Vehicle seating assembly with multi-contour system

• US 9,346,385 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2014
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Sachs, Adam, Line, Johnathan Andrew
• Primary Examiner(s): Cranmer, Laurie K
• Application Number:
  US14/196,145
• Publication Number:
  US 20150251580A1
• Time in Patent Office: 812 Days
• Field of Search: 297/284.1, 297/284.2, 297/284.3, 297/284.6, 297/216.13
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1207 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/1623 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2201/164 Feet or leg, e.g. pedal
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/081 Back
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 2205/108 for the upper legs
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/02 with electric or magnetic drive
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 9/0078 with intermittent or alternately inflated bladders or cuffs mattresses for preventing bed-sores with alternated pressurized chambers A61G7/05776
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/565 sucked from the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5657 blown towards the seat surface
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/643 shape of the back-rests B60N2/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/646 shape of the cushion
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/976 massaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/924 using electric or hydraulic energy

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seating surface. A plurality of polymeric mats each include a memory metal encased therein, a first side operably coupled with an underlying support structure, and a second side proximate the seating surface. An electrical source is operably coupled to the memory metal in each polymeric mat and is configured to supply energy to the plurality of memory metals in each polymeric mat. A controller is in communication with the plurality of polymeric mats and is configured to deliver a predetermined electrical input to the memory metal of each polymeric mat. The predetermined electrical input manipulates each polymeric mat to a deformed state, which operates a cushion between a multitude of comfort positions. An air bladder is disposed below the plurality of polymeric mats. The air bladder is operable between an inflated condition and a deflated condition.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seating surface;

a plurality of polymeric mats, each including a memory metal encased therein, each polymeric mat having a first side operably coupled with an underlying support structure and a second side proximate the seating surface;

an electrical source operably coupled to the memory metal in each polymeric mat and configured to supply energy to the memory metal in each polymeric mat;

a controller in communication with the plurality of polymeric mats and configured to deliver a predetermined electrical input to the memory metal of each polymeric mat, wherein the predetermined electrical input manipulates each polymeric mat to a deformed state, and wherein deformation of the plurality of polymeric mats to the deformed state operates a cushion assembly between a multitude of comfort positions; and

an air bladder disposed below the plurality of polymeric mats, the air bladder being operable between an inflated condition and a deflated condition, wherein the plurality of polymeric mats are configured to move into an arched position when in the deformed state and wherein the air bladder is configured to form undulations corresponding to each of the plurality of polymeric mats.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the multitude of comfort positions are determined by the predetermined electrical input delivered to the memory metal of each polymeric mat.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the predetermined electrical input effects a temperature-related shape change to the plurality of polymeric mats corresponding with the plurality of polymeric mats being manipulated to the deformed state.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the seating surface is disposed on a seatback that includes at least one of the plurality of memory metals, and wherein deformation of the polymeric mat of each of the plurality of memory metals to the deformed state operates an outer surface of the cushion assembly between a plurality of back comfort positions.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of polymeric mats are configured to move in a wave-like motion across the seating surface and wherein the air bladder is configured to form undulations corresponding to the wave-like motion of the plurality of polymeric mats.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of polymeric mats are integrally formed into a single multi-contour pad.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 6, wherein the single multi-contour pad is covered by a foam layer, a climate control layer, and a coverstock material.

8. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a cushion;

a multi-contour pad including multiple polymeric mats, each including a memory metal coupled with an electrical source;

a controller coupled with the memory metal in each polymeric mat, the controller configured to apply energy to the memory metal to deform the polymeric mat, causing movement of the cushion to a comfort position; and

an air bladder operable between inflated and deflated conditions and disposed below the polymeric mats, wherein the polymeric mats are integrally formed into a single multi-contour pad that is covered by a foam layer, a climate control layer, and a coverstock material.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the comfort positions are determined by a predetermined electrical input delivered to one or more of the memory metals.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the predetermined electrical input affects a temperature-related shape change to the polymeric mat corresponding with the polymeric mat being manipulated to a deformed state.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the seating surface is disposed on a seatback that includes at least one of the memory metals, and wherein deformation of the polymeric mat of each of the memory metals to the deformed state operates an outer surface of the cushion between a plurality of back comfort positions.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the polymeric mats are configured to move in a wave-like motion across the seating surface, and wherein the air bladder is configured to form undulations corresponding to the wave-like motion of the polymeric mats.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the polymeric mats are configured to move into an arched position when in a deformed state, and wherein the air bladder is configured to form undulations corresponding to each polymeric mat.

14. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a cushion including a plurality of memory metals coupled with an electrical source;

a controller coupled with the electrical source that applies energy to and consequently arches the plurality of memory metals to form undulations in a wave-like motion across a seating surface of the cushion; and

an air bladder disposed below the plurality of memory metals and that forms undulations corresponding to the plurality of memory metals.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the plurality of memory metals is covered by a foam layer, a climate control layer, and a coverstock material.