JP3607508B2 - Body - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle seat configuration, a cabin structure, and a vehicle.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Vehicles are often configured to place an engine, transmission, or other heavy component approximately halfway through the length of the vehicle for stability.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
This means, for example, that the driver position is more forward than in the front engine vehicle, and the front wheel arch protrudes inside the passenger cabin, which offsets the driver's control system. Means that. The front driver position makes it difficult to make the vehicle body aerodynamic, and makes it difficult to have enough headroom for the front seat occupant. In addition, the front pillar limits the visibility of the driver.
[0004]
It is an object of the present invention to obtain a vehicle seat configuration or vehicle structure that provides good ergonomics for the driver.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve this object, the present invention comprises two rear passenger seats that are substantially aligned laterally apart from each other and a driver's seat that is disposed substantially in the center and in front of the two rear passenger seats. It is characterized by having a vehicle seat configuration having at least three seats that project laterally so that the front driver's seat overlaps a part of each rear passenger seat.
[0006]
A common rear bench seat can be used to form the two rear passenger seats. Alternatively, two separate spaced apart rear passenger seats can be provided.
[0007]
In any case, the two rear passenger seats are separated so as to take advantage of the fact that the passenger's torso or human body has a larger width than the legs, in particular the shoulder width is wider than the leg width. This allows the passenger to sit comfortably on each rear seat where the front driver's seat overlaps. With this overlapping configuration, the cabin of the vehicle can be made relatively narrow, and the driver and at least two passengers can be accommodated side by side. Furthermore, this seat configuration makes it easier to access the passenger seat.
[0008]
The driver's seat is centered to improve visibility and align the control member for the driver.
[0009]
In the preferred embodiment, the centrally positioned driver's seat projects rearward from the front of each rear passenger seat.
[0010]
Due to the overlap structure of the driver's seat with respect to the passenger seat, it is possible to obtain a passenger cabin that is compact but comfortable and accessible.
[0011]
Furthermore, the present invention comprises two rear passenger seats that are substantially aligned in the lateral direction and separated from each other, and a driver seat that is disposed substantially in the center and in front of the two rear passenger seats. The seat structure of the vehicle which has at least 3 seat | sheets which protruded back rather than the front part of each rear passenger seat.
[0012]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the driver's seat is protruded rearward from the front portion of each rear passenger seat by a distance corresponding to the length of the average thigh of the human body. In the preferred embodiment, the driver's seat projects forward from the two rear passenger seats by a distance on the order of 320 mm. With this configuration, the body of each passenger is comfortably maintained behind the driver, the passenger can be prevented from obstructing the driver's field of view, and the passenger can extend the legs to the side of the driver.
[0013]
Preferably, the driver's seat arranged in the center is projected laterally so as to overlap a part of each rear passenger seat. This can limit the overall width of the cabin. The overlap amount is based on the relative size of the sheet, the shape of the sheet, and the like. In the preferred embodiment, the distance between the center line of the driver's seat and the center line of each rear passenger seat is on the order of 410 mm.
[0014]
The invention further features a vehicle incorporating the above-described seat configuration.
[0015]
In a preferred embodiment of the vehicle according to the invention, an engine is provided which is arranged approximately in the middle of the vehicle length.
[0016]
In the preferred embodiment, the fuel tank is placed approximately in the middle of the length of the vehicle. In a further preferred embodiment, the fuel tank is arranged behind the driver's seat.
[0017]
Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the present invention, a front wheel arch is provided which forms a footrest for each rear passenger seat.
[0018]
The present invention further includes a monocoque structure that defines a floor support and a roof support and is configured to support a centrally positioned driver's seat and two spaced apart rear passenger seats. It is a cabin structure for vehicles.
[0019]
In the preferred embodiment, two spaced apart rear passenger seats are defined by the monocoque cabin structure itself.
[0020]
Further, in the preferred embodiment, the two spaced apart rear passenger seats are substantially aligned laterally. Two spaced apart front wheel arches are also defined by the cabin structure, and each of the front wheel arches is vertically aligned with the corresponding rear passenger seat.
[0021]
Further, the driver's seat is arranged to be supported by the cabin structure so as to protrude rearward from the front portion of each rear passenger seat.
[0022]
In a further preferred embodiment, the cabin structure is configured to support the fuel tank behind the position of the driver's seat.
[0023]
In a preferred embodiment, portions of the monocoque structure forming the cabin structure are protruded on both sides of the driver position.
[0024]
Preferably, a part of the floor defined by the monocoque structure is made removable when the door is opened.
[0025]
The present invention further features a vehicle incorporating the above-described cabin structure.
[0026]
In this preferred embodiment of the vehicle according to the present invention, an engine is provided which is arranged approximately at the center of the vehicle length.
[0027]
In the preferred embodiment, the fuel tank is placed approximately in the middle of the length of the vehicle. In a further preferred embodiment, the fuel tank is arranged behind the driver's seat.
[0028]
Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the vehicle of the present invention, a front wheel arch is provided which forms a footrest for each rear passenger seat.
[0029]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0030]
FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic plan view of a seat structure of a cabin 2 of a vehicle such as a sports car as viewed from above. As is apparent from the drawing, there is provided a single driver's seat 4 disposed in the center and two rear passenger seats 6 that are spaced apart from each other and aligned substantially laterally. The driver's seat 4 is disposed substantially in front of the two rear passenger seats 6, and the driver's seat 4 projects rearward from the front portion of each rear passenger seat 6. Further, the driver's seat 4 protrudes in the lateral direction and overlaps a part of each rear passenger seat 6.
[0031]
The three-seat configuration shown in FIG. 1 is comfortable, and all seated persons can easily access the seats 4 and 6. Also, according to this sheet configuration, it is clear that the overall width and overall length occupied by the sheet can be kept as small as possible. In addition to being able to obtain this compact arrangement, it also gives the seater the necessary space and comfort by taking advantage of the fact that the shoulder, waist or generally the torso of the human body is wider than the legs. Therefore, it is possible to sit comfortably behind the driver, and there is room for the rear passenger to extend his / her legs to both sides of the driver.
[0032]
FIG. 2 shows a plan view of a 3-seat sports car incorporating the seat configuration of FIG. As described above, the two rear seats 6 separated from each other are provided rearward with respect to the driver's seat 4. In FIG. 2, the vehicle body 8 is shown together with the wheels 10, and it can be seen that the seat 4 can be aligned with the control pedal 12 and the steering wheel 14 when the driver's seat 4 is in the center position. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2, even if the engine is a mid-engine vehicle in which the engine is arranged at the center of the length of the vehicle, and the driver is located relatively forward, the driver's seat is used as a control pedal. Are not offset as in the prior art. According to the front center position, the ergonomics of the driver's seat is improved compared to known cars, and the driver's visibility is greatly improved. In this regard, it is ensured that the front pillar does not enter the driver's field of view.
[0033]
It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the driver can sit with his legs extended between the two front wheels 10. Referring to FIG. 4, a part of the main structure can be extended on both sides of the driver's leg to greatly increase the crash strength of the vehicle. The central position of the driver means that there are no restrictions or other compromises on the positioning and dimensions of the front wheel arch, which requires an available wheel lock and a turning circle based on it. It means that it can be selected accordingly. The two passenger seats 6 are aligned with the corresponding front wheel arches 16 substantially in the longitudinal direction, and the arches 16 can be formed to be footrests for the rear passengers (occupants).
[0034]
It can be seen from FIG. 2 that the driver's position in the center eliminates the problems normally associated with 2-seat and 4-seat mid-engine sports cars, such as the front arch biting into the passenger cabin. The central driving position eliminates the need for left and right driver seat versions. Furthermore, a special seat configuration as shown in FIG. 1 provides these advantages from the central driving position without having to significantly increase the width of the passenger cabin 2.
[0035]
FIG. 3 shows another plan view of an embodiment of the seat configuration of the present invention, showing that this seat configuration fits within the passenger cabin 2 having a maximum width of 1,432 mm. This is preferably comparable to the width of currently available 2-seat sports cars. For example, the Ferrari Testarossa has a width of 1,494 mm and the Lamborghini Countach has a width of 1,710 mm. In this regard, in the seat configuration of FIG. 3, the central driver's seat 4 is offset forward by a distance of 320 mm with respect to the lateral alignment lines of the two rear passenger seats 6. The distance between the center of the central driver's seat 4 and the center of each rear passenger seat 6 is 410 mm.
[0036]
Since the driver's seat is positioned in front of the two rear passenger seats 6, the safety fuel tank 20 can be disposed behind the driver's seat 4 of the vehicle. This position is the safest position for a fuel tank when a crash occurs. Furthermore, for mid-engine vehicles, this center position of the fuel tank coincides with the center of gravity of the vehicle. Therefore, the vehicle does not change its center of gravity regardless of whether the tank is full or empty. This gives the vehicle a very safe dynamic balance characteristic.
[0037]
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a cabin structure for a mid-engine sports car embodying the present invention. The cabin structure 50 is made of any appropriate material, for example, a steel monocoque structure. As is apparent from the drawings, the cabin structure 50 defines a roof support 52 and a front window frame 54. Further, the cabin structure 50 defines a floor 56 and a front boot space 58. The front wheel arch 60 is defined on both sides of the boot space 58. The cabin structure 50 is formed as a single piece and includes two rear passenger seat supports 62 spaced apart from each other. In order to form the two rear passenger seats 6, it is only necessary to support the appropriate upholstery on the two seat supports 62. Therefore, the seat support 62 is formed as an integral part of the cabin structure 50, and an attachment point for the seat support is not required. Since the seat support 62 for the rear passenger is an integral part of the monocoque structure, the cross section of the passenger cabin 2 occupies many parts of the basic structure, and the rigidity of the vehicle chassis and the safety of the occupant can be greatly improved. .
[0038]
By forming the rear passenger seat support 62 integrally with the basic cabin structure 50, the cabin structure portions 64 can be provided so as to protrude on both sides of the driver's leg as described above. The two portions 64 extend from the seat support 62 and define a well for attaching the driver's seat 4 in the cabin structure 50. It is preferable that the driver's seat 4 is attached to the cabin structure 50 so as to be movable, so that an appropriate driving position can be selected.
[0039]
In the preferred embodiment, each portion 64 and the portion of the floor 56 adjacent thereto are removably attached so that they can be removed when a door (not shown) attached to the cabin structure is opened. This configuration can be realized by forming the portion 64 and the portion of the floor 56 integrally with the door so that the door 64 moves away from the cabin structure when the door is opened .
[0040]
The driver's seat is in front of the two rear passenger seats, but the top surfaces of the three seats that support the occupant's head are almost flush with the passenger cabin 2, so the headroom in this position is wide enough. It is easy to take.
[0041]
The above embodiment has been described for a three-theta, mid-engine sports car. However, a seat configuration with a driving position in the center is beneficial for any type of vehicle, whether it is a mid-engine or not. Similarly, the monocoque structure of the cabin structure can be used alone or with the seat configuration described and illustrated. The monocoque structure can be used for any kind of vehicle.
[0042]
If the length of the vehicle does not matter, a rear seat can be added behind the rear passenger seat shown. Furthermore, the two rear seats can be made into bench seats of an appropriate shape by connecting furniture equipment, for example.
[0043]
The above description is only an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of an embodiment of a seat configuration according to the invention as seen from above.
2 is a plan view seen from above of a sports car incorporating the seat configuration of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is another plan view showing a seat configuration showing arrangement dimensions and an installed state of a fuel cell or a tank.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a cabin structure of the present invention having the illustrated seat configuration.

Claims (9)

In the vehicle cabin structure,
A monocoque structure defining a floor and a roof support and supporting a driver seat disposed in the center and two rear passenger seats spaced apart from each other, the monocoque structure comprising both sides of the driver seat; Each has a pair of cabin structure parts,
The floor has a pair of floor portions for rear passengers, and the pair of floor portions are arranged in the center when a pair of doors attached to the cabin structure are closed. Placed on both sides of the seat, and
Each of said pair of floor parts, and each of said pair of cabin structure portion, wherein each are integrally formed on the door, when the door was open only the floor portion and the cabin assembly portion removed A cabin structure that facilitates access to a driver seat and a rear passenger seat disposed in the center. In the vehicle cabin structure,
A monocoque structure defining a floor and a roof support and supporting a driver seat disposed in the center and two rear passenger seats spaced apart from each other, the monocoque structure comprising both sides of the driver seat; Each has a pair of cabin structure parts,
Each of the driver's seat and the two passenger seats has a center line extending through the center of each seat, the center lines of all seats extending substantially parallel to each other and relative to the length of the cabin structure. Extending in parallel,
The floor has a pair of floor portions for rear passengers, and the pair of floor portions are arranged in the center when a pair of doors attached to the cabin structure are closed. Placed on both sides of the seat, and
Each of said pair of floor parts, and each of said pair of cabin structure portion, wherein each are integrally formed on the door, when the door was open only the floor portion and the cabin assembly portion removed A cabin structure that facilitates access to a centrally located driver's seat and rear passenger seat. The cabin structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the driver's seat disposed at the center is supported on the cabin structure so as to extend rearward with respect to a front portion of each of the rear passenger seats. The cabin structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising two spaced apart rear passenger seat support portions for supporting the two rear passenger seats. The cabin structure according to claim 4, wherein the two rear passenger seat support portions extend on both sides of the driver's seat. The two separate rear passenger seats are aligned substantially transversely to the length of the cabin assembly and have two separate front wheel arch portions, each of the front wheel arch portions corresponding to each other. The cabin structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cabin structure is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the cabin structure with respect to the rear passenger seat. A vehicle incorporating the cabin structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6. The vehicle according to claim 7, comprising an engine disposed at a substantially central portion of the vehicle length, and a fuel tank disposed at a substantially central portion of the vehicle length and behind the driver's seat. The vehicle according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a front wheel arch that forms a footrest of each rear passenger seat.

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