Abstract
A seating layout of an autonomous automobile, which is aligned in a roughly rounded, circular or elliptical arrangement is disclosed. The seating layout comprises of a seating area and a cabin structure to provide a unique travelling experience in terms of atmosphere and feelings for the passengers along with different aspects of travel such as comfort, safety, ergonomics, etc. The seating area and the cabin structure are aligned and assembled together in such a way that the passengers are oriented towards a common focal area. This arrangement stimulates interaction and in turn, provides a communal atmosphere to the passengers. The novelty of this layout in an autonomous automobile will result in a visually unique interior.
Claims
1. A seating layout in an autonomous automobile comprising: a continuous seating area for passengers aligned in an approximately rounded arrangement, said continuous seating area comprising a semi-circle seat back extending from a semi-circle seat base, and at least one discontinuity defined by the seat back and seat base, wherein the continuous seating area is constructed and arranged to orient seated passengers toward a shared area of focus and wherein the continuous seating area is constructed and arranged for more than one passengers to be seated; a cabin structure supporting the continuous seating area comprising a roof, floor space, a portion connecting the roof and the floor space and at least one second discontinuity; and at least one retractable part to increase or decrease the area of the seat base as needed.
2. The seating layout in an autonomous automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabin structure is fabricated as an inseparable structure integrated with the structural frame of an automobile.
3. The seating layout in an autonomous automobile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cabin structure is fabricated as a removable cabin structure.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a top view of the seating area;
(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of the seating area;
(3) FIG. 3 is a top view of an example of how the passengers are seated in the seating area;
(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of an example of how the passengers are seated in the seating area;
(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the seating area;
(6) FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an example of how the passengers are seated in the seating area;
(7) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example of how the seat base of the seating area is extended;
(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an example of how the passengers are seated when the seat base of the seating area is extended;
(9) FIG. 9 is a side view of the setup of an integrated cabin structure and seating area in an autonomous automobile;
(10) FIG. 10 is a top view of the setup of an integrated cabin structure and seating area in an autonomous automobile;
(11) FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the setup of an integrated cabin structure and seating area in an autonomous automobile;
(12) FIG. 12 is a side view of the setup of the seating area and a removable cabin structure in an autonomous automobile;
(13) FIG. 13 is a top view of the setup of the seating area and a removable cabin structure and seating area in an autonomous automobile;
(14) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the setup of the seating area and a removable cabin structure and seating area in an autonomous automobile;
(15) FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the setup of the seating area and a removable cabin structure;
(16) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the removable cabin structure;
(17) FIG. 17 is an example of the top view of a circular seating area;
(18) FIG. 18 is an example of the top view of a rounded polygon seating area;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(19) The invention as embodied in FIG. 9-14, comprises of the layout of an autonomous automobile, which is made up of the following components: the seating area 1 and removable cabin structure 4 or integrated cabin structure 2 to support the said seating area
(20) The FIGS. 12-14 illustrate an example of how the invention is incorporated in an autonomous automobile. This particular example shows the seating area 1 and a removable type of cabin structure 4 with one discontinuity 4D for the entry and exit of passengers. There could be another discontinuity depending on the size and function of the vehicle without altering the seating layout significantly. The proportions of the invention and the vehicle could also vary without altering the nature and the benefits of the invention. The alignment of the seating area 1 and the cabin structure 4 in the autonomous automobile is illustrated in these figures. These figures provide an example of how multiple passengers are seated in the seating area 1 and how the layout facilitates the interaction among the passengers. The passengers are oriented towards a common focal area, which stimulates the interaction and conviviality. This adds an emotional aspect to the novelty of the layout.
(21) The seating area 1 as shown in FIG. 1-8 consists of one or multiple parts aligned in a roughly rounded, circular or elliptical arrangement.
(22) The FIG. 1 shows the roughly rounded layout of the seating area 1 for stimulation of interaction among the passengers in the automobile. The seating area 1 has one or two discontinuities that allow the passengers to enter and exit the automobile. The figure provides an example of a seating area 1 with one discontinuity 1C. The space in the center of the layout provides the area for the passengers to place their legs. The roughly rounded shape of the seat base 1A is illustrated in this figure. A similar effect could be produced using a circular, elliptical or rounded polygon shape. These minor changes in shape and design would not significantly alter the nature and benefits as claimed in the present invention.
(23) The central leg space in the seating area in FIG. 7-8 could be closed by a retractable or foldable surface 1D to create a bigger seat base surface. Such type of surface could allow for passengers to stretch the legs such as in a lounge-like arrangement. A retractable or removable seat base could also allow for the required space for a wheelchair or additional storage space. This merely improves the functionality of the layout.
(24) FIG. 3 shows the side view of the seating area 1. It displays the alignment of the seat back 1B in relation to the seat base 1A. The seat back 1B provides the surface for the passengers to rest their backs.
(25) The cabin structure could be in the form of an integrated inseparable component of the automobile frame 2, which creates the space for the seating area 1 as illustrated in FIGS. 9-11.
(26) As shown in FIG. 9-11, an integrated type of cabin structure 2 would comprise of a roof, floor space, a portion connecting roof and floor space and at least one discontinuity.
(27) The integrated cabin structure 2 would support the seating area 1 of a roughly rounded, circular or elliptical arrangement and integrates it with the rest of the automobile.
(28) The FIG. 13 shows the top view of a removable type of cabin structure 4, which is of roughly cylindrical form. The figure illustrates the roughly rounded shape of the layout in the present invention. The removable cabin structure 4 follows a similar shape as that of the seating area 1. A similar effect of a cylindrical cabin structure could be produced by an extrusion of roughly circular, elliptical or rounded polygon shape. These minor changes in shape and design would not significantly alter the functions served by the cabin structure 4 in the present invention.
(29) FIG. 15 shows a removable type of cabin structure 4 comprising of a roof 4A, a floor space 4B, a portion connecting roof and floor space 4C and at least one discontinuity 4D. The roof 4A forms the top surface of the cabin structure 4. The portion connecting the roof and floor space 4C is in the form of a roughly cylindrical wall, which follows a similar shape as that of the seating area 1. The inner wall of the cabin structure 4C supports the seating area 1 and the outer wall is integrated with the rest of the automobile 3. The floor of the cabin structure 4B provides the space for the passengers to rest their legs. There could be another discontinuity serving as another entry and exit. However, these changes in form and detail and complementary additions do not alter the functions of the cabin structure 4 in the present invention.
(30) The setup of the seating area 1 and a removable cabin structure 4 in an autonomous automobile is shown in FIG. 12-14. As can be seen in FIG. 14, the layout provides a setting where the passengers are oriented towards a common area of focus. It is also evident that a bench-type seating arrangement of the present invention provides more flexibility than individual seats present in a conventional automobile due to the lesser number of discontinuities in the seating area 1.
(31) As may be seen from FIG. 15, the setup is capable of being a standalone assembly, which can then be assembled with different automobile body styles.
