IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO AUTOMOTIVE BULKHEADS

Abstract

The present invention resides in a bulkhead assembly for a passenger vehicle, wherein the bulkhead assembly comprises a powered linkage assembly for reconfiguring the bulkhead assembly between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The bulkhead assembly is configurable to separate a passenger compartment and a luggage compartment of the passenger vehicle. The bulkhead assembly separates the passenger compartment and the luggage compartment in the unfolded configuration.

Claims

1. A bulkhead assembly for a passenger vehicle, wherein the bulkhead assembly comprises a bulkhead and a powered linkage assembly for reconfiguring the bulkhead assembly between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration; wherein in the unfolded configuration the bulkhead is located between a passenger compartment and a luggage compartment of the passenger vehicle with a first surface of the bulkhead facing the passenger compartment, and in the folded configuration the first surface of the bulkhead is folded towards a floor of the passenger compartment.

2-3. (canceled)

4. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bulkhead assembly comprises an upper support structure, and/or a lower support structure.

5. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 4, wherein the bulkhead assembly comprises both the lower support structure and the upper support structure, the upper support structure and/or the bulkhead having first positions relative to the lower support structure in the folded configuration, and the upper support structure and/or the bulkhead having second positions relative to the lower support structure in the unfolded configuration.

6. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 5, wherein the upper support structure and the lower support structure are pivotally coupled.

7. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 5, wherein the powered linkage assembly is arranged to reconfigure the relative positions of the upper support structure and/or the bulkhead with respect to the lower support structure.

8. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 4, wherein the powered linkage assembly comprises an engagement member engaged with the upper support structure or the lower support structure.

9. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 8, wherein the engagement member comprises a first radius portion engaged with a complementary receiving portion in the upper support structure or the lower support structure.

10. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 8, wherein the engagement member comprises a second radius portion.

11. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 8, wherein the engagement member comprises an elongate portion.

12. (canceled)

13. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 8, wherein the bulkhead assembly comprises both the lower support structure and the upper support structure, and wherein a connecting member connects the engagement member to the lower support structure or the upper support structure.

14. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 13, wherein the connecting member and the engagement member are arranged to adjust the position of the lower support structure and the upper support structure relative to each other.

15. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 13, wherein the engagement member cranks the connecting member to adjust the relative position of the lower support structure and the upper support structure.

16. (canceled)

17. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 13, wherein the connecting member is pivotally connected to the engagement member.

18. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein the powered linkage assembly comprises a driveshaft.

19. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 18, wherein rotation of the driveshaft in one direction switches the bulkhead assembly from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration, and rotation of the driveshaft in the other direction switches the bulkhead assembly from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration.

20. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein the powered linkage comprises a motor arranged to drive the linkage.

21. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 20, wherein the motor is an electric motor.

22-24. (canceled)

25. A control system for controlling a bulkhead assembly according to claim 1, the control system configured to control the powered linkage assembly to reconfigure the bulkhead assembly between the folded configuration and the unfolded configuration.

26. A vehicle comprising a bulkhead assembly according to claim 1.

27-29. (canceled)

30. A bulkhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein in the unfolded configuration the first surface of the bulkhead is adjacent a seat backrest, the seat backrest being moveable with respect to the bulkhead.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the luggage compartment and rear portion of the passenger compartment of a sports utility vehicle (SUV), wherein the rear seating arrangement is in an unfolded configuration;

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the luggage compartment and rear portion of the passenger compartment of the SUV shown in FIG. 1, wherein a minor portion of the rear seating arrangement is in a folded configuration;

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the luggage compartment and rear portion of the passenger compartment of the SUV shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein the rear seating arrangement is in a folded configuration;

[0028] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram which is a perspective view of the internal components of the major portion of a rear seating assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0029] FIG. 5 is a schematic cutaway diagram which is a side view of the components of the major portion of the rear seating assembly of a car in an unfolded configuration according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0030] FIGS. 6 to 12 are schematic diagrams of the same view of a linkage of a rear seating assembly according to an embodiment of the invention, which illustrate the operation of the linkage from an unfolded state to a folded state; and

[0031] FIGS. 13a to 13e are schematic diagrams of a side view of a rear seating assembly, which illustrate a method of operation according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] FIG. 1 shows the rear portion of a passenger compartment 2 and a luggage compartment 4 of a sport utility vehicle (SUV) 6. The terms forwards, backwards, forwardmost and rearmost are used to describe positions or locations of features relative to the SUV 6. For example, the terms forwards and forwardmost refer to locations or positions towards or nearer the front of the SUV 6, and backwards and rearmost refer to locations or positions towards or nearer the rear of the SUV 6.

[0033] The passenger compartment 2 is separated from the luggage compartment 4 by a bulkhead 8 which extends from one side of the SUV 6 to the other. The luggage compartment 4 is commonly referred to as the trunk or boot of a vehicle. The bulkhead 8 has a first surface 10 and a second surface 12. Luggage and other items are typically loaded into the luggage compartment 4 by opening a hinged hatch or door at the rear of the SUV 6 to provide access to the luggage compartment 4.

[0034] The rear portion of the passenger compartment 2 includes a seating assembly 14 which is shown in a first configuration in FIG. 1. In the first configuration the first surface 10 of the bulkhead 8 faces the passenger compartment 2 and the second surface 12 faces the luggage compartment 4. The seating assembly 14 comprises a first seat 16 and a second seat 18. A separating portion 20 is located between the first seat 16 and the second seat 18.

[0035] Each seat 16, 18 comprises a seat cushion 22, a backrest 24, also known in the art as a squab, and a headrest 26. The separating portion 20 comprises a separating cushion 28 and a separating backrest 30 which may comprise an armrest. This is referred to in the art as a 40-20-40 split: the first seat 16 comprises 40% of the seating of the seating assembly 14, the separating portion 20 comprises 20% of the seating of the seating assembly 14 and the second seat 18 comprises 40% of the seating of the seating assembly 14. The backrests 24, 30 are located adjacent to the first surface 10 of the bulkhead 8.

[0036] The bulkhead 8 is asymmetrically divided into a major bulkhead portion 17a and a minor bulkhead portion 19a, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Accordingly, the seating assembly 14 is divided into corresponding portions: a major portion 17 and a minor portion 19. The major portion 17 comprises the second seat 18, the separating portion 20 and the major bulkhead portion 17a. The minor portion 19 comprises the first seat 16 and the minor bulkhead portion 19a.

[0037] The seats 16, 18 and separating portion 20 are arranged so that the backrests 24, 30 may each fold forward about a folding axis 21 parallel to the plane of the bulkhead 8. The bulkhead 8 is also arranged to fold forward in cooperation with the seats 16, 18 and separating portion 20.

[0038] The seating assembly 14 is shown in FIG. 2 in a second configuration. In the second configuration the first seat 16 is in a folded configuration so that its backrest 24 rests on the seat cushion 22. In this configuration the minor bulkhead portion 19a is folded forward to lie on top of the backrest 24 so that the first surface 10 of the minor bulkhead portion 19a generally faces the floor of the passenger compartment 2 and the second surface 12 of the minor bulkhead portion 19a generally faces the roof of the passenger compartment 2. The second configuration allows a large load 32 to be carried by the SUV 6 while allowing the second seat 18 to carry a passenger.

[0039] The seating assembly 14 is shown in FIG. 3 in a third configuration. In the third configuration all the backrests 24, 30 are folded forward about the folding axis 21 so that each backrest 24, 30 rests on its corresponding cushion 22, 28. In the third configuration both the minor bulkhead portion 19a and major bulkhead portion 17a are folded forward to lie on top of the backrests 24, 30 so that the first surface 10 of the bulkhead 8 generally faces the floor of the passenger compartment 2 and the second surface 12 generally faces the roof of the passenger compartment 2. The third configuration allows a larger load (not shown) to be carried by the SUV 6.

[0040] The seats 16, 18 and separating portion 20 of a seating assembly 14 are supported by a bulkhead assembly 34. The bulkhead assembly 34 is divided into a major portion and a minor portion corresponding to the major and minor portions described above. FIG. 4 shows the major portion of the bulkhead assembly 34 in an unfolded configuration. The apparatus and principles of operation described herein in respect of the major portion of the bulkhead assembly 34 are also applicable to the minor portion of the bulkhead assembly 34.

[0041] The bulkhead assembly 34 comprises a support structure 36. The support structure 36 comprises an upper support structure 38 and a lower support structure 40 which are connected by a powered linkage assembly 42. The powered linkage assembly 42 is arranged to reconfigure the bulkhead assembly 34 from a folded configuration to an unfolded configuration, and vice versa. As a consequence, the bulkhead assembly 34 reconfigures the seating assembly 14 between folded and unfolded configurations. The bulkhead assembly 34 also comprises a bulkhead 8.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, in an unfolded configuration the upper support structure 38 and the bulkhead 8 each generally forms an obtuse angle relative to the lower support structure 40.

[0043] The upper support structure 38 includes a frame 44 and a U-shaped first bulkhead bracket 46 and a U-shaped second bulkhead bracket 48. The planes of the bulkhead brackets are parallel. The frame 44 and bulkhead brackets 46, 48 are attached to the first surface 10 of the bulkhead 8. The lower support structure 40 comprises a first rail 50 and a second rail 51.

[0044] The first rail 50 comprises two parallel flanges: a first rail bracket flange 86 and a first connecting rod flange 88. The second rail 51 comprises two parallel flanges: a second rail bracket flange 87 and a second connecting rod flange 91. The first rail bracket flange 86 and the second rail bracket flange 87 each define a slot 84.

[0045] The seat cushion 22 comprises a support structure which has a pair of pins 85. One pin 85 fits into the slot 84 of the first rail bracket flange 86, and the other pin fits into the slot 84 of the second rail bracket flange 87. Each pin 85 is free to move in the slot 84. Accordingly, the slots 84 provide a seat cushion track on which a seat cushion 22 is mounted on the lower support structure 40, and the pin-and-slot arrangement allows the seat cushion 22 to be moved forwards and backwards relative to the lower support structure 40. In an alternative embodiment the pins 85 may be substituted with, or support, rotational members such as wheels, which may rest on rails which may be formed by the slots 84. The pins 85 act to support the seat cushion 22 between the first and second rails 50.

[0046] The first rail bracket flange 86 and the first connecting rod flange 88 are linked by a first rail horizontal portion 50a. The second rail bracket flange 87 and the second connecting rod flange 91 are linked by a second rail horizontal portion 51a. The first rail horizontal portion 50a and the second rail horizontal portion 51a are secured to the floor of the SUV 6.

[0047] A first rail bracket 52 extends from the first rail 50 and a second rail bracket 54 extends from the second rail 51. The first rail bracket 52 is pivotally coupled to the first bulkhead bracket 46 by a pivot 55. The second rail bracket 54 is pivotally coupled to the second bulkhead bracket 48. A driveshaft 56 extends between and is mounted in the bulkhead brackets 46, 48. The driveshaft 56 is powered by an electric motor 58, which the vehicle user operates using a control system (not shown) comprising a switch. The control system may be part of the seat reclining system used for adjustment by the passenger of the backrest for comfort. The upper support structure 38 also comprises an armrest frame 60 arranged to support an armrest located in the backrest 30 of a separating portion 20.

[0048] FIG. 5 is a cut-away schematic side view of the bulkhead assembly 34 shown in FIG. 4, which also shows the bulkhead assembly 34 supporting a headrest 26 and a backrest 24.

[0049] The linkage assembly 42 which enables each of the major and minor portions of the seating assembly 14 to move between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration is shown in detail in FIGS. 6 to 12. FIGS. 6 to 12 also illustrate a method of operating the linkage 42 to switch from a fully unfolded configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, through intermediate stages of operation, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 11, to a fully unfolded configuration, as shown in FIG. 12.

[0050] FIGS. 6 to 12 are close up views of the upper support structure 38 and the lower support structure 40 connected by the linkage assembly 42. The first bulkhead bracket 46 has generally planar U-shape with a first arm portion 62, a middle portion 64 and a second arm portion 66. The second bulkhead bracket 48 (shown in FIG. 4) has a shape and configuration identical to the first bulkhead bracket 46, and its configuration with the second rail bracket 54 is substantially the same as described herein.

[0051] The first arm portion 62 of the first bulkhead bracket 46 is longer than the second arm portion 66 of the first bulkhead bracket 46. The first arm portion 62 has an expanded width portion 70. The expanded width portion 70 of the first arm portion 62 is attached to the first surface 10 of the bulkhead 8 so that the plane of the first bulkhead bracket 46 is perpendicular to the first surface 10 of the bulkhead 8. The bulkhead frame 44 is attached to the first arm portion 62 of the first bulkhead bracket 46.

[0052] The middle portion 64 of the first bulkhead bracket 46 has a bore 72 through which the driveshaft 56 extends perpendicular to the plane of the first bulkhead bracket 46. As mentioned above, the driveshaft 56 extends from the first bulkhead bracket 46 to the second bulkhead bracket 48 where it is powered by an electric motor 58.

[0053] An engagement member 74 is mounted coaxially with the driveshaft 56. The engagement member 74 is generally in the form of a disk and comprises a first radius portion 76 which has a size and shape that complements the radius of the bore 72 which receives the engagement member 74 to form a rotating pivot portion in the first bulkhead bracket 44. The engagement member 74 comprises a second radius portion 78 which is coaxial with the first radius portion 76 and the driveshaft 56.

[0054] The second radius portion 78 is mated to an elongate portion 79 in the form of a lobe. A first end of a connecting member in the form of a curved connection rod 80 is pivotally connected to the elongate portion 79 by a pivot 82. The elongate portion 79 forms a crank mounted on the driveshaft 56 adjacent to the inner surface of the first bulkhead bracket 46.

[0055] The first bulkhead bracket 46 is pivoted with respect to the first rail bracket 52 around the pivot 55 which extends through the first bulkhead bracket 46 where the second arm portion 66 of the first bulkhead bracket 46 meets the middle portion 64 of the first bulkhead bracket 46.

[0056] FIGS. 6 to 12 show the first rail bracket flange 86 of the first rail 50 and first rail bracket 52 of the lower support structure 40. The first rail bracket 52 is attached to the first rail bracket flange 86 by an attachment plate 90, and the second end of the connecting rod 80 is pivotally attached to the connecting rod flange 88 by a pivot 89.

[0057] In order to change the configuration of the bulkhead assembly 34 from an unfolded configuration, as shown in FIG. 6, to a folded configuration, as shown in FIG. 12, the armrest frame 60 must be in the stowed position, as shown in the figures. Power is then supplied to the electric motor 54 to rotate the driveshaft 56. As viewed in FIGS. 6 to 12, to change the configuration of the bulkhead assembly 34 from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration the electric motor 54 drives the driveshaft 56 so that driveshaft 56 rotates anticlockwise about its longitudinal axis. Alternatively, the configuration of the bulkhead assembly 34 may be transformed from the folded configuration to the unfolded configuration by rotation of the driveshaft 56 by the electric motor 54 in a clockwise direction about the longitudinal axis of the driveshaft 56, as viewed in FIGS. 6 to 12.

[0058] As viewed in FIGS. 6 to 12, when the driveshaft 56 rotates anticlockwise along its longitudinal axis, as indicated by arrow 93 the elongate portion 79 pushes against the connecting rod 80. Since the connecting rod 80 is fixed to the elongate portion 79 and is fixed to the connecting rod flange 88 so that it cannot move along its longitudinal axis with respect to the pivots 82, 89, the engagement member 74 is urged to rotate in the bore 72 of the first bulkhead bracket 46. This action forces the first bulkhead bracket 46 to move about the pivot 55 relative to the first rail bracket 52. As a consequence the upper support structure 38 rotates forward about the pivot 55 towards the lower support structure 40.

[0059] Rotation of the driveshaft 56 continues to urge the upper support structure 38 forwards about the pivot 55. As can be seen in FIGS. 6 to 12, the elongate portion 79 moves from approximately a ten o'clock position in FIG. 6 to approximately a seven o'clock position in FIG. 12. FIG. 12 illustrates the final position of the bulkhead assembly 34 in a folded configuration.

[0060] FIGS. 13a to 13e are side views of a bulkhead assembly 34 and a seating assembly 14 according to an embodiment of the invention. Each of FIGS. 13a to 13e show the bulkhead assembly 34 and the seating assembly 14 in different configurations which illustrate a method of operation of the invention. Features shown in FIGS. 13a to 13e which correspond to features of the previous embodiments are given the same reference numerals.

[0061] The bulkhead assembly 34 comprises a bulkhead 8 which is mounted to a first bulkhead bracket 46. The seating assembly comprises a seat cushion 22, a backrest 24 and a headrest 26 to form a seat 16. The seat cushion 22 is mounted on a lower support structure 40. The backrest 24 is pivotally mounted on a pivoting member 92 to allow the angle of the backrest 24 relative to the seat cushion 22 to be altered by a passenger for comfort. The backrest 24 is shown in a forward position in FIG. 13a. In this position a void 94 is defined between the backrest 24 and the bulkhead 8. The lower support structure 40 is connected to an upper support structure 38, as described in the preceding embodiments.

[0062] As described previously, the bulkhead assembly 34 may be reconfigured between a folded configuration and an unfolded configuration. The reconfiguration may be activated using a control system (not shown) comprising a switch which controls an electric motor 58 (not shown in FIGS. 13a to 13e). The control system may be part of the seat reclining system used to adjust the backrest 24 relative to the seat cushion 22.

[0063] On activation of the control system, the backrest 24 automatically reclines to a rearward position in which the void 94 is eliminated and the backrest 24 abuts the bulkhead 8, as shown in FIG. 13b. The abutting position is an initial position that the backrest 24 may take to ensure that the bulkhead assembly 34 is in the correct position to be reconfigured from the unfolded configuration to the folded configuration.

[0064] Using a pin-and-slot arrangement, the seat cushion 22 may be moved forward with respect to the lower support structure 40, as shown in FIG. 13c. The forward position of the seat cushion 22 provides further space indicated by the shaded area 96 for the backrest 24 to pivot into.

[0065] FIG. 13d illustrates the present embodiment of the invention when it is between the unfolded configuration and the folded configuration.

[0066] FIG. 13e illustrates the components of the major portion of a bulkhead assembly 34 in a folded configuration once the operation of the motor 58 is completed. In the folded configuration, a portion of the backrest 24 fills the shaded area 96 shown in FIG. 13c.

[0067] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed herein in detail, this has been done by way of example and for the purposes of illustration only. The aforementioned embodiments are not intended to be limiting with respect to the scope of the appended claims, which follow. It is contemplated by the inventors that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.