WO2024184914A1

WO2024184914A1 - A vehicle

Info

Publication number: WO2024184914A1
Application number: PCT/IN2024/050203
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mythri Lakshmi Ganachari; Dhuri Amey Govind; Hiran Kumar Kizakhakhara Chandrashekhar; Ramanathan Anantha Narayanan; Syam Sasidharan
Original assignee: Tvs Motor Company Limited
Priority date: 2023-03-04
Filing date: 2024-02-26
Publication date: 2024-09-12

Abstract

The present invention relates to a vehicle having a seat assembly 100. The vehicle includes one or more seat assembly 100 which includes the one or more grooves 106 at an end portion of the one or more seat assembly 100 and one or more backrest 108. The one or more backrest 108 is configured to support a back portion of a user of the vehicle. The one or more seat assembly 100 being latched by a detachably attached seat latch 110 being mounted on a sub frame 114. The present invention provides an ergonomic seat assembly 100 which supports the user's back facilitating comfort, support, safety to the user of the vehicle and simple, natural cooling to one or more components disposed below the seat assembly 100.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

A VEHICLE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to a vehicle. More particularly but not exclusively the present subject matter relates to a vehicle having a seat assembly which supports a rider and a pillion rider of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A vehicle includes a seat assembly on which a rider/user of the vehicle sits to ride the vehicle on roads. The seat assembly should be made such that it provides comfort, support, and give ergonomically best posture for the rider/user of the vehicle while riding the vehicle. In four- wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle, the seat assembly is provided with a sitting area and a backrest to provide comfort and support the best riding posture needed while the vehicle is in operation. Especially, in two wheeled vehicle, the seat assembly includes a seating area but not all twowheeled vehicle is provided with the backrest for the rider of the two-wheeled vehicle to support a backbone of the rider so as to maintain the best riding posture, while riding the vehicle. Many vehicles have separate back rest for rider as well as for pillion. But these separate backrest comes as an additional part, which adds cost and weight to the vehicle, also requiring space to mount on the vehicle. These backrest also requires special type of mounting making the process complex.

[0003] Apart from this, majority of conventional vehicles have an integrated rider seat and pillion seat. This makes it difficult to achieve ergonomical seating position for the rider as well as the pillion rider seat. It is a complicated design to provide seat height difference between the seats of the rider and the pillion rider to achieve good ergonomics and to facilitate better handling of the vehicle while riding the vehicle. Also, in integrated/tandem seats, there is no exclusivity of the seat for the rider as well as pillion rider seat which gives discomfort to the rider of the vehicle as well as the pillion rider.

[0004] Further, in conventional seat assembly, the seat assembly is locked using a latch assembly. The latch assembly is welded on a frame of the vehicle. The welding joints between the latch assembly of the seat assembly and the frame of the vehicle creates weld joints. These weld joints weakens the frame zone locally in the vehicle, making the entire structure weak and vulnerable to rusting and eventually breakage, which is not preferred, as the entire frame may have to be replaced. Also, these weld joints can create weld distortion in the frame making the frame unstable and may lead to uneven distribution of the load throughout the frame of the vehicle.

[0005] In addition to this, many times, the seat assembly of the vehicle gets heated up during operation of the vehicle, making the rider as well as pillion rider uncomfortable. There is no means for cooling until a forced cooling mechanism is employed. The drawback of forced cooling mechanism is that additional fan or cooling means like peltier devices is to be used which adds weight, cost, and part to the vehicle layout and also requires space for compactly placing the cooling means in the existing layout. There is no simple effective natural cooling means available to cool the seat.

[0006] The above-mentioned problems are critical and therefore, there is a need for an ergonomic seat assembly for providing support and even load distribution of a rider’s back while keeping the seat cool and safe to ride. Thus, there is a need to overcome the above-mentioned problems and other problems of known art.

SUMMARY

[0007] A vehicle includes one or more seat assembly which includes the one or more groove at an end portion of the one or more seat assembly and one or more backrest. The one or more backrest is configured to support a back portion of a user of the vehicle.

[0008] The one or more groove is formed in a seat foam of the one or more seat assembly. The one or more seat assembly can be a rider seat of the vehicle. Also, the one or more seat assembly can also be a pillion seat of the vehicle. Further, a base portion of the one or more backrest includes one or more ribs, the one or more ribs is configured to have firm attachment of the one or more backrest.

[0009] The one or more seat assembly includes a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and the second portion facilitates seating of the user of the vehicle, the first portion and the second portion are the portions which bears the entire weight of the user and distributes it evenly. The one or more backrest is disposed at a position where the one or more groove ends. The one or more grooves include a first end and a second end, the first end is narrower than the second end. The groove is tapered towards front of the seat.

[00010] The one or more grooves are formed at an end portion of a pillion seat. The one or more grooves can also be formed at an end portion of a rider seat.

[00011] In another embodiment, a vehicle having one or more seat assembly which further includes one or more rider seat and one or more pillion seat; the one or more rider seat is latched directly on to a sub-frame of the vehicle. The latching is achieved through a seat latch mounted on the sub frame. The seat latch is disposed below a first portion of the sub frame, the first portion is a portion behind the one or more rider seat, the seat latch is disposed below the first portion.

[00012] The seat latch is supported by the one or more backrest and is mounted through a seat latch mounting bracket. The seat latch being detachable mounted on the seat latch mounting bracket. The seat latch mounting bracket is disposed on the sub frame of the vehicle at plurality of mounting points. The one or more pillion seat is mounted on a pillion handle at plurality of points and the one or more pillion seat is provided with one or more locater being located inside the sub frame assembly.

[00013] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00014] The details are described with reference to an embodiment of a seat assembly along with the accompanying diagrams. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference similar features and components.

[00015] Figure 1(a) exemplarily illustrates a left side perspective view of a seat assembly with a sub frame as per an embodiment of the present invention.

[00016] Figure 1(b) exemplarily illustrates a top view of the seat assembly as per the embodiment of the present invention.

[00017] Figure 1(c) exemplarily illustrates the seat assembly with the sub frame in a front view as per an embodiment of the present invention.

[00018] Figure 2 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a rider seat of the seat assembly as per an embodiment of the present invention.

[00019] Figure 3 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of a pillion seat of the seat assembly as per an embodiment of the present invention.

[00020] Figure 4(a) exemplarily illustrates bottom side as viewed from a rear view of the seat assembly as per another embodiment of the present invention.

[00021] Figure 4(b) exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective rear view of the rider’s seat with a latch assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0001] An objective of the present subject matter is to provide an ergonomic seat assembly to support a user’s back while riding a vehicle and provide even load distribution on the vehicle. Apart from this, the present invention also provides a latch mechanism for the seat mounted on a sub frame.

[0002] The present subject matter further aims to provide an ergonomic seat assembly which supports the user’s back facilitating comfort, support, safety to the user of the vehicle. The present invention also provides a natural cooling mechanism through which one or more components disposed below the seat assembly is cooled easily without employing complex cooling mechanism, and without adding weight and cost to the vehicle. Also, the latch mechanism detachably mounted on the frame assembly eliminates the welding of the latch to the frame, thus eliminates the welding distortion in the frame of the vehicle. The present subject matter is described using an exemplary seat assembly which is used in a two-wheeled vehicle, whereas the claimed subject matter can be used in any other two-wheeled vehicle employing above-mentioned seat assembly, with required changes and without deviating from the scope of invention. The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to a seat assembly along with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the present embodiments. The present subject matter is further described with reference to accompanying figures. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the scope of the disclosed embodiments. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate principles of the present subject matter. Various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, encompass the principles of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and examples of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof. [0003] Fig.l(a) exemplarily illustrates a left side perspective view of one or more seat assembly 100 with a sub frame 114 as per an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.l(b) exemplarily illustrates a top view of the one or more seat assembly 100 as per the embodiment of the present invention. Fig.l(c) exemplarily illustrates the one or more seat assembly 100 with the sub frame in a front view 114 as per an embodiment of the present invention. Fig.1(a), fig.1(b), and fig.1(c) shall be discussed together. The vehicle includes the one or more seat assembly 100. The one or more seat assembly 100 includes a rider/user’s seat 102 and a pillion seat 104. In an embodiment, the one or more seat assembly 100 includes one or more grooves 106 at an end portion of the rider/user’s seat 102 of the one or more seat assembly 100 of the vehicle. In another embodiment, the one or more seat assembly 100 includes one or more grooves 106 at an end portion of the pillion seat 104 of the one or more seat assembly 100 of the vehicle. The one or more grooves 106 are provided to ergonomically support the rider/ pillion rider backbone and more specifically a tailbone providing comfort and safety while riding the two-wheeled vehicle. Further, the one or more grooves 106 facilitate the rider to achieve good riding posture while riding the vehicle, and thus ease the handling of the vehicle while riding.

[0004] The one or more seat assembly 100 includes one or more backrest 108 to support a back portion of a user/rider of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the one or more backrest 108 can be provided at an end portion of the pillion seat 104 to support a back portion of a pillion rider. In the present embodiment, the rider seat 102 of the one or more seat assembly 100 includes a first portion 102a and a second portion 102b. The first portion 102a and the second portion 102b have a depressed profile. The first portion 102a and the second portion 102b are separated by a protruded contour 102c on the one or more seat assembly 100. The first portion 102a and the second portion 102b facilitates in comfortable seating of the rider/ user of the vehicle. Apart from this, the one or more grooves 106 formed on the rider/user seat supports the backbone and especially the tailbone of the rider while the vehicle is in operation. The first portion 102a, the second portion 102b, and the one or more grooves 106 together facilitates comfortable seating position and supports the tailbone of the rider. The first portion 102a and the second portion 102b are the portions which bears the entire weight of the rider/user and distributes it evenly. The one or more grooves 106 are ergonomically disposed to prevent direct contact of the user/rider’ s tail bone on the seat surface of the rider seat 102 and thereby protects the rider’s back from sudden impacts or jerks while travelling on road.

[0005] In another embodiment, the one or more grooves 106 are disposed on a rear end portion of the pillion seat 104. The one or more grooves 106 are ergonomically disposed to prevent direct contact of the pillion’s tail bone on the seat surface of the pillion seat 104 and thereby protects the rider’s back from sudden impacts or jerks while travelling on road. The one or more backrest 108 is disposed at a rear end of the one or more grooves 106. The one or more backrest 108 is disposed at a position where the one or more grooves 106 ends. The one or more grooves 106 include a first end and a second end, the first end being narrower than the second end. Further, the one or more grooves 106 present on the seat assembly 100 facilitates cooling. Because of the one or more grooves 106, air circulation occurs from a bottom end of the rider’s seat 102 and enables cooling of vehicle components, for example, a battery disposed below the one or more seat assembly 100. [0006] In an embodiment, one or more backrest 108 being in an inclined position. In another embodiment, the one or more backrest 108 forms an obtuse angle with respect to the rider’ s/user seat (102,104). However, the inclination of the one or more backrest 108 may change and will depend on the ergonomic requirement of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the one or more backrest 108 being a trapezoidal shape. However, the shape and size of the one or more backrest 108 may depend on the vehicle design and ergonomic requirement of the vehicle.

[0007] Fig.2 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the rider/user seat (102,104) of the one or more seat assembly 100 as per an embodiment of the present invention. The one or more seat assembly 100 includes the rider/user seat 102 and the pillion seat 104. In the exploded view as shown in fig.2, the rider seat 102 includes a seat foam 116, seat base 118, a rubber beading 120, and the sub frame 114. The material of the seat foam 116 can be any material that is comfortable and firm for sitting the rider. The one or more grooves 106 are formed in the seat foam 116 of the rider’s seat 102. The seat base 118 has an extended base portion 108a at a rear end of the seat base 118. The extended base portion 108a supports the one or more backrest 108 on it. In the present embodiment, the extended base portion 108a is disposed in an inclined position. However, the extended base portion 108a can be in any position as that of the one or more backrest 108 to support the one or more backrest 108 of the one or more seat assembly 100. The one or more extended base portion 108a includes one or more ribs 108b. The one or more ribs 108b being configured to have a firm attachment of the one or more backrest 108 so that the one or more backrest 108 is fixed at a predetermined fixed place to ensure optimum support to the rider’s back. The rubber beading 120 is embedded in the seat base 118 and sits on a utility box (not shown) when closed to ensure even sitting of the one or more seat assembly 100 on the utility box and also for even load distribution from the one or more seat assembly 100 onto the utility box. The entire seat assembly 100 along with the pillion seat 104 is disposed on the sub-frame 114 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, entire seat assembly 100 along with the pillion seat 104 is disposed on a main frame (not shown) of the vehicle.

[0008] Fig.3 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the pillion seat 104 of the one or more seat assembly 100 as per an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the pillion seat 104 is disposed on the sub frame 114 of the vehicle. In an embodiment, the pillion seat 104 is mounted on a split type pillion handle (not shown). The pillion handle forms a part of the sub frame 114 of the vehicle. The pillion seat 104 and the rider seat 102 being in a split seat configuration. The pillion seat 104 is configured to have one or more mounting points to be mounted on the sub-frame 114. In the present embodiment, the pillion seat 104 has been mounted on plurality of mounting points 104a. In the present embodiment, the pillion seat 104 is mounted on two points at a left side of the rear end of the sub frame 114 and at a right side of the rear end of the sub frame 114. The one or more pillion seat 104 being mounted on the pillion handle at plurality of points and the one or more pillion seat 104 is provided with one or more locators 104b. The one or more locaters 104b (shown in fig.4(a)) are located inside the sub frame 114 of the vehicle to keep the pillion seat 104 at a fixed location.

[0009] As shown in the exploded view of the fig.3, the pillion seat 104 includes the seat foam 116 and the seat base 118. The entire pillion seat 104 is disposed on the sub frame 114 of the vehicle. The material of the seat foam 116 can be any material that is comfortable and firm for sitting a pillion. The one or more grooves 106 are formed in the seat foam 116 of the pillion seat 104. In addition to this, there is height difference between the rider’s seat 102 and the pillion seat 104 and a spilt type of seat to maintain the ergonomics and good sitting posture for both the rider as well as the pillion on the vehicle.

[00010] Fig.4(a) exemplarily illustrates a bottom side as viewed from a rear view of the one or more seat assembly 100 as per another embodiment of the present invention. Fig.4(b) exemplarily illustrates a rear perspective rear view of the rider’s seat 102 with a seat latch 110. Fig.4(a) and fig.4(b) shall be discussed together. The one or more seat assembly 100 includes the one or more rider seat 102 and the one or more pillion seat 104. In the present embodiment, the one or more rider seat 102 is latched directly on to the sub-frame 114 of the vehicle. The latching is achieved through the seat latch 110 mounted on the sub frame 114. The seat latch 110 being disposed below the first portion 114a of the sub frame 114. The first portion 114a being a portion behind the one or more rider seat 102. The seat latch 110 is disposed below the first portion 114a. The seat latch 110 is supported by the one or more backrest 108 and being mounted through a seat latch mounting bracket 112. The seat latch 110 includes a pin 110a for enabling the latching mechanism. The pin 110a of the seat latch 110 is supported by the one or more backrest 108 of the seat assembly 100. The seat latch 110 being detachable mounted on the seat latch mounting bracket 112. The seat latch mounting bracket 112 is disposed on the sub frame 114 of the vehicle at plurality of mounting points 112a.

[00011] The rider seat 102 is mounted on the utility box (not shown) using the seat latch 110. On actuation of the seat locking and unlocking mechanism, the pin 110a of the seat assembly 100 is activated to unlock the seat latch 110 and the seat assembly 100 automatically opens and goes to an upright position. Similarly, the locking mechanism works. The seat locking and unlocking mechanism can be a switch or a key. The switch or the key can be placed anywhere on the vehicle suitable for the user/rider of the vehicle to access. The seat latch 110 is detachably attached to the sub frame 114, eliminating the need of welding the seat latch mounting bracket 112, thus avoiding any distortion or any deformation in sub frame 114 due to the welded joints.

[00012] The above-mentioned configuration provides an ergonomic seat assembly which supports the user’ s back facilitating comfort, support, safety to the user of the vehicle. The present invention also provides a natural cooling mechanism through which one or more components disposed below the seat assembly is cooled easily without employing complex cooling mechanism, and without adding weight and cost to the vehicle. Also, the latch mechanism detachably mounted on the frame assembly eliminates the welding of the latch to the frame, thus eliminates the welding distortion in the frame of the vehicle.

[00013] The claimed steps as discussed above are not routine, conventional, or well understood in the art, as the claimed steps enable the following solutions to the existing problems in conventional technologies. The conventional seat assembly is not fully able to address the problem related to the ergonomics and support to the backbone and tailbone of the rider, whereas the present claimed invention having the claimed seat assembly is able to facilitate to have ergonomically feasible seat which supports the back of the rider, as well as facilitates cooling of the components disposed below the seat assembly without involving any part or adding any cost to the vehicle, the present invention also latches the rider seat on the sub frame, eliminating the welding process.

[00014] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made, and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure may not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

List of Reference numerals

100- One or more seat assembly

102- Rider/user seat

102(a)- First portion

102(b)- Second portion

102(c)- Protruded contour

104- Pillion seat

104(a)- Plurality of mounting points

104(b)- One or more locators

106- One or more grooves

108-One or more backrest 108(a)- Extended base portion

108(b)- One or more ribs

110- Seat latch

110(a)- Pin 112- Seat Latch mounting bracket

112(a)- Plurality of mounting points

114- Sub frame

114(a)- First portion

116- Seat foam 118- Seat base

120- Rubber beading

Claims

Claims:

1. A vehicle comprising: one or more seat assembly (100); wherein, the one or more seat assembly (100) includes one or more grooves (106) at an end portion of the one or more seat assembly (100); and one or more backrest (108), the one or more backrest (108) being configured to support a back portion of a user of the vehicle.

2. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more grooves (106) being formed in a seat foam (116) of the one or more seat assembly (100).

3. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more seat assembly (100) being a rider seat (102) of the vehicle.

4. The vehicle (200) as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one or more seat assembly (100) being a pillion seat (104) of the vehicle.

5. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein an extended base portion (108 a) of the one or more backrest (108) includes one or more ribs (108b), the one or more ribs (108b) being configured to have firm attachment of the one or more backrest (108).

6. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more rider’s seat (102) of the seat assembly (100) includes a first portion (102a) and a second portion (102b), the first portion (102a) and the second portion (102b) facilitates sitting of the user of the vehicle, the first portion (102a) and the second portion (102b) are the portions which bears the entire weight of the user and distributes it evenly.

7. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more backrest (108) being disposed at a position where the one or more grooves (106) end.

8. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more grooves (106) include a first end and a second end, the first end being narrower than the second end.

9. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more grooves (106) being formed at an end portion of the pillion seat (104).

10. The vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more grooves (106) being formed at an end portion of the rider seat (102).

11. A vehicle comprising: one or more seat assembly (100), the one or more seat assembly (100) includes one or more rider seat (102) and one or more pillion seat (104); the one or more rider seat (102) being latched directly on to a sub-frame (114) of the vehicle, the latching being achieved through a seat latch (110) mounted on the sub frame (114).

12. The vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the seat latch (110) being disposed below a first portion (114a) of the sub frame (114), the first portion (114a) being a portion behind the one or more rider seat (102), the seat latch (110) being disposed below the first portion (114a).

13. The vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the seat latch (110) being supported by the one or more backrest (108) and being mounted through a seat latch mounting bracket (112), the seat latch (110) being detachable mounted on the seat latch mounting bracket (112).

14. The vehicle as claimed in claim 12, wherein the seat latch mounting bracket (112) being disposed on the sub frame (114) of the vehicle at plurality of mounting points (112a).

15. The vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein the one or more pillion seat (104) being mounted on a pillion handle at plurality of mounting points (104a) and the one or more pillion seat (104) being provided with one or more locators (104b) being located inside the sub frame (114) of the vehicle.