Vehicle having movable operator station

Abstract

To improve adjustment or configurability of a seat.SOLUTION: A vehicle includes: a body; a seat assembly (10) including a seat (7) for an operator; and guides (17) which are coupled to the body and the seat assembly (10) so as to restrain the seat assembly (10) on the body in a manner that enables translation motion of the seat assembly (10) along a moving direction. The moving direction is a lateral direction relative to an operation direction of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This patent application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. 102022000016149, filed on July 29, 2022, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [Technical field]

[0002] The present invention relates to vehicles, particularly sports vehicles for use on roads and tracks. [Background technology]

[0003] In some vehicles, at least one of the seats, for example the driver's seat, can be adjusted or set.

[0004] In particular, the user, i.e. the person sitting in the seat, can adjust the seat height, the longitudinal position of the seat and the respective inclination of the backrest and base, i.e. the parts of the seat arranged to support the user's lower legs when seated.

[0005] In other vehicles, typically race vehicles, the seats are completely fixed.

[0006] In general, there is a need to improve the adjustment, or configurability, of known seats.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to meet at least one of the above-mentioned needs, preferably in a simple and reliable manner. Summary of the Invention

[0008] This object is achieved by a vehicle as claimed in claim 1.

[0009] The dependent claims define particular embodiments of the invention. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG.

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a seat assembly in the passenger compartment of the vehicle of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 3 shows the seat assembly of FIG. 2 in a perspective view opposite to that of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 3A-3C are plan views of the vehicle of FIG. 1 with the seat assemblies of FIG. 2 each arranged according to a different configuration. [Diagram 5] 3A-3C are plan views of the vehicle of FIG. 1 with the seat assemblies of FIG. 2 each arranged according to a different configuration. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the front of the seat assembly of FIG. 2. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of FIG. 6 with parts removed for clarity. [Figure 8] 8 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the front portion of FIG. 6 taken along the plan section indicated in FIG. 6 by line VIII-VIII. [Figure 9] 9 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the front portion of FIG. 6 taken along the plan section indicated in FIG. 6 by line IX-IX. [Figure 10] 7 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the front of FIG. 6 taken along the planar cross section indicated in FIG. 6 by line XX. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In FIG. 1, the reference number 1 is used to indicate a motor vehicle as a whole.

[0013] The vehicle 1 has a forward or longitudinal direction indicated in FIG. 1 by axis X, known as the roll axis of the vehicle 1.

[0014] The figure also shows two other axes Y, Z of the vehicle 1, also known as the pitch and yaw axes of the vehicle 1.

[0015] Axis Y is a horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction of forward movement of vehicle 1, i.e. perpendicular to axis X. Axis Z is perpendicular to axes X and Y and has at least one vertical component. In general, axis Z is perpendicular to the road surface on which vehicle 1 is traveling.

[0016] The vehicle 1 comprises a body 2 defining a passenger compartment 3 .

[0017] As is known, the body 2 comprises the frame, which is to be understood as the structural part of the vehicle 1, and the bodywork, ie the parts of the vehicle 1 which are aesthetically visible from the outside.

[0018] In particular, the body 2 comprises a roof 8 and a floor 9, which more specifically define the top cover and bottom of the passenger compartment 3, respectively.

[0019] Furthermore, the main body 2 also comprises side doors 4 which can be selectively opened and closed to allow the driver to enter the passenger compartment 3 through side openings defined by the main body 2 and respectively close the side openings.

[0020] With reference to FIG. 2, inside the passenger compartment 3, the vehicle 1 is equipped with a station for the driver.

[0021] The vehicle 1 is provided with a seat assembly 10 at a driver's station. The seat assembly 10 includes at least one seat assembly 7 for accommodating a driver in a seated position.

[0022] At the driver's station, the vehicle 1 further comprises, in particular, a steering assembly 11 including in particular a steering wheel 12 for steering the vehicle, and a set of independent or connected pedals 13 having at least two pedals 14, 15 for controlling the forward movement of the vehicle 1 according to the axis X.

[0023] In particular, the pedals 14, 15 are a brake pedal and an accelerator pedal for controlling the braking and acceleration of the vehicle 1 according to the axis X, for example according to continuous adjustment. Although the figure shows only two pedals 14, 15, the set of pedals 13 can be equipped with additional pedals, for example for controlling the clutch of the vehicle 1, in particular one equipped with a manual gearbox. Likewise, one of the pedals 14, 15 may be without its function and may be transferred to another type of control device, for example located elsewhere in the driver's station.

[0024] The steering assembly 11 and the set of pedals 13 can be configured to control the typical devices required for controlling the vehicle 1, such as, for example, the wheel steering mechanism, the brakes, the propulsion assembly for transmitting power to the wheels, for example using only electrical control signals, thus forming a drive-by-wire system, or by controlling servo actuators known in the art, for example hydraulic. In either case, regardless of the type of actuation of the devices required for controlling the vehicle 1, both the steering assembly 11 and the set of pedals 13 may be connected, possibly independently of each other, to one or more of the required devices and / or to the servo actuators via electrical and / or hydraulic connections 16, such as electrical wires and / or hydraulic tubes, or more generally flexible electrical and / or hydraulic connection elements. However, this is not necessary, since, according to a variant not shown, a wireless connection can also be implemented instead of a physical connection.

[0025] The driver's station can be moved transversely to the axis X, i.e. by at least one component of movement transverse to the axis X.

[0026] To enable the movement of the driver's stations, the vehicle 1 also comprises a guide device, or more precisely a guide 17, coupled to the body 2, or more precisely to the floor 9.

[0027] The guide 17 extends along a direction K and is configured to guide a component coupled thereto along the direction K.

[0028] In this case, the direction K is straight, since the guide 17 is a straight guide, but this is not essential: according to a variant not shown, the direction K can also be curved.

[0029] The guide 17 is preferably fixed relative to the body 2, in particular to a floor 9 extending in a direction K, which in turn is fixed relative to the body 2, more precisely to the floor 9. The direction K extends on the floor 9.

[0030] The direction K is transverse to the axis X, i.e. has at least one component transverse to the axis X. Preferably, the direction K is horizontal, i.e. lies in the plane defined by the axes X, Y, i.e. has no component according to the axis Z, i.e. in other words there is no component of the direction K according to the axis Z.

[0031] In particular, the direction K is oblique to the axis X, where "oblique" means non-parallel and non-perpendicular.

[0032] More preferably, the direction K includes or is defined by a segment having two opposite ends. The term "segment" is not limited to straight segments but also includes curved segments, although in the illustrated embodiment the segments are straight.

[0033] With reference to the cabin 3 of the vehicle 1 or an axis X, which is assumed to extend along, for example, the longitudinal central axis of the vehicle 1, one end of the segment has a further forward and less off-center or more inward position compared to the other end.

[0034] The seat assembly 10 is connected to a guide 17 and is consequently restrained by the guide 17 relative to the body 2 , and more precisely relative to the floor 9 .

[0035] More specifically, the seat assembly 10 is constrained to the body 2 or floor 9 with at least one translational degree of freedom. In other words, the seat assembly 10 may have at least one translational motion along a direction K.

[0036] Guide 17 allows and guides translational movement of the seat assembly 10 along direction K.

[0037] The vehicle 1 preferably comprises an actuator assembly, not shown, comprising, for example, known actuators, configured to effect translation of the seat assembly 10 in response to user commands provided via one or more special control devices, not shown, such as, for example, a mobile phone, a remote control, a button accessible from outside or inside the vehicle 1, a lever accessible from outside or inside the vehicle 1, etc. Each of the special control devices may be part of the vehicle 1, or part of a wider system including the vehicle 1, as is the case for example, a remote control or a mobile phone. Alternatively, without loss of generality, the movement may be effected manually, for example by means of a suitable mechanism.

[0038] Conveniently, the seat assembly 10 comprises a slide 20 coupled to the guide 17 so that the guide can move in a direction K.

[0039] The slide 20 is guided along a direction K by a guide 17 so that it can translate in the same direction K.

[0040] The actuator assembly or mechanism suitable for moving the seat assembly 10 described above is preferably configured to act on the slide 20, i.e. to translate the slide 20 along a direction K.

[0041] The slide 20 carries the seat 7 in a particularly fixed position, in other words the seat 7 is fixed relative to the slide 20. This is not strictly necessary, since the seat 7 could potentially have its own mobility relative to the slide 20, for example due to adjustment requirements of the seat 7 configuration.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the slide 20 has a concave surface such that the slide 20 defines a cavity or housing 21 that receives at least a portion of the sheet 7 .

[0043] The cavity 21 preferably accommodates at least a portion of the steering assembly 11 and at least a portion of the set of pedals 13 .

[0044] In particular, the steering assembly 11 and / or the set of pedals 13 are carried by the slide 20. In other words, the steering assembly 11 and / or the set of pedals 13 are coupled to the slide 20 such that they move along a direction K in response to movement of the slide 20.

[0045] For example, a portion of the steering assembly 11 , particularly the portion including the column to which the steering wheel 12 is rotatably coupled about a steering axis, is fastened to a slide 20 .

[0046] In this way, the driver's station is movable along the direction K.

[0047] In particular, the driver's station or seat 7 is movable between two limit positions determined or defined by a guide 17 .

[0048] In fact, by means of the guide 17, the seat assembly 10 or the seat 7 can be moved between limit positions, one further forward and less off-centre than the other, in particular according to an axis X, which is assumed as the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle 1.

[0049] In one of the limit positions, the seat 7 is arranged adjacent to the door 4 or is essentially capable of being opened and closed via the door 4, i.e. is arranged in communication with an opening connected to the door 4, so that the driver can enter the passenger compartment 3 sitting directly on the seat 7 while passing through the opening. In other words, the seat 7 is essentially adjacent to an opening connected to the door 4.

[0050] whereas in the other limiting position, the seat 7 is arranged according to the axis X in a more central or more off-centre position in the passenger compartment 3 .

[0051] Indeed, in particular the entire driver's station, including the steering assembly 11 and set of pedals 13, moves between limit positions so that the driver can guide the vehicle 1 from one off-centre or more outer position, as typically occurs with a road vehicle, or from one or more off-centre or more inner positions, as occurs with a race vehicle.

[0052] The mobility of the seat allows the driver to enter the passenger compartment 3 with the seat 7 in one of its limit positions and then move to a racing configuration, i.e. a more central position, with the seat 7 in its other limit position.

[0053] The movement of the seat assembly 10 or the seat 7, specifically the steering assembly 11 and / or the set of pedals 13, is not blocked by the connection 16. Rather, the same connection 16 is adapted to move, for example gather or extend upwards, for example by means of known devices, such as a typical cable support chain 24, having a known function and structure, for example suitable for machine tools, and therefore will not be described in more detail.

[0054] The steering assembly 11 and / or the set of pedals 13 may be considered as part of a more general control assembly for guiding the vehicle 1. The control assembly comprises at least one base 25 carried by the slide 20.

[0055] In particular, the base 25 is part of the set of pedals 13. The pedals 14, 15 are in particular coupled to the base. According to a particular embodiment, not shown, each of the pedals 14, 15 is coupled to the base 25 for selective translation according to an axis X, for example via respective guides and optional locking devices that can be released and actuated to lock the pedals 14, 15 in any possible position. In the latter case, the pedals 14, 15 are preferably movable according to the axis X independently of each other, i.e. the positions according to the axis X of the pedals 14, 15 can be adjusted independently.

[0056] The base 25 is preferably coupled to the slide 20 so that it is selectively movable relative to the slide 20 along the axis X. Alternatively, the base 25 can be fixed relative to the slide 20.

[0057] More precisely, the base 25 can be translated in particular along a linear direction, in particular a direction parallel to the axis X.

[0058] To guide the translation of the base 25 , the seat assembly 10 comprises a guide 26 carried by the slide 20 in a fixed position relative to it and extending in particular along the direction of translation of the base 25 .

[0059] Additionally, the seat assembly 10 includes one or more supports 26 a coupled to the guide 26 to slide along the translation direction of the base 25 .

[0060] The base 25 is supported in a fixed position by and relative to the support 26a, and in particular is fastened to the support 26a via a mechanical connection element 26b of the seat assembly 10, for example a screw element such as a threaded screw in a blind hole formed in the support 26a, as can be seen in FIG.

[0061] The seat assembly 10 preferably includes a control assembly 27 configured to control the movement of the base 25 .

[0062] The control assembly 27 comprises a control unit 28 and an actuator device 29, for example an electric actuator, more precisely a linear actuator.

[0063] The actuator device 29 has a fixed part 29a fastened or fixed to the slide 20 and a movable part 29b movable relative to the fixed part 29a, in particular in the direction of movement of the base 25, more precisely in the translational direction. The movable part 29b is fixed relative to the base 25. In particular, as can be seen in Fig. 10, the movable part 29b is fastened to the base 25 via at least one mechanical connection element 29c of the seat assembly 10, for example a screw element such as a bolt.

[0064] The control unit 28 is configured to control the actuator device 29 as a function of signals generated via a suitable control device (not shown) of the seat assembly 10 or vehicle 1, such as a remote control, a button, a mobile phone, a lever, etc. that can be actuated by the driver. The control unit 28 adjusts the position of the base 25, and thus in particular the set of pedals 13, based on the signals generated by the control device in response to how the driver actuates the control device. The control device may be external or internal to the vehicle 1, or may be mobile, as in the case of a mobile phone or a remote control.

[0065] An actuator assembly for moving the seat assembly 10 along the direction K may be constructed in a similar manner to the control assembly 27 described above, with suitable adaptations that may be required, which can in any case be directly and unambiguously derived by a person skilled in the art of working with seats in the light of this description.

[0066] The seat assembly 10 preferably further includes a releasable locking device 30 configured to releasably lock the movability of the base 25 relative to the slide 20, whereby the base 25 is movable when the releasable locking device 30 is released.

[0067] In particular, the releasable locking device 30 comprises at least one rack gear 31 fixed relative to the base 25 (Figure 7) and a toothed engagement element 32 hinged in a rotatable manner to the slide 20, in particular directly, about a hinge axis V, in particular parallel to the axis Z, between one engaged position and a disengaged position, the teeth of the element 32 being engaged and disengaged with the rack gear 31.

[0068] As can be seen in FIG. 9, the rack gear 31 is fastened to the base 25 via a connecting element of the seat assembly 10, such as a screw element 31a.

[0069] The releasable locking device 30 also comprises an elastic element 33, such as a cylindrical spring extending parallel to the axis X, configured to exert an elastic reaction on the element 32 in response to rotation of the element 32 from the engaged position towards the disengaged position, the elastic reaction tending to return the element 32 to the engaged position.

[0070] In particular, the elastic element 33 has one end 33a fixed relative to the slide 20 according to the axis Y and one end 33b fastened to the element 32 at a point located opposite the engagement zone between the teeth of the element 32 and the rack gear 31 relative to the hinge axis V.

[0071] The elastic reaction of the elastic element 33 corresponds to a reaction torque about the axis V.

[0072] Since the element 32 is hinged to the slide 20, the same element 32 can only rotate about the axis V and cannot translate relative to the slide 20, in particular according to the axis X. The engagement between the element 32 and the rack gear 31 therefore prevents the translation of the base 25, which is fixed relative to the rack gear 31. Indeed, the rack gear 31 cannot translate when it is engaged with the element, since the element 32 cannot translate.

[0073] Furthermore, the releasable locking device 30 comprises a release element 34 which can be actuated by the driver, for example manually, via a mechanical control or by means of an automatic device, which can then be controlled by the driver via a mechanical or electronic control to apply a release torque to the element 32 about the axis V, in particular against the reaction of the elastic element 33, in order to rotate the element 32 from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0074] For example, the release element 34 may comprise a cable or tension wire having an end fixed relative to element 32 and one end (not shown) to be pulled, e.g., via the mechanical control or automatic device described above, to apply the release torque.

[0075] Said mechanical control or automation may be part of the seat assembly 10 or, more generally, part of the vehicle 1 .

[0076] When element 32 is in the disengaged position, rack gear 31 is consequently free to move, or more precisely translate, thereby also moving base 25 .

[0077] In the embodiment shown, although this is not strictly necessary, the element 32, the elastic element 33 and the rack gear 31 are duplicated symmetrically with respect to the axis X. The release element 34 is fixed to both elements 32 and therefore acts on both elements 32 simultaneously.

[0078] A releasable locking device similar in function and / or structure to the releasable locking device 30 may potentially be used to releasably lock the seat assembly 10, or more precisely the slide 20, against movement along the direction K, with the necessary adjustments, which in any case can be directly and unambiguously understood by a person skilled in the art of seat handling in the light of this description. Alternatively, the actuator assembly itself may exert a braking or releasable locking action to move the seat assembly 10.

[0079] The vehicle 1 is preferably provided with an additional control device 40 including an actuator assembly for moving the seat assembly 10, configured, for example, to adjust the attitude or orientation of a rearview mirror 41 of the vehicle 1 as a function of the translational movement of the seat assembly 10.

[0080] More specifically, the control device 40 comprises actuator assemblies, for example known ones which for this reason are not shown, for moving the rear-view mirrors 41, i.e. changing their position or orientation.

[0081] In particular, the rearview mirror 41 may rotate relative to the body 2 between a less convergent and a more convergent position relative to the center of the vehicle 1. In other words, in the two configurations mentioned, the rearview mirror 41 is rotated more or less, or more or less, towards the center of the vehicle 1, using substantial conditions (FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively).

[0082] An actuator assembly for the rearview mirror 41 is configured to move the rearview mirror 41 between the two configurations described above.

[0083] The control device 40 has a control unit configured to adjust an actuator assembly for the seat assembly 10 and an actuator assembly for the rearview mirror 41 to automatically adapt the configuration or attitude or orientation of the rearview mirror 41 to the position of the seat assembly 10 along the direction K so that the driver's rear visibility is optimal for all positions of the seat assembly 10.

[0084] In particular, the control device 40 has the rearview mirror 41 in a more converged position when the seat assembly 10 is in a less off-center position and / or in a less converged configuration when the seat assembly 10 is in a more off-center position.

[0085] From the above, the advantages of the vehicle 1 according to the invention are clear.

[0086] For example, thanks to the invention, the vehicle 1 can be a race vehicle with a particularly streamlined and forwardly extended body 2. In this case, if the seat 7 is fixed to the floor 9 in a central, forward position, as is optimal for a race vehicle, the driver's access to the seat 7 via the side door 4 is particularly complicated, if not practically impossible, based on the profile of the body 2.

[0087] Instead, in the present invention, the seat 7 can be aligned with the side door 4 so that the driver can sit in the seat 7 accessed by the door 4. The driver can then move to a center forward position while still seated in the seat 7 within the passenger compartment 3.

[0088] Furthermore, obviously, thanks to the invention the vehicle 1 can be a vehicle suitable for use on tracks and on roads, with the position of the seat assembly 10 potentially continuously adjustable along the direction K.

[0089] Thanks to the option of adjusting the set of pedals 13, and thus the position of the pedals 14, 15, relative to the slide 20, driver comfort is further increased.

[0090] Finally, it is clear that modifications may be made to the motor vehicle 1 according to the invention, the modifications resulting therefrom without in any case departing from the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A vehicle (1) comprising a main body (2), a seat assembly (10) including a seat (7) for a driver, and a guide (17) coupled to the main body (2) and the seat assembly (10) so as to restrain the seat assembly (10) to the main body (2) so as to enable translational motion of the seat assembly (10) along a direction of movement (K), wherein the direction of movement (K) is lateral with respect to the driving direction (X) of the vehicle (1).

2. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the guide (17) and the direction of movement (K) are fixed to the main body (2).

3. The vehicle according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the seat assembly (10) comprises a slide (20) guided by the guide (17) along the direction of movement (K), and the seat (7) is supported by the slide (20).

4. The vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the seat (7) is fixed to the slide (20).

5. The vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising a control assembly (11, 13) for driving the vehicle (1), wherein the control assembly (11, 13) has a base (25) supported by the slide (20).

6. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the control assembly (11, 13) comprises a set of pedals (13) having one or more pedals (14, 15), such as a brake pedal and / or an accelerator pedal, coupled to the base (25).

7. The vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the base (25) is coupled to the slide (20) in such a manner that it can be selectively moved relative to the slide (20) according to the driving direction (K) of the vehicle (1).

8. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the seat assembly (10) is movable between a first limit position and a second limit position by the guide device (17), and the second limit position is further forward and less off-center than the first position, depending on the driving direction (X) of the vehicle (1).

9. The vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the direction of movement (K) is a straight line and is oblique to the direction of operation (X).

10. The vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising one or more rearview mirrors (41) and a control device (40) configured to adjust the posture of the rearview mirrors (41) as a function of the translational motion of the seat assembly (10).

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