Rotatable seat configuration with multi-use table

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10814746-B2
Application number	US-201816222736-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 17, 2018
Priority date	Dec 17, 2018
Publication date	Oct 27, 2020
Grant date	Oct 27, 2020

Abstract

A vehicle includes a vehicle seating system including at least two seats individually mounted to an outer track. The vehicle seating system may include a display device selectively positionable in one of a horizontal table orientation and a vertical screen orientation. The display device mounted to at least one inner track that is at least partially enclosed by the outer track. The vehicle seating system includes a controller configured to transition the seats and the display device among at least two preconfigured arrangements.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle seating system, comprising:
at least two seats individually mounted to an outer track;
a display device selectively positionable in one of a horizontal table orientation and a vertical screen orientation, the display device being mounted to at least one inner track that is at least partially enclosed by the outer track, wherein the at least one inner track includes a longitudinal line extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a lateral line extending perpendicular to the longitudinal line; and
a controller configured to transition the seats and the display device among at least two preconfigured arrangements.

2. The vehicle seating system of claim 1 , wherein the outer track has a rounded rectangular shape and forms a closed circuit enclosing the inner track.

3. The vehicle seating system of claim 1 , wherein the display device, when in the vertical orientation, is rotatable about a vertical axis.

4. The vehicle seating system of claim 1 , wherein the display device includes multiple segments that separate while transitioning between the horizontal table orientation and the vertical screen orientation.

5. The vehicle seating system of claim 1 , wherein the display device is a foldable display that folds before transitioning between orientations and unfolds after the change is completed.

6. The vehicle seating system of claim 1 , wherein the vehicle seats are moved transverse to the outer track when the display device transitions between the horizontal table orientation and the vertical screen orientation.

7. The vehicle seating system of claim 1 , wherein the display device presents a user interface providing a selection among the preconfigured arrangements.

8. The vehicle seating system of claim 1 , wherein the preconfigured arrangements include an arrangement with the display device in the horizontal table orientation and the seats arranged on at least two opposing sides of the display device.

9. The vehicle seating system of claim 1 , wherein the preconfigured arrangements include an arrangement with the display device in the vertical screen orientation and all of the seats facing the display device.

10. The vehicle seating system of claim 1 , wherein the preconfigured arrangements include an arrangement with the display device in the vertical screen orientation extending transverse to the inner track and segmenting a passenger area with at least one seat facing the display device and at least one seat behind the display device.

11. A method of changing a vehicle passenger seating configuration, comprising:
moving one or more seats along an outer track, each seat individually mounted to the outer track;
transitioning a display device between a horizontal table orientation and a vertical screen orientation, the display device being mounted to at least one inner track that is at least partially enclosed by the outer track;
repositioning the display device along the at least one inner track, wherein the at least one inner track includes a longitudinal line extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a lateral line extending perpendicular to the longitudinal line; and
moving one or more of the seats along the outer track after the display device has transitioned between orientations.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein transitioning the display device comprises rotating the display device about a vertical axis.

13. The method of claim 11 , wherein transitioning the display device comprises:
separating multiple segments of the display device; and
reassembling the multiple segments in a new orientation.

14. The method of claim 11 , wherein transitioning the display device comprises:
folding the display device in an original orientation; and
unfolding the display device in a new orientation.

15. A vehicle comprising:
a motor;
a plurality of wheels, at least one of the wheels driven by the motor;
a floor supported by the plurality of wheels;
at least two seats individually mounted to an outer track on the floor;
a display device selectively positionable in one of a horizontal table orientation and a vertical screen orientation, the display device being mounted to at least one inner track that is at least partially enclosed by the outer track, wherein the at least one inner track includes a longitudinal line extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a lateral line extending perpendicular to the longitudinal line;
a controller configured to transition the seats and the display device among at least two preconfigured arrangements.

16. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the outer track has a rounded rectangular shape and forms a closed circuit enclosing the inner track.

17. The vehicle of claim 15 , wherein the display device, when in the vertical orientation, is rotatable about a vertical axis.

Assignees

• Honda Motor Co Ltd

Inventors

• Sailer Michael T
• Brown Nathan G
• Wallace Katie C
• Schimmel Mariko K
• Lee Michelle
• Foley Camden
• Yamada Alyson
• Stillion Danny

Classifications

• B60N2/0248

  with memory of positions · CPC title

• B60R2011/0085

  with adjustment by rotation in their operational position · CPC title

• B60N3/001

  of tables or trays · CPC title

• B60R11/0235

  of flat type, e.g. LCD · CPC title

• B60N2/062 Primary

  transversally slidable · CPC title