US-20260124978-A1 - SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES AND METHODS THEREFOR

US20260124978A1US 20260124978 A1US20260124978 A1US 20260124978A1US-20260124978-A1

Abstract

Systems and methods of operation thereof are provided for vehicles. The systems include a first portion configured to be secured in a fixed position relative to a body of a 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 transition 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 the occupant thereon while the system is arranged in the primary configuration. The second portion includes a footrest configured to support feet of the occupant while the system is arranged in the secondary configuration and while the occupant is seated on the first seat cushion.

Inventors

Minseok JEON
Alejandro Barrera
Jintae Kim

Assignees

GM Global Technology Operations LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20241101

Claims (20)

1 . A system, comprising: a first portion configured to be secured 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 pivotably coupled relative to the first portion, wherein the system is configured to transition between a primary configuration and a secondary configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion, the second portion including a second seat cushion configured to support the occupant thereon while the system is arranged in the primary configuration, the second portion including a footrest configured to support feet of the occupant while the system is arranged in the secondary configuration and while the occupant is seated on the first seat cushion.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first seat cushion includes a central region and side regions on opposite sides of the central region, wherein the central region extends further toward a front of the vehicle than the side regions, wherein the second seat cushion includes a recess configured to receive the central region while the system is arranged in the primary configuration.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a second footrest configured to be exposed while the system is arranged in the secondary configuration, wherein the second footrest is disposed in a position above the footrest while the system is arranged in the secondary configuration.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is 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, wherein the second portion is in a first position in the primary configuration, in a second position in the secondary configuration, and a third position in the intermediate configuration, wherein the third position is pivotally between the first position and the second position about an axis of rotation.
5 . The system of claim 4 , further comprising an adjustment device configured to transition 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 while the system is arranged in in the primary configuration, the intermediate configuration, and/or the secondary configuration.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first portion includes a first rigid frame and the second portion includes a second rigid frame, wherein the first rigid frame and the second rigid frame are pivotably coupled at a pivoting joint between the first portion and the second portion.
7 . The system of claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the pivoting joint is defined by a flexible hinge.
8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a rigid material disposed on the footrest.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are components of a bench-type seat of the vehicle.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to define a middle seat between two adjacent seat cushions while the system is arranged in the primary configuration.
11 . A method, comprising: transitioning a system within a vehicle from a primary configuration to a secondary configuration, the system including a first portion secured 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 in combination are configured to support an occupant seated thereon while in the primary configuration, wherein transitioning the system from the primary configuration to the secondary configuration includes pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion to expose a footrest configured to support feet of the occupant while the occupant is seated on the first seat cushion; and transitioning the system from the secondary configuration to the primary configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion to conceal the footrest.
12 . The method of claim 11 , 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 further toward a front of the vehicle than side regions on opposite sides of the first seat cushion.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein transitioning the system from the primary configuration to the secondary configuration includes exposing a second footrest disposed in a position above the footrest while the system is arranged in the secondary configuration.
14 . The method of claim 11 , 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, in a second position in the secondary configuration, and a third position in the intermediate configuration, wherein the third position is pivotally between the first position and the second position about an axis of rotation.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising using an adjustment device to transition the system between the primary configuration, the intermediate configuration, and the secondary configuration, the method including releasably locking the second portion in the first position, the second position, and/or the third position while the system is arranged in the primary configuration, the intermediate configuration, and the secondary configuration, respectively.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are components of a bench-type seat of the vehicle.
17 . A vehicle comprising at least one seat secured within the vehicle that includes a system having: a first portion configured to be secured in a fixed position relative to a body of the vehicle, the first portion including a first seat cushion configured to support an occupant seated thereon; a second portion pivotably coupled relative to the first portion, wherein the system is configured to transition between a primary configuration, a secondary configuration, and at least one intermediate configuration by pivoting the second portion relative to the first portion, the second portion including a second seat cushion configured to support the occupant thereon while the system is arranged in the primary configuration, the second portion including a footrest configured to support feet of the occupant while the system is arranged in the secondary configuration and while the occupant is seated on the first seat cushion; and an adjustment device configured to transition the system between the primary configuration, the secondary configuration, and the at least one intermediate configuration, wherein the adjustment device is configured to releasably lock the second portion in a first position while the system is arranged in the primary configuration, in a second position while the system is arranged in the secondary configuration, and in a third position while the system is arranged in the at least one intermediate configuration, wherein the third position is pivotally between the first position and the second position about an axis of rotation.
18 . The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the first portion includes a first rigid frame and the second portion includes a second rigid frame, wherein the first rigid frame and the second rigid frame are pivotably coupled at a pivoting joint between the first portion and the second portion, wherein the pivoting joint includes a flexible hinge, wherein the second portion includes a rigid material disposed on the footrest.
19 . The vehicle of claim 17 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are components of a bench-type seat of the vehicle.
20 . The vehicle of claim 19 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to define a middle seat between two adjacent seat cushions while the system is arranged in the primary configuration.

Description

INTRODUCTION The technical field generally relates to vehicle seats, and more particularly relates to a system for a vehicle seat that may be transitioned between different configurations to accommodate passengers of various heights. Seats in vehicles are typically configured to accommodate an average sized adult occupant. As such, 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 an ongoing desire for systems and methods that promote comfort of passengers while seated in vehicles. 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. SUMMARY A system is provided for accommodating occupants of various sizes in a vehicle. In one example, the system includes a first portion configured to be secured in a fixed position relative to a body of a 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 transition 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 the occupant thereon while the system is arranged in the primary configuration. The second portion includes a footrest configured to support feet of the occupant while the system is arranged in the secondary configuration and while 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 central region extends further toward a front of the vehicle than the side regions. The second seat cushion includes a recess configured to receive the central region while the system is arranged in the primary configuration. In various examples, the system may include a second footrest configured to be exposed while the system is arranged in the secondary configuration. The second footrest may be disposed in a position above the footrest while 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 a third position in the intermediate configuration, wherein the third position is pivotally between the first position and the second position about an axis of rotation. In various examples, the system may include an adjustment device configured to transition the system between the primary configuration, the intermediate configuration, and the secondary configuration. The adjustment device may be configured to releasably lock the second portion relative to the first portion while the system is arranged in 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 pivoting joint between the first portion and the second portion. In various examples, at least a portion of the pivoting 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 portion and the second portion of the system may be components of a bench-type seat of the vehicle. In various examples, the first portion and the second portion may be configured to define a middle seat between two adjacent seat cushions while the system is arranged in the primary configuration. A method is provided for operating a system within a vehicle. 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 secured in a fixed position relative to a body of the vehicle and a second portion pivotably coupled relative to the first portion. A first seat cushion of the first portion and a second seat cushion of the second portion in combination are configured to support an occupant seated thereon while in the primary configuration. Transitioning the system from the prim