ANTHROPOMORPHIC UPPER SEATBACK

• US 20170282757A1
• Filed: 04/04/2016
• Published: 10/05/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2016
• 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, Kondrad, Marcos Silva, Ferretti, Daniel, Jaranson, John Wayne, Kolich, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 9,889,773 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2222 the back-rest having two or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/643 shape of the back-rests B60N2/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/68 Seat frames

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame. An articulating upper thoracic region is operably coupled with the seatback frame and includes a cross-vehicle support, a torso vertical support, and a suspension support. The articulating upper thoracic region is pivotally coupled with a mid-portion of the seatback frame between stowed and deployed positions. A back panel is operably coupled to a rear side of the seatback frame. A front close-out panel is disposed between a rear portion of the articulating upper thoracic region and the back panel. A peripheral gap is disposed between the front close-out panel and the articulating upper thoracic region.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback frame;

an articulating upper thoracic region operably coupled with the seatback frame and comprising;

a cross-vehicle support;

a torso vertical support; and

a suspension support;

wherein the articulating upper thoracic region is pivotally coupled with a mid-portion of the seatback frame between stowed and deployed positions;

a back panel operably coupled to a rear side of the seatback frame;

a front close-out panel disposed between a rear portion of the articulating upper thoracic region and the back panel; and

a peripheral gap disposed between the front close-out panel and the articulating upper thoracic region when the articulating upper thoracic region is in the stowed and the deployed positions.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein a lateral distance from a first side to a second side of the cross-vehicle support is approximately 400 mm to 430 mm.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the lateral distance from a first side to a second side of the cross-vehicle support is approximately 417 mm.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the torso vertical support extends upwardly from a mid-portion of the seatback frame approximately 260 mm to 300 mm.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4, wherein the torso vertical support extends upwardly from a mid-portion of the seatback frame approximately 288 mm.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the articulating upper thoracic region is rotatable to a position that translates a top edge of the articulating upper thoracic region forward approximately 40 mm to 70 mm, increasing the width of the peripheral gap at the top of the seatback frame.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the torso vertical support extends upwardly from a mid-portion of the seatback frame approximately 260 mm to 300 mm.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the torso vertical support extends upwardly from a mid-portion of the seatback frame approximately 288 mm.

7. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback frame;

an articulating upper thoracic region operably coupled with the seatback frame and comprising;

a cross-vehicle support;

a torso vertical support; and

a suspension support; and

wherein the articulating upper thoracic region is pivotally coupled with the seatback frame between stowed and deployed positions, and defines a peripheral gap in the stowed and the deployed positions.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein a lateral distance from a first side to a second side of the cross-vehicle support is approximately 400 mm to 430 mm.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the articulating upper thoracic region is rotatable to a position that translates a top edge of the articulating upper thoracic region forward approximately 40 mm to 70 mm, increasing a width of the peripheral gap at the top of the seatback frame.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 12, wherein the articulating upper thoracic region is configured to flex rearward in a cantilevered manner approximately 14 percent to 86 percent rearward.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the lateral distance from a first side to a second side of the cross-vehicle support is approximately 417 mm.

14. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback frame;

an articulating upper thoracic region pivotally coupled with a mid-portion of the seatback frame and operable between stowed and deployed positions, wherein a rear portion of the articulating upper thoracic region defines a peripheral gap, the articulating upper thoracic region including;

a laterally-flexible cross-vehicle support;

a torso vertical support; and

an adjustable suspension support that is dependent on a relative position of the articulating upper thoracic region.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein a lateral distance from a first side to a second side of the laterally-flexible cross-vehicle support is approximately 400 mm to 430 mm.

16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 15, wherein the lateral distance from a first side to a second side of the laterally-flexible cross-vehicle support is approximately 417 mm.

17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the torso vertical support extends upwardly from a mid-portion of the seatback frame approximately 260 mm to 300 mm.

18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 17, wherein the torso vertical support extends upwardly from a mid-portion of the seatback frame approximately 288 mm.

19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the articulating upper thoracic region is rotatable to a position that translates a top edge of the articulating upper thoracic region forward approximately 40 mm to 70 mm, increasing a width of the peripheral gap at the top of the seatback frame.

20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 19, wherein the articulating upper thoracic region is configured to flex rearward in a cantilevered manner approximately 14 percent to 86 percent rearward.