Auxiliary seat storage structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9908445-B2
Application number	US-201615270296-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 20, 2016
Priority date	Apr 21, 2016
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

A structure of an auxiliary seat disposed in a second row in a vehicle is provided. The auxiliary seat storage structure includes an auxiliary seat that is disposed between a pair of exterior seats and has a seat back rotatably coupled to a seat cushion by a recliner and a rail that is installed in a vehicle width direction. The auxiliary seat is configured to slide into an internal cavity at a lower end of the exterior seat. The auxiliary seat slides along the rail when the auxiliary seat is folded and simultaneously adjusted downward and is stored in a lower cavity of the exterior seat. A passageway cavity is maximized, the number of operating steps are minimized and the auxiliary seat are stored regardless of whether an occupant is seated on the exterior seat.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An auxiliary seat storage structure, comprising:
an auxiliary seat disposed between a pair of exterior seats, and has a seat back rotatably coupled to a seat cushion by a recliner; and
a rail disposed in a vehicle width direction and the auxiliary seat is slidable into an internal cavity at a lower end of the exterior seat,
wherein the auxiliary seat is configured to slide along the rail when the auxiliary seat is folded and simultaneously adjusted in a downward direction, and is stored in a lower cavity of the exterior seat,
wherein the rail includes:
an upper rail coupled to the tray disposed below the auxiliary seat; and
a lower rail fixedly installed in a vehicle width direction between a lower side of the tray and an internal cavity at a lower side of the exterior seat, and configured to slidably receive the upper rail.

2. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 1 , wherein the seat back and the seat cushion of the auxiliary seat are coupled by a link unit, to a tray disposed below the seat back and the seat cushion, and when the seat back is folded, the seat cushion is adjusted in the downward direction.

3. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 2 , wherein when the auxiliary seat is folded and simultaneously adjusted in the downward direction, a front end of the seat back, a front end of the seat cushion, and a front end of the tray are disposed on the same plane.

4. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 2 , wherein the link unit is a six-articulated link having one degree of freedom, the seat cushion is adjusted vertically in the downward direction in conjunction with the adjustment of the seat back in a folded forward direction.

5. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 2 , wherein the link unit includes:
a first link with a first end coupled to a hinge shaft disposed below the recliner, and a second end coupled to the tray;
a second link with a first end coupled to the tray, and a second end coupled to the seat cushion; and
a third link with a first end coupled to the hinge shaft, and a second end coupled to a central portion of the second link.

6. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 5 , wherein the hinge shaft provides a first hinge axis, a portion of a first end of the second link and the tray are coupled and provides a second hinge axis,
wherein a portion of the second end of the first link and the tray are coupled and provides a third hinge axis
wherein a portion of the second end of the second link and the seat cushion are coupled and provides as a fourth hinge axis, and
wherein a portion of the second end of the third link and the second link are coupled and provides a fifth hinge axis.

7. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 6 , wherein when the seat back is folded forward, the first link is configured to rotate about the third hinge axis.

8. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 6 , wherein when the third link is coupled to the first hinge axis and the fifth hinge axis and is configured to rotated and move in a downward direction, the second link may be configured to be rotated about the second hinge axis.

9. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 5 , wherein a rear end portion of the first link is formed in a bent shape bent in an upward direction at a predetermined inclination angle.

10. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 5 , further comprising:
a gas spring with a first end coupled to the second link by an operating rod, and a second end coupled to the tray, and is configured to provide an elastic force to the second link.

11. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 10 , wherein the operating rod is coupled, by a cable, to a strap disposed at a rear side of the seat back, and the operating rod is configured to rotate when the strap is pulled to release the gas spring and the operating rod from each other.

12. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 1 , further comprising:
a locking pin mounted to protrude upward by penetrating the upper rail; and
a locker coupled to a lower end of the locking pin in the upper rail, and configured to be movable in vertical directions.

13. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 12 , further comprising:
a locking spring interposed between an interior surface of the upper rail and the locker, and configured to provide an elastic restoring force to the locker.

14. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 12 , wherein catching portions are formed on the lower rail to capture both ends of the locker by the catching portions, and configured to restrict the sliding movement of the auxiliary seat when the locker is captured by the catching portion.

15. The auxiliary seat storage structure of claim 14 , wherein the locking pin is configured to move in a downward direction by being pushed by the seat cushion when the seat back is rotated and the seat cushion is adjusted downward, and when the locking pin is moved downward, the locker is spaced apart from the catching portion to allow the sliding movement of the auxiliary seat.

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Motors Corp
• Daewon San Up Co Ltd
• Daewon San Up Co Ltd

Inventors

• Park Il Hong
• Lee Byung Jae
• Park Hyun Kyu
• Moon Soo Hyun
• Heo Jun Yeol
• Kim Sang Ho
• Jung Dae Ig
• Jin Keon Soo
• Kim Hyuk
• Kim Do Kyun
• Lee Sang Dong
• Kim Kyu Jin
• Kim Tae Hyung

Classifications

• B60N2/01

  Arrangement of seats relative to one another · CPC title

• B60N2/3011

  the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement" · CPC title

• B60N2/065

  Rear seats · CPC title

• B60N2/0806

  with pin alignment systems, e.g. with at least one of a plurality of locking pins always aligned w.r.t. at least one of a plurality of pin-receiving elements · CPC title

• B60N2/062

  transversally slidable · CPC title