Apparatus for reclining rear seat for vehicle

An apparatus for reclining a rear seat for a vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a seat cushion frame that is connected to a floor via an operation part and is configured to move forward while rotating when the operation part is operated. Additionally, front and rear ends of the seat cushion frame are configured to rotate relative to the floor, respectively, by a link. A seat back frame includes a guide pin and a lower end of the seat back frame is mounted to the rear end of the seat cushion frame to slide while rotating, and an upper end of the seat back frame is rotatably connected to a vehicle body. A guide bracket is fixedly mounted to the vehicle body, with the guide pin of the seat back frame being connected to the guide bracket to allow the guide pin to slide.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority of Korean Patent Application Number 10-2015-0139023 filed on Oct. 2, 2015, the entire contents of which application are incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for reclining a rear seat for a vehicle, the apparatus being capable of reclining a seat back while a seat cushion moves.

Description of the Related Art

Generally, a passenger vehicle includes front seats on which a driver and a passenger sit and rear seats for additional passengers. A conventional rear seat does not have any apparatus for reclining the seat due to spatial constraints of a passenger vehicle. Thus, a passenger in the rear seat sits in a same position for a longer period of time than a passenger of the front seat and user convenience is also decreased.

Traditionally, a reclining device is installed in both sides of a rear seat to rotate a seat back of the rear seat relative to a seat cushion. However, it is possible to recline only the seat back, but not the seat cushion interlocked with the seat back. Thus, it may be difficult to offer riding comfort to a passenger of the rear seat by adjusting only the angle of the seat back.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, the present invention provides an apparatus for reclining a rear seat for a vehicle, in which the angle of a seat back of the rear seat may be changed interlocked with a movement of a seat cushion, and thus the seat cushion and the seat back may be reclined simultaneously, to improve riding comfort to a passenger of the rear seat.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for reclining a rear seat for a vehicle may include: a seat cushion frame connected to a floor via an operation part and configured to move forward while rotating when the operation part is operated, wherein a front end and a rear end of the seat cushion frame are configured to move while rotating relative to the floor, respectively, by a link; a seat back frame provided with a guide pin, wherein a lower end of the seat back frame may be mounted to the rear end of the seat cushion frame to be capable of sliding while rotating, and an upper end of the seat back frame may be connected to a vehicle body to be capable of rotating; and a guide bracket fixedly mounted to the vehicle body, with the guide pin of the seat back frame being connected to the guide bracket to allow the guide pin to slide.

The front end of the seat cushion frame may be rotatably mounted to the floor via a first link, and the rear end of the seat cushion frame may be rotatably mounted to the floor via a second link, wherein the seat cushion frame may be configured to move forward while rotating by rotations of the first and the second links when the operation part is operated. The operation part may include: a drive motor disposed on the front end of the seat cushion frame; and a lead screw that extends rearward from the drive motor and connected to the floor, wherein when the drive motor is operated, the drive motor may be configured to move along the lead screw, and thereby the seat cushion frame moves while rotating.

The rear end of the seat cushion frame may include a locking bracket having a slide groove, and the lower end of the seat back frame may include a movable pin, the movable pin may be engaged with the slide groove and moving along the slide groove. The slide groove of the locking bracket may extend curvedly in a direction in which the seat cushion frame moves forward while rotating when the operation part is operated. The apparatus may further include: a coupling element disposed in an upper end of the seat back frame, the coupling element extending downward; and a support element disposed on the vehicle body, wherein the coupling element of the seat back frame may be rotatably coupled to the support element and thus, the support element may support a rotation of the seat back frame.

The support element may be open in an upper end thereof to allow the coupling element to be inserted into the support element from an upside to a downside, the support element being configured to surround the coupling element when the coupling element is inserted into the support element. The guide bracket may be fixedly mounted to the vehicle body at a location adjacent to the guide pin, with a guide slot disposed in the guide bracket by extending in a forward or a backward direction, wherein the guide pin may be inserted into the guide slot. The guide slot of the guide bracket may extend upward and forward and the guide slot of the guide bracket may extend upward and downward.

According to the apparatus for reclining a rear seat for a vehicle configured by a description above, the angle of a seat back of the rear seat may be changed interlocked with a movement of a seat cushion, and thus the seat cushion and the seat back may be reclined simultaneously, to thus improve riding comfort to a passenger of the rear seat. In particular, in the apparatus of the present invention when the seat cushion moves and the angle of the seat back changes, the variation in height may be absorbed. Therefore, even when the seat cushion and the seat back move, a comfortable posture of a passenger may be maintained.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinbelow, an apparatus for reclining a rear seat for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.FIG. 1is a view showing an apparatus for reclining a rear seat for a vehicle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 2 to 3are side views illustrating the apparatus ofFIG. 1.FIGS. 4 to 8are views illustrating the apparatus ofFIG. 1.

As shown inFIG. 1, the apparatus for reclining a rear seat for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may include: a seat cushion frame100connected to a floor F via an operation part140and configured to move forward while rotating when the operation part140is operated, wherein a front end102and a rear end104of the seat cushion frame100are configured to move relative to the floor F by a link120; a seat back frame200having a guide pin220, wherein a lower end204of the seat back frame200may be mounted to the rear end104of the seat cushion frame100to be capable of sliding while rotating, and an upper end202of the seat back frame200may be rotatably connected to a vehicle body A; and a guide bracket300fixedly mounted to the vehicle body A, with the guide pin220of the seat back frame200being connected to the guide bracket300to allow the guide pin220to slide along the guide bracket300.

As described above, the seat cushion frame100and the seat back frame200may be rotatably connected to each other. In particular, the seat back frame200may be rotatably connected to the vehicle body A. The seat cushion frame100may be configured to move forward while rotating when the operation part140is operated on the floor F. Therefore, the seat cushion frame100and the seat back frame200may be configured to move simultaneously.

In particular, the seat cushion frame100and the seat back frame200may be connected to each other to be capable of sliding while rotating. The seat back frame200may be connected to the vehicle body A via the guide bracket300to be capable of sliding while rotating. Thus, when the operation part140is operated the seat cushion frame100may be configured to move while rotating. Hereunder, when the seat back frame200rotates, a variation in height may be absorbed by the seat back frame200that slides while rotating. Thereby, when the seat cushion moves and the angle of the seat back changes, the variation in height may be absorbed. Therefore, even when the seat cushion and the seat back move, a comfortable posture of a passenger may be maintained.

As shown inFIGS. 1 to 2, the front end102of the seat cushion frame100may be rotatably mounted to the floor F via a first link122, and the rear end104of the seat cushion frame100may be rotatably mounted to the floor F via a second link124, wherein the seat cushion frame100may be configured to move forward while rotating by rotations of the first and the second links122and124when the operation part140is operated.

In other words, first ends of the first link122and the second link124may be rotatably connected to the front end102and the rear end104of the seat cushion frame100respectively; second ends of the first link122and the second link124may be rotatably connected to the floor F; thereby, the seat cushion frame100may be configured to move forward or backward while rotating. That is, the first link122and the second link124bear a weight of the seat cushion frame100, allowing the seat cushion frame100to rotate based on the rotations of the first and the second links122and124. The link120may be a plurality of links to improve weight-bearing capacity. In addition, the link120may be mounted to the floor F directly, and may be mounted to the floor F via an additional bracket, wherein the additional bracket may be mounted to the floor F or to a rail disposed on the floor F to allow the seat cushion frame100to slide forward or backward.

Meanwhile, the operation part140may include: a drive motor142disposed on the front end102of the seat cushion frame100; and a lead screw144that extends rearward from the drive motor142and connected to the floor F. When the drive motor142is operated, the drive motor142may be configured to move along the lead screw144, and thereby the seat cushion frame100may move while rotating.

As shown inFIGS. 2 to 3, the drive motor142may be fixedly mounted to the front end102of the seat cushion frame100, and the lead screw144that extends rearward from the drive motor142may be fixedly mounted to the floor F. In other words, when the drive motor142of the operation part140is operated and rotates, the drive motor142may be configured to move along the thread of the lead screw144. Thus, the seat cushion frame100may be configured to move forward along with the drive motor142, and at the same time the seat cushion frame100may be configured to move forward while rotating by the link120connected to the seat cushion frame100. The drive motor142may be operated by an additional controller in response to user manipulation. Further, the drive motor142may be configured to move the seat cushion frame100forward or backward while rotating using a reversible motor that is capable of rotating in opposite directions.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIGS. 4 to 5, the rear end104of the seat cushion frame100may include a locking bracket160having a slide groove162, and the lower end204of the seat back frame200may include a movable pin240, the movable pin240being engaged with the slide groove162and moving along the slide groove162. In other words, the seat cushion frame100may include the locking bracket160having the slide groove162. The seat back frame200may include the movable pin240engaged with the slide groove162of the locking bracket160. Therefore, when the operation part140is operated and the seat cushion frame100moves while rotating, the movable pin240of the seat back frame200may be configured to move along the slide groove162of the seat cushion frame100.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the seat cushion frame100may be configured to move forward while rotating by the link120. In particular, the seat cushion frame100may be configured to rotate upward. The slide groove162of the locking bracket160may be configured to absorb an upward movement of the seat cushion frame100, and thereby the seat cushion frame100may be configured to move forward without an upward movement thereof. The slide groove162of the locking bracket160may extend curvedly (e.g., extend in a curve shape) in a direction in which the seat cushion frame100moves forward while rotating when the operation part140is operated. Similarly, the slide groove162may extend curvedly in a same direction as that of the seat cushion frame100moves while rotating by the link120. Therefore, when the operation part140is operated and the seat cushion frame100moves while rotating, the movable pin240of the seat back frame200may be configured to move more smoothly along the slide groove162, and therefore the rotation of the seat cushion frame100may be performed more smoothly.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 6, the apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may further include: a coupling element260disposed in the upper end202of the seat back frame200, the coupling element260that extends downward; and a support element400disposed on the vehicle body A. The coupling element260of the seat back frame200may be rotatably coupled to the support element400and thus, the support element400may support the rotation of the seat back frame200. In other words, the coupling element260disposed in the upper end202of the seat back frame200may be coupled to the support element400fixedly coupled to the vehicle body A. When the seat back frame200rotates in response to a rotation of the seat cushion frame100, the angle of the seat back frame200may be changed at a location where the coupling element260is connected to the support element400, and thus becomes the center of rotation.

The support element400may be open in an upper end thereof to allow the coupling element260to be inserted into the support element400from an upside to a downside (e.g., from a top to a bottom), the support element400being configured to surround the coupling element260when the coupling element260is inserted into the support element400. Similarly, the support element400may be formed in a substantial U-shape open in an upper end thereof, and thus the coupling element260of the seat back frame200may be inserted into the open end of the support element400and may be engaged with the support element400. In addition, the support element400may surround the coupling element260inserted into the support element400. Thus, the support element400may operate as the center of the rotation of the seat back frame200, and may be configured to prevent the coupling element260from deviating out of the support element400.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIGS. 6 to 8, the guide bracket300may be fixedly mounted to the vehicle body A at a location adjacent to the guide pin220, with a guide slot320disposed in the guide bracket300by extending in a forward or a backward direction, wherein the guide pin220may be inserted into the guide slot320. As shown inFIG. 1, the guide bracket300may be mounted to a side of the seat back frame200, or as shown inFIG. 6, the guide bracket300may be mounted to an upper side of the seat back frame200.

In particular, the guide slot320of the guide bracket300may extend upward and forward or may extend upward and downward. Similarly, the guide bracket300may be fixedly mounted to the vehicle body A and may be disposed adjacent to the guide pin220; and the guide slot320may extend upward and forward or extend upward and downward, to allow the guide pin220inserted into and coupled to the guide slot320to move along the guide slot320. In other words, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as the seat cushion frame100moves forward while rotating by the link120, the seat back frame200may be configured to move upward. Thus, a variation in height of the seat back frame200may be reduced since the guide slot320disposed in the guide bracket300may be configured to absorb the upward movement of the seat back frame200.

Further, the guide slot320may extend upward and forward or extend upward and downward. Initially, the guide pin220of the seat back frame200may be disposed on an upper side of the guide slot320. When the seat cushion frame100moves while rotating, the guide pin220may be configured to move to a downward side of the guide slot320, absorbing the variation in the height of the seat back frame200.

The following is an operation of the apparatus for reclining a rear seat for a vehicle according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. When the seat cushion and the seat back are in initial positions, the link120may be folded on the floor F as shown inFIG. 2; the movable pin240disposed on the lower side of the seat back frame200may be mounted on the lower side of the slide groove162of the locking bracket160of the seat back frame200as shown inFIG. 4; and as shown inFIG. 7, the guide pin220of the seat back frame200may be mounted on an upper side of the guide slot320of the guide bracket300fixedly mounted to the vehicle body A.

Particularly, when the seat cushion and the seat back are reclined by an operation of the operation part140, the seat cushion frame100may be configured to move forward while rotating by the rotation of the link120, as shown inFIG. 3. Simultaneously, as shown inFIG. 5, the movable pin240may be configured to move from the lower side to the upper side of the slide groove162, and as shown inFIG. 8, the guide pin220may be configured to move from the upper side to the lower side of the guide slot320.

Accordingly, even though the seat cushion frame100moves forward while rotating, a variation in height of the seat back frame200may be absorbed by both the slide groove160of the locking bracket160and the guide slot320of the guide bracket300. Therefore, even when the seat cushion moves and the angle of the seat back changes, the variation in height may be reduced. Thus, when the seat cushion and the seat back move, a comfortable posture of a passenger may be maintained.