Vehicle seat adjustment system including an occupant protection adjustment

• US 20050146174A1
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Published: 07/07/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Christopher, Hugh H., Maddelein, Michael G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,229,133 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/216.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02 the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/231 by hydraulic actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42727 involving substantially rigid displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42772 characterised by the triggering system

Abstract

A vehicle seat adjustment system for adjusting the position of a portion of a vehicle seat. The system comprises a hydraulic actuator, a primary activation system for operating the hydraulic actuator and adjusting the seat position, and a secondary activation system for the hydraulic actuator. The secondary activation system is arranged to be activated in the event of a detected crash, to provide for movement of the hydraulic actuator to automatically adjust the position of a portion of the seat towards a predetermined position. The secondary activation system comprises a chamber to allow fluid to be displaced from the hydraulic actuator into the chamber. The secondary activation system may additionally comprise a fluid injection unit which supplies a quantity of fluid, preferably gas, to the actuator.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat adjustment system for adjusting the position of a portion of a vehicle seat, the system comprising:

a hydraulic actuator arranged to, in use, adjust the position of a portion of the seat;

a primary activation system to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator to operate the hydraulic actuator; and

a secondary activation system which is activated in the event of a detected crash to provide for movement of the hydraulic actuator to automatically adjust the position of a portion of the seat.

2. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the secondary activation system automatically adjusts the position of a portion of the seat towards a predetermined position.

3. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the secondary activation system automatically adjusts the position of a portion of the seat by a predetermined amount.

4. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the secondary activation system automatically adjusts the position of a portion of the seat by a variable amount.

5. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the secondary activation system comprises a chamber and a valve connected to the actuator which when activated operate to allow fluid to be displaced and flow from the hydraulic actuator through the valve into the chamber.

6. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 5 in which the valve comprises a pressure activated valve which opens when the pressure within the actuator exceeds a predetermined level.

7. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 5 in which the valve comprises a non-return valve.

8. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 5 in which a movable piston divides the chamber into a first chamber to receive fluid from the actuator and a second chamber containing a compressible gas.

9. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 8 in which the second chamber is sealed.

10. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the secondary activation system comprises a fluid injection unit which supplies a quantity of fluid to the actuator.

11. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 10 in which the fluid supplied by the fluid injection unit is a gas.

12. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which there are two or more hydraulic actuators arranged for adjusting the position of the portion of the seat and the secondary activation system comprises a single secondary activation system connected to the two or more actuators.

13. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which there is a first set of hydraulic actuators arranged for adjusting the position of a first portion of the seat, a second set of hydraulic actuators arranged for adjusting the position of a second portion of the seat, and a single secondary activation system is connected to the first and second set of hydraulic actuators.

14. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the hydraulic actuator comprises a movable piston located within a cylinder.

15. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the hydraulic actuator is arranged to adjust the fore and aft position of the vehicle seat within a vehicle.

16. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the hydraulic actuator is arranged to adjust the tilt angle of a seat bottom cushion of a vehicle seat to raise the front of the seat bottom cushion relative to the rear of the seat bottom cushion.

17. A vehicle seat adjustment system as claimed in claim 1 in which the secondary activation system is selectively armed for activation in the event of a detected crash.

18. A vehicle seat adjustment system for adjusting the position of a portion of a vehicle seat, the system comprising:

a hydraulic actuator arranged to, in use, adjust the position of a portion of the seat;

a primary activation system to control a flow of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic actuator to operate the actuator; and

a secondary activation system which is activated in the event of a detected crash/impact to provide for movement of the actuator to automatically adjust the position of a portion of the seat;

the secondary activation system comprising a fluid injection unit which supplies a quantity of fluid to the actuator, and a chamber and a valve connected to the actuator which when activated operates to allow fluid to be displaced and flow from the hydraulic actuator through the valve into the chamber.

19. A vehicle seat adjustment system for adjusting the position of a portion of a vehicle seat, the system comprising:

a hydraulic actuator arranged to, in use, adjust the position of a portion of the seat; and

a gas injector unit which is activated in the event of a detected crash to inject a quantity of gas into the hydraulic actuator.

20. (canceled)

21. (canceled)