Flexible seatback system

• US 9,873,360 B2
• Filed: 07/17/2017
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• 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: Line, Johnathan Andrew, Ferretti, Daniel, Jaranson, John W., Compton, Grant A., Harper, Kendrick Alden, VanNieulande, Kevin
• Primary Examiner(s): Ing, Matthew W
• Application Number:
  US15/651,237
• Publication Number:
  US 20170313216A1
• Time in Patent Office: 190 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 vehicle seat suspension system comprising:

first and second side supports defining a seatback structure rotatably coupled with a seat;

an upper component rotatably coupled with the seatback structure and including at least two outwardly extending flex members having distal ends with forwardly-extending connection features; and

an upper passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to the forwardly-extending connection features.

2. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support and is configured to pivot laterally relative to the seatback structure.

3. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 2, wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between forward and rearward positions.

4. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, further comprising:

a lower component having a first side portion and a second side portion, and wherein the first side portion is distinct and separate from the second side portion.

5. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 4, wherein the upper passenger support includes a trim carrier, a cushion, and a cover stock.

6. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 5, wherein the lower component includes a trim carrier, a cushion, and a cover stock, which are distinct from the trim carrier, the cushion, and the cover stock of the upper component.

7. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 1, wherein a periphery of the upper passenger support snap-fit engages the forwardly-extending connection features.

8. A vehicle seat suspension system comprising:

first and second side supports defining a seatback structure;

an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members; and

a passenger support having a periphery operably coupled to distal ends of the flex members and an outer edge removably coupled with a cover stock.

9. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 8, wherein the cover stock includes a securing rim that secures the cover stock to the passenger support.

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

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

12. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 11, wherein the upper segment is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions.

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

14. The vehicle seat suspension system of claim 11, wherein the upper component is operably coupled to the upper segment of the passenger support and is configured to pivot laterally relative to the seatback structure.

15. A seat suspension system comprising:

a seatback including first and second side supports;

a suspension assembly rotatable about a horizontal pivot axis and having outwardly extending flex members; and

a passenger support operably coupled with the suspension assembly, wherein the passenger support is also laterally pivotal.

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

an upper component and a lower component, each including at least two outwardly extending flex members, and wherein the upper component includes a first flex member, a second flex member, and a central body disposed therebetween.

17. The seat suspension system of claim 16, wherein the upper component is operably coupled to an upper segment of the passenger support translatable between a forward position and a rearward position, and 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 system of claim 17, wherein the upper component is operably coupled with a motor that translates the upper segment between the forward and rearward positions, and wherein the upper segment is pivotal about a pivot bar, wherein the pivot bar is rotatably coupled to the first side portion and the second side portion, each of the first and second side portions including a base portion with at least two outwardly extending flex members.

19. The seat suspension system of claim 17, wherein the first side portion is connected to the first side support by a first base portion and the second side portion is connected to the second side support by a second base portion.

20. The seat suspension system of claim 16, 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 passenger support.