Vehicle seat with torsion bar spring

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11623550-B2
Application number	US-202117395162-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 5, 2021
Priority date	Aug 5, 2021
Publication date	Apr 11, 2023
Grant date	Apr 11, 2023

Abstract

A vehicle seat includes a back frame having opposing side members and side brackets pivotally connected to the opposing side members about a pivot axis such that the back frame is pivotal between a reclined position and a folded position. A spring-assist system is configured to urge pivoting of the back frame towards the folded position. The spring-assist system including a torsion rod spring extending between the side members at a location that is radially outboard of the pivot axis to generate an off-axis moment that urges the back frame towards the folded position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle seat comprising:
a back frame having opposing side members;
side brackets pivotally connected to the opposing side members about a pivot axis such that the back frame is pivotal between a reclined position and a folded position; and
a spring-assist system configured to urge pivoting of the back frame towards the folded position, the spring-assist system including a torsion rod spring extending between the side members at a location that is radially outboard of the pivot axis to generate an off-axis moment that urges the back frame towards the folded position.

2. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the torsion rod spring has a first end fixed to one of the side members and a second end that is rotatable relative the other of the side members.

3. The vehicle seat of claim 1 further comprising a cushion frame movable relative to the side brackets and pivotally attached to the back frame about a second pivot axis that is not coaxial with the pivot axis.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 3 , wherein the torsion rod has a first end connected to the cushion frame and a second end connected to one of the side members.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 4 , wherein the first end is connected to the cushion frame at the second pivot axis and the second end is connected to the one of the side members at a location that is radially outboard of the second pivot axis.

6. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the spring-assist system further includes a second torsion rod spring extending between the side members at a location that is radially outboard of the pivot axis to generate a second off-axis moment that urges the back frame towards the folded position.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 6 , wherein the torsion rod spring and the second torsion rod spring crisscross each other.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 6 , wherein the torsion rod spring has a first end attached to a first of the side members and a second end adjacent to a second of the side members, and the second rod spring has a first end attached to the second side member and a second end adjacent to the first side member.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 8 further comprising a cushion frame movable relative to the side brackets and pivotally attached to the back frame, wherein the second ends are attached to the cushion frame.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 1 further comprising a post extending through one of the side members and coupled to an end of the torsion rod.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 10 , wherein the post defines a first connection feature and the end defines a second connection feature that cooperates with the first connection feature to couple the torsion rod to the post such that the post and the end are rotationally fixed relative to each other.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 11 , wherein the first connection feature is a slot and the second connection feature is a projection having a geometry that matches the slot such that the end is receivable in the post in a non-rotatable manner.

13. The vehicle seat of claim 1 further comprising:
a pair of recline mechanisms pivotally connecting the back frame to the side brackets; and
a traverse member extending between the recline mechanisms.

14. A vehicle seat comprising:
a back frame foldable about a first axis;
a cushion frame pivotally attached to the back frame about a second axis that is not coaxial with the first axis; and
a first torsion rod spring biased to fold the back frame towards cushion frame, the first torsion rod spring having a first portion connected to the back frame, a second portion connected to the cushion frame, and a central portion extending from the first portion, across the back frame, and to the second portion, wherein the central portion is radially outboard of the first axis.

15. The vehicle seat of claim 14 , wherein the first portion extends radially relative to the central portion and the second portion is coaxial with the central portion.

16. The vehicle seat of claim 14 further comprising a second torsion rod spring biased to fold the back frame towards cushion frame, the second torsion rod spring having a first portion connected to the back frame, a second portion connected to the cushion frame, and a central portion extending from the first portion, across the back frame, and to the second portion, wherein the central portion of the second torsion rod spring is radially outboard of the first axis.

17. The vehicle seat of claim 14 further comprising a post having a first side rotationally fixed to the cushion frame and a second side rotationally fixed to the second portion of the torsion rod.

18. A vehicle seat comprising:
a back frame pivotal about a first axis and having first and second side members;
a cushion frame including first and second lateral brackets pivotally attached to the first and second side members, respectively, about a second axis that is not coaxial with the first axis;
a first torsion rod spring having a first end connected to the first side member and a second end connected to the second lateral bracket; and
a second torsion rod spring having a first end connected to the second side member and a second end connected to the first lateral bracket, wherein the first and second torsion rods are configured to pivot the back frame about the first axis.

19. The vehicle seat of claim 18 further comprising:
a first post connected between the first lateral bracket and the second end of the second torsion rod spring; and
a second posted connected between the second lateral bracket and the second end of the first torsion rod spring.

20. The vehicle seat of claim 19 , wherein the first post defines a first connection feature and the second end of the second torsion rod spring defines a second connection feature that cooperates with the first connection feature to non-rotatably couple the second torsion rod to the first post.

Assignees

• Brose Fahrzeugteile Se & Co Kg Coburg

Inventors

• Stapleton Dakota

Classifications

• B60N2/3009

  about transversal axis · CPC title

• B60N2/22 Primary

  the back-rest being adjustable {(B60N2/2878 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/3047 Primary

  the cushion being hinged at the back-rest · CPC title

• B60N2/02253

  characterised by the transmission between the electric motor and the seat or seat parts · CPC title

• B60N2/02246

  Electric motors therefor · CPC title