Apparatus for adjusting the height of the seat cushion for a vehicle

• US 5,765,915 A
• Filed: 12/24/1996
• Issued: 06/16/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Lee, Chang Seog
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, STEPHEN A
• Application Number:
  US08/774,089
• Time in Patent Office: 539 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.1, 297/284.6, 297/452.41, 297/452.28, 297/344.12, 5/713, 5/654, 180/272, 307/10.1, 307/9.1, 307/119, 701/49
• US Class Current: 297/344.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1665 Hydraulic or pneumatic actuation

Abstract

Disclosed is an apparatus for adjusting the height of the seat cushion for a vehicle which includes a rubber tube positioned under the seat cushion, a pressure sensing means positioned under the rubber tube and moving upward or downward depending upon the load supplied on the seat cushion, a first switch and a second switch selectively operating a compressor and a vacuum pump depending upon a signal from the pressure sensing means, and a limit switch cutting off the first switch on contact with the rubber tube.

Claims

1. An apparatus for adjusting the height of a seat cushion for a vehicle including a seat cushion and a reclinable seat back comprising:

an inflatable rubber tube positioned under the seat cushion;

a pressure sensing means positioned under the rubber tube and moving upward or downward in response to a load applied on the seat cushion;

a first switch selectively operating a compressor in response to the pressure sensing means moving downward past a first position;

a second switch selectively operating a vacuum pump in response to the pressure sensing means moving upward past a second position; and

a limit switch positioned on the seat cushion adjacent the rubber tube which cuts off an electrical connection between the first switch and the compressor upon contacting the rubber tube.

2. An apparatus for adjusting the height of a seat cushion for a vehicle including a seat cushion and a reclinable seat back comprising:

an inflatable rubber tube positioned under the seat cushion;

pressure sensing means positioned under the rubber tube and moving upward or downward in response to a load supplied on the seat cushion;

a first switch selectively operating a compressor in response to the pressure sensing means moving downward past a first position;

a second switch selectively operating a vacuum pump in response to the pressure sensing means moving upward past a second position; and

a limit switch positioned on the seat cushion adjacent the rubber tube which cuts off an electrical connection between the first switch and the compressor upon contacting the rubber tube,

wherein the pressure sensing means comprises;

a pressure sensor bar moving upward or downward in response to the load supplied on the seat cushion;

a plate operatively connected to the pressure sensing bar;

a bracket operatively connected to the plate;

a rod operatively connected to the bracket; and

a pressure plate operatively connected to the rod and positioned between the first switch and the second switch, and

wherein the pressure plate selectively moves between an electrical connection with the first switch and an electrical connection with the second switch in response to the upward or downward movement of the pressure sensor bar.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a case with an inner wall which houses the pressure sensing means and a return spring positioned between the inner wall of the case and the rod.

4. The apparatus for adjusting the height of the seat cushion for a vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the bracket is pivotally mounted to the case by a pivot pin.

5. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a guide gear pivotably mounted on the case, wherein teeth are formed on the end of the rod, and wherein the teeth engage the guide gear.