SELF-ADJUSTING SEAT STIFFNESS SYSTEM

• US 20150076879A1
• Filed: 09/13/2013
• Published: 03/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Line, Johnathan Andrew, Ruthinowski, Richard Edward, Spahn, Brian Robert, Ferretti, Daniel, DeSmet, Edward Joseph, Olsen, William Jerome
• Granted Patent: US 9,199,560 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/284.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/22 Straps or the like for direct user support or for carrying upholstery
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42763 with anti-submarining systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42781 mechanical triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4279 electric or electronic triggering

Abstract

A self-adjusting seat stiffness system that uses a tension member and tensioning device to maintain or increase tension in a seat component during a perceived vehicle dynamic event. The system may use an inertial latching spool for the tensioning device as an example of a way to maintain tension at a target acceleration of the spool by locking up the tension member, or may have a controller to control the tensioning member to provide variable tensions depending on varying perceived vehicle parameters. The tensioning of the tension member helps to avoid submarining of an occupant under a seatbelt due to unacceptable seat compression during a vehicle dynamic event.

Claims

1. A self-adjusting seat stiffness system comprising:

a tension member in cooperation with a tensioning unit connected to and spanning a portion of a seat, wherein the tensioning unit automatically adjusts the tension of the tension member providing seat stiffness in response to a perceived vehicle dynamic event.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the tensioning unit is an inertial-latching retracting spool.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the tensioning unit is an electric retractor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the tensioning unit is a pyro-technic retractor.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a controller to control the tensioning unit.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the controller sends a signal to the tensioning unit to at least maintain an initial tension in the tension member.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the controller sends a signal to the tensioning unit to increase tension in the tension member.

8. The system of claim 5 further comprising a vehicle pre-crash system, wherein the controller is in communication with the vehicle pre-crash system, the perceived vehicle dynamic event is a potential collision with another object as determined by the vehicle pre-crash system, and the controller sets the tension of the tension member in response to the potential collision of the vehicle with another object.

9. The system of claim 5 further comprising a seat pressure sensor, wherein the controller is in communication with the seat pressure sensor, the perceived vehicle dynamic event is an increase in seat pressure, and the controller sets the tension of the tension member in response to an increase in seat pressure.

10. The system of claim 5 further comprising a vehicle communication system, wherein the controller is in communication with the vehicle communication system and capable of monitoring vehicle acceleration, the perceived vehicle dynamic event is a trigger acceleration value, and the controller sets the tension of the tension member in response to the trigger acceleration value.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the seat has opposing first and second frame members and tension member spans the seat between the first and second frame members.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the tension member is connected to the first frame member and the tensioning unit is connected to the second frame member.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the tension member is aligned transversely with respect to the vehicle.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a seat suspension system and the tension member is disposed within the seat suspension system.

15. The system of claim 1 further comprising an inflatable member connected to the tension member, wherein the inflatable member is deployable in response to a perceived vehicle dynamic event.

16. A vehicle seat anti-submarining system comprising:

a tension member spanning a portion of a vehicle seat between opposing frame members; and

a controller for tensioning the tension member to provide enhanced stiffness to the portion of the seat in response to a perceived vehicle dynamic event.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the perceived vehicle dynamic event is an acceleration of the vehicle above a target acceleration.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the perceived vehicle dynamic event is a potential collision of the vehicle with another object.

19. The system of claim 16 further comprising a tensioning unit selected from a group consisting of an inertial-latching retracting spool, an electric refractor, and a pyro-technic refractor.

20. The system of claim 16 further comprising an inflatable member connected to the tension member, wherein the inflatable member is deployable in response to the tensioning of the tension member.