CN-121989777-A - System for vehicle and method thereof

CN121989777ACN 121989777 ACN121989777 ACN 121989777ACN-121989777-A

Abstract

A system for a vehicle and a method of operating the same are provided. The system includes a first portion configured to be fixed in a fixed position relative to a body of the vehicle, wherein the first portion includes a first seat cushion configured to support an occupant seated thereon, and a second portion pivotably coupled relative to the first portion. The system is configured to switch between a primary configuration and a secondary configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion. The second portion includes a second seat cushion configured to support an occupant thereon when the system is arranged in the primary configuration. The second portion includes a footrest configured to support feet of an occupant when the system is arranged in the secondary configuration and when the occupant is seated on the first seat cushion.

Inventors

Quan Minshi
A. Barrera
JIN ZHENTAI

Assignees

通用汽车环球科技运作有限责任公司

Dates

Publication Date: 20260508
Application Date: 20241217
Priority Date: 20241101

Claims (10)

1. A system, comprising: A first portion configured to be fixed in a fixed position relative to a body of a vehicle, the first portion including a first seat cushion configured to support an occupant seated thereon, and A second portion pivotally coupled with respect to the first portion, Wherein the system is configured to switch between a primary configuration and a secondary configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion, the second portion comprising a second seat cushion configured to support the occupant thereon when the system is arranged in the primary configuration, the second portion comprising a footrest configured to support the occupant's feet when the system is arranged in the secondary configuration and when the occupant sits on the first seat cushion.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first seat cushion comprises a central region and side regions on opposite sides of the central region, wherein the central region extends farther toward a front of the vehicle than the side regions, wherein the second seat cushion comprises a recess configured to receive the central region when the system is arranged in the primary configuration.
3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second footrest configured to be exposed when the system is arranged in the secondary configuration, wherein the second footrest is disposed in a position above the footrest when the system is arranged in the secondary configuration.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to switch to an intermediate configuration between the primary configuration and the secondary configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion, wherein the second portion is in a first position in the primary configuration, a second position in the secondary configuration, and a third position in the intermediate configuration, wherein the third position is pivotally located about an axis of rotation between the first position and the second position, wherein the system comprises an adjustment device configured to switch the system between the primary configuration, the intermediate configuration, and the secondary configuration, wherein the adjustment device is configured to releasably lock the second portion relative to the first portion when the system is arranged in the primary configuration, the intermediate configuration, and/or the secondary configuration.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a first rigid frame and the second portion comprises a second rigid frame, wherein the first and second rigid frames are pivotably coupled at a pivot joint between the first and second portions, wherein at least a portion of the pivot joint is defined by a flexible hinge.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are components of a bench-type seat of the vehicle, wherein the first and second portions are configured to define an intermediate seat between two adjacent seat cushions when the system is arranged in the primary configuration.
7. A method, comprising: Converting a system within a vehicle from a primary configuration to a secondary configuration, the system comprising a first portion fixed in a fixed position relative to a body of the vehicle and a second portion pivotably coupled relative to the first portion, wherein a first seat cushion of the first portion and a second seat cushion of the second portion are configured in combination to support an occupant seated thereon when in the primary configuration, wherein converting the system from the primary configuration to the secondary configuration comprises pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion to expose a footrest configured to support feet of the occupant when seated on the first seat cushion, and The system is converted from the secondary configuration to the primary configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion to conceal the footrest.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein transitioning the system from the secondary configuration to the primary configuration includes disposing a central region of the first seat cushion within a recess of the second seat cushion, wherein the central region extends farther toward a front of the vehicle than side regions on opposite sides of the first seat cushion.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein transitioning the system from the primary configuration to the secondary configuration comprises exposing a second footrest disposed in a position above the footrest when the system is arranged in the secondary configuration.
10. The method of claim 7, further comprising transitioning the system to an intermediate configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion, wherein the second portion is in a first position in the primary configuration, a second position in the secondary configuration, and a third position in the intermediate configuration, wherein the third position is pivotally located about an axis of rotation between the first position and the second position, wherein the method comprises transitioning the system between the primary configuration, the intermediate configuration, and the secondary configuration using an adjustment device, the method comprising releasably locking the second portion in the first position, the second position, and/or the third position when the system is disposed in the primary configuration, the intermediate configuration, and the secondary configuration, respectively.

Description

System for vehicle and method thereof Technical Field The technical field relates generally to vehicle seats and, more particularly, to a system for a vehicle seat that can be switched between different configurations to accommodate passengers of different heights. Background Seats in vehicles are typically configured to accommodate an average size adult occupant. Accordingly, certain vehicle accessories, such as child car seats and booster seats, are commonly used to accommodate children. These accessories may be cumbersome to install, may require separate storage when not in use, and/or may complicate the overall seating arrangement within the vehicle. Accordingly, there is a continuing desire for systems and methods that promote comfort of a passenger while seated in a vehicle. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present disclosure will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing introduction. Disclosure of Invention A system for accommodating occupants of various sizes in a vehicle is provided. In one example, the system includes a first portion configured to be fixed in a fixed position relative to a body of the vehicle, wherein the first portion includes a first seat cushion configured to support an occupant seated thereon, and a second portion pivotably coupled relative to the first portion. The system is configured to switch between a primary configuration and a secondary configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion. The second portion includes a second seat cushion configured to support an occupant thereon when the system is arranged in the primary configuration. The second portion includes a footrest configured to support feet of an occupant when the system is arranged in the secondary configuration and when the occupant is seated on the first seat cushion. In various examples, the first seat cushion of the system may include a central region and side regions on opposite sides of the central region. The center region extends farther toward the front of the vehicle than the side regions. The second seat cushion includes a recess configured to receive the central region when the system is arranged in the primary configuration. In various examples, the system may include a second footrest configured to be exposed when the system is arranged in the secondary configuration. The second footrest may be disposed in a position above the footrest when the system is arranged in the secondary configuration. In various examples, the system may be configured to transition to an intermediate configuration between the primary configuration and the secondary configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion. The second portion may be in a first position in the primary configuration, in a second position in the secondary configuration, and in a third position in the intermediate configuration, wherein the third position is pivotally located about the rotational axis between the first position and the second position. In various examples, the system may include an adjustment device configured to transition the system between a primary configuration, an intermediate configuration, and a secondary configuration. The adjustment device may be configured to releasably lock the second part relative to the first part when the system is arranged in the primary configuration, the intermediate configuration and/or the secondary configuration. In various examples, the first portion of the system may include a first rigid frame and the second portion may include a second rigid frame. The first rigid frame and the second rigid frame may be pivotably coupled at a pivot joint between the first portion and the second portion. In various examples, at least a portion of the pivot joint may be defined by a flexible hinge. In various examples, the system may include a rigid material disposed on the footrest. In various examples, the first and second portions of the system may be components of a bench-type seat of a vehicle. In various examples, the first portion and the second portion may be configured to define an intermediate seat between two adjacent seat cushions when the system is arranged in the primary configuration. A method for operating a system within a vehicle is provided. In one example, the method includes transitioning the system from a primary configuration to a secondary configuration, and transitioning the system from the secondary configuration to the primary configuration. The system includes a first portion fixed in a fixed position relative to a body of the vehicle and a second portion pivotably coupled relative to the first portion. The first seat cushion of the first portion and the second seat cushion of the second portion are configured in combination to support an occupant seated thereon when in the primary configuration