TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a structural pillar with seating attachments in a vehicle. The invention is primarily intended for buses but can be applied in all passenger carrying vehicles requiring wall mounted seats. Although the invention will be described with respect to a bus, the invention is not restricted to this particular vehicle, but may also be used in other vehicles and commercial vehicles in general. BACKGROUND

Passenger carrying vehicles, such as buses, conventionally comprises a body structure, comprising a structural framework (body-in-white) of longitudinal and transverse beams and structural pillars, fixed to a chassis frame, comprising a driveline and a propulsion system. The structural framework has a monocoque design where the beams and pillars form an exterior skin that supports the structural load.

Structural roof pillars are integrated in the body-in-white and form a load supporting part together with the floor, the walls and the roof structure. When the structural framework has been mounted to the chassis frame, interior and exterior components and trim can be added. Seating is a particular problem in this respect. The seating comprises one or more seat units for passengers and seat supports are provided for fixing the seats to the structural framework. The seat supports must be strong enough to support all types of passengers but should also be lightweight and unobtrusive. In recent years, it has become more common to fix the seat supports to a side wall, instead of the floor as this provides more space for passengers and luggage, as well as ease of cleaning and maintenance. Similar problems can be experienced in vehicles assembled from two or more modules, wherein each module comprises a structural framework. The seat supports are assembled separately to roof pillars or other structural pillars of the structural framework. In order to support the load from the seating, the interior of the sidewalls need to be intersected by a structural pillar at every seat location. This often creates a conflict between the design of the structural framework, which must fulfil criteria for load support and impact strength, and the design of the bodywork, where there is a desire for large windows. For instance, if seat support is to be mounted between adjacent roof pillars extending from floor to roof between the windows, then an additional structural is required at this point. In order to support the load from the seating the interior wall must be reinforced to accommodate the structural pillar.

The invention provides an improved structural pillar for supporting seats and aims to solve the above-mentioned problems

SUMMARY

An object of the invention is to provide a structural pillar for supporting seats, which structural pillar solves the above-mentioned problems.

The object is achieved by a structural pillar with seating attachments according to claim 1.

According to one aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by means of a structural pillar in a vehicle body comprising an upper end fixed adjacent a roof section of the vehicle body and lower end fixed adjacent a floor section of the vehicle body. The pillar comprises an upper portion of the pillar having a vertical or near vertical extension; and a lower portion of the pillar comprising an inclined extension. The inclined lower portion comprises attachment points for a seating arrangement in at least two vertically separated locations. The inclined portion has an inclination corresponding to the inclination of at least a portion of a seat back of the seating arrangement. By fixing the structural pillar at the upper and lower ends only, the positioning of the seat units will be very flexible.

In the subsequent text, a vehicle body is deemed to comprise a structural framework of longitudinal and transverse beams making up a roof and a floor, as well as structural pillars connecting the roof and the floor. The structural framework is fixed to a chassis frame comprising a propulsion unit and a driveline. The term“beam” is used to denote a structural component of the structural framework that extends in or substantially in the longitudinal or transverse direction of the vehicle. The term“pillar” is used to denote a structural component of the structural framework that extends in or substantially in the vertical direction of the vehicle. Further, the term“seating arrangement” is used as an overall description of a component comprising a seat unit and a seat support. A seat unit comprises a substantially horizontal seat or seat cushion and an inclined seat back. The seat support can be part of or removably fixed to the seat unit and is in turn removably fixed to the structural pillar. These terms will be adhered to in the subsequent text.

The inclined lower portion of the structural pillar has an inclination in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This inclination is measured from a vertical plane placed at right angles from the longitudinal axis. The angle of inclination is selected from the range 3-25°, in order to complement the angle of inclination of the seat back of the seat unit. A relatively large angle of 15-25° will be more ergonomic comfortable to the passengers, while a relatively small angle of 3-8° can be required if the back of the seat is located adjacent a space for supporting wheel chairs and/or a compact folding seat in an area provided for baby carriages or standing passengers. The inclined lower portion of the structural pillar merges with the upper portion adjacent the upper end of the seat back.

The structural pillar is provided with at least two attachment points for mounting the seating arrangement. According to a first example, the seating arrangement is fixed to the pillar at a first position at the lower end of the pillar and at a second position at the height of a seat cushion of the seating arrangement.

According to a second example, the seating arrangement is fixed to the pillar at a first position at the upper end of the seat back and at a second position at the height of a seat cushion of the seating arrangement.

According to a third example, the seating arrangement is fixed to the pillar at a first position at the upper end of the seat back and at a second position at the lower end of the pillar.

According to a fourth example, the seating arrangement is fixed to the pillar at a first position at the upper end of the seat back, at a second position at the height of a seat cushion of the seating arrangement and at a third position at the lower end of the pillar.

The attachment points can comprise suitable means for removably fixing at least the seat support of the seating arrangement to the structural pillar. A non-exhaustive list of suitable means for attaching the seating arrangement includes mechanical fasteners (screws, nut and bolt), cooperating form-fitting arrangement (e.g. dovetail type, snap fasteners or tongue-and-groove) or a combination of the above means. The attachment points can be integrated in the pillar, permanently fixed onto the pillar, removably attached in a recess in the pillar or removably attached on an external surface of the pillar.

The dimensions of the structural pillar and/or the seat support are dependent on the expected loading on the seating arrangement. The seating arrangement can, for instance, comprise a single seat or twin side-by-side seats.

According to a further example, the structural pillar is arranged to support multiple single or twin seating arrangements positioned back-to-back. In this example, of the pillar comprises lower portions having a first and a second inclined extension, which inclined first and second lower portions are inclined in opposite directions relative to the vertical upper portion. Provided that the seating arrangements are of the same type, the first and second inclined lower portions are inclined in equal and opposite directions. However, the inclination can differ if seat backs having different angles of inclination are used. In this way the structural pillar will have a general inverted Y-shape.

According to the invention, the structural pillar forms a stand-alone structural member fixed to the structural framework only at its upper and lower ends. The structural pillars according to the invention make it possible to use a limited number of identical and/or mirrored components throughout the vehicle. The fixing of the structural pillars to beams at roof and floor level can also be made simpler, as the same or at least very similar attachments and fixing means can be used for all pillars. The beams to which the pillars are to be fastened can be provided with suitable recesses and/or fixing points at predetermined regular intervals, allowing the same fixing means such as screws or bolts to be used for all beams. It can also be possible to use the same fixing means at both end of the structural pillar, which reduces the number of required components further.

The upper and lower ends are fixed to suitable beams in the structural framework making up the roof and floor, respectively. Consequently, the structural pillar can be located adjacent, in contact with or spaced from, a vertically extending surface of a side wall and/or window. The structural pillar can also be angled in the vertical direction, in order to follow a side wall extending upwards at varying angles. This arrangement eliminates the need for reinforcement of the side wall to accommodate a structural pillar with attachment points within the side wall. Also, as the structural pillar will be aligned with the seating arrangement, it is possible to have extended glazing areas with fewer window splits containing structural pillars between adjacent windows. This will in turn provide a better view for the seated passengers.

The structural pillar can also be hollow over a major portion of its vertical extension. Making the pillar hollow will entail a significant weight reduction and further weight savings can be achieved by using a light-weight material, such as aluminium. The structural pillar can be made from an extruded section of metallic material comprising at least one hollow duct or channel. An extruded section comprising two or more through channels can be used for improving the mechanical strength of the pillar.

According to a further example, a structural pillar comprising at least one internal duct can be used for air circulation purposes, wherein hot, cold or conditioned air can be supplied through one end of the pillar. For example, a roof mounted air-conditioning unit can supply a flow of air to the passenger compartment by means of nozzles at one or more suitable positions along the vertical and/or inclined portion of the structural pillar. If desired, directional nozzles can be provided to allow passengers to control the direction and flow rate of the air flow. In this case, the lower end of the structural pillar can be closed off to prevent air from escaping. According to a further example, a structural pillar comprising two internal ducts can be used for supplying air at first vertical level and drawing air out at a second, vertically separated level. In this way it is possible, for instance, to supply cold air at near roof level and withdraw warm air at floor level or vice versa, to create an even flow of cool air through the passenger compartment.

According to a further example, a structural pillar can comprise at least one internal duct for electrical wiring. The wiring can provide electrical power for lighting or for charging portable devices. The wiring can also be used for providing access to on-board Wi-Fi. The internal duct for electrical wiring can be provided in addition to or instead of the one or more ducts for ventilation as described above.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a passenger vehicle comprising at least one structural pillar as described above.

By the provision of structural pillars as described above, the invention achieves the advantage of providing a simpler and faster assembly of structural pillars and a reduction in weight of the structural framework. The structural pillars make it possible to change seat positions and seat configurations (single or twin seats) for different layouts in both conventional vehicles and vehicles built in modular form without making substantial modifications to the structural framework. This will in turn make it possible to have a simpler side wall internal structure. The seating layout is only restricted by the required strength of the structural framework, which can specify a maximum allowable distance between adjacent structural pillars.

The invention involves replacing conventional roof pillars in a body-in-white structure with the structural pillars described above. The inventive solution combines passenger seat support for seats mounted on the internal side of the sidewall with structural load bearing structural pillars extending from roof to floor. The structural pillars are independent of the positioning of side windows split, which make it possible to use the same size on almost every side window. An effect of this is also that there is no pillar in the line-of-sight of a passenger looking out the side window. Using hollow structural pillars makes it possible to provide simple cable routing for electric equipment between the floor-side wall and roof. It is further possible to send ventilation air (warm/cold/conditioned) through a hollow structural pillar comprising one or more through channels.

Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the appended drawings, below follows a more detailed description of embodiments of the invention cited as examples. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a vehicle provided with structural pillars according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view through the vehicle in Fig.1 ;

Fig. 3 shows a cross-section through a vehicle comprising structural pillars according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a perspective view of a seat unit attached to a structural pillar according to the invention;

Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of a structural pillar according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows a side view of a seat unit attached to a structural pillar according to the invention;

Fig. 7 shows a side view of a pair of seat units attached to an alternative structural pillar according to the invention; and

Fig. 8 shows a cross-section through a structural pillar according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows a side view of a vehicle 100 provided with structural pillars 101 ; 102 according to the invention. The vehicle 100 comprises a body structure comprising a structural framework of longitudinal and transverse beams (not shown) and structural pillars 101 , 102 fixed between a roof and a chassis frame, comprising a driveline and a propulsion system. The beams and pillars making up the structural framework form an exterior skin that supports the structural load. The structural pillars 101 , 102 are integrated in the structural framework and form a load supporting frame together with a floor section 103, the wall sections 104 and a roof section 105. As will be described below, the vehicle comprises a number of seating arrangements, each comprising a seat unit for one or more passengers and seat supports fixing the seats to the structural framework.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view through a partial section of the vehicle in Figurel . This section comprises a floor section 203, two wall sections 204 and a roof section 205. Figure 2 shows a pair of identical, but mirrored, structural pillars 201 in a vehicle body, where each pillar comprises an upper end 21 1 fixed adjacent a roof section 205 of the vehicle body and a lower end 212 fixed adjacent a floor section 203 of the vehicle body. The structural pillar 201 comprises an upper portion 213 having a vertical or near vertical extension and a lower portion 214 having an inclined extension. The inclined extension forming the lower portion 214 comprises attachment points (see Fig.5) for a seating arrangement in at least two vertically separated locations. The inclined lower portion 214 of the structural pillar has an inclination in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This inclination is measured from a vertical plane placed at right angles from the longitudinal axis. The angle of inclination is selected from the range 3-25°, in order to complement the angle of inclination of the seat back of the seat unit. The inclined lower portion of the structural pillar merges with the upper portion adjacent the upper end of the seat back. The inclined lower portion 214 has an inclination corresponding to the inclination of at least a portion, e.g. the upper portion, of a seat back of a seating arrangement attachable to the structural pillar 201. By fixing the structural pillar 201 at the upper end 213 and lower end 214 only, the positioning of the seat units in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle will be very flexible. The upper portion 213 and the lower portion 214 merge at a convergence point 215, at which point the structural pillar 201 can have a curved or angular shape. The convergence point 215 is preferably arranged adjacent an upper portion of a seat back extending substantially parallel with the lower portion 214. The structural pillar 201 can be manufactured, for instance, by cutting and joining two sections, by partially cutting and bending a single section or by hydroforming of the pillar.

According to one example, the upper portion and the lower portion of the structural pillar can be arranged in a common plane located parallel to a side wall in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. According to a further example, the upper portion and the lower portion of the structural pillar can be arranged in different longitudinal planes, in order to allow each portion to follow the shape of a side wall. In the latter case, the side wall can have, for instance, a lower wall section and an upper glazing section arranged at different angles in a plane transverse to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see Fig.3).

Figure 3 shows a cross-section through a vehicle body 300, indicating the positioning of a pair of structural pillars 301 and examples of seating arrangements 321 , 322. Figure 3 shows a pair of structural pillars 301 mounted on opposite sides of the vehicle body 300, where each pillar comprises an upper portion 313 with an upper end 31 1 fixed adjacent a roof section 305 of the vehicle body and an inclined lower portion 314 with a lower end

312 fixed adjacent a floor section 303 of the vehicle body. The inclined lower portion 314 of the structural pillar has an inclination in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This inclination is measured from a vertical plane placed at right angles from the longitudinal axis. The angle of inclination is selected from the range 3-25°, in order to complement the angle of inclination of the seat back of the seat unit. The inclined lower portion of the structural pillar merges with the upper portion adjacent the upper end of the seat back. In this example, structural pillars 301 mounted out of contact with the inner surface of its respective adjacent side wall 304. In addition to the inclination between the upper portion

313 and the lower portion 314 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the upper portion 313 and the lower portion 314 of the structural pillar are also arranged in different longitudinal planes. This arrangement allows each portion 313, 314 to follow the shape of the side wall 304 in the vertical direction, so that a spacing is maintained between the pillar and the side wall from the floor section 303 to the roof section 305.

The structural pillars 301 in this example are provided with two attachment points 331 , 332 for mounting the seating arrangements 321 , 322. The seating arrangements 321 , 322 each comprise a seat support 323, 324 fixed to its respective pillar 301 at a first position at the lower end 312 of the lower portion 314 of the pillar 301 and at a second position of the lower portion 314 at a height adjacent a seat cushion 325, 326 of the respective seat units of the seating arrangements 321 , 322. The height of the second position is determined by the design of the seat support 323, 324. The seat support can, for instance, be attached below the seat cushion or be integrated in the rear portion of the seat cushion or the lower portion of the seat back. The seat supports can have any suitable shape, such as a substantially triangular console as shown in Figure 3 (with or without cut-outs) or a combination of supports and struts arranged between the pillar and the seat units.

The dimensions of the structural pillars 301 and/or the seat supports 323, 324 are dependent on the expected loading on the respective seating arrangement 321 , 322. The seating arrangements in Figure 3, for instance, comprise a single seat arrangement 321 and a twin seat arrangement 322 with side-by-side seats. Consequently, the seat support 324 for the twin seat arrangement 322 must be dimensioned for at least twice the loading of the seat support 323 for the single seat arrangement 321. The structural pillars 301 are provided with attachment points 331 , 332 dimensioned for any one of the selected seating arrangements 321 , 322.

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a seat unit 422 attached to a structural pillar according to the invention. Figure 4 shows a structural pillar 401 mounted to a vehicle body, which pillar 401 comprises a vertical upper portion 413 with an upper end 41 1 fixed adjacent a roof section 405 of the vehicle body and an inclined lower portion 414 with a lower end 412 fixed adjacent a floor section 403 of the vehicle body. The angle of inclination of the lower portion has been defined above. The structural pillar 401 in this example is provided with two attachment points 431 , 432 for mounting a twin seating arrangement 422. The seating arrangement 422 comprises a seat support 424 fixed to the pillar 401 at a first position at the lower end 412 of the lower portion 414 of the pillar 401 and at a second position of the lower portion 414 at a height adjacent a seat cushion 426 of the seating arrangement 422. An optional attachment point 433 can be provided at a third position of the lower portion 414 at a height adjacent an upper portion of the seat backs 428 of the seating arrangement 422. The heights of the second and optional third positions are determined by the design of the seat support 424 and the height of the seat backs 428. The seat support can, for instance, be attached below the seat cushion, as indicated in Figure 4, or be integrated in the rear portion of the seat cushion or the lower portion of the seat back.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a structural pillar 501 according to the invention. The structural pillar 501 comprises an upper portion 513 having a vertical or near vertical extension and a lower portion 514 having an inclined extension. The angle of inclination of the lower portion has been defined above. The inclined extension forming the lower portion 514 comprises attachment points 531 , 532, 533 for a seating arrangement (not shown) in at least two vertically separated locations. The inclined lower portion 514 has an inclination corresponding to the inclination of at least a portion of a seat back of a seating arrangement (see Fig.6) attachable to the structural pillar 501. By fixing the structural pillar 501 at the upper end 513 and lower end 514 only, the positioning of the seat units in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle can be selected dependent on a desired layout. The seating layout is only restricted by the required strength of the structural framework, which specifies a maximum distance between adjacent structural pillars. The upper portion 513 and the lower portion 514 merge at a convergence point 515, at which point the structural pillar 501 can have a curved or angular shape. The convergence point 515 is preferably arranged adjacent an upper portion of a seat back (not shown) extending substantially parallel with the inclined lower portion 514 (see Figs.4 & 6). The structural pillar 501 can be manufactured, for instance, by cutting and joining two sections, by partially cutting and bending a single section or by hydroforming of the pillar.

The structural pillar 501 in this example is provided with attachment points 531 , 532, 533 for mounting a seating arrangement (not shown). The seating arrangement is provided with a seat support that can be fixed to the pillar 501 at at least two of the attachment points. Figure 5 shows a seat support 524 that is fixed at a first position at the lower end 512 of the lower portion 514 of the pillar 501 and at a second position of the lower portion 514 at a height adjacent a seat cushion of the seating arrangement. In this case, the seat support 524 includes a horizontal cross-bar 527, onto which a pair of seat units can be attached, and a diagonal strut 528 supporting the cross-bar 527 from below. One end of the cross-bar 527 is attached to the pillar 501 and at a second position of the lower portion 514. A lower end of the diagonal strut 528 extending away from the cross-bar 527 is attached to the pillar 501 and at the first position at the lower end 512 of the pillar 501. However, the shape of the seat support is not limited to this example.

Figure 6 shows a side view of a seat unit 622 attached to a structural pillar 601 according to the invention. The structural pillar 601 comprises an upper portion 613 having a vertical or near vertical extension and a lower portion 614 having an inclined extension. The inclined lower portion 614 is arranged at an angle a relative to the upper portion 613. The angle of inclination can be selected in the range 3-25°. The structural pillar 601 in this example is provided with attachment points 631 , 632, 633 for mounting a seating arrangement 622. The seating arrangement comprises a seat unit having a seat cushion

626 and a seat back 628, as well as a seat support 624 supporting the seat unit. The seat support 624 can be fixed to the pillar 601 at at least two of the attachment points 631 , 632, 633. Figure 6 shows a seat support 624 that is fixed at a first position at the lower end 612 of the lower portion 614 of the pillar 601 and at a second position of the lower portion 614 at a height adjacent a seat cushion 626 of the seating arrangement. If desired, the seating arrangement 622 can also be attached at a third position at an attachment point 633 at a height adjacent an upper portion of the seat back 628 of the seating arrangement 622. Within the scope of the invention, the seating arrangement can be attached at at least two of the three attachment points.

In this case, the seat support 624 includes a horizontal cross-bar 627, onto which the seating arrangement can be attached, and a diagonal strut 628 supporting the cross-bar

627 from below. One end of the cross-bar 627 is attached to the pillar 601 and at a second position of the lower portion 614. A lower end of the diagonal strut 628 extending away from the cross-bar 627 is attached to the pillar 601 and at the first position at the lower end 612 of the pillar 601.

Figure 7 shows a side view of a pair of seat units 722, 742 attached to an alternative structural pillar 701 according to the invention. In this example, the structural pillar 701 is arranged to support multiple single or twin seating arrangements 722, 742 positioned back-to-back. The pillar 701 comprises a first and a second lower portion 714a, 714b having a first and a second inclined extension, which lower portions 714a, 714b are inclined in opposite directions relative to a vertical upper portion 713. Provided that the seating arrangements are of the same type, the first and second lower portions 714a, 714b are inclined in equal and opposite directions. The inclined lower portion 714a and 714b are arranged at an angle a and b, respectively, relative to the upper portion 713. The angle of inclination of the respective lower portions 714a, 714b can be selected in the range 3-25°. The angles a and b are preferably, but not necessarily equal. In this way the structural pillar will have a general inverted Y-shape. The inclination of the lower portions 714a, 714b can differ if, for instance, seat backs having different angles are used. The pillar 701 comprises an upper end 71 1 attachable adjacent a roof section (not shown) of a vehicle body and a pair of spaced lower ends 712a, 712b attachable adjacent a floor section (not shown) of the vehicle body. Each seating arrangement 722, 742 can be attached to at least two vertically separated attachment points 731 a, 732a, 733a; 731 b, 732b, 733b as described above in connection with Figures 3-6.

Figure 8 shows a cross-section through a structural pillar 801 according to the invention. The structural pillar 801 can advantageously be hollow over a major portion of its vertical extension. A hollow pillar hollow provides a weight reduction and further weight savings can be achieved by using a light-weight material, such as aluminium. The structural pillar can comprise an extruded section of metallic material, forming a pillar with at least one hollow duct or channel. An extruded section comprising two or more through channels can be used for improving the mechanical strength of the pillar.

According to one example, a structural pillar comprising two internal ducts 806, 807 can use a first duct 806 for air circulation purposes, wherein hot, cold or conditioned air can be supplied through one end of the pillar, indicated by the arrow A. For example, a roof mounted air-conditioning unit (not shown) can supply a flow of air to the passenger compartment by means of openings 809 or nozzles at one or more suitable positions along the vertical and/or inclined portion of the structural pillar. Optionally, directional nozzles can be provided to allow passengers to control the direction and flow rate of the air flow. In this case, the lower end of the structural pillar can be closed off to prevent air from escaping. According to a further example (not shown), a structural pillar can comprising two internal ducts for supplying air at first level and drawing air out at a second, vertically separated level. In this way it is possible, for instance, to supply cold air at near roof level and withdraw warm air at floor level to create an even flow of cool air through the passenger compartment. According to a further example, the structural pillar 801 can comprise an internal duct 807 for electrical wiring 808. The wiring 808 can provide electrical power for lighting or for charging portable devices. The wiring can also be used for providing access to on-board Wi-Fi. The internal duct 807 for electrical wiring can be provided in addition to or instead of the one or more ducts for ventilation as described above.

According to the invention, the structural pillars described above form stand-alone structural members fixed to the structural framework at its upper and lower ends only. The upper and lower ends can be fixed to a suitable beam in the roof and floor, respectively. Consequently, the structural pillar can be located adjacent, in contact with or spaced from, a vertically extending surface of a side wall and/or window. This arrangement eliminates the need for reinforcement of the side walls to accommodate a structural pillar with attachment points within the side wall. Also, as the structural pillar will always be aligned with the seating arrangement, it is possible to have extended glazing areas with fewer window splits containing conventional structural pillars between adjacent windows. This will in turn provide a better view for the seated passengers.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings; rather, the skilled person will recognize that many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the appended claims.