ADJUSTABLE FIRMNESS VEHICLE SEAT

• US 20160046207A1
• Filed: 10/29/2015
• Published: 02/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Arant, Michael Paul, Lem, Jeroen, Michell, Steve
• Granted Patent: US 9,840,171 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02258 characterised by the mounting of the electric motor for adjusting the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7082 with air or fluid cushions B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape

Abstract

A vehicle seat is provided herein. The vehicle seat includes a cushion disposed within a seating member having at least one inflatable first bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. An inflatable second bladder is separated from a support surface of the seating member by the first bladder and fluidly connected to the first bladder. A vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the second bladder when the pressure in the first bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the second bladder when the pressure in the first bladder is selectively increased.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising:

a cushion disposed within a seating member having at least one inflatable first bladder for selectively adjusting a firmness of the cushion; and

an inflatable second bladder separated from a support surface of the seating member by the first bladder and fluidly connected to the first bladder, wherein a vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the second bladder when the pressure in the first bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the second bladder when a pressure in the first bladder is selectively increased.

2. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the first bladder and the second bladder are air bladders and air is used to increase and decrease the pressure therewithin.

3. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the first bladder and the second bladder are liquid bladders and liquid is used to increase and decrease the pressure therewithin.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein both the first and second bladders are enclosed within the cushion.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second bladders is configured to sense the presence of a seated occupant.

6. A vehicle seat comprising:

a cushion coupled to a seating member having an inflatable first air bladder;

an inflatable second air bladder separated from a support surface by the first air bladdar; and

a hose and control valve coupled to the first and second air bladders and configured to maintain a vehicle seat hip pivot point by counteracting a change in air pressure within the first air bladder with an inverse change in pressure within the second air bladder.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the seating member is a seat.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 7, wherein the second air bladder is positioned beneath the first air bladder, and the vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained by increasing the air pressure within the second air bladder when the air pressure within the first air bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the air pressure within the second air bladder when the air pressure within the first air bladder is selectively increased.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the seat member is a seat back.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 9, wherein the second air bladder is positioned rearward of the first air bladder, and the vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained by increasing the air pressure within the second air bladder when the air pressure within the first air bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the air pressure within the second air bladder when the air pressure within the first air bladder is selectively increased.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the first air bladder includes a first air line on a first end portion that is coupled to a pump and a second air line on a second end portion that is fluidly coupled to the second air bladder.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein a layer of foam is disposed between the first air bladder and a trim cover.

13. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein a layer of foam is disposed between the first and second air bladders.

14. A seat assembly comprising:

a seating member having a cushion disposed therein, the cushion including an inflatable first air bladder for selectively adjusting a firmness of the cushion; and

an adjustment mechanism coupled to the air bladder, wherein the adjustment mechanism adjusts a distance between the air bladder and a support surface of the seating member as an air pressure of the air bladder is adjusted to maintain a constant hip pivot point.

15. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein the height adjustment mechanism is an inflatable, lower second air bladder.

16. The seat assembly of claim 15, wherein the air pressure within the second air bladder is increased to compensate for a decrease in air pressure within the first air bladder.

17. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein the height adjustment mechanism is at least one variable tension spring.

18. The seat assembly of claim 17, wherein the tension of the at least one variable tension spring is decreased to compensate for an increase in air pressure within the first air bladder.

19. The seat assembly of claim 14, further comprising an air pump and at least one air line and control valve in fluid communication with the first air bladder for selectively adjusting the air pressure and controlling the firmness of the cushion.

20. The vehicle seat of claim 15, wherein the first air bladder includes a first air line on a first end portion that is coupled to a pump and a second air line on a second end portion that is fluidly coupled to the second air bladder.