SEAT MODULE FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE

Abstract

A seat module for a motor vehicle that includes a carrier element having at least one seat row upon which at least two seats are secured. Each seat row has walls defining an opening which is accessible from outside of the motor vehicle and which extends laterally as a hollow space into the carrier element. The walls are fixed at least partially peripherally to facilitate raising of the seat module via introduction of a lifting element from outside of the motor vehicle into the hollow space for installation of the seat module into the motor vehicle or removal of the seat module from the motor vehicle.

Claims

1. A seat module for a motor vehicle, the seat module comprising: a carrier element having at least one seat row upon which at least two seats are secured, each seat row having walls defining an opening which is accessible from outside of the motor vehicle and which extends laterally as a hollow space into the carrier element, the walls being fixed at least partially peripherally to facilitate raising of the seat module via introduction of a lifting element from outside of the motor vehicle into the hollow space for installation of the seat module into the motor vehicle or removal of the seat module from the motor vehicle.

2. The seat module of claim 1, wherein the carrier element comprises a plate which forms a base of the seat module.

3. The seat module of claim 2, wherein at least one external portion of the plate is configured for movement to be folded upward, folded inward, pushed inward, or removed.

4. The seat module of claim 1, wherein the carrier element comprises a profile and/or a tunnel-like member to mechanically connect two regions of the seat module to each other.

5. A seat module for a motor vehicle, the seat module comprising: a carrier element having at least two spaced apart seat rows upon which at least two seats are secured, each seat row having walls defining an opening which is accessible from outside of the motor vehicle and which extends laterally as a hollow space into the carrier element, the walls being fixed at least partially peripherally to facilitate raising of the seat module via introduction of a lifting element from outside of the motor vehicle into the hollow space for installation of the seat module into the motor vehicle or removal of the seat module from the motor vehicle.

6. The seat module of claim 5, wherein the carrier element comprises a plate which forms a base of the seat module.

7. The seat module of claim 6, wherein at least one external portion of the plate is configured for movement to be folded upward, folded inward, pushed inward, or removed.

8. The seat module of claim 5, wherein the carrier element comprises a profile and/or a tunnel-like member to mechanically connect two adjacent rows to each other.

9. A motor vehicle, comprising: a base region; at least one door which is moveable to define a door opening; and a seat module, mounted on the base region, that includes a carrier element having at least one seat row upon which at least two seats are secured, each seat row having walls defining an opening which is accessible from outside of the motor vehicle and which extends laterally as a hollow space into the carrier element, the walls being fixed at least partially peripherally to facilitate raising of the seat module via introduction of a lifting element through the door opening from outside of the motor vehicle and into the hollow space for installation of the seat module into the motor vehicle or removal of the seat module from the motor vehicle.

10. The motor vehicle of claim 9, wherein the seats of at least one seat row, comprise backrests that are configured to be folded forwardly to facilitate movement of the seat module through the door opening.

11. The motor vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a locking mechanism to lock a seat module into an installation position.

12. The motor vehicle of claim 9, further comprising a locking mechanism to unlock a seat module that from an installation position in the motor vehicle for removal from the motor vehicle.

13. The motor vehicle of claim 9, wherein the carrier element comprises a plate which forms a base of the seat module.

14. The motor vehicle of claim 13, wherein at least one external portion of the plate is configured for movement to be folded upward, folded inward, pushed inward, or removed.

15. The motor vehicle of claim 9, wherein the carrier element comprises a profile and/or a tunnel-like member to mechanically connect two regions of the seat module to each other.

16. The motor vehicle of claim 9, further comprising at least one goods module having a second carrier element that includes walls defining at least one opening which is accessible from outside of the motor vehicle and which extends laterally as a hollow space, into the second carrier element, the walls being fixed at least partially peripherally to facilitate raising of the goods module via introduction of a lifting element through the door opening from outside of the motor vehicle and into the hollow space for installation of the goods module into the motor vehicle or removal of the goods module from the motor vehicle.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0026] Embodiments will be illustrated by way of example in the drawings and explained in the description below.

[0027] FIGS. 1A to 1H illustrate a perspective view of process or method steps for converting a motor vehicle from carrying passengers to transporting goods via a seat module, in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a seat module in accordance with a first embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a seat module in accordance with a second embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a seat module in accordance with a third embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the seat module of FIG. 4 with the front base portion folded upwards.

DESCRIPTION

[0032] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A to 1H, steps are shown for converting a motor vehicle from passenger transport to goods transport via a seat module in accordance with one or more embodiments.

[0033] As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the vehicle is equipped with a seat module in accordance with one or more embodiments having two seat rows 2 to facilitate transport of passengers. A lateral sliding door of the motor vehicle is in an open state to release a lateral door opening 9. The seat module can be lifted through the door opening 9 out of the motor vehicle, as illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 1b to 1e.

[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 1B, the folding forward of the rear seat row 2 in the direction of the arrow depicted (i.e., counterclockwise) to reduce the overall length of the seat module, if required. The seat module is in an unlocked state in order to release the fixed connection between the seat module and vehicle.

[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 1C, the seat module, if necessary, is moveable in the direction of the door opening 9 (i.e., laterally with respect to the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle), through which the seat module is removed.

[0036] As illustrated in FIGS. 1D and 1E, the seat module may then be lifted and removed from the motor vehicle. FIG. 1E illustrates the required lifting element 5 on a forklift truck 12, which is hidden in FIG. 1D. Other types of movable lifting devices may alternatively be used. The seat module is lifted with the lifting elements 5 in the arrow direction and afterwards pushed laterally out of the vehicle.

[0037] As illustrated in FIGS. 1F to 1H, the motor vehicle is loaded with a goods module and with products and goods. The goods module may be pushed into the motor vehicle using the same lifting elements 5 and the same forklift truck 12 and lowered in the motor vehicle. The goods module is formed by a commercially available pallet on which goods may be located already at the time of introduction into the vehicle.

[0038] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, embodiments of a seat module are provided. In each embodiment, the seat module comprises a carrier element 1 and two seat rows 2 that each have a plurality seats (in the illustrated examples, three) which are secured to the carrier element 1. The seat module, i.e., the carrier element 1, has a pair of spaced apart openings 3 which are accessible from outside of the vehicle. The openings 3 extend as a hollow space 4 into the carrier element 1 of the seat module. Each hollow space 4 has mechanically fixed sidewalls. The hollow spaces 4 are in particular constructed as hollow profiles or as comparable elongate holes of the carrier element 1.

[0039] The seat module is configured to be raised by an elongate lifting element 5 (See, FIGS. 1a to 1h) such as, for example, a forklift tine being introduced from outside of the vehicle through the opening 3 into the hollow space 4 and the raising of the lifting element 5. After the lifting, the seat module can be removed from the interior cabin of the motor vehicle by the lifting element 5, in particular, the forklift truck 12.

[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the seats of the seat rows 2 can be secured with their seat rails to a connection plate 14 of the carrier element 1. A continuous plate 6 also forms the foot space in order to connect the seat rows 2 and to form a unit, a module.

[0041] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the seat rows 2 are configured for connection via a tunnel-like member 8 or a profile.

[0042] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, an embodiment of the seat module is provided having foldable attachment components. As a result of an external portion 7 of the plate 6 being folded upwardly (i.e., in a clockwise direction towards the seats) and the backrests 10 of the rear seat row being folded forwardly (i.e., in a counterclockwise direction), less space and a smaller door opening 9 for removing or introducing the seat module into a motor vehicle are required. In the illustrated embodiment, a carpet 13 for the front seat row 2 is also further installed so as to be able to be folded in order to facilitate the disassembly and removal of the seat module from the vehicle. The carpet 13 is thereby not loaded during goods transport. Furthermore, the cleaning of the carpet 13 in the disassembled state is facilitated.

[0043] The terms “coupled,” “attached,” “fastened,” or “connected” may be used herein to refer to any type of relationship, direct or indirect, between the components in question, and may apply to electrical, mechanical, fluid, optical, electromagnetic, electromechanical or other connections. In addition, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein only to facilitate discussion, and carry no particular temporal or chronological significance unless otherwise indicated.

[0044] Those skilled in the art will appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad techniques of the embodiments can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while the embodiments have been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the embodiments should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, specification, and following claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0045] 1 Carrier element

[0046] 2 Seat row

[0047] 3 Opening

[0048] 4 Hollow space

[0049] 5 Lifting element

[0050] 6 Plate

[0051] 7 External portion of the plate

[0052] 8 Tunnel-like member

[0053] 9 Door opening

[0054] 10 Backrest

[0055] 11 Goods module

[0056] 12 Forklift truck

[0057] 13 Carpet

[0058] 14 Connection plate for seats