Seat adjustment apparatus for mobility

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12304364-B2
Application number	US-202318100830-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 24, 2023
Priority date	Jul 28, 2022
Publication date	May 20, 2025
Grant date	May 20, 2025

Abstract

Disclosed is a seat adjustment apparatus for a mobility vehicle, in which a seat cushion slides in a forward/rearward direction while moving upward or downward when the seat cushion is tilted, thereby allowing an occupant to take a stable posture. In one aspect, the seat apparatus comprises 1) a fixing bracket fixed to a floor surface; 2) a setting bracket disposed above the fixing bracket and connected to a back frame so that the back frame is rotatable; 3) a guide unit disposed at a front end of the fixing bracket and a front end of the setting bracket; 4) a guide part disposed at a rear end of the fixing bracket and a rear end of the setting bracket; and 5) a drive unit connected to the guide unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seat adjustment apparatus for a mobility, the seat adjustment apparatus comprising:
a fixing bracket configured to be fixed to a floor surface;
a setting bracket disposed above the fixing bracket and connected to a back frame so that the back frame is rotatable;
a guide unit disposed at a front end of the fixing bracket and a front end of the setting bracket and configured to allow the setting bracket to move relative to the fixing bracket;
a guide part disposed at a rear end of the fixing bracket and a rear end of the setting bracket and configured to guide a movement of the setting bracket relative to the fixing bracket; and
a drive unit connected to the guide unit and configured to operate in conjunction with the guide unit to allow the guide unit to rotate or rectilinearly move relative to the fixing bracket so that the setting bracket moves or slides to change a position thereof.

2. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the drive unit comprises a first drive unit and a second drive unit,
wherein the first drive unit is installed on the fixing bracket, connected to the guide unit, and configured to allow the setting bracket to slide along the guide part, and
wherein the second drive unit is installed on the setting bracket, connected to the guide unit, and configured to allow the setting bracket to move upward or downward by means of the guide unit.

3. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the guide unit comprises:
a first link rotatably installed on the fixing bracket; and
a second link rotatably connected to the setting bracket and the first link.

4. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first drive unit is connected to the first link,
wherein when the first drive unit operates, the first link rotates in a forward/rearward direction relative to the fixing bracket, such that the setting bracket moves in the forward/rearward direction,
wherein the second drive unit is connected to the second link, and
wherein when the second drive unit operates, the second link is unfolded or folded with respect to the first link, such that the setting bracket moves upward or downward.

5. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first link is provided as a pair of first links connected to each other by a first connection pipe, and
wherein the first drive unit is connected to the first connection pipe, and the first link, together with the first connection pipe, rotates relative to the fixing bracket in accordance with whether the first drive unit operates, such that the setting bracket moves in a forward/rearward direction along the guide part.

6. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the first drive unit comprises:
a first motor; and
a connection rod connected to the first connection pipe, and
wherein when the first motor operates, the connection rod is extended or retracted, such that the first link rotates together with the first connection pipe.

7. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a second link is provided as a pair of second links connected to each other by a second connection pipe, and
wherein the second drive unit is connected to the second connection pipe, and the second link, together with the second connection pipe, rotates relative to the first link in accordance with whether the second drive unit operates, such that the setting bracket moves upward or downward.

8. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 7 , wherein a driven gear part is provided on the second connection pipe, wherein the second drive unit comprises:
a second motor; and
a driving gear part configured to engage with the driven gear part, and
wherein when the second motor operates, the driven gear part rotates together with the driving gear part.

9. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 8 , wherein the driving gear part rotates when the second motor of the second drive unit operates, and
wherein a connection gear is formed on an outer periphery of the driven gear part and engages with the driving gear part.

10. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 8 , wherein a guide hole is formed at an end of the driven gear part and extends in a rotation direction, and
wherein a support part is provided on the second drive unit and supports a rotation of the driving gear part, and the support part is inserted into the guide hole and guides a rotation of the driven gear part.

11. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 2 , wherein in a relaxation mode, the first and second drive units operate such that the back frame is fully tilted back when the setting bracket is moved entirely forward.

12. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 2 , wherein in a baggage loading mode, the first and second drive units operate such that the back frame is rotated relative to the setting bracket so as to be fully folded front.

13. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 2 , wherein in a child mode, the first and second drive units operate such that a position of a seat cushion is lowered when the setting bracket is moved downward.

14. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the guide part comprises:
a guide bracket fixed to the fixing bracket and having an extension hole extending in a forward/rearward direction; and
a slider installed on the setting bracket, inserted into the extension hole, and configured to move along the extension hole.

15. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the extension hole of the guide bracket extends forward to be inclined downward.

16. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the guide unit comprises:
a height bracket fixed to the fixing bracket and having a slit hole extending to be inclined in a forward/rearward direction; and
a movable bracket installed on the setting bracket, extending downward, inserted into the slit hole, and configured to move along the slit hole.

17. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the drive unit comprises:
a drive motor installed on the fixing bracket; and
a driving rod extending from the drive motor, connected to the setting bracket, and configured to be retracted or extended when the drive motor operates.

18. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the slit hole of the guide unit extends forward to be inclined upward, and the driving rod of the drive unit operates to be retracted or extended in a direction in which the slit hole is inclined.

19. The seat adjustment apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the guide part comprises:
a guide bracket fixed to the fixing bracket and having an extension hole extending forward to be inclined downward; and
a slider installed on the setting bracket, inserted into the extension hole, and configured to move along the extension hole.

20. A car comprising the seat adjustment apparatus of claim 1 .

Assignees

• Hyundai Motor Co Ltd
• Kia Corp
• Daechang Seat Co Ltd Dongtan
• Hyundai Transys Inc

Inventors

• Lee Sang Soo
• Jung Chan Ho
• Kim Mu Young
• Lee Sang Hark
• Jung Ho Suk
• Lim Deok Soo
• Park Sang Do
• Jang Jae Yong
• Ko Hyun Tak
• Kang Ho Sung
• Kwak Hae Dong
• Baek In Sun
• Yang Sin Chan
• Hwang Jun Sik
• Cho Chan Ki
• Lee Myung Soo

Classifications

• B60N2/02258

  characterised by the mounting of the electric motor for adjusting the seat · 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

• B60N2002/0216

  the seat or seat part turning about or moving along a transversal axis · CPC title

• B60N2/1864

  Gear wheel driven mechanism · CPC title