Swivel seat for motor vehicle.

Abstract

The invention relates to a swiveling seat (1) for a motor vehicle (2), the seat (1) being designed to swivel between a driving position and at least one access position distinct from the driving position, the driving position enabling a passenger (3) seated in the seat (1) to drive the vehicle (2) and each access position enabling the passenger (3) to sit on the seat (1) when the seat (1) is mounted in the vehicle (2), the seat (1) comprising at least one first control (6) designed to select an access position to be reached by swiveling the seat (1), the seat (1) comprising at least one second control (7), each distinct from each first control (6), designed to control the swiveling of the seat (1) to the selected access position and designed to control the opening of a door (5) corresponding to the selected access position. (Figure 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Swivel seat for motor vehicle.

[0001] The technical field relates to swivel seats for motor vehicles and motor vehicles having at least one such seat.

[0002] Motorized vehicles are experiencing significant growth. However, in an electric vehicle, the space previously occupied by the motor is reduced, particularly when the motor is integrated into the wheel. Therefore, it is advantageous to move the driver forward into the central area, formerly occupied by the motor, to enlarge the cargo area or reduce the vehicle's length. Thus, in a vehicle with two front wheels, the driver can be positioned centrally, for example, between the two front shock absorbers. In such a configuration, the driver can use either of the left or right side doors. However, access to the doors becomes more difficult. Indeed, when the driver's seat is positioned far forward between the front shock absorbers, the door opening controls are no longer easily accessible due to the distance between the driver and the doors.Thus, while a vehicle with a driver in a central front position is advantageous for optimizing vehicle space, access to it becomes more complicated.

[0003] Thus, there is a need for a solution to facilitate access to a vehicle where the driver is seated in a central position.

[0004] The present invention aims to overcome the problems described above. In this technical context, one objective of the present invention is to provide a seat that facilitates exiting a vehicle, particularly when the seat is far from the door.

[0005] To this end, the present invention relates to a swiveling seat for a motor vehicle, the seat being designed to swivel between a driving position and at least one access position distinct from the driving position, the driving position enabling a passenger seated in the seat to drive the vehicle and each access position enabling the passenger to get onto the seat when the seat is mounted in the vehicle, the seat comprising at least one first control designed to select an access position to be reached by swiveling the seat, the seat comprising at least one second control, each distinct from each first control, designed to control the swiveling of the seat to the selected access position and designed to control the opening of a door corresponding to the selected access position.

[0006] The invention also relates to a motor vehicle having at least one seat according to the invention, each seat being pivotable between a driving position and at least one access position, each distinct from the driving position, allowing a passenger to sit on the seat, the vehicle having a door associated with each access position, the activation of a first and second control allowing the seat to pivot to an access position and the opening of the associated door.

[0007] Thus, the seat according to the invention allows the user to select an access position and swivel the seat while simultaneously opening the door associated with that access position, thanks to the second control(s). Therefore, when the seat is positioned so far from the door that the passenger cannot easily operate the door, the swiveling seat according to the invention partially replaces the passenger by opening the door. Furthermore, when the seat is in the central position and access is possible from both sides of the vehicle, the seat according to the invention allows the user to easily select the side by choosing the corresponding access position using the first control(s).

[0008] According to one embodiment of the seat, each first and second control is positioned on an armrest of the seat. This configuration ensures that the passenger holds on correctly to the seat during a swivel.

[0009] According to one possibility, the swivel seat has two armrests and two access positions, each armrest having a first control.

[0010] According to one embodiment, each armrest includes a second control.

[0011] According to one possibility, each second command is designed to require the maintaining its operation to allow the seat to pivot.

[0012] According to one embodiment, each second control is designed to require the continued actuation of a first control to allow the seat to pivot.

[0013] According to one possibility, the vehicle is configured to cause the associated seat to swivel motor-driven when a door is opened from outside the vehicle. Thus, when the door is opened, access to the vehicle is facilitated for the passenger, who does not need to manipulate the seat.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the vehicle further comprises detection means designed to prevent the opening of the door associated with the selected access position if an obstacle likely to impact the door is detected. Thus, the detection means compensate for poor visibility due to the seat's distance from the door when the seat is in the central position.

[0015] Advantageously, the vehicle further comprises presence detection means for detecting the presence of a passenger seated in at least one seat, the vehicle causing the seat to pivot to its driving position in the absence of a passenger and when each door associated with the seat is closed. Thus, when the The seat is associated with several doors, the seat is positioned to facilitate access on board from one side or the other of the vehicle.

[0016] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following detailed description, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

[0017] [Fig-1] [Fig.1] represents a top view of a motor vehicle according the invention showing a seat according to the invention in an access position.

[0018] A swiveling seat 1 according to the invention, illustrated in [Fig.1], is designed to equip a motor vehicle 2, according to the invention partially illustrated in [Fig.1].

[0019] The seat 1 is designed to pivot between a driving position, not shown, and at least one access position distinct from the driving position, shown in [Fig. 1]. The driving position allows a passenger 3 seated in the seat 1 to drive the vehicle, and each access position allows the passenger 3 to get into the seat 1 when the seat 1 is installed in the vehicle 3. The driving position corresponds, for example, to a position in which the passenger 3 faces the steering wheel 4, shown in [Fig. 1]. An access position is then a position in which the seat 1 is brought to a stop by pivoting around an axis of rotation, in particular a vertical axis of the vehicle 2.

[0020] In the vehicle 2, each seat 1 is associated with at least one door 5, allowing the passenger 3 to sit down or stand up and exit from the seat 1 through the associated door 5. For example, in the illustrated vehicle 2, the seat 1 is in a central position and has two associated doors 5, one on the left side and one on the right side of the vehicle 2. The seat 1 then has two distinct access positions. For example, between the first and second positions, the seat 1 is rotated through an angle between 35° and 90°.

[0021] The seat 1 includes at least one first control 6 designed to select an access position to be reached by pivoting the seat 1. Thus, when the seat 1 has two distinct access positions, the first control or controls allow selection of one of the two access positions. Each first control 6 is, for example, a button or a selector switch.

[0022] The seat 1 includes at least one second control 7, each separate from each first control 6, designed to control the pivoting of the seat 1 to the selected access position and designed to control the opening of a door 5 corresponding to the selected access position. For example, each second control 7 is a button. The opening control corresponds, for example, to unlocking the door 5, which causes it to open slightly. In another possibility, the door 5 is motorized, and the first 6 and second 7 controls allow the movement of the door 5 to be controlled. In the mode As illustrated in the figure, seat 1 is pivotable to two distinct access positions, each oriented towards a distinct door 5.

[0023] Advantageously, each first control 6 and each second control 7 are positioned on an armrest 8 of seat 1. In the vehicle 2 illustrated in the figure, seat 1 has two armrests 8, one on each side of seat 1, with seat 1 advantageously in a central position. Each armrest 8 advantageously has a first control 6. Thus, each first control 6 associated with an armrest 8 allows the access position to be selected on the side of seat 1 where the armrest 8 is located.

[0024] Advantageously, each armrest 8 has a second control 7.

[0025] Advantageously, the first 6 and second 7 controls are positioned at one end 9 of each armrest 8.

[0026] In one embodiment, the pivoting of the seat 1 is motorized.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the vehicle 2 of the invention, the latter has detection means designed to prevent the opening of the door 5 associated with the selected access position if an obstacle likely to impact the door 5 is detected, particularly if the door 5 is fully open. Thus, in the case of motorized opening of the door 5, the opening is, for example, stopped or prevented if an obstacle is detected. Advantageously, the swiveling of the seat 1 is also stopped or prevented if such an obstacle is detected. Such means employ, for example, sensors and / or cameras.

[0028] According to one embodiment, each second control 7 is designed to require its actuation to be maintained in order to allow the seat 1 to pivot. Thus, when the second control 7 is a button, the pivoting of the seat 1 requires the button to be pressed.

[0029] According to one possibility, each second control 7 is designed to require the continued actuation of a first control 6 in order to allow the seat 1 to pivot. Thus, the pivoting and / or the opening control of a door 5 is impossible in the event of accidental actuation of the second control 7.

[0030] According to an advantageous possibility, the vehicle 2 is configured to cause the motorized pivoting of the associated seat 1 towards the corresponding access position when a door 5 is opened from outside the vehicle 2.

[0031] Advantageously, the vehicle 2 further includes presence detection means to detect the presence of a passenger 3 sitting on a seat 1, the vehicle 2 causing the seat 1 to pivot towards its driving position in the absence of passenger 3 and when each door 5 associated with the seat 1 is closed.

[0032] Thus, the seat 1 according to the invention allows an access position to be selected and the seat 1 to be rotated while simultaneously controlling the opening of the door 5 associated with the access position, thanks to the second control(s) 7. Thus, when seat 1 is far from door 5 so that passenger 3 cannot easily operate door 5, the swiveling seat 1 assists the passenger by controlling the opening of door 5. Furthermore, when seat 1 is in the central position and access to the vehicle is possible from both sides 2, seat 1 allows easy selection of the side by choosing the corresponding access position, thanks to the first control(s) 6.

[0033] The invention is not limited to the embodiment of the seat described above, only by way of example, but other embodiments can be designed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope and extent of the present invention.

Claims

Demands

1. A swiveling seat (1) for a motor vehicle (2), the seat (1) being designed to swivel between a driving position and at least one access position separate from the driving position, the driving position enabling a passenger (3) seated in the seat (1) to drive the vehicle (2) and each access position enabling the passenger (3) to get onto the seat (1) when the seat (1) is mounted in the vehicle (2), the seat (1) comprising at least one first control (6) designed to select an access position to be reached by swiveling the seat (1), the seat (1) comprising at least one second control (7), each separate from each first control (6), designed to control the swiveling of the seat (1) into the selected access position and designed to control the opening of a door (5) corresponding to the selected access position.

2. Swivel seat (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that each first control (6) and each second control (7) are positioned on an armrest (8) of the seat (1).

3. Swivel seat (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the seat (1) has two armrests (8) and two access positions, each armrest (8) having a first control (6).

4. Swivel seat (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each armrest (8) has a second control (7).

5. A swiveling seat (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each second control (7) is designed to require its actuation to be maintained in order to permit the swiveling of the seat (1).

6. A swiveling seat (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each second control (7) is designed to require the continued actuation of a first control (6) to permit the swiveling of the seat (1).

7. A motor vehicle (2) having at least one seat (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, each seat (1) being pivotable between a driving position and at least one access position, each distinct from the driving position, allowing a passenger (3) to sit in the seat (1), the vehicle (2) having a door (5) associated with each access position, the actuation of a first (6) and a second (7) control allowing the seat (1) to pivot into an access position and the associated door (5) to open.

8. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that it is configured to cause the motorized pivoting of the associated seat (1) when a door (5) is opened from outside the vehicle (2).

9. Motor vehicle (2) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that it further comprises detection means designed to prevent the opening of the door (5) associated with the selected access position in the event of detection of an obstacle likely to impact the door (5).

10. Motor vehicle (2) according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that it further comprises presence detection means for detecting the presence of a passenger (3) seated on at least one seat (1), the vehicle (2) causing the seat (1) to pivot to its driving position in the absence of a passenger (3) and when each door (5) associated with the seat (1) is closed.