Seat adjuster

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022015545-A1
Application number	US-202016933300-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jul 20, 2020
Priority date	Jul 20, 2020
Publication date	Jan 20, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A seat adjuster may include a support member and a fluid bladder. The support member may have a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end may be connectable to a seat frame such that the support member is disposed at least partially below a suspension portion of said seat frame. The fluid bladder may be disposed at least partially between the support member and said suspension portion. The fluid bladder may be configured to support said suspension portion. A change or adjustment of a volume of the fluid bladder may change or adjust the support provided to said suspension portion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A seat adjuster, comprising:
a support member having a first end and a second end; and a fluid bladder; wherein the first end and the second end are connectable to a seat frame such that the support member is disposed at least partially below a suspension portion of said seat frame; wherein the fluid bladder is configured to be at least partially disposed between the support member and said suspension portion; wherein the fluid bladder is configured to provide support to said suspension portion; and wherein a change or adjustment of a volume of the fluid bladder changes or adjusts the support provided to said suspension portion.

2 . The seat adjuster according to claim 1 , including an intermediate body configured to facilitate support of said suspension portion via the fluid bladder;
wherein the fluid bladder is disposed at least partially between the support member and the intermediate body.

3 . The seat adjuster according to claim 2 , wherein the fluid bladder is attached to the intermediate body.

4 . The seat adjuster according to claim 2 , wherein:
the fluid bladder and the intermediate body are connected via a connector; the connector is configured to engage said suspension portion; and the fluid bladder and the intermediate body are configured for connection to said suspension portion via the connector.

5 . The seat adjuster according to claim 1 , wherein the support member forms a pocket in which the fluid bladder is at least partially disposed.

6 . The seat adjuster according to claim 5 , including an intermediate body configured to facilitate support of said suspension portion via the fluid bladder;
wherein the fluid bladder is disposed at least partially between the support member and the intermediate body; and a flange portion of the fluid bladder is connected to the intermediate body.

7 . The seat adjuster according to claim 6 , wherein the intermediate body extends substantially across the pocket between the first end and the second end of the support member.

8 . The seat adjuster according to claim 1 , including a fluid supply operatively connected to the fluid bladder;
wherein the volume of the fluid bladder is adjustable via the fluid supply.

9 . The seat adjuster according to claim 1 , wherein the support member is configured as a woven rip-stop fabric.

10 . The seat adjuster according to claim 1 , wherein the support member is substantially rigid and planar.

11 . A seat assembly, comprising:
the seat adjuster according to claim 1 ; and the seat frame; wherein the first end and the second end of the support member are connected to the seat frame such that the support member is disposed at least partially below the suspension portion.

12 . The seat assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the fluid bladder and the support member are configured to adjustably limit deformation of the suspension portion.

13 . The seat assembly according to claim 11 , wherein:
the seat frame defines an opening; the first end and the second end of the support member are connected to the seat frame on opposite sides of the opening; and the suspension portion is connected to the seat frame and extends across the opening.

14 . The seat assembly according to claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first end and the second end of the support member extend up through the opening and are connected to an upper surface of the seat frame.

15 . The seat assembly according to claim 13 , wherein:
the suspension portion includes a wire suspension mat; and the wire suspension mat is deformable such that a portion of the wire suspension mat protrudes into a pocket, provided by the support member, when a force is applied to the wire suspension mat.

16 . The seat assembly according to claim 13 , wherein:
the fluid bladder is disposed below the suspension portion and above the support member; the seat frame includes a support body disposed at or about a rear of the seat frame, and a seat pan disposed at or about a front of the seat frame; the suspension portion is connected to the support body; and the support member is looped around the support body.

17 . The seat assembly according to claim 11 , wherein:
the seat frame includes a seat bottom portion and a seatback portion; the seat bottom portion defines an opening; the first end and the second end of the support member are connected to the seat bottom portion on opposite sides of the opening; and the suspension portion is connected to the seat frame and extends across the opening.

18 . The seat assembly according to claim 17 , wherein:
the seat bottom portion includes a first end and a second end disposed on opposite sides of the opening; the seatback portion is connected to the second end of the seat bottom portion; and the opening is disposed offset toward the second end of the seat bottom portion.

19 . The seat assembly according to claim 18 , wherein:
the seat bottom portion includes a seat pan and a support body; the seat pan is disposed at the first end of the seat bottom portion; the support body is disposed proximate the second end of the seat bottom portion; the first end of the support member is connected to the seat pan; and the second end of the support member includes a looped portion that loops around the support body and connects the second end of the support member to the second end of the seat bottom portion.

20 . A method of operating the seat assembly of claim 11 , the method comprising:
applying a force to the suspension portion; inflating the fluid bladder to one of a plurality of inflation levels corresponding to a plurality of levels of support; and limiting deformation of the suspension portion via the fluid bladder and the support member.

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Freeman Lea Adam
• Legh Darren
• Jordan David
• Ford Pete
• Morrison Chris
• Baxter Antony
• Edwards Chris J

Classifications

• B60N2/914 Primary

  Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape · CPC title

• B60N2/7011

  of substantially two-dimensional shape, e.g. hammock-like, plastic shells, fabrics · CPC title

• B60N2/1605

  characterised by the cinematic · CPC title

• B60N2/646

  shape of the cushion · CPC title

• A47C27/081

  of pneumatic type · CPC title