by the following patent claims, unless these patent claims expressly state otherwise by their wording.

[0032] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided which has the following: a seat comprising a seat surface and a backrest, wherein the backrest can be folded down from an upright sitting position into a folded-down position; a user input for entering an input to move the backrest into the folded-down position; at least one door which is movable between an open position and a closed position; a door sensor for detecting the at least one door in the open position or the closed position;and a control configured to control a movement of the backrest from the upright seating position to the folded-down position, wherein the control determines whether the vehicle is not moving and whether the at least one door is in the open or closed position, and wherein the control allows activation of the backrest so that it moves into the folded-down position when the input is received, the at least one door is in the open position and it is determined that the vehicle is not moving, and prevents movement of the backrest into the folded-down position when the vehicle is moving or the at least one door is in the closed position.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the at least one door comprises a rear door at a rear end of the vehicle.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the rear door is a tailgate.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the at least one door includes a rear side door.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the rear side door is located near a rear row of seats, which is situated behind a front row of seats.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the seat is a folding seat.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the folding seat has a locking mechanism that can be released to allow the backrest to fold forward with a preload spring.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the backrest is moved via an actuator.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the user input includes a switch.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the switch is located near a rear end of the vehicle.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the control requires a first and a second user input attempt before the backrest is moved into the folded-down position.

[0043] According to the present invention, a vehicle is provided which has the following: a seat comprising a seat surface and a backrest, wherein the backrest can be folded down from an upright sitting position into a folded-down position; a user input for entering an input to move the backrest into the folded-down position, wherein the user input comprises a switch that can be actuated by a user; at least one door that can be moved between an open position and a closed position; a door sensor for detecting the at least one door in the open position or the closed position;and a control configured to control the movement of the backrest from the upright seating position to the folded-down position, wherein the control determines whether the vehicle is stationary and whether the at least one door is in the open or closed position, and wherein the control allows activation of the backrest so that it moves into the folded-down position when the input is received, the at least one door is in the open position and it is determined that the vehicle is stationary, and prevents movement of the backrest into the folded-down position when the vehicle is moving or the at least one rear side door is in the closed position, wherein the at least one door comprises a rear door at a rear end of the vehicle or near a rear row of seats of the vehicle.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the control requires a first and a second user input attempt before the backrest is moved into the folded-down position.

[0045] According to the present invention, a method for controlling the folding down of a seat backrest in a motor vehicle comprises: receiving a user input to move the backrest from an upright seating position to a folded-down position; detecting the at least one door in an open or closed position; determining whether the vehicle is moving or not; activating the backrest with the control unit so that it moves into the folded-down position when the input is received, the at least one door is in the open position, and it is determined that the vehicle is not moving; and preventing the backrest from moving into the folded-down position with the control unit when it is determined that the vehicle is moving or that the at least one door is in the closed position.

[0046] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the steps of detecting a first and a second user input attempt before the backrest is moved into the folded-down position.

[0047] In one aspect of the invention, the user input includes a switch.

[0048] In one aspect of the invention, the switch is located near the rear end of the vehicle or near a seat in a rear row of seats in the vehicle.

[0049] In one aspect of the invention, the method includes the step of providing an output to a user indicating that the folding down of the backrest is prevented.

[0050] In one aspect of the invention, the backrest moves from the upright sitting position to the folded-down position via a pre-tension spring when a locking mechanism is released.

[0051] In one aspect of the invention, the movement of the backrest is provided by an actuator.

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