Adjustable firmness vehicle seat

• US 9,840,171 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2015
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Arant, Michael Paul, Lem, Jeroen, Michell, Steve
• Primary Examiner(s): Nelson, Jr., Milton
• Application Number:
  US14/926,611
• Publication Number:
  US 20160046207A1
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 29745241, 297199, 297200, 297DIG 8, 2972846, 56553
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02258 characterised by the mounting of the electric motor for adjusting the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/66 Lumbar supports
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/7082 with air or fluid cushions B60N2/914 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/72 Attachment or adjustment thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape

Abstract

A vehicle seat is provided herein. The vehicle seat includes a cushion disposed within a seating member having at least one inflatable first bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. An inflatable second bladder is separated from a support surface of the seating member by the first bladder and fluidly connected to the first bladder. A vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the second bladder when the pressure in the first bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the second bladder when the pressure in the first bladder is selectively increased.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat comprising:

a cushion coupled to a seating member having an inflatable first bladder for adjusting a firmness of the cushion; and

an inflatable second bladder separated from a support surface of the seating member by the first bladder, wherein the first bladder and second bladder are each coupled to a pump through respective first hoses and to one another through a separate second hose.

2. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the first bladder and the second bladder are air bladders and air is used to increase and decrease the pressure therewithin.

3. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein the first bladder and the second bladder are liquid bladders and liquid is used to increase and decrease the pressure therewithin.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein both the first and second bladders are enclosed within the cushion.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second bladders is configured to sense the presence of a seated occupant.

6. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seating member having an inflatable first air bladder;

an inflatable second air bladder separated from a support surface by the first air bladder;

a first hose coupling the first bladder to the second bladder; and

a pair of second hoses separated from the first hose, the pair of second hoses coupled to the first and second air bladders and a control valve, wherein the control valve is configured to maintain a vehicle seat hip pivot point by counteracting a change in air pressure within the first air bladder with an inverse change within the second air bladder.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein a top portion and a bottom portion of each respective bladder is substantially vertically aligned.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 7, wherein the first and second bladders directly contact and press against one another.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein a layer of foam is disposed between the first and second air bladders.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the second air bladder is positioned rearward of the first air bladder, and the vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained by increasing the air pressure within the second air bladder when the air pressure within the first air bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the air pressure within the second air bladder when the air pressure within the first air bladder is selectively increased.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein the first air bladder includes a first air line on a first end portion that is coupled to a pump and the hose on a second end portion that is fluidly coupled to the second air bladder.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 6, wherein a layer of foam is disposed between the first air bladder and a trim cover.

13. A seat assembly comprising:

a cushion including an inflatable first air bladder;

an inlet defined by the inflatable first air bladder for adjusting a firmness of the cushion; and

an adjustment mechanism including a lumbar cable separated from the inlet configured to adjust a distance between the first air bladder and a support surface by varying a cable length as an air pressure of the first air bladder is adjusted to maintain a constant h-point.

14. The seat assembly of claim 13, further comprising an air pump and at least one air line and control valve in fluid communication with the first air bladder for selectively adjusting the air pressure and controlling the firmness of the cushion.