Integrated active seat suspension and seat lockup device

• US 6,193,297 B1
• Filed: 05/08/2000
• Issued: 02/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Co. LLC (Volkswagen AG)
• Original Assignee: Navistar International Transportation Corp. (Volkswagen AG)
• Inventors: Vandermolen, Gary L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATEL, KIRAN B
• Application Number:
  US09/566,865
• Time in Patent Office: 295 Days
• Field of Search: 296/68.1, 296/65.02, 296/65.01, 296/65.08, 297/216.15, 297/216.16, 297/216.17, 297/215, 297/216, 180/282
• US Class Current: 296/68.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02 the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable adjustable arm-rests B60N2/75; adjustable head-rests B60N2/806
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/501 actively controlled suspension, e.g. electronic control
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/502 attached to the base of the seat B60N2/504 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/505 Adjustable suspension including height adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/508 Scissors-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/525 using gas
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/527 using liquids

Abstract

The vehicle seat suspension system of the present invention provides an active seat suspension system responsive to conditions indicative of a collision or rollover for moving the seat downwardly to the limit of its vertical travel. The seat assembly comprises the seat, an active suspension system for maintaining an equilibrium position of the seat, sensors responsive to accident conditions for generating accident indication signals, and a seat positioning signal generator responsive to the accident indication signals for providing a seat relocation signal, where the active suspension system being responsive to the seat relocation signal for moving the seat to a retracted location.

Claims

1. A seat assembly for installation on a vehicle, the seat assembly comprising:

(a) a seat having a vertical travel with a lower limit relative to the vehicle;

(b) accident sensors responsive to accident conditions for generating accident indication signals;

(c) a seat positioning signal generator responsive to an accident indication signal, for providing a seat positioning signal at a retraction level;

(d) means for positioning the seat in its vertical travel, being responsive to the retraction level signal for dropping the seat to the lower limit of its vertical travel;

(e) sensors responsive to selected vehicle conditions for generating seat height correction signals;

(f) the seat positioning signal generator being further responsive to the motion sensors for providing a dynamic variable level seat positioning signal, and

(g) said means for vertically positioning the seat further comprises a spring; and

an electrohydraulic valve responsive to the seat positioning signal.

2. A seat assembly for installation on a vehicle, the seat assembly comprising:

(a) a seat having a vertical travel with a lower limit relative to the vehicle;

(b) accident sensors responsive to an accident conditions for generating accident indication signals;

(c) a seat positioning signal generator responsive an accident indication signal, for providing a seat positioning signal at a retraction level;

(d) means for positioning the seat in its vertical travel, being responsive to the retraction level signal for dropping the seat to the lower limit of its vertical travel;

(e) sensors responsive to selected vehicle conditions for generating seat height correction signals;

(f) the seat positioning signal generator being further responsive to the motion sensors for providing a dynamic variable level seat positioning signal;

(g) said retraction level signal is a null signal;

(h) said accident sensors include an accelerometer responsive to deceleration for generating a collision signal and an attitude sensor responsive to rollover of the vehicle for generating a rollover signal;

(i) said means for vertically positioning the seat further comprises a spring; and

an electrohydraulic valve responsive to the seat positioning signal.

3. A seat assembly for a vehicle, comprising:

(a) a seat;

(b) an active suspension system for maintaining an equilibrium position of the seat;

(c) sensors responsive to an accident condition for generating accident indication signals;

(d) means responsive to the accident indication signals for providing a seat relocation signal;

(e) the active suspension system being responsive to the seat relocation signal for moving the seat to a retracted location;

(f) said equilibrium position of the seat is user selected and the active suspension system dynamically counters movement of the seat away from the equilibrium position absent the seat relocation signal;

(g) said retracted location for the seat is adjacent a passenger compartment floor in a vehicle, and

(h) said active suspension system includes a spring and an electrohydraulic strut and the seat relocation signal is a null signal resulting in drainage of the electrohydraulic strut and its subsequent collapse.