Removable vehicle seating

Vehicle seats are described herein that include removable portions and fixed portions. The removable portions can be configured to be selectively removable from a vehicle, while the fixed portions can be configured to remain in the vehicle. The removable portions can include a seat base and portions of a seat back. The fixed portion can include an exterior side bolster of the seat. Further, the fixed portion can include one or more inflatable restraints. For example, the fixed portion can include a seat side airbag located within the exterior side bolster. Arrangements described herein can allow portions of the seat to be removed from the vehicle, while the inflatable restraints, such as airbags, remain in the fixed portion of the seat.

FIELD

The subject matter described herein relates in general to vehicle seating and, more particularly, to removable vehicle seating.

BACKGROUND

Modern vehicles commonly have a variety of safety equipment to protect occupants. For example, inflatable restraints can be integrated with vehicle components located in the interior of the vehicle. The inflatable restraint can include an airbag integrated into vehicle seating. For instance, the airbag can be a side seat airbag located within a side bolster of a vehicle seat. In response to an activation event, a sensor can activate an inflator to generate an inflation gas that rapidly inflates an inflatable portion to facilitate protection of an occupant.

Vehicles may be equipped with adjustable or removable seating to increase the adaptability of the vehicle for different cargo and occupant loading. Inflatable restraints incorporated into adjustable or removable seats may require a user to make one or more electrical connections when the seats are added and/or removed from the vehicle. Further, the seat can include live inflator assemblies when removed from the vehicle.

SUMMARY

A vehicle seat having a removable portion, a fixed portion, and an inflatable restraint is disclosed. The inflatable restraint is associated with the fixed portion such that both the fixed portion and the inflatable restraint can stay in and remain connected to the vehicle when the removable potion is removed from the vehicle.

In one respect, the present disclosure is directed to a vehicle seat. The seat can include a removable seat portion configured for selective removal from and installation in a vehicle. The removable seat portion can include a seat base and a seat back. The seat can further include a fixed seat portion configured to remain in the vehicle when the removable seat portion is removed from the vehicle. The fixed seat portion can be on an exterior side of the removable seat portion when the removable seat portion is installed in the vehicle. The seat can also include an inflatable restraint located within the fixed seat portion. The removable seat portion can be configured for operative connection to the fixed seat portion when installed in the vehicle and operative disconnection from the fixed seat portion when removed from the vehicle.

In another respect, the present disclosure is directed to a vehicle. The vehicle can include an interior defined by a vehicle floor and one or more sides. The vehicle can further include a vehicle seat. The seat can include a removable seat portion configured for selective removal from and installation in the interior. The removable seat portion can include a seat base and a portion of a seat back including an interior side bolster. The seat can further include a fixed seat portion operatively connected to the vehicle floor and configured to remain in the vehicle when the removable seat portion is removed from the vehicle. The fixed seat portion can be on an exterior side of the removable seat portion when the removable seat portion is installed in the vehicle. The seat can also include an inflatable restraint located within the fixed seat portion. The removable seat portion can be configured for operative connection to the fixed seat portion when installed in the vehicle and disconnection from the fixed seat portion when removed from the vehicle.

In yet another respect, the present disclosure is directed to a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat can include a removable seat portion configured for selective removal from and installation in a vehicle. The removable seat portion can include a base frame and a back frame. The back frame can be configured for rotational movement relative to the base frame. The seat can further include a fixed seat portion configured to remain in the vehicle when the removable seat portion is removed from the vehicle. The fixed seat portion can include a base frame and a bolster frame. The bolster frame can be configured for rotational movement relative to the fixed base frame. The seat can also include a side seat airbag operatively connected to the bolster frame of the fixed seat portion. The removable seat portion can be configured for operative connection to the fixed seat portion via latches located on the base frame and the back frame of the removable seat portion and strikers located on the fixed base frame and the bolster frame of the fixed seat portion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This detailed description relates to vehicle seating having removable portions that increase the cargo flexibility of a vehicle. The seats can include a removable portion and a fixed portion. The removable portion can be selectively removed from and installed in the interior of the vehicle. The fixed portion of the seat can be configured to remain in the vehicle when the removable portion is removed. The fixed portion can include a side bolster of the seat. One or more inflatable restraints, such as a seat side airbag, can be included with the fixed portion of the seat. Arrangements described herein can allow the inflatable restraint to remain in the vehicle when the removable portion of the seat is removed from the vehicle. This can eliminate the need for a user to connect and/or disconnect the inflatable restraint each time the seat is removed and/or installed. Further, the fixed portion of the seat having the inflatable restraint eliminates conditions in which an inflatable restraint is located within a seat removed from the vehicle.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 5 and 6, an example of a vehicle10is shown. As used herein, “vehicle” means any form of motorized transport. In one or more implementations, the vehicle10can be an automobile. While arrangements will be described herein with respect to automobiles, it will be understood that embodiments are not limited to automobiles. In some implementations, the vehicle10may be a watercraft, an aircraft, a train, a space craft or any other form of powered transport.

The vehicle10can define an interior12that can be configured to transport one or more vehicle occupants. For example, the vehicle10can generally include a floor14, sides15, and a roof (not shown) that together can partially define the interior12. In one or more arrangements, the vehicle10can include one or more seats100operatively connected to the floor14. The term “operatively connected” as used throughout this description, can include direct or indirect connections, including connections without direct physical contact. For example, the seats100can be operatively connected to one or more rails16of the floor14. The seats100can be configured for movement within the interior12. For example, the seats100can be configured for longitudinal, or fore-and-aft, movement along the rails16. In one or more arrangements described herein, portions of the seats100can be selectively removed from and installed in the vehicle10. As used herein, “selectively removable” can describe any configuration in which a portion of the seat100can be removed from and installed in the interior12of the vehicle10.

The seat100can include any combination of features to provide comfort, support, and/or safety to an occupant. In one or more arrangements, the seat100can include a back110and a bottom120to support an occupant. For instance, the back110can be configured for selected positioning in multiple orientations with respect to the bottom120.

The bottom120can include a base122to provide support to the bottom120and aid in the operative connection of the seat100to the vehicle10. The bottom120can include a bottom cushion124to provide comfort and support to an occupant. In one or more arrangements, the base122can include, or be operatively connected to, structure that allows the selective removal of a portion of the seat100. For example, the base122can include a release lever126. The release lever126can be configured to receive an input from a user to cause at least a portion of the seat100to be removable from the vehicle10.

In one or more arrangements, the back110can include one or more cushions112and/or a headrest114to provide support for an occupant's back, head, and/or neck. In one or more arrangements, the back110can include side bolsters. As used herein, “bolster” can include any side portion of the back110. The side bolsters can provide lateral support within the seat100. For example, the back110can include an exterior side bolster116and an interior side bolster118. The terms “interior” and “exterior” are used herein for convenience only, and are not intended to be limiting. As used in reference to the seat100, exterior can describe portions closest to an exterior side of the vehicle10, while interior can describe portions closest to a center of the interior12of the vehicle10. The side bolsters116and118can include other features, such as armrests140, seat controls, and/or seat belt guides, just to name a few possibilities.

In one or more arrangements, the seat100can include one or more safety devices for an occupant of the vehicle10. For example, the seat100can include an inflatable restraint, such as an airbag170. In one or more arrangements, the airbag170can be a seat mounted side airbag. As used herein, “inflatable restraint” and “airbag” can include any safety device configured to provide restraint or cushioning to an occupant within the vehicle10upon activation. The airbag170can be a seat side airbag, but other inflatable restraints can include other types of airbags, active head rests, and/or inflatable seat belts. The inflatable restraints can be configured to be activated or deployed based on a signal received from another vehicle component. For example, a vehicle electronic control unit (ECU) can send a signal to the inflatable restraint to activate or deploy based on an activation event. As used herein, the term “activation event” can be any event in which it is desired for an inflatable restraint to activate or deploy. Some examples of activation events can include a collision involving the vehicle10, sudden changes in measured acceleration or deceleration of the vehicle10or occupants, rollover of vehicle10, and/or vehicle component failure. In one or more arrangements, a vehicle ECU can determine if an activation event occurs and can send an activation signal to one or more inflatable restraints in response to the activation event.

In one or more arrangements, the airbag170can be a seat side airbag configured to deploy from a portion of the seat100. The airbag170can include an inflatable portion configured to deploy between an occupant of the seat100and a side of the vehicle10. In one or more arrangements, the airbag170can include an inflator configured to introduce gas to the inflatable portion. For example, the airbag170can include a pyrotechnic and/or compressed gas type inflator. In one or more arrangements, the airbag170can be positioned within a side bolster, such as the exterior side bolster116. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the airbag170can be operatively connected to a frame portion of the exterior side bolster116. In one or more arrangements, the airbag170can be in electric communication to one or more vehicle components via wiring172. For example, the airbag170can be connected to the wiring172that extends downward and into the floor14of the vehicle10to connect to other vehicle systems, such as an airbag ECU.

In one or more arrangements, the seat100can include a removable portion150and a fixed portion160. As used herein, “removable portion” can include any section of the seat100configured for selective attachment and removal from other sections of the seat100and/or other vehicle components. The term “fixed portion” used in relation to the seat100can include any section of the seat100configured to remain connected to one or more vehicle components during the removal of the removable portion150. With reference toFIG. 2, the removable portion150can include the seat base122, the bottom cushion124, and a portion of the seat back110including the headrest114and the interior side bolster118.

In one or more arrangements, the fixed portion160can be configured to remain in the vehicle10when the removable portion150is removed. For instance, the fixed portion160can either be irremovable from the vehicle, or selectively removable from the vehicle separate from the removal of removable portion150. In one or more arrangements, the fixed portion160can include a side base130and the exterior side bolster116. The airbag170can be included in the exterior side bolster116of the fixed portion160of the seat100. Thus, the airbag170can be configured to remain in the vehicle10when the removable portion150is removed.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, the seat100can include a plurality of frame members that can at least partially provide structural support for the seat100. For example, the seat100can include a fixed frame200to support the fixed portion160and a removable frame300to support the removable portion150. In one or more arrangements, cushions can be operatively connected to one or more of the frame members.

The removable frame300can have any suitable size, shape, and/or configuration. The removable frame300can include any number of individual frame members operatively connected to one another. For example, the removable frame300can include a base frame310and a back frame320. In one or more arrangements, the back frame320can be configured for movement relative to the base frame310. For instance, as shown inFIG. 3, the back frame320can rotate about pivots322. The base frame310can have any suitable configuration to support the seat base122. For instance, the base frame310can include a pair of side members312, a front member314, and a rear member316as shown inFIG. 3. The back frame320can have any suitable configuration to support a seat back portion of the removable portion150. For example, the back frame320can include two side frame members connected by cross members near a top and a bottom portion of the back frame320.

The fixed frame200can have any suitable configuration to support the fixed portion160. In one or more arrangements, the fixed frame can include a base frame210and a bolster frame220.

The base frame210can be configured for operative connection to the vehicle10. In one or more arrangements, the base frame210can include one or more slide members212configured to engage the rails16located within the floor14of the vehicle10. For example, the base frame210can include two slide members212. One or more cross members214can extend between each of the slide members212. In one or more arrangements, the base frame can include a side frame216operatively connecting the base frame210and the bolster frame220. For example, the side frame216can provide support and structure for the side base130.

In one or more arrangements, the bolster frame220can be operatively connected to, and extend from, the side frame216. In one or more arrangements, the airbag170can be operatively connected to the bolster frame220. For instance, the airbag170can be positioned on an exterior side of the bolster frame220and be operatively connected by one or more fasteners, one or more forms of mechanical engagement, one or more adhesives, one or more forms of welding, and/or one or more forms of brazing, just to name a few possibilities. The airbag wiring172can extend along one or more portions of the fixed frame200. For example, the wiring172can extend down the bolster frame220towards the floor14of the vehicle. In one or more arrangements, the bolster frame220can include cushion supports224. The cushion supports224can be configured to provide support, shape, and/or attachment locations for cushions of the seat100. For example, cushions can be positioned over the cushion supports224within the exterior bolster116.

In one or more arrangements, the removable frame300and/or the fixed frame200can include attachment mechanisms to allow the removable portion150to be operatively connected to the fixed portion160within the vehicle10. For example, the removable frame300can include one or more latches330. For example, the base frame310of the removable frame300can include four latches330as shown inFIGS. 3 and 4. Further, the back frame320of the removable frame300can include a latch330. In one or more arrangements, the fixed frame200can include one or more strikers230. For example, the base frame210can include four strikers230and the bolster frame220can include one striker230. Each latch330of the removable frame300can be configured to engage a striker230of the fixed frame200. Thus, in the non-limiting example shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, the removable frame300can be operatively connected to the fixed frame200at both the seat bottom120and the seat back110. The attachment mechanisms, such as the latches330, can be in electrical or mechanical communication with release inputs. For instance, a user can provide an input to cause the latches330to disengage with the strikers230. In one non-limiting example, the release lever126can be in mechanical communication with one or more of the latches330.

In one or more arrangements, the seat100can include one or more recliners. The recliner can be configured to allow selective movement of the seat back110relative to the seat bottom120. As used herein, “recliner” can include any physical structure that allows for selective movement of the seat back110relative to the seat bottom120. For instance, the recliner can be any mechanical or electro-mechanical device that allows for the seat back110to be positioned in multiple positions relative to the seat bottom120. The recliner can be linked to one or more input sources to allow a user to change the configuration of the seat100. For example, the recliner can be in physical communication with the recliner lever132(shown inFIGS. 1 and 2). Alternatively or in addition, the recliner can be in electrical communication with an electronic input. For example, the recliner can be in electrical communication with one or more power sources, one or more motors, and/or one or more inputs.

In one or more arrangements, the seat100can include one recliner240, as shown in the example ofFIG. 3. For instance, the recliner240can be operatively connected to the side base216and the bolster frame220. Thus, the recliner240can allow rotational movement of the bolster frame220relative to the side base210. The recliner240can be mechanically linked to the recliner lever132. In some arrangements, the removable frame300can operatively connect to the bolster frame220to allow rotational movement of the back frame320relative to the base frame310through pivots322as the bolster frame220is allowed to rotate via the recliner240.

In one or more arrangements, the seat100can include two recliners to allow the back110to be positioned in different angular positions relative to the seat bottom120. For instance, the fixed frame200include the recliner240positioned between the side base210and the bolster frame220. In one or more arrangements, the removable frame300can also include a recliner340operatively connected to the base frame310and the back frame320, as shown inFIG. 4. In one or more arrangements, the recliner340can be positioned on an interior portion of the removable frame300to allow recliner devices to be at both the interior and exterior sides of the seat100.

In one or more arrangements, the recliners240and340can be mechanically or electrically linked to transfer an input from one source to both recliners. For instance, an input received at the recliner lever132can be transferred to both recliners240and340. In one or more arrangements, recliners240and340can be mechanically linked via a cross talk tube350. For instance, the cross talk tube350can transfer rotational movement and forces from one recliner to the other. In one non-limiting example, a user can rotate the recliner lever132which can provide a rotational input that is applied to the recliner240located at the fixed frame200and to the recliner340located at the removable frame300via the cross talk tube350.

The cross talk tube350can have any suitable size, shape, and/or configuration within the removable portion150of the seat100. For instance, the cross talk tube350can have portions having substantially cylindrical shapes, with substantially circular cross-sectional shapes. In one or more arrangements, the cross talk tube350can extend between the pivots322of the removable frame300. The cross talk tube350can be operatively connected to the recliner340at one end. The cross talk tube can further include a connection end354that is configured to engage and operatively connect to the recliner240and/or recliner lever132located at the fixed portion160of the seat100. In one or more arrangements, the connection end354of the cross talk tube can be “keyed” or otherwise configured to engage a similarly shaped receiving structure allow rotational inputs to be transferred between recliners. For instance, the keyed connection end354can include one or more substantially flat surfaces. In one example, the connection end354can taper to have a cross-sectional shape of substantially a semi-circle. The keyed connection end354can be configured to engage an aperture in the recliner240and/or recliner lever132.

The cross talk tube350can be configured to extend and/or contract to facilitate operative connection with the recliner240when the removable portion150of the seat100is installed in the vehicle. For instance, the cross talk tube350can include compression joint352to allow portions of the cross talk tube350to move relative to one another along a length direction of the cross talk tube350. In one or more arrangements, the compression joint352can include a spring configured to bias the cross talk tube350towards an expanded configuration. The spring can be configured to compress when the connection end354engages the recliner240and/or recliner lever132.

Referring now toFIG. 5, the vehicle10can be configured to support two seats in a rear portion of the vehicle10. Each of the two removable portions150are shown removed from the vehicle10, and the two fixed portions160are shown remaining within the vehicle10. The interior12of the vehicle10can have additional features based on the structure of the vehicle10. For example, trim20can be included with one or more sides of the interior12to cover vehicle components such as wheel wells. The trim20can extend in a lateral direction17into the interior12of the vehicle10. As used herein, “lateral direction” can include any direction having a transverse component extending from an exterior left or right side of the vehicle10towards a center portion of the interior12. For instance, the trim20can extend from a left side and/or a right side of the vehicle10.

In one or more arrangements, the fixed portions160can be located within the vehicle10to provide increased cargo flexibility of the vehicle10when the removable portions150are removed. As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the fixed portion160of the seat100can be positioned within the vehicle10such that the fixed portion160does not extend farther to the center in a lateral direction17than other interior structures. For example, the fixed portion160can be positioned such that it does not extend farther toward a center of vehicle10in the lateral direction17than trim20. In the example shown inFIG. 6, the trim20can be configured to extend in a lateral direction a maximum distance22from an exterior21of the vehicle10. The fixed portion160of the seat100can be positioned such that a maximum distance24in a lateral direction is less than, or substantially equal to, the distance22of the trim20.

In one or more arrangements, the position of the fixed portion160can impact cargo loading conditions of the vehicle10. For example, as shown inFIG. 6, the location of the fixed portion160can allow a maximum width limitation of the cargo area of the vehicle to remain unchanged. In one or more arrangements, cargo items fitting between trim20can fit between the fixed portions160. For example, a standard sheet of plywood30measuring four feet in width that fits between the trim20will fit with fixed portions160located inside the vehicle10.

It will be appreciated that arrangements described herein can provide numerous benefits, including one or more of the benefits mentioned herein. For example, arrangements described herein can provide occupant and cargo flexibility by providing removable portions of vehicle seating. Such arrangements can include a fixed portion of a seat and a removable portion of the seat. The fixed portion of the seat can include an exterior side bolster that remains in the vehicle when a removable seat portion is removed from the vehicle. Inflatable restraints, such as a seat side airbag, can be incorporated within the side bolster of the fixed portion of the seat. Thus, arrangements described herein can allow the removable seat portions to be removed from the vehicle, while allowing the inflatable restraints to remain connected to the vehicle. Such arrangements can allow cargo area within a vehicle to be maximized with the removal of the removable portion of the seat. The fixed portion of the seat can allow electrical and pyrotechnical features of an inflatable restraint to remain in the vehicle, avoiding customer abuse outside the vehicle.