The present invention generally relates to a vehicle seating assembly for a vehicle, and more particularly to a vehicle seating assembly having an upper seatback module for the seatback assembly having an adjustable height.
Motor vehicle customers value and appreciate features that enhance their driving experience. In particular, consumers desire features that allow the vehicle seating assembly to adapt to fit their individual body types and sizes relative the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, especially the motor vehicle controls. However, such features must employ designs that will accommodate the full range of occupant body types and sizes. To date, the only height adjustment for occupants has been to raise, lower, or tilt the entire total seat assembly and/or raise, lower, or tilt the headrest. Hence, a vehicle seating assembly which assists in providing additional adjustment would be advantageous.
One aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seating assembly for a vehicle that assists in extending the seatback height to provide upper back support through the range of occupants.
Another aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle having a lower seat and a seatback extending upwardly from the lower seat. The seatback comprises a lower stationary seatback base portion, which further comprises a seatback frame assembly, and an upper movable seatback hood module vertically adjustable relative the lower stationary portion. The upper movable seatback hood module further comprises an upper seatback slide bracket, a plurality of rail guides mounted to one of the seatback frame assembly or the upper seatback slide bracket and a rail mounted to the other of the seatback frame assembly or the upper seatback slide bracket, the plurality of rail guides slidably engaging the rail. An electric motor drive unit is mounted to one of the seatback frame assembly or the upper seatback slide bracket, and a driven member is mounted to the other of the seatback frame assembly or the upper seatback slide bracket, wherein the electric motor drive unit engages the driven member to vertically adjust the upper movable seatback hood module relative the lower stationary portion when the electric motor drive unit is actuated.
Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a seatback for a motor vehicle comprising an upper hood vertically adjustable relative a lower portion, a plurality of rail guides slidably engaging a rail, a motor mounted to a lower portion frame or an upper hood slide bracket, and a driven member mounted to the other of the lower portion frame or the upper hood slide bracket, wherein the motor engages the driven member to vertically adjust the upper hood relative the lower portion.
A further aspect of the present invention includes a vehicle seating assembly for a motor vehicle comprising lower seat and a seatback extending upwardly from the lower seat. The seatback comprises a lower seatback base portion supported by a seatback frame assembly, an upper movable seatback hood module vertically adjustable relative the lower portion supported by a front upper slide bracket in cooperation with a rear upper seatback slide bracket, a plurality of rail guides mounted to one of the seatback frame assembly or the rear upper seatback slide bracket and a rail mounted to the other of the seatback frame assembly or the rear upper seatback slide bracket, the plurality of rail guides slidably engaging the rail. An electric motor drive unit is mounted on one of the seatback frame assembly or the rear upper seatback slide bracket, and operatively coupled with the other of the seatback frame assembly or the rear upper seatback slide bracket, wherein the electric motor drive unit vertically adjusts the upper movable seatback hood module relative the lower stationary portion when the electric motor drive unit is actuated.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in
Referring to
It is understood that the vehicle seating assembly 10 may be positioned in various locations throughout the vehicle other than the illustrated position, such as a passenger side location, a mid-row location, and a rear seat location. The vehicle seating assembly 10 is thereby slidably coupled with a floor 32. It is also conceivable that the vehicle seating assembly 10 may not include the seat mounting rail assembly 28 and alternatively may be fixedly coupled with the floor 32 of the vehicle.
Lower seat 12 includes a cushion frame assembly 30, which in turn includes a cushion frame 34, to which a seat belt buckle 36 is attached. A suspension system 38 is disposed within a rear portion 40 of the cushion frame assembly 30 and beneath and juxtaposed with a cushion foam assembly 42 disposed above for support of the occupant. The suspension system 38 is preferably formed from tunable springs 44 which support a central panel 46. Preferably, at least one variable tension spring 48 is mounted to the cushion frame assembly 30. The suspension system 38 may also include a motor 50, a gear 52, and a spring attachment member 54. A fixedly mounted connecting rod 56 extends between lateral sides 58, 60 of the cushion frame 34 and a sleeve 62 rotatably encircles the connecting rod 56. The motor 50 and gear 52 are operably coupled to the sleeve 62 and the spring attachment member 54 is rigidly mounted on the sleeve 62.
As shown in
As shown in
Each of the jounce paddles 76, 78 extends upwardly and forwardly to form a vertical gap G between a distal end 84, 86 of each jounce paddle 76, 78 and a forward edge 82 of the cushion pan 64 and is thereby preferably disposed to independently support one of the occupant's thighs. Each of the jounce paddles 76, 78 may be resiliently urged downwardly by the weight of the occupant's thigh without contacting the forward edge 82 of the cushion pan 64 and thereby provide resilient support. However, is it conceivable that the cushion leg jounce bracket 72 may be arranged having a single jounce paddle, or a pair of jounce paddles 76, 78 that may be selectively coupled and uncoupled to act independently under a respective thigh of the occupant.
The cushion leg jounce bracket 72 is preferably formed as a single molded component, but may be formed from two symmetrical pieces arranged on either side of the longitudinal centerline C of the vehicle seating assembly 10, each comprising one of the jounce paddles 76, 78. Preferably, the cushion leg jounce bracket 72 is formed from glass-filled injection molded nylon having a thickness of about between 2.5 and 3.5 mm. However, it should be noted that the cushion leg jounce bracket 72 may be effectively tunable to specific performance criteria by appropriate selection of the material from which the cushion leg jounce bracket 72 is fabricated, the thickness of the cushion leg jounce bracket 72, the addition of ribs (not shown) on the bottom of the paddles on the cushion leg jounce bracket 72, and the addition of a split line along the cushion leg jounce bracket 72 proximate the base 74 of the notch 80 separating the pair of jounce paddles 76, 78.
The cushion foam assembly 42 is disposed above and is attached to the cushion frame 34 as shown in
Preferably, the cushion pan 64 is pivotably, and thereby adjustably, mounted to the cushion frame 34 by a pair of pivots 88 located on either side of the cushion frame assembly 30. The cushion pan 64 so mounted may be manually and pivotally adjusted by use of a knob or lever (not shown), as is well known in the seating arts, or a remotely pivotally adjusted by use of a motorized gear assembly (not shown), as is also well known in the seating arts.
The cushion leg jounce bracket 72 disclosed herein provides a flexible thigh support assembly that assembles directly to the cushion pan 64. The cushion leg jounce bracket 72 provides passive supports that are capable of acting independently under the load of each leg, and thereby reducing leg muscle fatigue and provide support for important vehicle functions, especially such as acceleration and braking with the right leg and manual gear shift or relaxation on the left leg.
As shown in
The forward facing surface 112 of the upper portion 24 of the seatback 14 includes a central recess 114 that corresponds with and receives a headrest cup 116. The headrest cup 116 is preferably formed as a polymeric shell mounted within the central recess 114 and on the forward facing surface 112 of the seatback 14 and is disposed in front of a forward surface 122 of the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104. In turn, the headrest 22 is received within a recess 120 of the headrest cup 116 disposed on the forward facing surface 112 of the seatback 14. As shown in
In particular, in the case of high-performance seats installed in motor vehicles that are designed for racing and motor track use, it is often required that the occupants, especially the driver, wear a helmet or other type of protective headgear adapted to protect the head of the occupant. However, existing headrests are often in the way and tend to push the head of the driver forward to uncomfortable positions due to the bulk of existing headrests. While such headrests can often be removed, rear head support is likewise removed. In the case of performance seats that are intended to be used in racing or sporting applications, this is especially unacceptable. Instead, what was needed was a performance seat that was adaptable to accommodate racing helmets and head gear, especially in the head region where movement and viewing flexibility is most needed, while also providing adequate support.
Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a headrest 22 that can be easily assembled and installed in the seatback 14, as well as be readily removable and reinstalled without the need for tools or adjustment. The headrest 22, that further provides a pivoting adjustment mechanism and supporting structure, as discussed below, may be readily attached to the upper portion 24 of the seatback 14 by means of a “dovetail” design to secure it in place, yet allow the headrest 22 to be readily removed for racing or motor track use or service requirements and readily reinstalled. That is, as shown in
The headrest 22 disclosed herein avoids the problems of existing headrests by being installed within the headrest cup 116 and by being readily removable and reinstallable, thereby allowing the headrest 22 to be removed from the seatback 14 to expose the headrest cup 116 within which the driver's or passenger's helmet can be received. The present disclosure avoids the disadvantages of prior removable headrest designs and replaces the posts that extend downwardly to allow the vertical adjustment for the headrest 22 height with a dovetail attachment mechanism. With the headrest 22 simply removed from the seatback 14, as is discussed further detail below, an ample cavity is formed within which a helmet or other headgear may be received to allow the driver and/or passenger to occupy the seat with relative comfort. In such a case, the headrest cup 116, even with the headrest 22 removed, still offers head and neck support in the event of a rear impact to minimize whiplash and other injuries. In this regard, it is further noted that the headrest cup 116 is preferably lined with a rubber padding 132, so that with the headrest 22 removed, any jostling or other contact of the occupant's helmet or headgear with the headrest cup 116 is dampened and minimized.
The headrest 22 includes a headrest cover 134 that encases the headrest 22, which further includes a headrest front foam member 136, an EPP foam member 137, a headrest mechanism 138 comprising a generally U-shaped tubular member 140 and a rear mounting base plate 142, and a rear foam member 144. Preferably, the U-shaped tubular member 140 and the rear mounting base plate 142 are fabricated from steel. The U-shaped tubular member 140 comprises two vertically and upwardly extending arms 146 that each engages a respective right and left end of an upwardly and rearwardly tilted U-shaped support 148 for providing rigid structural support to the headrest 22, as shown. The U-shaped tubular member 140 is pivotally mounted to the rear mounting base plate 142 by the pair of opposed pivots 128, one of which includes a spring-loaded ratchet mechanism 150, as shown in
As shown in
The dovetail receiver 126, best shown in
A T-shaped slot 186 in the headrest cup 116 is shaped to conform to the shape of the T-shaped slot 182, the headrest cup 116 concealing the remaining structure of the dovetail receiver 126 in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, as shown in
The T-shaped slot 182 in the dovetail receiver 126 is further provided with a pair of recesses 190 within which a pair of spring-loaded roller bearings 192 is mounted. A matching pair of indented dimples 194 is provided in the rear surface 168 of the headrest dovetail 124 and is aligned with each of the spring-loaded roller bearings 192 when the headrest 22 is installed. With the indented dimples 194 so aligned with and engaged by the spring-loaded roller bearings 192, the spring-loaded roller bearings 192 are resiliently urged into the indented dimples 194 and secure the headrest dovetail 124 within the T-shaped slot 182 of the dovetail receiver 126. However, by simply exerting a moderate upward force on the headrest 22, the spring-loaded roller bearings 192 can be urged rearwardly, so as to release their engagement with the indented dimples 194. The headrest dovetail 124 can thereby be easily detached from the T-shaped slot 182 of the dovetail receiver 126 for removal of the entire headrest 22 from the seatback 14. Thus, the headrest 22 can be readily removed from the seatback 14 without the use of tools or the need for adjustment. Similarly, the headrest 22 can be readily reinstalled into the headrest cup 116 of the seatback 14 again without the use of tools or the need to perform any types of adjustment.
It should be noted that the disclosed embodiment for mounting the headrest 22 to the upper portion 24 of the seatback 14 itself provides no vertical adjustment of the headrest 22 relative to the upper portion 24 of the seatback 14. Rather, as set forth the below, the height of the headrest 22 can be adjusted by adjustment of the upper portion 24 of the seatback 14. This is particularly advantageous in that existing headrest assemblies using adjustable posts are typically movable within a vertical range of about 50 cm. However, since the upper portion 24 of the seatback 14 of the present disclosure, as further discussed below, is adapted to move within a range H of 75 mm, as shown in
In addition, as shown in
A resonance cavity 202 is formed proximate to and just below the headrest cup 116, preferably within the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, within which the speaker assembly 196 is received. The resonance cavity 202 comprises an enclosed volume, preferably about 290 cm3. Since the resonance cavity 202 is formed in the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, it is thus enclosed within the seatback 14 between the front upper seatback slide bracket 102 and hood back trim panel 110.
The pair of speaker openings 198, 200 is preferably arranged in side-by-side relation on the lower portion 204 of the headrest cup 116 and the speaker assembly 196 comprises the pair of speakers 206, each received and mounted within one of the pair of speaker openings 198, 200. The pair of speaker openings 198, 200 opens into the headrest cup 116 disposed on the lower portion 204 of the headrest cup 116. As shown in
The resonance cavity 202 further includes a pair of passive radiator openings 220, 222 arranged in side-by-side relation and disposed on a rear surface 240 of the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, within which each one of a pair of the passive radiators 224, 226 is received. The pair of passive radiator openings 220, 222 forms rearward facing openings. The pair of passive radiators 224, 226 each comprises a circular elastomeric diaphragm.
A headrest cup speaker grill 228 is disposed above the speaker openings 198, 200 and below the headrest 22, and a forward facing gap F is provided between the headrest cup speaker grill 228 and a lower portion 230 of the headrest 22, as shown in
As noted above, the seatback 14 includes the lower stationary seatback base portion 98 and an upper movable seatback hood module 100 that allows the upper portion 24 of the seatback 14 to be raised and lowered in accordance with the customer's preference and, in particular, to properly locate the headrest 22 and the speaker openings 198, 200. The lower stationary seatback base portion 98 is supported by the seatback frame assembly 90, while the upper movable seatback hood module 100 is vertically adjustable relative the lower stationary seatback base portion 98 and is supported by the front upper seatback slide bracket 102 in cooperation with the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104.
Preferably, a set of four rail guides 232, 234, 236, 238 is mounted to the rear surface 240 of the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, as shown in
The rail guides 232, 234, 236, 238 are in turn engaged by a pair of slide rails 242, 244 mounted to a back frame bracket 246. The pair of slide rails 242, 244 is mounted in abutting relation with a forward facing surface 252 of the back frame bracket 246. Each of the slide rails 242, 244 has a base 254 in parallel relation with a forward facing surface 256 of the seatback frame assembly 90, a pair of cooperating legs 258, 260 extending orthogonally from the base 254 and a pair of opposing tabs 262, 264 extending orthogonally from the cooperating legs 258, 260 in a plane parallel to the base 254. Likewise, each of the rail guides 232, 234, 236, 238 has a base 266 in parallel relation with the rearward facing surface 240 of the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104 and a pair of ears 268, 270 extending outwardly from the base 266, the pair of ears 268, 270 being displaced from the rearward facing surface 240 of the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104 and slidingly engaged on either side by the opposing tabs 262, 264 of the slide rails 242, 244. Each of the rail guides 232, 234, 236, 238 thereby slidingly engages one of the slide rails 242, 244.
Although the preferred embodiment has been described, it should be noted that the plurality of rail guides 232, 234, 236, 238 may be mounted to either of one of the seatback frame assembly 90 or the front upper seatback slide bracket 102 and the rail may be mounted to the other of the seatback frame assembly 90 or the front upper seatback slide bracket 102, so long as the slide rails 242, 244 slidably engage the plurality of rail guides 232, 234, 236, 238.
As shown in
Preferably, in order to present a pleasing appearance at all times, the upper closeout panel 282 extends downwardly behind and below an upper edge 288 of the lower seatback cushion 274 when the upper movable seatback hood module 100 is moved to an upmost raised position. Likewise, the rearward facing hood back trim panel 110 extends downwardly below an upper edge 290 of the upwardly extending lower back panel 278 when the upper movable seatback hood module 100 is moved to the upmost raised position. Also, the forward portion of the lower stationary seatback base portion 98 includes the forward facing surface 271, a back foam cushion 292, and the seatback frame assembly 90, wherein the upper closeout panel 282 extends downwardly and is vertically displaceable within a space defined between the forward facing surface 112 and back foam cushion 292 and the seatback frame assembly 90.
An electric motor drive unit 294 is mounted on one of the seatback frame assembly 90 or the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, and is operatively coupled with the other of the seatback frame assembly 90 or the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, as shown in
Preferably, the electric motor drive unit 294 is mounted on the seatback frame assembly 90 and a driven member 296 is mounted on the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, as shown in
Preferably, the electric motor 300 is mounted to a rearward facing surface 304 on back frame bracket 246, which is in turn rigidly attached to the seatback frame assembly 90 that forms the supporting structure for the lower stationary seatback base portion 98 of the seatback 14. The electric motor 300 preferably is mounted to the back frame bracket 246 via a back frame reinforcement bracket 306 and thereby engages and selectively drives the vertically extending threaded output shaft 302.
An upper portion of the vertically extending threaded shaft 302 is received within a threaded opening 308 within the motor nut 298, where the motor nut 298 is in turn rigidly attached to the rearward facing surface 240 of the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104. When the electric motor 300 is actuated, the rotation of the vertically extending threaded output shaft 302 drives the motor nut 298 upward or downward, depending on the initial position and direction of rotation. A slot 310 in the back frame bracket 246 allows the motor nut 298 to move upwardly and downwardly relative the back frame bracket 246. As the motor nut 298 is rigidly mounted to the rear surface 240 of the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, the upper movable seatback hood module 100 is moved either upwardly or downwardly, again depending upon its initial position and the direction of rotation, relative the lower stationary backseat base portion 98. Thus, the interaction of the rail guides 232, 234, 236, 238 with the slide rails 242, 244 allows for the upper movable seatback hood module 100 to rise and lower relative to the lower stationary backseat base portion 98 of the seatback 14.
Although the electric motor 300 is preferably disclosed as being mounted on the seatback frame assembly 90 and the driven member 296 is mounted on the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, the components can be reversed. That is, the electric motor drive unit 294 may be mounted on the rear upper seatback slide bracket 104, and the driven member 296 may be mounted on the seatback frame assembly 90. A switch 312 with which to actuate the electrical motor 300 may be disposed on an outboard trim panel 314 of the seat assembly, as shown in
Based on the 50th percentile adult male model, the upper movable seatback hood module 100 has a neutral position N, as shown in
In accordance with another feature of the present disclosure, the headrest 22 and speakers 206 are thus placed precisely at the lower ear level of the occupant to enhance the occupant's listening experience and sense of own space. By packaging the speaker assembly 196 in the upper moveable seatback hood module 100, sound and music may be enjoyed close to the occupant's ears and within a central recess 114 of the upper moveable seatback hood module 100 assembly. The acoustics are maximized by the sound waves having short distances to travel. This proximity creates an occupant experience of “live” sounds and clear listening. Particularly in combination with the built-in resonance cavity 202 below the speaker openings 198, 200 and the dual passive radiators 224, 226 positioned at the rear and bottom of the resonance cavity 202, the headrest 22 and speakers 206 location has been found to be optimal for best listening and acoustics.
Further, the disclosed sound system provides to the occupant of the vehicle seating assembly 10 the ability to engage in private communications without using the main cabin speaker system. That is, during the use of integrated, hands-free mobile telephone conversations and vehicle systems that provide text reading capabilities during vehicle operation, the speaker assembly 196 disposed just behind the ears of the occupant allows for lower volumes and thus a more private telephone conversation or text reading experience.
Moreover, it will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described invention and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the invention disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the terms “coupled” in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc. and “connected” in all of its forms, connect, connecting, connected, etc. generally means the joining of two components electrical or mechanical directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components electrical or mechanical and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “operably connected” generally means that one component functions with respect to another component, even if there are other components located between the first and second component, and the term “operable” defines a functional relationship between components.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc. without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown in multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of the wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of the wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure and methods without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
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