US 11,660,985 B2Granted

Passenger seats and doors for an autonomous vehicle

AssigneeUatc, LLC

InventorDaniel Adam Kanitz

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An autonomous can include one or more configurable passenger seats to accommodate a plurality of different seating configurations. For instance, the one or more passenger seats can include a passenger seat defining a seating orientation. The passenger seat can be configurable in a first configuration in which the seating orientation is directed towards a forward end of the autonomous vehicle and a second configuration in which the seating orientation is directed towards a rear end of the autonomous vehicle. The passenger seat can include a seatback rotatable about a pivot point on a base of the passenger seat to switch between the first configuration and the second configuration. Alternatively, or additionally, the autonomous vehicle can include a door assembly pivotably fixed to a vehicle body of the autonomous vehicle such that a swept path of the door assembly when moving between an open position and a closed position is reduced.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An autonomous vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body defining an opening through which a person enters and exits an interior of the vehicle body;
a door assembly movable between an open position and a closed position to permit selective access to the interior of the vehicle body;
and
a linkage assembly configured to move the door assembly along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, the linkage assembly comprising:
a first linkage arm pivotably fixing the door assembly to the vehicle body at a first pivot point that is spaced apart from the opening along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body and a lateral axis of the vehicle body and positioned within a cavity defined by an exterior surface of the vehicle body;
and
a second linkage arm pivotably fixing the door assembly to the vehicle body at a second pivot point that is positioned outside of the interior of the vehicle body, the second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body,
wherein:
in the closed position, the first linkage arm is positioned within the cavity defined by the exterior surface of the vehicle body;
and
in the open position, a majority of the first linkage arm is positioned outside of the cavity.

8 more elements

An autonomous vehicle comprising:

a vehicle body defining an opening through which a person enters and exits an interior of the vehicle body;
a double door comprising a first door assembly and a second door assembly, the first door assembly and the second door assembly respectively movable between an open position and a closed position to permit access to the interior of the vehicle body;
a vertical support coupled to the vehicle body and movable along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle body between a first location on the vehicle body and a second location on the vehicle body based on movement of the first door assembly or the second door assembly;
and
a first linkage assembly configured to move the first door assembly along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body, the first linkage assembly comprising:
a first linkage arm pivotably fixing the first door assembly to the vehicle body at a first pivot point that is spaced apart from the opening along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body and a lateral axis of the vehicle body and positioned within a cavity defined by an exterior surface of the vehicle body;
and
a second linkage arm pivotably fixing the first door assembly to the vehicle body at a second pivot point that is positioned outside of the interior of the vehicle body, the second pivot point spaced apart from the first pivot point along the longitudinal axis of the vehicle body,
wherein:
in the closed position, the first linkage arm is positioned within the cavity defined by the exterior surface of the vehicle body;
and
in the open position, a majority of the first linkage arm is positioned outside of the cavity.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/923,614Filed 8 Jul 2020 · us provisional application
Priority: 4 Jun 2020
Published: US 2021/0379969 A19 Dec 2021
Granted: 30 May 2023
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification26 codes

B60N 2/0292
The seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable: multiple configuration seats, e.g. for spacious vehicles or mini-buses
B60J 5/0455
Reinforcement elements: integrated in door structure or other door elements, e.g. beam-like shapes stamped in inner door panel
B60J 5/0479
With two doors opening in opposite direction: without B-pillar or releasable B-pillar, i.e. the pillar is moving with door
B60J 5/062
Slidable; foldable: for utility vehicles or public transport