Autonomous vehicle configurable for transportation of passengers and cargo

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11904742-B2
Application number	US-202117241276-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 27, 2021
Priority date	Apr 27, 2021
Publication date	Feb 20, 2024
Grant date	Feb 20, 2024

Abstract

This disclosure relates to an autonomous vehicle configurable for transportation of either passengers, cargo, or both. The various aspects of this disclosure, which include moveable seat assemblies, a door arrangement, and storage bins, among other things, provide the vehicle with increased functionality and versatility, leading to more efficient vehicle use.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A vehicle, comprising:
an interior space between a floor and a ceiling vertically spaced-apart from the floor; and
a seat assembly configurable between a seating position in which the seat assembly provides at least one seat and a stowed position in which the seat is stowed adjacent the ceiling, wherein the seat assembly is configured such that moving the seat assembly from the seating position to the stowed position includes raising the seat along a linear path of movement, wherein the linear path of movement is inclined relative to a true vertical direction; and
a lift assembly configured to lift the seat assembly along the linear path of movement, wherein the lift assembly includes a shaft having a central axis arranged along the linear path of movement, and a carriage connected to the seat assembly and configured to travel along the shaft.

2. The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the seat includes a seat base and a seat back moveable relative to the seat base such that, in the seating position, a user may sit on the seat and, in the stowed position, the seat back is substantially parallel to the seat base.

3. The vehicle as recited in claim 2 , wherein:
the seat assembly includes a frame supporting the seat base and the seat back, and
the frame includes a moveable stand configured to contact the floor in the seating position and to cover a portion of the seat in the stowed position.

4. The vehicle as recited in claim 3 , wherein:
the seat includes a headrest connected to the seat back, and
when the seat is in a folded position and the stand is in the cover position, the stand covers at least a portion of the headrest.

5. The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the shaft is threaded and rotation of the shaft results in movement of both the carriage and the seat assembly along the linear path of movement.

6. The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the seat assembly includes a plurality of seats.

7. The vehicle as recited in claim 6 , wherein the seat assembly is one of a plurality of seat assemblies within the interior space.

8. The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the linear path of movement is inclined toward a center of an interior of the vehicle.

9. The vehicle as recited in claim 4 , wherein, when the seat is in the folded position and the stand is in the cover position, the stand is vertically aligned with at least a portion of the headrest.

10. The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the vehicle is a fully autonomous vehicle.

11. The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the true vertical direction is perpendicular to a ground surface adjacent the vehicle.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Harmon Michael John
• Walker Robert

Classifications

• B60J5/103

  where lower door part moves independently from other door structures, e.g. by being hinged on the vehicle body · CPC title

• B60N2/80

  Head-rests · CPC title

• B60J5/105

  comprising door or part of door being pivotable about vertical axis · CPC title

• B60J5/02

  arranged at the vehicle front {(lids or bonnets B62D25/10)} · CPC title

• B60P1/435

  the ramp being attached to or making part of the side- or tailboards of the vehicle · CPC title