Patent ID: 12252043

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented inFIG.1. However, it is to be understood that the concepts may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a vehicle seating assembly. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.

As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items, can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element preceded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point.

The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.

As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Referring toFIGS.1-8, reference numeral20generally designates a vehicle. The vehicle20includes a vehicle seating assembly24positioned within a passenger compartment28thereof. The vehicle seating assembly24includes a seat32, a seatback36, a track assembly40, a front anchor44, a rear anchor48, and a first gear52. The seatback36is coupled to the seat32. The seatback36is pivotable relative to the seat32. The track assembly40is configured to couple the seat32to a floor56of the vehicle20. The rear anchor48is coupled to the seat32and configured to engage with the track assembly40. The front anchor44is coupled to the seat and configured to engage with the track assembly40. A position of the seat32relative to the front anchor44and the rear anchor48is adjustable. The first gear52extends between the front anchor44and the seat32. The first gear52defines a guide slot60therein that receives a guide pin64. Movement of the first gear52adjusts a position of a front region68of the seat32relative to a rear region72of the seat32.

Referring again toFIGS.1and2, the vehicle seating assembly24is movable between a design position (seeFIGS.1and3), a lowered position (seeFIG.4), a raised position (seeFIG.5), and a reclined-and-raised position (seeFIGS.2and7). The reclined-and-raised position of the vehicle seating assembly24is intended for use when the vehicle20is in a stationary (i.e., non-moving) state. For example, while a transmission of the vehicle20is in a parked position. However, while all modern OEMs of passenger vehicles currently warn occupants against reclining the vehicle seating assembly24past a certain angle while the vehicle20is moving and/or in riding in a fully reclined or supine position due to safety concerns, it is anticipated that technology and the regulatory framework may evolve in the future where such an activity is permissible. The seatback36remains pivotable relative to the seat32independent of whether the vehicle seating assembly24is in the design position, the lowered position, the raised position, and/or the reclined-and-raised position. Accordingly, an angle76between the seatback36and the seat32may be adjustable in each of the positions that the vehicle seating assembly24is capable of entering. In some examples, the vehicle seating assembly24may be provided with a lower leg support80. In such examples, the lower leg support80may be rotatably coupled to the seat32proximate to the front region68of the seat32. Accordingly, an angle84between the lower leg support80and the seat32may be adjustable such that the lower leg support80is operable between a stowed position and a deployed position. In various examples, the lower leg support80may be positioned below the seat32when the lower leg support80is in the stowed position.

Referring further toFIGS.1and2, when the vehicle seating assembly24is in the design position, the seat32may be generally parallel to the track assembly40and/or the floor56of the vehicle20. When the vehicle seating assembly is in the reclined-and-raised position, the seat32may assume a non-parallel arrangement with the track assembly40and/or the floor56of the vehicle20. For example, in the reclined-and-raised position, the seat32may be positioned at an acute angle relative to the track assembly40and/or the floor56. The vehicle seating assembly24may be provided with one or more feet88that are configured to directly engage with the floor56of the vehicle20. For example, the one or more feet88may engage with an underside of the track assembly40such that the track assembly40is indirectly coupled to the floor56. The reclined-and-raised position of the vehicle seating assembly24is intended for use when the vehicle20is in a stationary (i.e., non-moving) state. For example, while a transmission of the vehicle20is in a parked position. However, while all modern OEMs of passenger vehicles currently warn occupants against reclining the vehicle seating assembly24past a certain angle while the vehicle20is moving and/or in riding in a fully reclined or supine position due to safety concerns, it is anticipated that technology and the regulatory framework may evolve in the future where such an activity is permissible.

Referring now toFIGS.3-5, portions of the vehicle seating assembly24have been removed to aid in discussion of the interaction between various components of the vehicle seating assembly24as the vehicle seating assembly24is transitioned between the design position (FIG.3), the lowered position (FIG.4), and the raised position (FIG.5). Each of the track assemblies40can include an upper track92and a lower track96. In such an example, the lower track96may be fixedly coupled with one or more of the feet88. The upper tracks92can slidably engage with their corresponding lower tracks96. The front anchor44and the rear anchor48on a first side100of the seat32are each coupled to one of the upper tracks92. Similarly, the front anchor44and the rear anchor48on a second side104of the seat32are each coupled to another of the upper tracks92. Accordingly, translational motion imparted to the upper tracks92is transmitted to the seat32in the event of adjustment along a longitudinal direction108of the track assemblies40.

Referring again toFIGS.3-5, the seat32is provided with a second gear112. The second gear112is driven by a motor116(seeFIG.8) to affect adjustment of a distance120between an underside124of the seat32and the upper track92. Rotational motion imparted to the second gear112by activation of the motor116applies a force along the longitudinal direction108. More specifically, rotational motion imparted to the second gear112by activation of the motor116applies a forward force128or a rearward force132to a transmission bar136, depending upon a direction of rotation imparted to a drive gear140of the motor116. The force applied to the transmission bar136adjusts an angular relationship between a front leg144and a corresponding one of the front anchors44. Similarly, the force applied to the transmission bar136may adjust an angular relationship between a rear leg148and a corresponding one of the rear anchors48(seeFIGS.6and7).

Referring further toFIGS.3-5, adjusting the angular relationship between the front leg144and the front anchor44while also adjusting the angular relationship between the rear leg148and the rear anchor48results in an adjustment of the height of the seat32relative to the track assembly40. For example, simultaneous adjustment of the front leg144and the rear leg148in their angular relationships relative to the front anchor44and the rear anchor48, respectively, can transition the vehicle seating assembly24between the design position, the lowered position, and the raised position. Accordingly, in various examples, the second gear112may control a height of the seat32while maintaining a pitch of the seat32relative to the track assemblies40. As the height of the seat32is adjusted by the second gear112and the motor116, the first gear52may travel with the seat32such that a distance between the track assembly40and the first gear52is also adjusted. Similarly, as the height of the seat32is adjusted by the second gear112and the motor116, a motor152that is configured to drive the first gear52may travel with the seat such that a distance between the track assembly and the motor152is also adjusted. The adjustment between the first gear52and the track assembly40, as well as the adjustment between the motor152and the track assembly40, may occur simultaneously with the adjustment between the seat32and the track assembly40.

Referring toFIGS.6and7, as stated above, the motor152is configured to drive the first gear52. More specifically, the motor152is provided with a drive gear156that is driven by a driveshaft160. The first gear52includes a sector gear164and a lift arm168. The sector gear164defines teeth172in a portion of a perimeter thereof. The teeth172of the sector gear164engage with teeth176that are defined by the drive gear156of the motor152. In various examples, the first gear52does not contribute to transitioning the vehicle seating assembly24between the design position, the lowered position, and the raised position. Said another way, the first gear52may be responsible for transitioning the vehicle seating assembly24into, and out of, the reclined-and-raised position. Accordingly, in some examples, a position of the guide pin64within the guide slot60may only be adjusted when the front region68of the seat32is adjusted relative to the rear region72of the seat32. Said another way, the position of the guide pin64within the guide slot60may only change when a pitch of the seat32is adjusted relative to the track assembly40. In various examples, the guide slot60that is defined by the first gear52may be arcuate in shape. For example, the shape of the guide slot60may generally correspond with a curvature of the portion of the first gear52that defines the teeth172.

Referring again toFIGS.6and7, the lift arm168extends from a body180of the first gear52. A distal end184of the lift arm168includes a protrusion188. Said another way, the protrusion188is situated away from the point at which the lift arm168extends from the body180. A portion192of the seat32defines an aperture196. The protrusion188of the lift arm168is received within the aperture196. Activation of the motor152and the resulting rotation of the first gear52can adjust a position of the protrusion188within the aperture196. Adjustment of the positioning of the protrusion188within the aperture196that is defined by the portion192of the seat32results in adjustment of the position of the front region68of the seat32relative to the rear region72of the seat32. In various examples, the adjustment of the protrusion188of the lift arm168within the aperture196defined by the portion192of the seat32and adjustment of the first gear52relative to the guide pin64occurs in a synchronized manner. While the adjustment of the protrusion188relative to the aperture196and the adjustment of the guide pin64relative to the guide slot60may be carried out in a synchronized manner, such adjustments may not directly correlate with regard to a degree of displacement within the aperture196and the guide slot60. For example, as the first gear52is transitioned from the positioning depicted inFIG.6toward the positioning depicted inFIG.7, the relative positioning between the guide slot60and the guide pin64may begin to change prior to the relative positioning between the protrusion188and the aperture196beginning to change, as will be discussed further herein.

Referring further toFIGS.6and7, the guide slot60includes a forward extreme200and a rearward extreme204. Similarly, the aperture196includes a forward extreme208and a rearward extreme212. In various examples, when the guide pin64is positioned at the rearward extreme204of the guide slot60, the protrusion188may also be positioned at the rearward extreme212of the aperture196. Similarly, when the guide pin64is positioned at the forward extreme200of the guide slot60, the protrusion188may also be positioned at the forward extreme208of the aperture196. Positioning the guide pin64at the rearward extreme204of the guide slot60and positioning the protrusion188at the rearward extreme212of the aperture196may represent the seat32being arranged in the design position. While such an arrangement may represent the design position of the seat32, such arrangement does not necessarily imply a given angular relationship between the seatback36and the seat32. Said another way, positioning the guide pin64at the rearward extreme204of the guide slot60and simultaneously positioning the protrusion188at the rearward extreme212of the aperture196may orient the pitch of the seat32such that the seat32corresponds with the design position. Similarly, since the positioning of the guide pin64and the protrusion188do not have a bearing on allowing the vehicle seating assembly24to transition from the design position to either the lowered position or the raised position, the arrangement of the pitch of the seat32by the positioning of the guide pin64and the positioning of the protrusion188does not necessarily imply a given arrangement for the distance120between the underside124of the seat32and the upper track92.

Referring still further toFIGS.6and7, positioning the guide pin64at the forward extreme200of the guide slot60and positioning the protrusion188at the forward extreme208of the aperture196may represent an upper limit of displacement that the first gear52is capable of providing. Additionally, or alternatively, positioning the guide pin64at the forward extreme200of the guide slot60and positioning the protrusion188at the forward extreme208of the aperture196may represent the reclined-and-raised position. In some examples, such positioning of the guide pin64relative to the guide slot60and positioning of the protrusion188relative to the aperture196may represent the reclined-and-raised position independent of the angle76between the seatback36and the seat32. As stated above, the reclined-and-raised position of the vehicle seating assembly24is intended for use when the vehicle20is in a stationary (i.e., non-moving) state. For example, while a transmission of the vehicle20is in a parked position. However, while all modern OEMs of passenger vehicles currently warn occupants against reclining the vehicle seating assembly24past a certain angle while the vehicle20is moving and/or in riding in a fully reclined or supine position due to safety concerns, it is anticipated that technology and the regulatory framework may evolve in the future where such an activity is permissible.

Referring again toFIGS.6and7, as the seat32is transitioned from the arrangement depicted inFIG.6to the arrangement depicted inFIG.7, the motor152is activated to induce rotation of the drive gear156. As the drive gear156is rotated, for example in a counterclockwise direction, the engagement between the teeth176of the drive gear156and the teeth172of the sector gear164results in rotation of the first gear52in a clockwise direction. Such rotation of the first gear52induces displacement of the sector gear164, thereby causing the guide pin64to disengage with the rearward extreme204of the guide slot60. As the first gear52is driven to rotate by the movement of the sector gear164, a force is applied to the lift arm168and the protrusion188bears against the rearward extreme212of the aperture196, thereby initiating a lifting of the front region68relative to the rear region72. Accordingly, while the positioning of the guide pin64relative to the guide slot60may be immediately adjusted upon rotation of the first gear52, the initial rotation of the first gear52does not necessarily induce an adjustment of the positioning of the protrusion188relative to the aperture196.

Referring yet again toFIGS.6and7, as the first gear52is further driven to rotate by the motor152, the positioning of the protrusion188within the aperture196begins to adjust such that the protrusion188disengages from direct contact with the rearward extreme212of the aperture196and begins traversing the aperture196toward the forward extreme208of the aperture196. While the protrusion188traverses the aperture196toward the forward extreme208, the front region68is further adjusted relative to the rear region72. In some examples, the protrusion188may reach the forward extreme208of the aperture196simultaneous to the guide pin64reaching the forward extreme200of the guide slot60. Alternatively, in various examples, the protrusion188may reach the forward extreme208of the aperture196prior to the guide pin64contacting the forward extreme200of the guide slot60. In such an example, the protrusion188may bear against the forward extreme208of the aperture196as the first gear52completes its rotational range of motion and ultimately ceases rotation upon contact between the forward extreme200of the guide slot60and the guide pin64. Transitioning the seat32from the position shown inFIG.7back toward the position depicted inFIG.6can be accomplished by reversing the steps outlined above. In some examples, a length of the aperture196and a length of the guide slot60may be substantially equal to one another. In alternative examples, the length of the aperture196and the length of the guide slot60may not be substantially equal to one another. In such an example, the length, or an arc length, of the guide slot60may be greater than the length of the aperture196.

Referring toFIG.8, the motor152is mounted to a cross tube216by a motor bracket220. The first gear52defines a hole224that receives an end of the cross tube216. The first gear52may rotate about an axis defined by the cross tube216when the motor152is activated. A connector bar228may be positioned on an opposite side of the seat32from the transmission bar136. The connector bar228may serve a similar purpose as the transmission bar136. The first gear52, one of the front legs144, and the connector bar228may each be coupled to the cross tube216by way of a fastener232. More specifically, fastener apertures defined by the front leg142and the connector bar228may receive the fastener232therein. Additionally, the hole224defined by the first gear52receives the fastener232. The end of the cross tube216that is proximate to the first gear52ultimately receives the fastener232as well. An end of the cross tube216that is opposite to the first gear52is received in fastener apertures236that are defined by the transmission bar136and the other front leg144. A fastener similar to the fastener232may be received within the fastener apertures240and the end of the cross tube216that is proximate to the transmission bar136.

Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the concepts disclosed herein. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.

It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described concepts, and other components, is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the concepts disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.

For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms: couple, coupling, coupled, 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.

It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure, 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 as 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, and the nature or numeral 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 a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a 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 disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.

It is also to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structures and methods without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, 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.