Seat cushion module for a vehicle seating assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9718387-B2
Application number	US-201514816425-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 3, 2015
Priority date	Aug 3, 2015
Publication date	Aug 1, 2017
Grant date	Aug 1, 2017

Abstract

A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback frame and a seat frame defining a seating frame. A plurality of distinct assembly modules are configured for attachment with the seating frame. The plurality of distinct assembly modules include a back cushion module, a hard back module, a headrest module, and a seat cushion module. The seat cushion module includes a composite cushion pan having a rearward support defining an intermediate open area. A forward support is pivotally coupled to the rearward support. A suspension assembly is disposed in the intermediate open area. A cushion extends over the composite cushion pan. A coverstock covers the cushion.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
a seatback frame and a seat frame defining a seating frame;
a plurality of distinct assembly modules configured for attachment with the seating frame, the plurality of distinct assembly modules including:
a back cushion module;
a hard back module;
a headrest module; and
a seat cushion module including a rear arcuate support that opens downwardly and which engages a torsion bar of the seating frame, and wherein the seat cushion module includes a composite cushion pan comprising:
a rearward support defining an intermediate open area; and
a forward support pivotally coupled to the rearward support;

a suspension assembly disposed in the intermediate open area;
a cushion extending over the composite cushion pan; and
a coverstock covering the cushion.

2. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seat cushion module includes a cushion pan having forward facing hooked tabs that engage a vertically adjustable crossbar.

3. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 2 , wherein the cushion pan assembly includes a forward support and a rearward support pivotally coupled to the forward support.

4. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 3 , wherein the rearward support defines an intermediate open area through which a suspension assembly extends.

5. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 4 , wherein the forward support includes a plurality of peripheral apertures on an underside thereof that are configured to receive mechanical fasteners of a seat coverstock.

6. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 1 , wherein the seat cushion module further comprises a cushion pan including a pivotally adjustable forward support, wherein the forward support includes a plurality of upwardly extending flanges extending across the forward support.

7. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 6 , wherein the upwardly extending flanges are arranged in a honeycomb structure across a lower wall of the forward support.

8. A vehicle seating assembly comprising:
a seatback frame encompassed by a plurality of distinct assembly modules including:
a back cushion module;
a hard back module;
a headrest module; and
a seat cushion module including a composite cushion pan comprising:
forward facing hooked tabs that engage a vertically adjustable crossbar;
a rearward support defining an intermediate open area; and
a forward support pivotally coupled to the rearward support.

9. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8 , wherein the cushion pan assembly includes a forward support and a rearward support pivotally coupled to the forward support.

10. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 9 , wherein the rearward support defines an intermediate open area through which a suspension assembly extends.

11. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 10 , wherein the forward support includes a plurality of peripheral apertures on an underside thereof that are configured to receive mechanical fasteners of a seat coverstock.

12. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 11 , wherein the seat cushion module includes a rear arcuate support that opens downwardly and which engages a torsion bar of the seating frame.

13. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 8 , wherein the seat cushion module further comprises a cushion pan including a pivotally adjustable forward support, wherein the forward support includes a plurality of upwardly extending flanges extending across the forward support.

14. A method of making a vehicle seating assembly comprising:
constructing a seating assembly frame having a seatback frame;
constructing a plurality of distinct assembly modules including a seat cushion module;
coupling a composite cushion pan with the seat cushion module;
providing the composite cushion pan with a rearward support defining an intermediate open area; and
providing a forward support pivotally coupled to the rearward support, wherein the forward support includes a plurality of upwardly extending flanges extending across the forward support.

15. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
positioning forward facing hooked tabs on the seat cushion module that engage a vertically adjustable crossbar on the seating assembly frame.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising:
arranging the upwardly extending flanges in a honeycomb structure across a lower wall of the forward support.

17. The vehicle seating assembly of claim 14 , further comprising:
constructing each of the distinct assembly modules at different geographic locations.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Llne Johnathan Andrew
• Kondrad Marc Silva
• Ronzi Brett E
• Hosbach Christian J
• Brinker Rodney Charles
• Godin Keith Allen

Classifications

• B60N2/68 Primary

  Seat frames · CPC title

• B60N2/80

  Head-rests · CPC title

• B60N2/64

  Back-rests {or cushions (B60N2/2222 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/643

  shape of the back-rests (B60N2/66 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2/682

  Joining means · CPC title