Vehicle seat arrangement

A vehicle seat arrangement includes a vehicle seat arranged to be adjusted between a forward facing setup and a rearward facing setup and a seat support structure. The vehicle seat has three seat parts, where a second seat part is pivotably connected to both a first seat part and a third seat part. The second seat part is pivotably connected to the seat support structure. In the forward facing setup, the first and second seat parts make up a seat back and the third seat part make up a seat cushion. In the rearward facing setup, the first seat part make up the seat cushion and the second and third seat parts make up the seat back of the vehicle seat.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a vehicle seat arrangement comprising a vehicle seat arranged to be adjusted between a forward facing setup and a rearward facing setup, and a seat support structure configured for being fastened to a vehicle structure. The vehicle seat comprises a first seat part, a second seat part and a third seat part. The second seat part is pivotably connected to both the first seat part and the third seat part and is positioned between the first seat part and the third seat part. The second seat part is further pivotably connected to the seat support structure. In the forward facing setup, the first seat part and the second seat part make up a seat back of the vehicle seat and the third seat part make up a seat cushion of the vehicle seat.

BACKGROUND

Large vehicles such as sport utility vehicles, minivans or multi-purpose vehicles may have a third row of seats as compared to smaller vehicles that normally have two rows of seats. In some instances it is useful to flip the second and/or the third row from a forward facing setup to a backward facing setup (and vice versa).

Many solutions on the market usually requires the user to disassemble the seat from a vehicle structure such as a vehicle floor, bring it out of the vehicle, rotate it manually and then assemble it to the seat structure in the vehicle floor again. This makes changing the seat setup difficult and time consuming and may require the use of tools.

WO 92/12024 A1 discloses a passenger seat for a vehicle comprising a two-part seat back where a lower part of the seat back is deployably supported relative to an upper part. This enables the seat to be used as a child seat when the lower part of the seat back is deployed. When deployed, the child seat may take on a forward facing setup and a rearward facing setup. Even though WO 92/12024 A1 discloses a way to change the seat facing setup inside the vehicle, disadvantages still exist.

SUMMARY

An objective of the disclosure is to provide an improved vehicle seat arrangement. The objective is achieved by a vehicle seat arrangement arranged to be adjusted between a forward facing setup and a rearward facing setup, and a seat support structure configured for being fastened to a vehicle structure. The vehicle seat comprises a first seat part, a second seat part and a third seat part. The second seat part is pivotably connected to both the first seat part and the third seat part and is positioned between the first seat part and the third seat part. The second seat part is further pivotably connected to the seat support structure. In the forward facing setup, the first seat part and the second seat part make up a seat back of the vehicle seat and the third seat part make up a seat cushion of the vehicle seat. The second seat part is arranged to pivot between the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup, wherein in the rearward facing setup, the first seat part make up the seat cushion and the second seat part and third seat part make up the seat back of the vehicle seat.

Existing solutions where a seat back is adjusted from a forward facing setup to a rearward facing setup usually compromises seating comfort. It can also be complicated for a user to change the seat facing setup of a vehicle seat. The complete vehicle seat may have to be disassembled, removed from the vehicle and reassembled to obtain the new facing setup. In WO 92/12024 A1, it is only possible to adjust the facing setup of the seat when it is used as a child seat. The facing setup of the seat of WO 92/12024 A1 cannot be adjusted for an adult user.

In order to experience a comfortable ride in a vehicle, lumbar support is highly prioritized. The vehicle seat according to the disclosure is divided into three parts, a first seat part, a second seat part and a third seat part. The second, or middle, seat part makes up the lumbar support and is arranged to pivot between the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup. The first and second seat parts alternate between functioning as seat back and seat cushion depending on the vehicle seat facing setup. This makes the vehicle seat according to the disclosure easy to adjust between the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup, wherein in the rearward facing setup while providing a comfortable experience for a user.

The seat support structure may be arranged to be displaced horizontally on an adjusting structure in the vehicle structure between a forward seat support structure location and a rearward seat support structure location.

In order to easier adjust the vehicle seat between the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup, wherein in the rearward facing setup, the seat support structure may be arranged to be displaced horizontally on an adjusting structure in the vehicle structure. This makes it possible to have proper leg space in both the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup.

The vehicle seat arrangement may further comprise a load bearing structure configured for being fastened to the vehicle structure and arranged to assist in bearing the load from a seated occupant in both the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup.

By providing the vehicle seat with a load bearing structure fastened to the vehicle structure, at least part of the load from a seated occupant both in the forward facing position and the backward facing can be borne by the load bearing structure. The load bearing structure is arranged in the vehicle such that it is positioned underneath the second seat part and has a height such that the second seat part can rest on the load bearing structure when in the forward facing setup or in the rearward facing setup. By using a load bearing structure, the load on the seat support structure is reduced and any attachment between the second seat part and the seat support structure and/or the seat support structure itself can be made less sturdy. This simplifies the design of the vehicle seat and reduces the material cost for the vehicle seat.

The second seat part may be symmetric.

In order to provide a comfortable experience in both the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup, the second seat part can be made symmetric such that the user experience does not change depending on the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup.

The second seat part may comprise a raised second seat portion arranged to provide lumbar support.

In order to improve the lumbar support of the second seat part, it can be made to better conform to the human body by providing the second seat part with a raised second seat portion.

The first and third seat parts may be identical.

In order to provide a comfortable experience in both the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup, the first and third seat parts can be made identical such that the user experience does not change depending on the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup.

The first and third seat parts may comprise raised first and third seat portions and depressed first and third seat portions arranged to provide cervical and thoracic support.

To further improve the comfort of the vehicle seat, support towards the upper part of the back, close to the neck, can be achieved by designing the first and third seat parts to better conform to the human body. This may include raised first and third seat portions and depressed first and third seat portions.

The vehicle seat may be arranged in the first row of a vehicle. The vehicle seat may be arranged in the second row of a vehicle. The vehicle seat may be arranged in the third row of a vehicle.

The vehicle seat of the vehicle seat arrangement can be arranged at any location in a vehicle. Depending on which row the vehicle seat is installed, constraints on which of the two variations described above that can be used may exist. It is also conceivable that the vehicle seat arrangement can be used in even larger vehicles, such as buses, airplanes, helicopters, trains, ships, boats etc.

The invention further relates to a vehicle comprising a vehicle seat according to any one of the preceding claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG.1Aschematically shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat arrangement1according to a first example embodiment of the disclosure.

The vehicle seat arrangement1comprises a vehicle seat2arranged to be adjusted between a forward facing setup and a rearward facing setup and a seat support structure3configured for being fastened to an vehicle structure4. The vehicle structure4can for instance be a vehicle floor or a raised part of the vehicle interior. The vehicle seat2comprises a first seat part5, a second seat part6and a third seat part7. The second seat part6is pivotably connected to both the first seat part5and the third seat part7and is positioned between the first seat part5and the third seat part7. The second seat part6is further pivotably connected to the seat support structure3. In the forward facing setup, the first seat part5and the second seat part6make up a seat back8of the vehicle seat2and the third seat part7make up a seat cushion9of the vehicle seat2.

The second seat part6is arranged to pivot between the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup, wherein in the rearward facing setup, the first seat part5make up the seat cushion9and the second seat part6and third seat part7make up the seat back8of the vehicle seat2. The vehicle seat2is arranged to be adjusted between a forward facing setup and a rearward facing setup. With forward facing setup is meant that a user sitting in the vehicle seat2faces a forward direction towards the front of the vehicle or the vehicle's direction of travel. With rearward facing setup is meant that a user sitting in the vehicle seat2faces a rearward direction towards the rear of the vehicle or in a direction opposite of the vehicle's direction of travel.

Each of the first seat part5, the second seat part6and the third seat part7comprises a respective first seat part frame structure10, second seat part frame structure11and third seat part frame structure12covered with seat foam13that in turn is clad with a seat cover14. The first seat part frame structure10, second seat part frame structure11and third seat part frame structure12and/or seat foam13are adapted to give each of the first seat part5, the second seat part6and the third seat part7a desired shape. The second seat part frame structure11comprises a pivoting axle15arranged to be pivotably attached to the seat support structure3. Electronic controls and actuators can be installed to assist with the adjustment of the vehicle seat2. The vehicle seat2may also be fitted with seat belts or other safety equipment depending on national or regional regulations. The manufacturing of the various parts of the vehicle seat2is well known in the art.

The seat support structure3is arranged to be movably attached to the vehicle structure4, for instance on an adjusting structure16similar to seat adjusters found in today's vehicles, between a forward seat support structure position and a rearward seat support structure position. The seat support structure3and thereby the vehicle seat2is locked in place in the forward seat support structure position and the rearward seat support structure position. A lock used to lock the seat support structure in place can be any suitable lock known in the art that fulfills safety regulations. The adjusting structure16can be a metal or plastic profile that allows the seat support structure3to be displaced horizontally between a forward seat support structure location and a rearward seat support structure location.

InFIG.1A, the vehicle seat arrangement1further comprises a load bearing structure17that is arranged to assist in bearing the load of a user sitting in the vehicle seat2. The load bearing structure17is arranged to be fixed in place in the vehicle structure4.

FIG.1Bschematically shows a perspective view of a vehicle seat arrangement1according to a second example embodiment of the disclosure. InFIG.1B, no load bearing structure17is used. This means that the seat support structure3will bear the entire load from a user sitting the vehicle seat2.

InFIG.1B, it can more clearly be seen that the first seat part5comprises a raised first seat portion18and a depressed first seat portion19, that the second seat part6comprises a raised second seat portion20and that the third seat part7comprises a raised third seat portion21and a depressed third seat portion22. The raised first seat portion18, depressed first seat portion19, raised third seat portion21and the depressed third seat portion22are arranged to provide cervical and thoracic support to a user of the vehicle seat2when the first and third seat parts are in an upright state. It is possible to design the seat portions18,19,21,22to provide leg and buttocks support when the first and third seat parts5,7are in the seated state. The raised second seat portion20is arranged to provide lumbar support. The design of these portions may vary and are known in the art.

The vehicle seat2may comprise a headrest (not shown) arranged to be removably attached to either the first seat part5or the third seat part7depending on the facing setup of the vehicle seat2.

In the figures, the second seat part6is symmetric in order to provide equal comfort in both the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup. This is not necessary and the second seat part can be arranged to provide more comfort in the facing setup that is most often used. Further, the first and third seat parts5,7are in the figures identical. This is not necessary and the first seat part5or the third seat part7can be arranged to provide more comfort in the facing setup that is most often used.

FIGS.2A-2Fschematically show a vehicle seat arrangement1according to the first example embodiment being adjusted between a forward facing setup and a rearward facing setup.

InFIG.2A, the vehicle seat arrangement1is in the forward facing setup, i.e. the vehicle's direction of travel is to the left inFIG.2A. The seat support structure3is in its forward seat support structure location. The first seat part5and the second seat part6make up the seat back8of the vehicle seat2and the third seat part7make up the seat cushion9of the vehicle seat2. In the forward facing setup, the first seat part5is in the upright state and the third seat part7is in a seating state.

The load bearing structure17is arranged to engage with a cavity23in the third seat part frame structure12wherein the cavity23has a shape that matches an upper part24of the load bearing structure17. A corresponding cavity23can be seen also in the first seat part frame structure10.

As a first step, the first seat part5will pivot forwardly relative the second seat part6as indicated by the arrow.

InFIG.2B, the first seat part5has pivoted forwardly relative the second seat part6in order to prepare for the transition between the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup. The first seat part5is now in a transition state.

As a second step, the second seat part6will pivot relative the seat support structure3as indicated by the arrow.

InFIG.2C, the second seat part6has pivoted relative the seat support structure3so that the load bearing structure17no longer engages with the cavity of the third seat part frame structure12. The seat support structure3, and thereby the vehicle seat2, is prepared to be displaced horizontally along the adjusting structure16from the first seat support structure location.

As a third step, the seat support structure3will be displaced horizontally along the adjusting structure16to the rearward seat support structure location as indicated by the arrow.

InFIG.2D, the seat support structure3has been displaced horizontally along the adjusting structure16to the rearward seat support structure location.

As a fourth step, the second seat part6will pivot relative the seat support structure3as indicated by the arrow.

InFIG.2E, the second seat part6has pivoted relative the seat support structure3and the first seat part5now rests on the load bearing structure17where the upper part24of the load bearing structure17has engaged with the cavity23of the first seat part frame structure10.

Both in the forward seat support structure location and in the rearward seat support structure location, the third seat part7and the first seat part5respectively, is in a position such that the upper part24of the load bearing structure17engages with the cavity17when the second seat part6pivots in place without essentially any adjustments being required in the horizontal position of the seat support structure3. This leads to that it is easy to adjust the vehicle seat between the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup.

As a fifth step, the third seat part7has pivoted relative the second seat part6.

InFIG.2F, the third seat part7has pivoted relative the second seat part6and the vehicle seat2has been adjusted to the rearward facing setup. In the rearward facing setup, the first seat part5is in a seating state and the third seat part7is in an upright state. This completes the transition of the vehicle seat2from the forward facing setup and a rearward facing setup.

As mentioned above, a headrest can be removably attached to the first seat part5and the third seat part7such that it can be moved between them depending on if the vehicle seat2is in the forward facing setup or the rearward facing setup.

Adjusting the vehicle seat2to the forward facing setup can be done by performing the above-described sequence of steps in reverse. It is also possible to pivot the second seat part6relative the seat support structure3and displacing the seat support structure3before pivoting the first and third seat parts5,7if there is enough room inside the vehicle.

As mentioned above, as an alternative no load bearing structure17can be used. The adjustment between the forward facing setup and the rearward facing setup is done in the same way asFIGS.2A-2F.

Although the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The vehicle seat arrangement1of the disclosure can also be used in a vehicle where the vehicle seat2faces a direction other than the vehicle's direction of travel and a direction opposite the vehicle's direction of travel. For instance, the vehicle seat2can face a direction that is at an angle relative the vehicle's direction of travel. In these cases, forward facing setup and rearward facing setup are to be understood as a first and second facing setup that are arranged essentially 180° relative each other.