DE20013367U1 - Seat arrangement for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

Johnson Controls GmbH, Industriestrasse 20-30, D-51399 Burscheid Seat arrangement for vehicles

The invention relates to a seat bench arrangement, in particular a rear seat bench, for vehicles, consisting of at least two partial seats arranged next to one another so as to be displaceable relative to a floor structure in the vehicle.

Such bench seat arrangements are known, whereby the bench seat can be adjusted and/or removed in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Furthermore, designs are also known in which the partial seats, at least with regard to their backrests, can be individually adjusted and/or individually removed.

The present invention is based on the object of creating a seat arrangement of the type mentioned at the beginning, which ensures further improved usage variability within the vehicle with good seating and operating comfort.

According to the invention, this is achieved in that the partial seats are each displaceable on a guide track that runs obliquely to a longitudinal axis running in the direction of travel of the vehicle. As a result, the two partial seats can simultaneously perform a movement transverse to the direction of travel during a displacement in the direction of travel, whereby the partial seats can have a first distance from each other in a first (front) basic position transverse to the direction of travel and a second distance from each other in a second (rear) basic position.

This makes it advantageously possible to arrange another seat, for example a middle emergency seat, between the partial seats in one of the two basic positions. This can be narrower than the normal seats (partial seats), but at least three people can be transported on the bench seat arrangement according to the invention.

&Igr;&Idigr;

In the second basic position, the distance between the two partial seats can be so small that the possibility of forming an emergency seat is no longer given, but advantageously the at least two persons who can be transported on the bench arrangement according to the invention are provided with a higher level of seating comfort, which is expressed, for example, in greater freedom of movement.

The described movement sequence when adjusting the seat arrangement can advantageously be achieved by arranging pairs of guide rails, which determine the respective guide path for each partial seat, on the floor structure of the vehicle at an angle to one another, in particular such that the rear ends of the guide rails run in pairs towards the vehicle's central axis, i.e. converge against the direction of travel.

To ensure that the two partial seats always move at the same time, at least one variable-length connecting means can be provided between them. A simple solution is preferably a pipe connection in which a first pipe section, which is connected to the first partial seat, for example to the metal structure of the seat cushion, telescopically engages a second pipe section, which in turn is connected (transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal axis) to the metal structure of the second partial seat. This ensures that the distance between the two partial seats can be changed without one partial seat being able to be moved independently of the second in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Known locking devices can be used to fix the adjusted positions of the partial seats, with preference being given to those with one-hand operation, both for unlocking and for moving the rear seat bench.

The upholstery of the bench seat can preferably consist of a seat cushion pad provided with a cover and a backrest pad that is also covered with a cover. This advantageously creates the impression of a closed bench seat in both the at least two-seater and the at least three-seater design of the bench seat arrangement according to the invention.

For this purpose, the upholstery parts can be designed in such a way that, in the three-seat position, they lie flat on movable base frames of the partial seats.

In order to give the cushions, which can usually consist of a foam material with a textile upholstery cover, the necessary support in the area of the middle additional seat, for example, plates made of metal or plastic that can be moved one above the other can be used, which follow the transverse movement of the two partial seats, are thus firmly connected to each of them, and thus form a constant, but distance-changing^ support for the upholstery material, both the seat cushion and the backrest.

The corresponding upholstery parts (for the seat part and backrest) of the individual partial seats can also be designed as one piece, i.e. in such a way that the seat parts of the partial seats and the backrest parts of the partial seats each have a common upholstery. In this case, it is advantageously possible to design the upholstery in the middle (emergency) seat area and on the outer flanks of the partial seats in such a way that it bulges in a targeted manner due to the compression that occurs as a result of the partial seats moving towards one another, or can be raised on the outer flanks by the body wall that borders the sides. The bulges advantageously create lateral body supports that help to increase seating comfort, especially when cornering. The targeted bulging can be achieved by providing the upholstery parts with longitudinal recesses on their underside in the corresponding transition areas, or by using a softer foam in the compression zones.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are contained in the subclaims and the following specific description. The invention is explained in more detail using an embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig.1 is a perspective view of the rear part of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle with a seat arrangement according to the invention in a first basic position,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a seat arrangement according to the invention in the first basic position shown in Fig. 1, but without the upholstery being shown,

Fig. 3 in a representation corresponding to Fig. 1, the rear part of a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle with a seat arrangement according to the invention in a second basic position,

Fig. 4 in a representation corresponding to Fig. 2 a seat arrangement according to the invention in its second basic position,

Fig. 5 in a sectional view, the middle part of a seat arrangement according to the invention in an intermediate position between the first basic position according to Fig. 1 and the second basic position according to Fig. 3,

Fig. 6 and 7

to illustrate various folding options, in a representation corresponding to Fig. 2, a seat arrangement according to the invention in its first basic position.

In the various figures of the drawing, the same parts are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that they are usually only described once

As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, in which a rear seat bench 1 of a passenger car is shown as an example, a seat bench arrangement according to the invention consists of at least two partial seats 1a, 1b arranged next to one another in a way that they can be moved relative to a floor structure 2 in the vehicle. The partial seats 1a, 1b can each be moved on a guide track that runs obliquely to a longitudinal axis running in the direction of travel F of the vehicle. The guide tracks of the partial seats 1a, 1b are defined by two guide rails 3aa, 3ab, 3ba, 3bb that run parallel to one another and are assigned to each partial seat 1a, 1b in pairs. The guide tracks of the partial seats 1a, 1b converge against the direction of travel F, so that the partial seats 1a, 1b in a front basic position (Fig. 1, 2) have a first

distance and in a rear basic position (Fig. 3, 4) a second distance from each other (seen transversely to the direction of travel F).

In the first basic position, as shown in Fig. 1, it is possible to arrange a central emergency seat 1c between the two partial seats 1a, 1b, which is, however, narrower than the two partial seats 1a, 1b, so that three people can be transported on the rear seat, albeit with moderate seating comfort.

In the second basic position, which is shifted backwards in the direction of travel F (Fig. 3, 4), the distance between the two partial seats 1a, 1b in the transverse direction of the vehicle (Y direction) has decreased at the same time as the shift in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (X direction). The possibility of creating an emergency seat is therefore no longer possible. This means that only two people can be transported on the rear seat, but they are provided with greater seating comfort. In addition, the rear seat 1 can also - due to its overall narrower design - be pushed back in the rear basic position, for example, as Fig. 4 shows, into a body area which is narrower in width compared to the rest of the passenger compartment due to the rear wheel arches 4a, 4b located there.

As already mentioned, in order for the two partial seats 1a, 1b to always move simultaneously, a length-adjustable connecting means (not shown in the drawing) can be provided between them, which can preferably be formed by a telescopic tube connection.

In addition, as already mentioned, locking devices, preferably those with one-hand operation, can be provided for locking the partial seats 1a, 1b in their two basic positions on the guide track.

As all drawing figures show, the partial seats 1a, 1b can each consist of an upholstered seat part 1ab, 1bb and an upholstered backrest part 1aa, 1ba, whereby the upholstery is only shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5.

In order to create the impression of a closed rear seat bench 1, it is advantageous if the upholstery of the seat parts and the backrest parts of the partial seats 1a, 1b are each covered with at least one common cover 5.

Overall, the upholstery can therefore, as is known per se, consist of this cover 5 made of a textile material and of a foam material 6, as can be seen in Fig. 5.

It is also possible that the entire cushions of the seat parts 1ab, 1bb and the backrest parts 1aa, 1ba of the partial seats 1a, 1b are formed in one piece, such that the seat parts 1ab, 1bb of the partial seats 1a, 1b and the backrest parts 1aa, 1ba of the partial seats 1a, 1b are each assigned a common cushion.

In order to give the cushions the necessary support in the area of the middle (emergency) seat 1c, as also shown in Fig. 5, plates 7a, 7b made of metal or plastic that can be moved one above the other can be used, which are attached to the opposing sides of the partial seats 1a, 1b (top of the seat parts 1ab, 1bb and/or the backrest parts 1aa, 1ba) and which follow both the X and Y movements of the two partial seats 1a, 1b. This fixed connection can thus ensure a constant, but variable-distance support of the cushioning material, both of the seat parts 1ab, 1bb and of the backrest parts 1aa, 1ba.

While the cushions in the three-seat position (Fig. 1) lie flat on the movable metal seat bases of the partial seats 1a, 1b, they can be designed in a transition area B (Fig. 5) from a cushion section assigned to the first partial seat 1a to a cushion section assigned to the second partial seat and/or on their body-side outer flanks in such a way that they bulge in a targeted manner as a result of the compression caused by the partial seats 1a, 1b moving towards each other in the Y direction or are raised on the outer flanks by the laterally delimiting body wall. The central bulges 9 (Fig. 3, 5) and the lateral bulges 10 (Fig. 3) in the two-seat position (Fig. 3) thus advantageously create lateral body support, which contributes to seating comfort, particularly when cornering.

The targeted arching can be achieved by - as shown in Fig. 5 - in the corresponding zones the foam material 6 at the

·

·

underside is provided with recesses 11 running in the X-direction or that a softer foam material 6 is used in the compression zones.

Fig. 6 and 7 illustrate various (known per se) folding options for the seat bench arrangement according to the invention, namely the possibility of folding the respective backrest part 1aa, 1ba of at least one partial seat 1a, 1b, preferably all partial seats 1a, 1b, each about a pivot axis S-S running transversely to the direction of travel F onto the respective seat part 1ba, 1bb (Fig. 6) or also of folding at least one partial seat 1a, 1b, preferably all partial seats 1a, 1b, with the backrest part 1aa, 1ba folded onto the seat part 1ab, 1bb, each about a pivot axis T-T running transversely to the direction of travel F (Fig. 7), in order to thereby enlarge the loading area while at the same time limiting the loading space compared to the passenger compartment.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown, but also includes all designs that have the same effect within the meaning of the invention. For example, instead of two partial seats 1a, 1b, there could also be three partial seats, whereby a maximum of two additional (emergency) seats can be arranged between the partial seats in the seat bench arrangement according to the invention. Three basic positions of the partial seats would be possible: without an additional seat, with one additional seat, with two additional seats.

Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the combination of features defined in claim 1, but can also be defined by any other combination of specific features of all the individual features disclosed overall. This means that in principle practically every individual feature of claim 1 can be omitted or replaced by at least one individual feature disclosed elsewhere in the application. In this respect, claim 1 is to be understood as merely a first attempt at formulating an invention.

Claims (16)

1. Seat bench arrangement, in particular rear seat bench ( 1 ), for vehicles, consisting of at least two partial seats ( 1a , 1b ) arranged next to one another in the vehicle so as to be displaceable relative to a floor structure ( 2 ), characterized in that the partial seats ( 1a , 1b ) are each displaceable on a guide track which runs obliquely to a longitudinal axis running in the direction of travel (F) of the vehicle. 2. Seat arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide tracks of the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b) converge against the direction of travel (F). 3. Seat arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the guide tracks of the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b) are defined by at least two guide rails running parallel to one another and assigned to each partial seat, preferably by pairs of guide rails ( 3 aa, 3 ab; 3 ba, 3 bb) 4. Seat arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b) are connected to one another via at least one length-variable connecting means. 5. Seat arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that the length-adjustable connecting means is formed by two telescopically interlocking tube pieces, each of which is fastened to a seat part. 6. Seat arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that in at least one basic position of the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b) an additional seat ( 1 c) is formed or arranged on their guide track between the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b). 7. Seat arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b) each consist of an upholstered seat part ( 1 ab, 1 bb) and an upholstered backrest part ( 1 aa, 1 ba). 8. Seat bench arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the cushions ( 5/6 ) of the seat parts ( 1 ab, 1 bb) and the backrest parts ( 1 aa, 1 ba) of the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b) are each covered with a common cover ( 5 ). 9. Seat bench arrangement according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the cushions ( 5/6 ) of the seat parts ( 1 ab, 1 bb) and/or the backrest parts ( 1 aa, 1 ba) of the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b), consisting in particular of foam material ( 6 ), are each formed in one piece, such that the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b) and optionally the additional seat ( 1 c) are each assigned at least one common cushion ( 5/6 ). 10. Seat arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that, in particular for forming the additional seat ( 1 c), plate parts ( 7 a, 7 b) which can be pushed over one another are fastened to sides of the seat parts ( 1 ab, 1 bb) facing one another, preferably in each case to their upper side. 11. Seat arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that, in particular for forming the additional seat ( 1 c), plate parts ( 7 a, 7 b) which can be pushed over one another are fastened to sides of the backrest parts ( 1 aa, 1 ba) facing one another, preferably in each case to their upper side. 12. Seat arrangement according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that recesses ( 11) are arranged in at least one transition region (8 ) from a cushion section which is assigned to a first seat part ( 1 ab, 1 bb) or first backrest part ( 1 aa, 1 ba) to a cushion section which is assigned to a second seat part ( 1 bb, 1 ab) or second backrest part ( 1 ba, 1 aa), and/or on body-side outer flank sections on the underside of the common cushion ( 5/6 ). 13. Seat bench arrangement according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that in at least one transition region ( 8 ) from a cushion section which is assigned to a first seat part ( 1 ab, 1 bb) or first backrest part ( 1 aa, 1 ba), to a cushion section which is assigned to a second seat part ( 1 bb, 1 ab) or second backrest part ( 1 ba, 1 aa), and/or on the body- side outer flank sections, the common cushion ( 5/6 ) consists of a softer foam material ( 6 ) than in the other cushion sections. 14. Seat arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by at least one locking device, preferably a locking device with one-hand operation, for locking the partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b) in at least two positions on their guide track. 15. Seat bench arrangement according to one of claims 7 to 14, characterized in that the backrest part ( 1 aa, 1 ba) of at least one partial seat ( 1 a, 1 b), preferably of all partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b), can be folded onto the seat part (1 ab, 1 bb) of the partial seat ( 1 a, 1 b) about a pivot axis (SS) running transversely to the direction of travel (F). 16. Seat arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that at least one partial seat ( 1 a, 1 b), preferably all partial seats ( 1 a, 1 b), can each be folded about a pivot axis (TT) running transversely to the direction of travel (F).