Seat assemblies with adjustable side bolster actuators

• US 9,827,888 B2
• Filed: 01/04/2016
• Issued: 11/28/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Patrick, Gerald, Hanlon, Samuel
• Primary Examiner(s): WHITE, RODNEY BARNETT
• Application Number:
  US14/987,026
• Publication Number:
  US 20170190271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 2972849, 29745241
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/99 adjustable

Abstract

A seat assembly is provided with a seat bottom, and a seat back extending upright from the seat bottom. At least two side bolster actuators are spaced apart laterally and are provided in bolster regions of at least one of the seat bottom and the seat back. A plurality of sensors is operably connected to the two side bolster actuators to detect a seating position of an occupant. A controller is in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors and the two side bolster actuators. The controller is programmed to receive data from the plurality of sensors. The controller compares the data to determine if the occupant is seated evenly. The controller adjusts at least one of the two side bolster actuators to balance an uneven left-to-right occupant seating position.

Claims

1. A seat assembly comprising:

a seat bottom;

a seat back extending upright from the seat bottom;

at least two side bolster actuators spaced apart laterally and provided in bolster regions of at least one of the seat bottom and the seat back, wherein the at least two side bolster actuators comprise at least two air bladder assemblies provided in bolster regions of the seat bottom;

a plurality of sensors operably connected to the at least two side bolster actuators to detect a seating position of an occupant;

an air bladder assembly provided centrally in the seat bottom; and

a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors, the at least two side bolster actuators, and the central air bladder assembly of the seat bottom, the controller programmed to;

receive input indicative of selection of an active bolster system mode,

receive data from the plurality of sensors,

compare the data to determine if the occupant is seated evenly,

adjust at least one of the at least two side bolster actuators to balance an uneven left-to-right occupant seating position only when the active bolster system mode is selected, and

adjust the central air bladder assembly to balance an uneven left-to-right occupant seating position independent of the active bolster system mode.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least two side bolster actuators are provided in bolster regions of the seat back.

3. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least two side bolster actuators comprise:

a pair of bolster air bladder assemblies provided in bolster regions of the seat bottom; and

a pair of bolster air bladder assemblies provided in bolster regions of the seat back.

4. A seating system comprising:

a seat assembly according to claim 1; and

a media device with a graphical user interface;

wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the media device; and

wherein the controller is further programmed to operate the media device to inform the occupant of an uneven left-to-right seating position.

5. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the controller is further programmed to:

compare the data to a predetermined wellness position; and

adjust at least one of the at least two side bolster actuators to adjust the occupant seating position to the predetermined wellness position.

6. The seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising a second plurality of sensors operably connected to the central air bladder assembly to detect the seating position of the occupant, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the second plurality of sensors.

7. A seat assembly comprising:

a seat bottom adapted to be mounted to a vehicle;

a seat back extending upright from the seat bottom;

at least two side bolster actuators spaced apart laterally and provided in bolster regions of at least one of the seat bottom and the seat back;

a plurality of sensors operably connected to the at least two side bolster actuators to detect a seating position of an occupant;

a controller in electrical communication with the plurality of sensors and the at least two side bolster actuators, the controller programmed to;

receive data from the plurality of sensors,

compare the data to determine if the occupant is seated according to a predetermined wellness position, and

adjust at least one of the at least two side bolster actuators to adjust the occupant seating position to the predetermined wellness position and to balance an uneven left-to-right occupant seating position during turning or cornering of the vehicle; and

an air bladder assembly provided centrally in the seat bottom;

wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the central air bladder assembly of the seat bottom;

wherein the controller is further programmed to adjust the central air bladder assembly to adjust the occupant seating position to the predetermined wellness position and to balance an uneven left-to-right occupant seating position during turning or cornering of the vehicle; and

wherein the controller is further programmed to;

receive input indicative of selection of an active bolster system mode, and

adjust the at least one of the at least side bolster actuators to balance an uneven left-to-right occupant seating position when the active bolster system mode is selected; and

wherein the controller is further programmed to adjust the central air bladder assembly independent of the active bolster system mode.

8. The seat assembly of claim 7 wherein the at least two side bolster actuators are provided in bolster regions of the seat back.

9. The seat assembly of claim 7 wherein the at least two side bolster actuators comprise:

a pair of bolster air bladder assemblies provided in bolster regions of the seat bottom; and

a pair of bolster air bladder assemblies provided in bolster regions of the seat back.

10. A seating system comprising:

a seat assembly according to claim 7; and

a media device with a graphical user interface;

wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the media device; and

wherein the controller is further programmed to operate the media device to inform the occupant of an uneven left-to-right seating position.

11. The seat assembly of claim 7 wherein the at least two side bolster actuators comprise at least two air bladder assemblies provided in bolster regions of the seat bottom.

12. The seat assembly of claim 7 further comprising a second plurality of sensors operably connected to the central air bladder assembly to detect the seating position of the occupant, wherein the controller is in electrical communication with the second plurality of sensors.