Self-adjusting seat stiffness system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9199560-B2
Application number	US-201314026018-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 13, 2013
Priority date	Sep 13, 2013
Publication date	Dec 1, 2015
Grant date	Dec 1, 2015

Abstract

A self-adjusting seat stiffness system that uses a tension member and tensioning device to maintain or increase tension in a seat component during a perceived vehicle dynamic event. The system may use an inertial latching spool for the tensioning device as an example of a way to maintain tension at a target acceleration of the spool by locking up the tension member, or may have a controller to control the tensioning member to provide variable tensions depending on varying perceived vehicle parameters. The tensioning of the tension member helps to avoid submarining of an occupant under a seatbelt due to unacceptable seat compression during a vehicle dynamic event.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a tension member spanning a portion of a seat base and connected to a tensioning unit operative to retract the tension member and increase tension therein when directed by a controller in response to a perceived vehicle dynamic event, the tension member urging a seat suspension system upward when the tension increases.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the tensioning unit is an inertial-latching retracting spool.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the tensioning unit is an electric retractor.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the tensioning unit is a pyro-technic retractor.

5. The system of claim 1 further comprising a vehicle pre-crash system, wherein the controller is in communication with the vehicle pre-crash system, the perceived vehicle dynamic event is a potential collision with another object as determined by the vehicle pre-crash system, and the controller sets the tension of the tension member in response to the potential collision of a vehicle hosting the system with another object.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a seat pressure sensor, wherein the controller is in communication with the seat pressure sensor, the perceived vehicle dynamic event is an increase in seat pressure, and the controller sets the tension of the tension member in response to an increase in seat pressure.

7. The system of claim 1 further comprising a vehicle communication system, wherein the controller is in communication with the vehicle communication system and capable of monitoring vehicle acceleration, the perceived vehicle dynamic event is a trigger acceleration value, and the controller sets the tension of the tension member in response to the trigger acceleration value.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the seat base has opposing first and second frame members and the tension member spans the seat base between the first and second frame members.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the tension member is connected to the first frame member and the tensioning unit is connected to the second frame member.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the tension member is aligned transversely with respect to a vehicle hosting the system.

11. The system of claim 1 further comprising an inflatable member connected to the tension member, wherein the inflatable member is deployable in response to a signal from the controller.

12. A system comprising:
a tension member spanning between opposing frame members of a seat base;
a tensioning unit operative to retract the tension member to increase tension therein;
a controller directing the tensioning unit to retract the tension member to provide enhanced stiffness to a portion of the seat base in response to a perceived vehicle dynamic event; and
an inflatable member connected to the tension member and deployable in response to the increased tension of the tension member.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the perceived vehicle dynamic event is an acceleration of a vehicle hosting the system above a target acceleration.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the perceived vehicle dynamic event is a potential collision of a vehicle hosting the system with another object.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the tensioning unit is at least one of an inertial-latching retracting spool, an electric retractor, and a pyro-technic retractor.

16. A system for a vehicle comprising:
a seat having a base and a suspension system;
a tension member spanning a portion of the base;
a tensioning unit connected to the tension member and operative to retract the tension member and increase tension therein; and
a controller directing the tensioning unit to retract the tension member in response to a perceived vehicle dynamic event, the tension member urging the suspension system upward when the tension increases.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the suspension system comprises a spring-style seat suspension system.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the tension member is interwoven with the suspension system.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the base has opposing first and second frame members and the tension member spans the base between the first and second frame members.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the tension member is connected to the first frame member and the tensioning unit is connected to the second frame member.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Line Johnathan Andrew
• Ruthinowski Richard Edward
• Desmet Edward Joseph
• Spahn Brian Robert
• Olsen William Jerome
• Ferretti Daniel

Classifications

• B60N2/4279

  electric or electronic triggering · CPC title

• B60N2/42781

  mechanical triggering · CPC title

• A47C7/22

  Straps or the like for {direct user support or for} carrying upholstery · CPC title

• B60N2/42763 Primary

  with anti-submarining systems · CPC title