Truck seat height positioning system

• US 20030038221A1
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: National Public Seating Corp.
• Original Assignee: National Public Seating Corp.
• Inventors: Fu, David, Hazlewood, Robert
• Application Number:
  US10/156,854
• Publication Number:
  US 20030038221A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 248/421
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/501 actively controlled suspension, e.g. electronic control
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/507 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/525 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/10 using a database

Abstract

A powered automotive seat. The powered automotive seat includes an upper seat frame and a lower seat frame. The upper seat frame is attached to the lower seat frame. The lower seat frame is attached to a suspension base assembly. The suspension base assembly includes a lower base mountable on the floor of an automotive vehicle, an upper base capable of receiving the lower seat frame and a pair of base arms attaching the upper base to the lower base. An air spring is attached between the upper base and the lower base. An automatic control unit selectively decreases and increases air pressure in the air spring. The air spring extends and contracts in response to changes in air pressure by the automatic control unit.

Claims

1. A powered seat for a vehicle comprising an upper seat frame and a lower seat frame, the upper seat frame disposed to the rear of the lower seat frame and, the lower seat frame being attached to a suspension base assembly, the suspension base assembly comprising:

a lower base mountable on the floor of a vehicle;

an upper base capable of receiving said lower seat frame;

a pair of base arms attaching said upper base to said lower base;

an air spring attached between said upper base and said lower base; and

a control unit selectively decreasing and increasing air pressure in said air spring, said air spring extending and retracting in response to air pressure changes.

2. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 1, said suspension base assembly further comprising:

a first air solenoid selectively providing air to said air spring responsive to said control unit;

a second air solenoid selectively bleeding air from said air spring responsive to said control unit; and

a keypad providing control signals to said control unit, said control unit maintaining air spring extensive force and passing air to/bleeding air from said air spring responsive to inputs on said keypad.

3. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 2 wherein said suspension base assembly further comprises:

a height sensor sensing the distance of extension of said upper base with respect to said lower base, said height sensor providing a signal to said control unit indicating said distance, said control unit automatically maintaining air spring extensive force responsive to said signal.

4. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 3 further comprising an occupant sensor in said lower seat frame, said occupant sensor indicating to said control unit whether said powered seat is occupied.

5. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 3 further comprising a tipover sensor generating a tipover signal when said powered seat is tipped beyond a maximum angle.

6. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 3 wherein said control unit includes a plurality of memory locations storing seat height positions.

7. A powered seat as in claim 6 wherein said air spring is attached at one end to said base arms and at another end to said upper base.

8. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 7 wherein said control unit comprises:

a controller receiving input signals and providing control signals responsive to received input signals;

an occupant sensor interface circuit receiving an occupant sensor signal from an occupant sensor and providing said received signal to said controller;

a tipover sensor sensing whether said powered seat is tipped beyond a maximum angle; and

a first solenoid driver driving said first air solenoid valve and a second solenoid driver driving said second air solenoid valve, said controller providing a first control signal to each of said first solenoid driver and said second solenoid driver.

9. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 8 wherein each of said first solenoid driver and said second solenoid driver receives a second control signal from said keypad.

10. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 9 wherein said maximum angle is 45°

and said keypad includes a dump button, said controller causing said second solenoid valve to bleed air from said air spring responsive to pressing said dump button, said tipover indicator indicating said powered seat has tipped beyond 45°

or, said occupant sensor indicating said automotive seat is not occupied.

11. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 9 wherein said keypad includes a height adjust button, said seat height adjust button providing said second control signal, bypassing said controller and setting seat height.

12. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 7 wherein said upper seat frame is pivotally attached to said lower seat frame.

13. A powered truck seat comprising:

an upper seat frame;

a lower seat frame, said upper seat frame being disposed at the rear of said lower seat frame;

a seat cushion disposed on said lower seat frame;

an occupant sensor in said seat cushion, said occupant sensor providing an indication whether said truck seat is occupied;

a suspension base assembly, said lower seat frame being attached to said suspension base assembly, said suspension base assembly comprising;

a lower base mountable on the floor of a vehicle,

an upper base attached to and holding said lower seat frame,

a pair of base arms attaching said upper base to said lower base,

a height sensor sensing the distance of extension of said upper base with respect to said lower base, said height sensor providing a height signal,

an air spring attached between said upper base and said lower base, and

a control unit selectively decreasing and increasing air pressure in said air spring responsive to provided sensor and control signals, said air spring extending and retracting in response to air pressure changes;

a tipover sensor generating a tipover signal when said powered seat is tipped beyond a maximum angle; and

a keypad providing control signals to said control unit, said control unit maintaining air spring extensive force and passing air to/bleeding air from said air spring responsive to inputs on said keypad.

14. A powered truck seat as in claim 13, said suspension base assembly further comprising:

a first air solenoid attached to said lower base and selectively providing air to said air spring responsive to said control unit; and

a second air solenoid attached to said lower base and selectively bleeding air from said air spring responsive to said control unit.

15. A powered truck seat as in claim 14 wherein said control unit includes a plurality of memory locations selectable from said keypad and storing seat height positions.

16. A powered truck seat as in claim 15 wherein each of said first solenoid driver and said second solenoid driver receives a second control signal from said keypad.

17. A powered truck seat as in claim 16 wherein said maximum angle is 45°

and said keypad includes a dump button, said controller causing said second solenoid valve to bleed air from said air spring responsive to pressing said dump button, said tipover indicator indicating said powered seat has tipped beyond 45°

or, said occupant sensor indicating said automotive seat is not occupied.

18. A powered truck seat as in claim 17 wherein said keypad is mounted on said lower seat frame and includes a height adjust button, said seat height adjust button providing said second control signal, bypassing said controller and setting seat height.

19. A powered seat as in claim 18 wherein said air spring is attached at one end to said base arms and another end to said upper base.

20. A powered seat for a vehicle as in claim 19 wherein said upper seat frame is attached to said lower seat frame.