Ford designing reconfigurable seating preparations for automotive seats

Two latest Ford patent filings have surfaced detailing reconfigurable seating preparations for youngster automotive seats.

The 2 patent purposes, each printed by america Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) on Oct. 3, seem to cowl variations of the identical concept, specifically utilizing a system of actuators to rearrange seats as wanted.

As described within the purposes, seats could be mounted on rails not not like those used for sliding seats in some present manufacturing autos. This may permit the seats to maneuver fore and aft for simpler entry. The underside cushion may additionally pivot up, permitting seats to be stacked shut collectively at one finish of the cabin—liberating up area with out the necessity to take away them fully.

Ford additionally discusses swiveling seats that could possibly be turned to face the door for simpler set up of a automotive seat. The entire seat may then swivel to face rearward, the right place for infants.

Ford reconfigurable seating patent picture

Patented concepts do not at all times attain manufacturing, however reconfigurable seating has been a theme of latest Ford patent filings.A handful of Ford patent purposes surfaced in September masking swivel seating, in-bed-seating, a retractable steering wheel, and an in-cab work station. One other patent software for a movable in-vehicle desk additionally appeared earlier this 12 months.

A few of these concepts, such because the in-bed seating and in-cab work station, are clearly centered on pickup vans. The reconfigurable seating detailed right here, alternatively, looks like a greater match for an SUV or different household automobile. Ford is planning to launch an electrical three-row SUV in 2025 that shall be designed from the bottom up as an EV. The clean-sheet design may create extra room for incorporating new options like these swiveling seats.