VALUE ASSEMBLY FOR SEATBACKS AND CUSHIONS

• US 20160229322A1
• Filed: 02/11/2015
• Published: 08/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Kondrad, Marc Silva, Line, Johnathan Andrew, Ronzi, Brett, Hosbach, Christian J., Ferretti, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 10,011,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6009 covering more than only the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/64 Back-rests or cushions B60N2/2222 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6671 with cable actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6673 with motor driven adjustments
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/68 Seat frames
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/80 Head-rests

Abstract

A method of assembling a vehicle seat assembly is provided. The method comprises the steps of providing a preassembled front seatback module and a seatback frame. The method further includes assembling a seatback assembly by coupling the front seatback module to a preassembled rear seatback module around and interconnected to the seatback frame. The method further includes providing a preassembled seat module and pivotally coupling the seat module to the seatback assembly. The assembly method further includes coupling the seat module to a seat frame, and further coupling a preassembled headrest module to an upper portion of the seatback assembly.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a vehicle seat assembly, comprising the steps of:

providing a preassembled front seatback module;

providing a seatback frame;

assembling a seatback assembly by coupling the front seatback module to a preassembled rear seatback module around the seatback frame;

providing a preassembled seat module;

coupling the seat module to the seatback assembly;

coupling the seat module to a seat frame; and

coupling a preassembled headrest module to the seatback assembly.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a preassembled front seatback module further includes:

providing a preassembled front seatback module having a cover, a support cushion and a back carrier.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the back carrier includes a plurality of mounting tabs disposed around a perimeter thereof.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the step of assembling a seatback assembly further includes:

providing a preassembled rear seatback module having an outer shell, wherein the outer shell includes a plurality of mounting tabs disposed around a perimeter thereof.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of assembling a seatback assembly further includes:

aligning the mounting tabs of the back carrier with the mounting tabs of the outer shell.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the step of aligning the mounting tabs of the back carrier with the mounting tabs of the outer shell further includes:

coupling the front seatback module to the rear seatback module at the aligned mounting tabs of the back carrier and outer shell using fasteners.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of providing a seatback frame further includes:

providing a seatback frame having one or more mounting apertures disposed on an upper cross member thereof.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of coupling a preassembled headrest module to the seatback assembly further includes:

providing a headrest module having a head restraint including first and second support posts.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of coupling a preassembled headrest module to the seatback assembly further includes:

receiving the first and second support posts of the head restraint in the mounting apertures of the seatback frame.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of receiving the first and second support posts of the head restraint in the mounting apertures of the seatback frame further includes:

mounting a guide member to the front and rear seatback assemblies, wherein the guide member includes first and second guide channels in which the first and second support posts are received.

11. A method of assembling a vehicle seat assembly, comprising the steps of:

assembling a front seatback module;

assembling a rear seatback module;

assembling a seat module;

assembling a headrest module;

assembling a seatback assembly by coupling the front seatback module to the rear seatback module around a seatback frame;

coupling the seat module to the seatback assembly; and

coupling the headrest module to the seatback assembly.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of assembling a seatback assembly by coupling the front seatback module to the rear seatback module around a seatback frame further includes:

mounting one of the front seatback module and the rear seatback module to the seatback frame.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of assembling a seatback assembly by coupling the front seatback module to the rear seatback module around a seatback frame further includes:

providing a seatback frame having one or more mounting apertures disposed on an upper cross member thereof.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of coupling the headrest module to the seatback assembly further includes:

providing a headrest module having a head restraint including first and second support posts.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of coupling the headrest module to the seatback assembly further includes:

receiving the first and second support posts of the head restraint in the mounting apertures of the seatback frame.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the seatback assembly is pivotally coupled to the seat module.

17. A method of assembling a vehicle seat assembly, comprising the steps of:

providing a set of preassembled seat modules including a front seatback module, a rear seatback module, a headrest module and a seat module;

coupling the seat module to a seat frame;

coupling the front seatback module to the rear seatback module around a seatback frame to form a seatback assembly;

coupling the headrest module to the seatback assembly; and

coupling the seatback assembly to the seat module.

18. The method of claim 17, further including:

coupling one or more trim components to the seat frame.

19. The method claim 18, wherein the step of coupling the seatback assembly to the seat module further includes:

pivotally coupling the seatback assembly to the seat module.

20. The method of claim 17, further including:

coupling the seat frame to a track assembly.