DUAL SUSPENSION SEATING ASSEMBLY

• US 20170267141A1
• Filed: 05/10/2017
• Published: 09/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2016
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Line, Johnathan Andrew, Ferretti, Daniel, Jaranson, John Wayne, Kondrad, Marcos Silva, Kolich, Michael, Berry, S. M. Akbar, Casey, Carol Diane, Andree, David, Brinker, Rodney Charles
• Granted Patent: US 10,286,818 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0284 Adjustable seat-cushion length B60N2/0224 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/54 using mechanical springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/99 adjustable

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback and a seat base. The seat base is operably coupled to the seatback. The seat base includes a first suspension assembly and a second suspension assembly. The first suspension assembly includes a seat pan assembly and a seat cushion assembly. The seat cushion assembly is positioned above the seat pan assembly. The second suspension assembly includes a plurality of independent thigh supports operably coupled to a forward portion of the seat pan.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback;

a seat base operably coupled to the seatback;

a first suspension assembly of the seat base, the first suspension assembly comprising;

a suspension member operably coupled to a seat pan;

one or more tunable springs positioned across the seat pan;

flexible side bolsters of the seat pan;

a seat cushion assembly positioned above the suspension member;

articulated seat side bolsters of the seat cushion assembly; and

a second suspension assembly of the seat base, the second suspension assembly comprising;

a plurality of independent thigh supports operably coupled to a forward portion of the seat pan.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of independent thigh supports are independently operable between an extended position and a retracted position.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the plurality of independent thigh supports are actuated between the extended and retracted positions by a first motor and a second motor operably coupled to first and second thigh supports of the plurality of independent thigh supports, respectively.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of independent thigh supports are independently operable between a raised position and a lowered position.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of independent thigh supports further comprises:

a support base attached to the forward portion of the seat pan;

a movable housing slidably coupled to the support base; and

a trim cover stock partially positioned above an upper surface of the movable housing.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 5, wherein the plurality of independent thigh supports further comprises:

a linkage system configured to articulate the independent thigh supports between extended and retracted positions.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 6, wherein the linkage system further comprises:

a first fixed pivot positioned within a cavity of the movable housing and operably coupled to a first end of a pivot bracket;

a second displaceable pivot mounted to an upper portion of a trim payout slider and positioned within a first slot of the pivot bracket; and

a third fixed pivot mounted to an interior surface of a lower clamshell of the movable housing and positioned in a second slot of the pivot bracket.

8. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback;

a seat base operably coupled to the seatback; and

a dual suspension system positioned in the seat base, the dual suspension system comprising;

a first suspension assembly, wherein the first suspension assembly supports a posterior of an occupant of the seat base; and

a second suspension assembly comprising independent thigh supports, wherein the first and second suspension assemblies are independent of one another.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the first suspension assembly further comprises:

a seat pan assembly; and

a seat cushion assembly positioned above the seat pan assembly.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the seat pan assembly further comprises:

flexible side bolsters of a seat pan.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the seat pan assembly further comprises:

a suspension member operably coupled to the seat pan.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the seat pan assembly further comprises:

one or more tunable springs positioned across the seat pan.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the seat cushion assembly further comprises:

articulated seat side bolsters.

14. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback;

a seat base operably coupled to the seatback;

a first suspension assembly of the seat base, the first suspension assembly comprising;

a seat pan assembly;

a seat cushion assembly positioned above the seat pan assembly; and

a second suspension assembly of the seat base, the second suspension assembly comprising;

a plurality of independent thigh supports operably coupled to a forward portion of the seat pan.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat pan assembly further comprises:

flexible side bolsters of a seat pan.

16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat pan assembly further comprises:

a suspension member operably coupled to a seat pan.

17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat pan assembly further comprises:

one or more tunable springs positioned across a seat pan.

18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the seat cushion assembly further comprises:

articulated seat side bolsters.

19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of independent thigh supports are independently operable between an extended position and a retracted position.

20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of independent thigh supports are independently operably between a raised position and a lowered position.