Adjustable Seat Cushion Bolster Mechanism

• US 20080036258A1
• Filed: 08/11/2005
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intier Automotive, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Intier Automotive, Incorporated (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Holdampf, Carl, Welch, Christopher, Wickham, Arnold
• Granted Patent: US 7,461,895 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/284.9
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/20 the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/04, B60N2/22 , B60N2/3002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/986 Side-rests B60N2/2872, B60N2/885 take precedence

Abstract

A seat frame assembly is provided for compactly folding a motor vehicle seat. The seat frame assembly includes at least one side frame member. An actuator is operatively coupled to the side frame member. An elongated control arm includes a first end pivotally coupled to the side frame member and an opposite distal end. A control link includes one end pivotally coupled to the side frame member and an opposing end operatively coupled to the distal end of the control arm. A seat cushion linkage assembly is operably coupled between one of the control arm and control link and the actuator for moving each of the control arm and control link between a stowed position generally parallel with and adjacent to the side frame member and a support position spaced from the side frame member in response to actuation of the actuator.

Claims

1. A seat frame assembly for compactly folding a motor vehicle seat, said seat frame assembly comprising:

at least one side frame member;

an actuator operatively coupled to said side frame member;

an elongated control arm having a first end pivotally coupled to said side frame member and an opposite distal end;

a control link having one end pivotally coupled to said side frame member and an opposing end operatively coupled to said distal end of said control arm; and

a seat cushion linkage assembly operably coupled between one of said control arm and control link and said actuator for moving each of said control arm and control link between a stowed position generally parallel with and adjacent to said side frame member and a support position spaced from said side frame member in response to actuation of said actuator.

2. A seat frame assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said seat cushion linkage assembly includes first and second link members extending between one of said control arm and control link and said side frame member.

3. A seat frame assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first link member has one end pivotally secured to said side frame member and an opposing end pivotally secured to said second link member.

4. A seat frame assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said second link member has one end pivotally secured to one of said control arm and control link and an opposing end pivotally secured to said first link member.

5. A seat frame assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said seat cushion linkage assembly includes a spring extending out from said first link member for biasing said control arm and control link into said stowed position.

6. A seat frame assembly as set forth in claim 5 including a flexible plate overlying at least one of said control arm and control link and forming a side bolster of the seat when said control arm and control link are in said support position.

7. A seat frame assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said control link includes a pin extending out from said opposing end.

8. A seat frame assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said control arm includes a slot formed at said distal end for receiving said pin to slidably couple said control arm to said control link.

9. A seat frame assembly as set forth in claim 8 including a mesh bag encasing said flexible plate to shape said side bolster of the seat.

10. A motor vehicle seat comprising:

a seat cushion having at least one side frame member;

a first control arm pivotally coupled to said side frame member of said seat cushion for movement between a support position and a stowed position;

a seat back pivotally coupled to said seat cushion and having at least one side frame member;

a second control arm pivotally coupled to said side frame member of said seat back for movement between a support position and a stowed position;

an actuator operably coupled to said first control arm for moving said first control arm between said support and stowed positions; and

a cable assembly operably connected between said first control arm and said second control arm for urging said second control arm between said support and stowed positions as said actuator moves said first control arm between said respective support and stowed positions to selectively allow compact folding of said seat back against said seat cushion.

11. A motor vehicle seat as set forth in claim 10 including a linkage assembly extending between said side frame member of said seat back and said first control arm for moving said first control arm between said support and stowed positions.

12. A motor vehicle seat as set forth in claim 11 including a control link having one end pivotally coupled to said side frame member of said seat cushion and an opposing end operatively coupled to said second control arm for movement between a support position and a stowed position.

13. A motor vehicle seat as set forth in claim 12 including a seat cushion linkage assembly extending between said side frame member of said seat cushion and one of said second control arm and control link for moving said second control arm and control link between said support and stowed positions.

14. A motor vehicle seat as set forth in claim 13 wherein said cable assembly includes a cable having one end secured to said linkage assembly and an opposing end secured to said seat cushion linkage assembly.

15. A motor vehicle seat as set forth in claim 14 including a cable sheath for housing said cable.

16. A motor vehicle seat as set forth in claim 15 including a cable tab fixedly secured to said side frame member of at least one of said seat cushion and seat back for fixedly retaining one end of said cable sheath.

17. A method of adjusting the shape of a side bolster portion, having a control arm pivotally secured to a side frame member for movement between a stowed position and a support position, independent of a center seating portion of a seat, the method comprising the steps of:

defining the side bolster portion independent of the center seating portion;

actuating the control arm between the support position and stowed position; and

altering the shape of the side bolster portion relative to the shape of the center seating portion in response to actuation of the control arm between the support and stowed positions.

18. A method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the step of altering the shape of the side bolster portion relative to the shape of the center seating portion in response to actuation of the control arm includes the step of pivoting the control arm towards and away from the side frame member.

19. A method as set forth in claim 18 wherein the step of defining the side bolster portion independent of the center seating portion includes the step of encasing the control arm.