Integrated semi-active seat suspension and seat lockup system
First Claim
1. A semi-active vehicle seat suspension system comprising:
- a load bearing frame;
a lower frame for mounting to a vehicle;
an extensible linkage positioning the load bearing frame relative to the lower frame;
a spring urging a selectable extension of the extensible linkage;
an extensible motion damping device positioned to dampen motion of the load bearing frame relative to the vehicle;
a non-operator initiated condtion sensing element responsive to only accident conditions involving the vehicle for generating an accident indication signal; and
means responsive to the accident indication signal for locking the extension of the extensible motion damping device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The vehicle seat suspension system of the present invention utilizes an extensible linkage supporting a seat frame. Height adjustment of the seat frame on the extensible linkage is done through an adjustable air spring. Movement of the seat frame due to jostling of the vehicle is normally dampened using a variable damping rate, extensible shock absorber. The damping rate is essentially pushed in infinity, fully locking the shock absorber positionally in response to detection of an accident condition. In one embodiment of the invention, a bleed valve between the compression and rebound chambers of the shock absorber is closed to effect lock up. In an alternative embodiment, the electrorheological or magnetorheological working fluid of a shock absorber may be solidified to lock positionally the shock absorber. Condition detection sensors include accelerometers and roll over detectors. To allow for the possible loss of vehicle power, the lock up signal is supplied by an independent power source.
73 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A semi-active vehicle seat suspension system comprising:
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a load bearing frame; a lower frame for mounting to a vehicle; an extensible linkage positioning the load bearing frame relative to the lower frame; a spring urging a selectable extension of the extensible linkage; an extensible motion damping device positioned to dampen motion of the load bearing frame relative to the vehicle; a non-operator initiated condtion sensing element responsive to only accident conditions involving the vehicle for generating an accident indication signal; and means responsive to the accident indication signal for locking the extension of the extensible motion damping device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A suspension system for a seat in a vehicle, the suspension system comprising:
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a compression spring positioned between the seat and an interior vehicle surface for supporting the seat above the surface; non-operator initiated condition accident sensing elements connected to provide only accident condition indication signals; a damping rate signal generator for supplying a locking level damping rate signal responsive to occurrence of one or more accident condition indication signals; and a shock absorber, having a controllable damping rate, positioned with respect to a load for damping movement of the load and being responsive to the locking level damping rate signal to lock in position. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A vehicle seat suspension system comprising:
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a compression spring; the vehicle seat being supported on the compression spring; a shock absorber responsive to a damping control signal for varying its damping rate, the shock absorber being connected between the vehicle seat and a segment of the vehicle for damping movement of the vehicle seat relative to the vehicle; a plurality of non-operator initiated condition accident sensors, each for providing an accident indication signal; a damping rate signal generator for generating the damping rate signal, being responsive to the accident indication signal from each of said plurality of non-operator initiated condition accident sensors for generating a maximum resistance level damping rate signal effective to lock the position of the shock absorber; and a locking controller connected to receive the maximum resistance level damping rate signal for applying in response thereto the damping control signal to the shock absorber. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification