Ambient functional lighting of a seat

• US 9,694,741 B2
• Filed: 08/25/2014
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Gardner, Cornel Lewis, Salter, Stuart C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Islam, Syed A
• Application Number:
  US14/467,073
• Publication Number:
  US 20160052447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,044 Days
• Field of Search: 362483, 362488, 362131, 362466, 362464, 2972176, 297312, 2974523, 2972173, 340459
• CPC Class Codes: A47C 7/725 for illumination, e.g. lamps
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/986 Side-rests B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/981 Warning systems, e.g. the seat or seat parts vibrates to warn the passenger when facing a danger
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/233 Seats; Arm rests; Head rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/80 Circuits; Control arrangements for dashboards B60Q3/16; for mass transit vehicles B60Q3/47
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 9/00 Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00 , e.g. haptic signalling

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seat having a base including peripheral side ledges disposed on first and second sides of the seat. A seat cushion is disposed on the base and includes first and second independent thigh supports that extend forwardly over the base and define a forward ledge. A seatback is operably coupled to the seat and includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The lower portion includes a seatback cushion and a seatback support. A peripheral seatback cavity is located on first and second sides of the lower portion between the seatback cushion and the seatback support. At least one light source is disposed proximate the peripheral side ledges, the forward ledge, and the peripheral seatback cavity.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat including a base having peripheral side ledges disposed on first and second sides of the seat;

a seat cushion disposed on the base and including first and second independent thigh supports that extend forwardly over the base and define a forward ledge;

a seatback operably coupled to the seat and including an upper portion and a lower portion, wherein the lower portion includes a seatback cushion and a seatback support, and wherein a peripheral seatback cavity is located on first and second sides of the lower portion between the seatback cushion and the seatback support; and

a plurality of zones defined on the seat and the seatback, each zone including at least one light source integrally formed in said vehicle seating assembly, wherein each zone is operationally independent and configured to relay information to a passenger.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source includes light emitting diodes.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper portion of the seatback includes a seatback cushion and a seatback support, and wherein a peripheral seatback cavity is disposed between the seatback cushion and the seatback support.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is configured to warn a driver of a critical driving condition.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one light source is configured to warn the driver of at least a vehicle hazard switch is engaged, a turn signal has been engaged for a prolonged period of time, a check engine light is engaged, a low fuel indicator is engaged, a door is ajar, a lock/unlock function is not performing, and a seat motor has stalled.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit different wavelengths of light.

7. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat including a seat cushion and a base, wherein the seat cushion and the base define a peripheral seat ledge disposed on first and second sides of the seat and a front of the seat;

a seatback operably coupled to the seat and including a seatback cushion and a seatback support, wherein a peripheral seatback cavity is located on first and second sides of the seatback and defined between the seatback cushion and the seatback support; and

at least two operationally independent zones, each including at least one light source integrally formed within said vehicle seating assembly disposed proximate the peripheral seat ledge and the peripheral seatback cavity.

8. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, further comprising:

first and second independent thigh supports that extend forwardly over the base.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one light source includes light emitting diodes.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the seatback includes a seatback cushion and a seatback support, and wherein a peripheral seatback cavity is disposed between the seatback cushion and the seatback support at a central portion thereof.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one light source is configured to warn a driver of a critical driving condition.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the at least one light source is configured to warn the driver of at least a vehicle hazard switch is engaged, a turn signal has been engaged for a prolonged period of time, a check engine light is engaged, a low fuel indicator is engaged, a door is ajar, a lock/unlock function is not performing, and a seat motor has stalled.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 7, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit different wavelengths of light.

14. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seat defining a peripheral seat ledge disposed on first, second, and front sides of the seat;

a seatback operably coupled to the seat and including a seatback cushion and a seatback support and, a peripheral seatback cavity defined therebetween; and

a light source disposed in a foot well zone below the seat and in independent seating zones in the peripheral seat ledge and peripheral seatback cavity.

15. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, further comprising:

first and second independent thigh supports that extend forwardly over the base.

16. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one light source includes light emitting diodes.

17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the seatback includes a seatback cushion and a seatback support, and wherein a peripheral seatback cavity is disposed between the seatback cushion and the seatback support at a central portion thereof.

18. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one light sources is configured to warn a driver of a critical driving condition.

19. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one light source is configured to warn the driver of at least a vehicle hazard switch is engaged, a turn signal has been engaged for a prolonged period of time, a check engine light is engaged, a low fuel indicator is engaged, a door is ajar, a lock/unlock function is not performing, and a seat motor has stalled.

20. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14, wherein the at least one light source is configured to emit different wavelengths of light.