Vehicle seat with restraint system

An assembly includes a seat bottom, a scissor mechanism, and a pyrotechnic actuator. The seat bottom includes a rear seat cushion and a front seat cushion in a seat-forward direction from the rear seat cushion. The rear seat cushion is movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the front seat cushion. The scissor mechanism is coupled to the rear seat cushion and movable between an extended position and a compressed position. The scissor mechanism in the extended position holds the rear seat cushion at the raised position. The scissor mechanism in the compressed position holds the rear seat cushion at the lowered position. The pyrotechnic actuator is connected to the rear seat cushion and dischargeable to move the rear seat cushion from the raised position to the lowered position.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles include restraint systems. The restraint system for a seat of a vehicle is typically a three-point harness. The restraint system includes an anchor, a retractor, and a buckle. The anchor attaches one end of the webbing to a body structure of the vehicle. The other end of the webbing feeds into the retractor, which may include a spool that extends and retracts the webbing. A clip slides freely along the webbing and, when engaged with the buckle, divides the webbing into a lap band and a shoulder band.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An assembly includes a seat bottom, a scissor mechanism, and a pyrotechnic actuator. The seat bottom includes a rear seat cushion and a front seat cushion in a seat-forward direction from the rear seat cushion. The rear seat cushion is movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the front seat cushion. The scissor mechanism is coupled to the rear seat cushion and movable between an extended position and a compressed position. The scissor mechanism in the extended position holds the rear seat cushion at the raised position. The scissor mechanism in the compressed position holds the rear seat cushion at the lowered position. The pyrotechnic actuator is connected to the rear seat cushion and dischargeable to move the rear seat cushion from the raised position to the lowered position.

In an example, the front seat cushion may be arranged to maintain a constant position when the rear seat cushion moves from the raised position to the lowered position.

In an example, the assembly may further include a track supported by the front seat cushion, the rear seat cushion being engaged with the track and movable along the track between the raised position and the lowered position.

In an example, the assembly may further include a seat back coupled to the seat bottom in a seat-rearward direction from the rear seat cushion. In a further example, the assembly may further include an airbag supported by the seat back and inflatable to an inflated position above the seat bottom. In a yet further example, the seat back may have a top half, and the airbag may extend from the top half in the inflated position. In a still yet further example, the seat back may have a bottom half at the seat bottom and a midpoint dividing the top half and the bottom half, and the airbag may extend below the midpoint in the inflated position.

In another yet further example, the airbag may be configured to inflate together with the pyrotechnic actuator discharging.

In an example, the scissor mechanism may include a first crossmember pivotally coupled to the rear seat cushion and a second crossmember pivotally coupled to the rear seat cushion. In a further example, the assembly may further include a floor, and the first crossmember and the second crossmember may be pivotally coupled to the floor.

In another further example, the seat bottom may include a seat pan, and the first crossmember and the second crossmember may be pivotally coupled to the seat pan.

In another further example, the first crossmember and the second crossmember may be pivotally engaged with each other.

In an example, the assembly may further include a floor, and the scissor mechanism may be mounted to the floor. In a further example, the pyrotechnic actuator may include a first end fixed to one of the scissor mechanism or the rear seat cushion and a second end fixed to the floor.

In an example, the seat bottom may include a seat pan, and the scissor mechanism may be mounted to the seat pan. In a further example, the pyrotechnic actuator may include a first end fixed to one of the scissor mechanism or the rear seat cushion and a second end fixed to the seat pan.

In an example, the pyrotechnic actuator may include a first end fixed to the scissor mechanism.

In an example, the pyrotechnic actuator may include a first end fixed to the rear seat cushion.

In an example, the assembly may further include a plate fixed to a bottom surface of the rear seat cushion, the plate being movable with the rear seat cushion from the raised position to the lowered position. In a further example, the plate may be mounted to the scissor mechanism.

With reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, an assembly105of a vehicle100includes a seat bottom110, a scissor mechanism115, and a pyrotechnic actuator120. The seat bottom110includes a rear seat cushion125and a front seat cushion130in a seat-forward direction from the rear seat cushion125. The rear seat cushion125is movable between a raised position and a lowered position relative to the front seat cushion130. The scissor mechanism115is coupled to the rear seat cushion125and movable between an extended position and a compressed position. The scissor mechanism115in the extended position holds the rear seat cushion125at the raised position. The scissor mechanism115in the compressed position holds the rear seat cushion125at the lowered position. The pyrotechnic actuator120is connected to the rear seat cushion125and dischargeable to move the rear seat cushion125from the raised position to the lowered position.

The raised position of the rear seat cushion125may be a default position at which a top surface of the rear seat cushion125is contiguous with a top surface of the front seat cushion130. In the lowered position of the rear seat cushion125, the top surface of the rear seat cushion125is below the top surface of the front seat cushion130. In the event of certain impacts to the vehicle100, the pyrotechnic actuator120is triggered to discharge to move the rear seat cushion125from the raised position to the lowered position. The lowered position of the rear seat cushion125permits the pelvis of the occupant to drop below the top surface of front seat cushion130, and the front seat cushion130may thereby reduce forward travel by the occupant.

With reference toFIG.1, the vehicle100may be any passenger or commercial automobile such as a car, a truck, a sport utility vehicle, a crossover, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, etc.

The vehicle100includes a passenger compartment135to house occupants of the vehicle100. The passenger compartment135includes a floor140and a plurality of seats145mounted to the floor140. One or more of the seats145may be disposed in a front row of the passenger compartment135, and one or more of the seats145may be disposed in a second row behind the front row. The passenger compartment135may also include seats145in a third row at a rear of the passenger compartment135. The rest of this description discusses the assembly105for one seat145, but multiple or all seats145in the passenger compartment135can each have an assembly105as described herein. The seats145are shown to be bucket seats in the front row and bench seats in the second row, but the seats145may be other types. The position and orientation of the seats145and components thereof may be adjustable by an occupant.

With reference toFIG.2, the seat145may include a seat back150, the seat bottom110, and a head restraint155. The head restraint155may be supported by the seat back150and may be stationary or movable relative to the seat back150. The seat back150may be supported by the seat bottom110. The seat back150may be coupled to the seat bottom110in a seat-rearward direction from the rear seat cushion125. The seat back150may be stationary or movable relative to the seat bottom110. The seat back150, the seat bottom110, and/or the head restraint155may be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. Specifically, the seat back150, the seat bottom110, and/or the head restraint155may themselves be adjustable, in other words, adjustable components within the seat back150, the seat bottom110, and/or the head restraint155, and/or may be adjustable relative to each other.

The seat back150may be divided into a top half160and a bottom half165along a length of the seat back150extending perpendicular to an axis of rotation of the seat back150relative to the seat bottom110. The bottom half165is at the seat bottom110, and the top half160is spaced from the seat bottom110by the bottom half165. A midpoint170divides the top half160and the bottom half165.

With reference toFIGS.3A-B, the assembly105may include an airbag175. The airbag175is supported by the seat back150. The airbag175is inflatable from an uninflated position inside the seat back150(as shown inFIG.3A) to an inflated position extending above the seat bottom110and outward from the seat back150(as shown inFIG.3B). The airbag175in the uninflated position is located inside or underneath a covering of the seat back150. The covering may include one or more tearaway seams that are opened by the inflation of the airbag175. The airbag175in the inflated position is positioned laterally from an occupant sitting in the seat145, e.g., between the occupant and a door of the vehicle100in a cross-vehicle direction, e.g., an outboard direction. The airbag175in the inflated position extends from the top half160of the seat back150and extends below the midpoint170, e.g., extends from the bottom half165of the seat back150, thereby providing coverage for a torso of the occupant. For example, the airbag175in the inflated position may extend straight forward from the side of the seat back150from which the airbag175inflated. For another example, the airbag175may extend beside and in front of the occupant, e.g., curling around the front of the occupant. The assembly105may include symmetrical airbags175on both sides of the seat back150. The airbag175may include an inflator for inflating the airbag175with an inflation medium, such as a gas.

The seat bottom110includes a seat pan180, the front seat cushion130, the rear seat cushion125, a plate185, and at least one track190. The seat pan180may be part of a seat frame of the seat145. The seat pan180extends below the front seat cushion130and the rear seat cushion125. The seat pan180supports the front seat cushion130, the rear seat cushion125, the plate185, and the at least one track190.

The front seat cushion130is positioned in a seat-forward direction from the rear seat cushion125. The front seat cushion130extends laterally, i.e., in a cross-seat direction, for the full width of the seat145, thereby providing coverage under both thighs of the occupant. The front seat cushion130is arranged to maintain a constant position when the rear seat cushion125moves from the raised position to the lowered position. For example, the front seat cushion130may be mounted to the seat pan180and fixed relative to the seat pan180. The front seat cushion130may include cushions or padding covered with upholstery. The cushions may be made of cushioning material, e.g., foam or any other suitable supportive material. The upholstery may be formed of cloth, leather, faux leather, or any other suitable material. The upholstery may be stitched in panels around the foam.

The rear seat cushion125is movable between the raised position and the lowered position relative to the front seat cushion130. In the raised position, a top surface of the rear seat cushion125is contiguous with a top surface of the front seat cushion130, e.g., the top surfaces may form a sufficiently continuous surface to serve as a seating area for the occupant to sit on in a normal sitting position. In the lowered position, the top surface of the rear seat cushion125is fully below the top surface of the front seat cushion130, and the rear seat cushion125forms a recess relative to the front seat cushion130. When an occupant is seated in the seat145, the pelvis of the occupant may drop into the recess, and the thighs of the occupant may be raised by the relatively higher position of the front seat cushion130. The movement of the rear seat cushion125between the raised position and the lowered position is distinct from the adjustability of the seat145. The rear seat cushion125may include cushions or padding covered with upholstery, similar to the front seat cushion130. The rear seat cushion125extends laterally, i.e., in the cross-seat direction, for the full width of the seat145, thereby providing coverage for the full width of the pelvis of the occupant.

The plate185is fixed to a bottom surface of the rear seat cushion125. The plate185is movable with the rear seat cushion125between the raised position and the lowered position. For example, the plate185may be fixed relative to the rear seat cushion125and may support the rear seat cushion125. The plate185may serve as a mounting platform connecting the rear seat cushion125to the scissor mechanism115.

The tracks190facilitate movement of the rear seat cushion125relative to the front seat cushion130. The tracks190are supported by the front seat cushion130and the seat pan180and may be mounted to the front seat cushion130. The tracks190may be elongated generally vertically, e.g., at least 45° from horizontal. The tracks190are elongated parallel to each other. The tracks190may be positioned at corners of the rear seat cushion125as viewed from above. The tracks190may have a uniform cross-section projected along the directions of elongation to facilitate components engaging with and sliding along the tracks190. In particular, the rear seat cushion125engages with the tracks190and is movable, e.g., slidable, along the tracks190between the raised position and the lowered position.

With reference toFIGS.3A-4, the assembly105includes the scissor mechanism115. The scissor mechanism115is mounted to and supported by a component relative to which the rear seat cushion125is movable. In particular, the scissor mechanism115may be mounted to the floor140(as shown inFIGS.3A-B) or to the seat pan180(as shown inFIG.4). The scissor mechanism115is coupled to the rear seat cushion125and supports the rear seat cushion125. For example, the plate185may be mounted to the scissor mechanism115.

With reference toFIGS.5A-B, the scissor mechanism115includes a first crossmember200, a second crossmember205, a first scissor track210, and a second scissor track215. The first crossmember200and the second crossmember205are pivotally engaged with each other at a middle pivot220, thereby forming the scissor mechanism115. The first crossmember200and the second crossmember205are pivotally coupled to the component to which the scissor mechanism115is mounted, e.g., the floor140or the seat pan180. For example, the first scissor track210is mounted to the floor140or the seat pan180, and lower pivotal ends225,230of the first crossmember200and the second crossmember205are coupled to the first scissor track210. The lower pivotal end230of the second crossmember205may be slidably engaged with the first scissor track210, and the lower pivotal end225of the first crossmember200may be fixed relative to the first scissor track210. The first crossmember200and the second crossmember205are pivotally coupled to the rear seat cushion125, e.g., to the plate185. For example, the second scissor track215is mounted on an underside of the plate185, and upper pivotal ends235,240of the first crossmember200and the second crossmember205are coupled to the second scissor track215. The upper pivotal end235of the first crossmember200may be slidably engaged with the second scissor track215, and the upper pivotal end240of the second crossmember205may be fixed relative to the second scissor track215.

The scissor mechanism115is movable between an extended position (shown inFIG.5A) and a compressed position (shown inFIG.5B). The scissor mechanism115in the extended position holds the rear seat cushion125at the raised position, and the scissor mechanism115in the compressed position holds the rear seat cushion125at the lowered position. The scissor mechanism115moves from the extended position to the compressed position by the lower pivotal end230of the second crossmember205sliding along the first scissor track210and the upper pivotal end235of the first crossmember200sliding along the second scissor track215, while the crossmembers200,205pivot at the pivotal ends225,230,235,240from a comparatively more vertical position to a comparatively more horizontal position, thereby bringing the first scissor track210and the second scissor track215closer together.

With reference toFIGS.5A-6, the assembly105includes the pyrotechnic actuator120extending from a first end245to a second end250. The pyrotechnic actuator120is dischargeable to bring the first end245and the second end250closer together. The pyrotechnic actuator120includes an explosive charge positioned to drive the first end245and the second end250closer together, e.g., by driving a piston into a cylinder. The charge may be combustible to produce a gas. The charge may be formed of a solid mixture of substances that, when ignited, react to produce the gas. For example, the charge may be formed of sodium azide (NaNO3), potassium nitrate (KNO3), and silicon dioxide (SiO2), which react to form nitrogen gas (N2).

The pyrotechnic actuator120is dischargeable to move the rear seat cushion125from the raised position to the lowered position. The pyrotechnic actuator120is connected to the rear seat cushion125and to the floor140or seat pan180so as to pull the rear seat cushion125toward the floor140or the seat pan180. For example, the first end245may be fixed either to the rear seat cushion125, e.g., via the second scissor track215(as shown inFIG.6), or to the scissor mechanism115, e.g., the middle pivot220(as shown inFIGS.5A-B). In either case, the second end250may be fixed to the floor140or the seat pan180, e.g., via the first scissor track210. As another alternative (not shown), the first end245may be fixed to the rear seat cushion125, and the second end250may be fixed to the scissor mechanism115, e.g., the middle pivot220.

The scissor mechanism115is in the extended position by default, and the rear seat cushion125is thereby in the raised position by default. In the event of certain impacts, an impact sensor may detect the certain impacts and transmit a signal to a controller, which in turn may transmit a signal to the pyrotechnic actuator120. The pyrotechnic actuator120discharges, thereby moving the scissor mechanism115from the extended position to the compressed position and the rear seat cushion125from the raised position to the lowered position. The pelvis of the occupant of the seat may drop with the rear seat cushion125, and the front seat cushion130may be located in front of the pelvis and may provide some constraint on forward motion by the pelvis. The airbag175may be configured to inflate together with the pyrotechnic actuator120discharging, e.g., based on a common signal or simultaneous signal from the controller. The airbag175may restrict lateral motion of the occupant, e.g., outboard motion. The airbag175may help keep the occupant laterally centered on the seat145, which may be a position for which the front seat cushion130may constrain the occupant from some forward motion.

The disclosure has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. The adjectives “first” and “second” are used throughout this document as identifiers and are not intended to signify importance, order, or quantity. Terms such as “front,” “forward,” “back,” “rearward,” “left,” “right,” “lateral,” etc., are understood relative to the seat145. Many modifications and variations of the present disclosure are possible in light of the above teachings, and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. Operations, systems, and methods described herein should always be implemented and/or performed in accordance with an applicable owner's/user's manual and/or safety guidelines.