Seat structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10556529-B2
Application number	US-201415027579-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 3, 2014
Priority date	Oct 7, 2013
Publication date	Feb 11, 2020
Grant date	Feb 11, 2020

Abstract

A seat structure, particularly for a vehicle, that includes a seatback structure and a seat frame. The seatback structure includes a seatback frame and a plurality of seatback support members. The seatback support members are connected to the seatback frame. The seatback structure is connected to the seat frame.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seat for a vehicle, comprising:
a seatback structure comprising a plurality of seatback support members, said seatback support members being connected to a seatback frame, said seatback support members defining a support surface extending from one side of said seatback frame to another side of said seatback frame and from at least a position adjacent to a lower portion of said seatback frame to an upper portion of said seatback frame, said seatback structure comprising a first lateral end and a second lateral end;
a seat frame, said seatback structure being connected to said seat frame, said seat frame comprising a first lateral seat frame member, a second lateral seat frame member, a first transverse seat frame member and a second transverse seat frame member, said first transverse seat frame member and said second transverse seat frame member extending between said first lateral seat frame member and said second lateral seat frame member, said first lateral seat frame member and said second lateral seat frame member extending from said first transverse seat frame member in an upward direction toward said second transverse seat frame member, said first lateral seat frame member being located directly adjacent to said first lateral end, said second lateral seat frame member being located directly adjacent to said second lateral end;
a lumbar support structure comprising a first lumbar support structure element and a second lumbar support structure element and a lumbar support structure connecting element bridging a space between said first lumbar support structure and said second lumbar support structure element, said first lumbar support structure element being in contact with said first lateral seat frame member, said second lumbar support structure element being in contact with said second lateral seat frame member, wherein said first lumbar support structure element is located at a spaced location from said second lumbar support structure element.

2. A seat in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said plurality of seatback support members are integrally connected to said seatback frame to form a single, one-piece seatback structure, said seatback structure being laterally connected to said seat frame such that said seatback structure is movable relative to said seat frame, wherein said seatback support members comprise vertically-oriented strips, said vertically-oriented strips being interconnected in a ribbed manner to create a wave to control lateral elongation of the seatback structure, said vertically-oriented strips comprising thermoplastic material, whereby said vertically-oriented strips form a suspension system for the seat structure, said single, one-piece seatback structure comprising a lumbar support region for supporting a lumbar region of the user and an upper user support region, said single, one-piece seatback structure being least compliant and/or least deformable in said lumbar support region than in said upper user support region, wherein said support surface continuously extends from said one side of said seatback frame to said another side of said seatback frame and continuously from said lower portion of said seatback frame to said upper portion of said seatback frame, wherein an opening is defined between said first lateral seat frame member, said second lateral seat frame portion, said first transverse seat frame member and said second transverse seat frame member, at least a portion of one or more of said vertically-oriented strips being located in said opening when said one or more of said vertically-oriented strips is in a deformed state.

3. A seat in accordance with claim 1 , further comprising:
fastener elements, wherein said seatback frame comprises a lower portion and an upper portion, each of said plurality of seatback support members comprising a strip of vertically-oriented material extending from said lower portion to said upper portion, wherein each of plurality of seatback support members is individually fixed to said lower portion via one of said fastener elements and each of said plurality of seatback support members is individually fixed to said upper portion via another one of said fastener elements, wherein said support surface is fixed to at least said one side of said seatback frame, said another side of said seatback frame and said upper portion of said seatback frame, at least a portion of said seat frame being located rearward of said seatback frame.

4. A seat in accordance with claim 1 , wherein one or more of a stiffness and an elastic deformation of said plurality of seatback support members is adjusted based on a tension of said lumbar support structure, wherein vertical strip resistance of displacement is increased when tension of said lumbar support structure is increased, wherein said seatback structure is connected to said seat frame via at least one snap connection, said first lumbar support structure element comprising a first lumbar support structure element extending portion and a first lumbar support structure element bent portion, said first lumbar support structure element bent portion being bent relative to said first lumbar support structure element extending portion, said second lumbar support structure element comprising a second lumbar support structure element extending portion and a second lumbar support structure element bent portion, said second lumbar support structure element bent portion being bent relative to said second lumbar support structure element extending portion, at least a portion of said lumbar support structure connecting element extending between said first lumbar support structure element bent portion and said second lumbar support structure element bent portion.

5. A seat in accordance with claim 4 , wherein said lumbar support structure extends from one side of said seatback frame to another side of said seatback frame in a direction that is transverse to a direction of said plurality of seatback support members, each of said plurality of seatback support members comprising a lower portion, said lumbar support structure being arranged adjacent to said lower portion of said one or more of said plurality seatback support members, at least said lumbar support structure and said lower portion of said seatback support members defining a lumbar region of said seatback structure, at least a portion of said support surface defining a headrest support surface for supporting a head area of a user, said first lumbar support structure element comprising a first lumbar support structure element second extending portion and a first lumbar support structure element second bent portion, said first lumbar support structure element second bent portion being bent relative to said first lumbar support structure element second extending portion, said second lumbar support structure element comprising a second lumbar support structure element second extending portion and a second lumbar support structure element second bent portion, said second lumbar support structure element second bent portion being bent relative to said second lumbar support structure element second extending portion, said lumbar support structure comprising another lumbar support structure connecting element, at least a portion of said another lumbar support structure connecting element extending between said first lumbar support structure element second bent portion and said second lumbar support structure element second bent portion.

6. A seat in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of seatback support members comprises a shoulder support surface and a lumbar support surface, said shoulder support surface of each of said seatback support members defining a shoulder support region of said support surface, said lumbar support surface of e

Assignees

• Johnson Controls Tech Co
• Adient Luxembourg Holding Sarl

Inventors

• Seibold Kurt

Classifications

• B60N2/42709

  involving residual deformation or fracture of the structure · CPC title

• B60N2/66

  Lumbar supports · CPC title

• B60N2/42

  the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats (for protecting children B60N2/26; arm-rests B60N2/75; head-rests B60N2/888) · CPC title

• B60N2/7094

  Upholstery springs · CPC title

• B60N2/6671

  with cable actuators · CPC title