Seat cushion module for a vehicle seating assembly

• US 9,718,387 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2015
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 08/03/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Llne, Johnathan Andrew, Kondrad, Marc Silva, Ronzi, Brett E., Godin, Keith Allen, Hosbach, Christian J., Brinker, Rodney Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q
• Application Number:
  US14/816,425
• Publication Number:
  US 20170036577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 29745218, 29745221, 2972161, 29741144, 29744015, 29745216, 29745238, 29745255, 29745258, 29745248
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/427 Seats or parts thereof displaced during a crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/50 Seat suspension devices
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/58 Seat coverings
• 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 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/667 having flexible support member bowed by applied forces
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/6671 with cable actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/68 Seat frames
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/682 Joining means
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7017 characterised by the manufacturing process; manufacturing upholstery or upholstery springs not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7035 Cushions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/80 Head-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/899 characterised by structural or mechanical details not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame and a seat frame defining a seating frame. A plurality of distinct assembly modules are configured for attachment with the seating frame. The plurality of distinct assembly modules include a back cushion module, a hard back module, a headrest module, and a seat cushion module. The seat cushion module includes a composite cushion pan having a rearward support defining an intermediate open area. A forward support is pivotally coupled to the rearward support. A suspension assembly is disposed in the intermediate open area. A cushion extends over the composite cushion pan. A coverstock covers the cushion.

Claims

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback frame and a seat frame defining a seating frame;

a plurality of distinct assembly modules configured for attachment with the seating frame, the plurality of distinct assembly modules including;

a back cushion module;

a hard back module;

a headrest module; and

a seat cushion module including a rear arcuate support that opens downwardly and which engages a torsion bar of the seating frame, and wherein the seat cushion module includes a composite cushion pan comprising;

a rearward support defining an intermediate open area; and

a forward support pivotally coupled to the rearward support;

a suspension assembly disposed in the intermediate open area;

a cushion extending over the composite cushion pan; and

a coverstock covering the cushion.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat cushion module includes a cushion pan having forward facing hooked tabs that engage a vertically adjustable crossbar.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2, wherein the cushion pan assembly includes a forward support and a rearward support pivotally coupled to the forward support.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3, wherein the rearward support defines an intermediate open area through which a suspension assembly extends.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4, wherein the forward support includes a plurality of peripheral apertures on an underside thereof that are configured to receive mechanical fasteners of a seat coverstock.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat cushion module further comprises a cushion pan including a pivotally adjustable forward support, wherein the forward support includes a plurality of upwardly extending flanges extending across the forward support.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 6, wherein the upwardly extending flanges are arranged in a honeycomb structure across a lower wall of the forward support.

8. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:

a seatback frame encompassed by a plurality of distinct assembly modules including;

a back cushion module;

a hard back module;

a headrest module; and

a seat cushion module including a composite cushion pan comprising;

forward facing hooked tabs that engage a vertically adjustable crossbar;

a rearward support defining an intermediate open area; and

a forward support pivotally coupled to the rearward support.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the cushion pan assembly includes a forward support and a rearward support pivotally coupled to the forward support.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9, wherein the rearward support defines an intermediate open area through which a suspension assembly extends.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10, wherein the forward support includes a plurality of peripheral apertures on an underside thereof that are configured to receive mechanical fasteners of a seat coverstock.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11, wherein the seat cushion module includes a rear arcuate support that opens downwardly and which engages a torsion bar of the seating frame.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8, wherein the seat cushion module further comprises a cushion pan including a pivotally adjustable forward support, wherein the forward support includes a plurality of upwardly extending flanges extending across the forward support.

14. A method of making a vehicle seating assembly comprising:

constructing a seating assembly frame having a seatback frame;

constructing a plurality of distinct assembly modules including a seat cushion module;

coupling a composite cushion pan with the seat cushion module;

providing the composite cushion pan with a rearward support defining an intermediate open area; and

providing a forward support pivotally coupled to the rearward support, wherein the forward support includes a plurality of upwardly extending flanges extending across the forward support.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

positioning forward facing hooked tabs on the seat cushion module that engage a vertically adjustable crossbar on the seating assembly frame.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

arranging the upwardly extending flanges in a honeycomb structure across a lower wall of the forward support.

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

constructing each of the distinct assembly modules at different geographic locations.