Self-adjusting rear seat cushion for comfort and storage

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016347206-A1
Application number	US-201514725595-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 29, 2015
Priority date	May 29, 2015
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly having a seat including a support frame. A seatback is pivotally coupled with the seat and is adjustable between a passenger support position configured to support the weight of a passenger and a cargo position. The seatback is folded forward to a substantially horizontal position. A seat cushion includes a dynamic forward portion and a generally static rearward portion. An articulation feature is disposed below the forward portion of the seat cushion. The articulation feature is operable between a deployed and a non-deployed position. Movement to the deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a raised position. Movement to the non-deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a lowered position that allows the seatback to fold forward to the cargo position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
a seat supported on a support frame; a seatback pivotally coupled with the seat and adjustable between a passenger support position configured to support the weight of a passenger and a cargo position, wherein the seatback is folded forward to a substantially horizontal position; a seat cushion including a dynamic forward portion and a generally static rearward portion; an articulation feature disposed below the forward portion of the seat cushion, the articulation feature being operable between a deployed and a non-deployed position, wherein movement to the deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a raised position, and wherein movement to the non-deployed position results in the dynamic forward portion of the seat cushion being adjusted to a lowered position that allows the seatback to fold forward to the cargo position.

2 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the articulation feature includes a polymeric composite support that is elastically deformable to the non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback when the seatback is in the cargo position.

3 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2 , wherein the articulation feature includes a polymeric composite support having a rearward proximal end operably coupled to the support frame at a junction and a forward distal end that adjusts vertically.

4 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the articulation feature includes a spring that is elastically deformable to the non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback when the seatback is in the cargo position.

5 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4 , wherein the spring is a compression spring disposed between the seat frame and a rigid cushion support disposed below the seat cushion.

6 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the articulation feature includes a spring steel support that is elastically deformable to the non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback when the seatback is in the cargo position.

7 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the articulation feature includes an inflatable air bladder that inflates to move to the deployed position and deflates to move to the non-deployed position.

8 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the articulation feature moves to the non-deployed position by activation of an activation device.

9 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the articulation feature moves to the non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback.

10 . A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
a seat; a seatback pivotally coupled with the seat and adjustable between a passenger support position and a cargo position; a seat cushion including a forward portion and a rearward portion, wherein the forward portion is vertically adjustable between a raised position when the seatback is in the passenger support position and a lowered position when the seatback is in the cargo position.

11 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10 , further comprising:
an articulation feature that moves to the non-deployed position by activation of an activation device.

12 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11 , wherein the articulation feature moves to the non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback.

13 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10 , wherein the articulation feature includes a spring steel support that is elastically deformable to the non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback when the seatback is in the cargo position.

14 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10 , wherein the articulation feature includes an inflatable air bladder that inflates to move to the deployed position and deflates to move to the non-deployed position.

15 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10 , wherein the articulation feature includes a polymeric composite support that is elastically deformable to the non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback when the seatback is in the cargo position.

16 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10 , wherein the articulation feature includes a spring that is elastically deformable to the non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback when the seatback is in the cargo position.

17 . A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
a seat; a seatback pivotally coupled with the seat and adjustable between a passenger support position and a cargo position; and a seat cushion including a dynamic forward portion, wherein the forward portion is supported by a flexible articulation feature that is vertically adjustable between:
a raised position when the seatback is in the passenger support position; and
a lowered position when the seatback is in the cargo position.

18 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 17 , wherein the articulation feature includes a spring steel support that is elastically deformable to a non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback when the seatback is in the cargo position.

19 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 17 , wherein the articulation feature includes an inflatable air bladder that inflates to move to a deployed position and deflates to move to the non-deployed position.

20 . The vehicle seating assembly of claim 17 , wherein the articulation feature moves to the non-deployed position under the weight of the seatback.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Ferretti Daniel

Classifications

• B60N2/20

  the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access (B60N2/04, B60N2/22 {, B60N2/3002} take precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2/7064 Primary

  helicoidal · CPC title

• B60N2/206 Primary

  to a position in which it can be used as a support for objects, e.g. as a tray · CPC title

• B60N2/7082

  with air or fluid cushions (B60N2/914 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2/36

  into a loading platform {(B60N2/065 takes precedence)} · CPC title