Flexible seatback system

• US 9,707,870 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2016
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Ferretti, Daniel, Line, Johnathan Andrew, Jaranson, John W., Compton, Grant A., Harper, Kendrick Alden, VanNieulande, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): ING, MATTHEW W
• Application Number:
  US15/216,047
• Publication Number:
  US 20160325647A1
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 2972841, 2972843, 2972849, 29745234, 29745236
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2222 the back-rest having two or more parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/427 Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/4279 electric or electronic triggering
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/64 Back-rests or cushions B60N2/2222 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/643 shape of the back-rests B60N2/66 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7005 detachable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7094 Upholstery springs
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/986 Side-rests B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/99 adjustable
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/022 the seat or seat part turning about or moving along a vertical axis

Abstract

A vehicle seat suspension system includes first and second side supports defining a seatback structure. An upper component and a lower component are provided, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members. A passenger support includes a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members. An external peripheral gap is defined between the passenger support and the seatback structure.

Claims

1. A seat suspension assembly comprising:

a seatback structure;

an upper component and a lower component pivotally coupled with the upper component, each component including at least two outwardly extending flex members having distal ends with forwardly-extending connection features;

a flexible support having a periphery operably coupled to the connection features; and

an external peripheral gap defined between the flexible support and the seatback structure.

2. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

snap-fit features disposed on a rear side of the flexible support that releasably engage the connection features of the upper component and the lower component.

3. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the flexible support and is translatable between a forward position and a rearward position.

4. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper component between the forward and rearward positions.

5. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper component is pivotal about a pivot bar, and wherein the pivot bar is rotatably coupled to a first side portion and a second side portion.

6. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an exposed trim piece disposed between a frame and the upper component.

7. The seat suspension assembly of claim 1, wherein the upper component and the lower component are each independently flexible under the weight of a passenger.

8. A seat suspension assembly comprising:

first and second side supports defining a seatback frame;

an upper component and a lower component, each including an outwardly extending flex member;

a support having snap-fit engagement features operably coupled to distal ends of the flex member;

an exposed trim piece disposed between the seatback frame and the upper component; and

an external peripheral gap defined between sides of the support and the first and second side supports.

9. The seat suspension assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a removable cover stock disposed over the upper and lower components.

10. The seat suspension assembly of claim 8, wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim that secures the cover stock to the support.

11. The seat suspension assembly of claim 8, wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.

12. The seat suspension assembly of claim 8, wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the support operable between a forward position and a rearward position.

13. The seat suspension assembly of claim 8, wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper component between the forward and rearward positions.

14. The seat suspension assembly of claim 8, wherein the lower component includes a first side portion that is distinct and separate from a second side portion.

15. A seat suspension assembly comprising:

a seatback including first and second side supports;

an upper component rotatably coupled with the first and second side supports, the upper component having a suspension assembly with outwardly extending flex members;

a support operably coupled with the suspension assembly; and

an external peripheral gap defined between the support and the first and second side supports.

16. The seat suspension assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a lower component including at least two outwardly extending flex members.

17. The seat suspension assembly of claim 16, wherein the lower component includes a first side portion and a second side portion, wherein the first side portion is distinct and separate from the second side portion.

18. The seat suspension assembly of claim 15, wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.

19. The seat suspension assembly of claim 18, wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper component between forward and rearward positions, and wherein the upper component is pivotal about a pivot bar that is rotatably coupled to a first side portion and a second side portion.

20. The seat suspension assembly of claim 15, further comprising:

a cover stock disposed over the upper and lower components, wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim on an edge portion of the cover stock that secures the cover stock to the support.