U.S. patent application number 11/475569 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-27 for rear seat extended fold and kneel reconfiguration.
Invention is credited to Kyle Calvert, Alexander Jorg Koblischke.
Application Number | 20070296258 11/475569 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38352741 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070296258 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Calvert; Kyle ; et
al. |
December 27, 2007 |
Rear seat extended fold and kneel reconfiguration
Abstract
A vehicle seat assembly of the present embodiment is
positionable in a vehicle passenger compartment and attachable to a
vehicle floor. The seat assembly includes a seat bottom, a seat
back, and a five-bar linkage assembly pivotally attaching the seat
back to the seat bottom. The five-bar linkage assembly includes a
forward linkage, a rear linkage, and a folding linkage which allows
movement of the vehicle seat assembly from an upright to a folded
assembly.
Inventors: |
Calvert; Kyle; (Sterling
Heights, MI) ; Koblischke; Alexander Jorg;
(Simmozheim, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C. / LEAR CORPORATION
1000 TOWN CENTER, TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075-1238
US
|
Family ID: |
38352741 |
Appl. No.: |
11/475569 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/344.15 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/2209 20130101;
B60N 2/3013 20130101; B60N 2/3065 20130101; B60N 2/309
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/344.15 |
International
Class: |
A47C 1/00 20060101
A47C001/00 |
Claims
1. A vehicle seat assembly positionable in a vehicle passenger
compartment and attachable to a vehicle floor, the seat assembly
comprising: a seat bottom; a seat back; a five-bar linkage assembly
pivotally attaching the seat back to the seat bottom, the five-bar
linkage assembly comprising: a forward linkage having a first
forward linkage end and a second linkage end, the forward linkage
end pivotally attached to a forward location of the seat bottom at
a first pivot position, and the second forward linkage end
pivotally attached to the vehicle floor at a second pivot position;
a rear linkage having a first rear linkage end and a second rear
linkage end, the first rear linkage end pivotally attached to a
rear location of the seat bottom at a third pivot location, and the
second end pivotally attached to the vehicle at a fourth pivot
position; and a folding linkage having a first folding linkage end
and a second folding linkage end, the first folding linkage end
pivotally attached to the third pivot location, and the second
folding linkage end pivotally attached to a fifth pivot position
wherein the five-bar linkage assembly allows for movement of the
seat bottom in a forward direction as the seat back folds downward
to a folded position.
2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein when the seat back
is in the folded position the vehicle seat assembly has a load
floor angle of less than 10 degrees.
3. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein when the seat back
is in the folded position the vehicle seat assembly has a load
floor angle of less than 5 degrees.
4. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein when the seat back
is in the folded position the vehicle seat assembly has a load
floor angle of about 0 degrees.
5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein when the seat back
is in the folded position the vehicle seat assembly has a load
floor angle from about 0 to about 5 degrees.
6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising one or
more brackets that attach the vehicle seat assembly to the vehicle
floor.
7. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 6 wherein the one or more
brackets include the second and fourth pivot positions.
8. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
bracket that is attached to the vehicle floor and pivotally
attaches to the seat back.
9. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the seat bottom
includes a right and left side, and the seat back includes a right
and left side such that the five-bar assembly attaches the right
side of the seat bottom to the right side of the seat back.
10. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
second five-bar linkage assembly that pivotally attaches the left
side of the seat bottom and to the left side of the seat back.
11. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 further comprising a
latching mechanism for holding the seat back in an upright
prosition.
12. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the seat back is
positionable into a reclined position with the folding linkage
traversing an angle with greater absolute value than a angle
traversed by the rear linkage about the third pivot location.
13. A vehicle seat assembly positionable in a vehicle passenger
compartment and attachable to a vehicle floor, the seat assembly
comprising: a seat bottom having a left side and a right side; a
seat back having a left side and a right side; a first five-bar
linkage assembly pivotally attaching the right side of the seat
back to the right side of the seat bottom; a second five-bar
linkage assembly pivotally attaching the left side of the seat back
to the left side of the seat bottom; wherein the first and second
five-bar linkage assemblies each independently comprise: a forward
linkage having a first forward linkage end and a second linkage
end, the forward linkage end pivotally attached to a forward
location of the seat bottom at a first pivot position and the
second forward linkage end pivotally attached to the vehicle floor
at a second pivot position; a rear linkage having a first rear
linkage end and a second rear linkage end, the first rear linkage
end pivotally attached to a rear location of the seat bottom at a
third pivot location and the second end pivotally attached to the
vehicle at a fourth pivot position; and a folding linkage having a
first folding linkage end and a second folding linkage end, the
first folding linkage end pivotally attached to the third pivot
location and the second folding linkage end pivotally attached to a
fifth pivot position wherein the five-bar linkage assembly allows
for movement of the seat bottom in a forward direction as the seat
back folds downward to a folded position.
14. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13 wherein the bottom
bracket is integral to a vehicle floor or the bottom bracket is
attached to a vehicle floor.
15. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13 wherein when the seat
back is in the folded position the vehicle seat assembly has a load
floor angle of less than 10 degrees.
16. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13 wherein when the seat
back is in the folded position the vehicle seat assembly has a load
floor angle from about 0 to about 5 degrees.
17. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 13 further comprising one or
more brackets that attach the vehicle seat assembly to the vehicle
floor and include the second and fourth pivot positions.
18. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 17 wherein the one or more
brackets include the second and fourth pivot positions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a seat assembly that is extendable
in a forward direction and stows in a minimal space.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Prior art vehicle seat assemblies include a seat back
pivotally attached to a seat bottom. These prior art assemblies
allow movement of the seat back from upright to folded positions.
In one specific assembly, the seat back is attached to the seat
bottom via a four-bar mechanism. Such a four-bar seat assembly is
set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,919. Although such four-bar seats
have been used successfully in rear seat vehicle applications,
current automotive design trends require rear seats that occupy a
lower amount of space when such seat assemblies are in the folded
position. Unfortunately, the four-bar mechanism provides a somewhat
limited range of motion making it difficult for such seats to meet
the more current automobile design requirements and to conform to
curbed vehicle floors.
[0005] Accordingly, there exists a need for improved vehicle seat
assemblies with lower package space and near zero degree load floor
angle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention solves one or more problems of the
prior art by providing in at least one embodiment a vehicle seat
assembly. The vehicle seat assembly of the present embodiment is
positionable in a vehicle passenger compartment and attachable to a
vehicle floor. The seat assembly includes a seat bottom, a seat
back, and a five-bar linkage assembly pivotally attaching the seat
back to the seat bottom. The five-bar linkage assembly includes a
forward linkage, a rear linkage, and a folding linkage. The forward
linkage has a first forward linkage end and a second linkage end.
The forward linkage end pivotally attaches to a forward location of
the seat bottom at a first pivot position, and the second forward
linkage end pivotally attaches to the vehicle floor at a second
pivot position. Similarly, the rear linkage has a first rear
linkage end and a second rear linkage end. The first rear linkage
end pivotally attaches to a rear location of the seat bottom at a
third pivot location, and the second end pivotally attaches to the
vehicle at a fourth pivot position. Finally, the folding linkage
has a first folding linkage end and a second folding linkage end.
The first folding linkage end pivotally attaches to the third pivot
location, and the second folding linkage end pivotally attaches to
a fifth pivot position. Advantageously, the five-bar linkage
assembly allows for movement of the seat bottom in a forward
direction as the seat back folds downward to a folded position
thereby providing minimal package space.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side view of the vehicle seat assembly of the
invention with a seat back in an upright position;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle seat assembly of the
invention with a seat back in a folded position;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vehicle seat assembly of
the invention with a seat back in an upright position;
[0010] FIG. 4A is a side view of an embodiment of a seat assembly
in the closed position;
[0011] FIG. 4B is a side view of an embodiment of a seat assembly
in an intermediate position between the closed and design
position;
[0012] FIG. 4C is a side view of an embodiment of a seat assembly
in the design position; and
[0013] FIG. 4D is a side view of an embodiment of a seat assembly
in a reclined position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0014] Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred
compositions or embodiments and methods of the invention, which
constitute the best modes of practicing the invention presently
known to the inventors.
[0015] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, schematic illustrations
of an embodiment of a vehicle seat assembly of the present
invention is provided. FIG. 1 is a side view of the vehicle seat
assembly of the invention with a seat back in an upright position.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the vehicle seat assembly of the invention
with a seat back in a folded position. FIG. 3 is a perspective view
of the vehicle seat assembly of the invention with a seat back in
an upright position. Seat assembly 10 includes a seat bottom that
includes seat bottom frame 12, and a seat back which includes seat
back frame 14. The seat bottom is pivotally attached to the seat
back by five-bar linkage assembly 16. Typically, such attachment is
made by pivotally attaching seat bottom frame 12 to seat back frame
14. Seat assembly 10 is also pivotally attached to vehicle floor 18
via five-bar linkage assembly 16. Typically, such attachment is
accomplished by one or more attached brackets 20, 22. In one
variation of the present embodiment, brackets 20, 22 are distinct
brackets that attach vehicle seat assembly 10 to vehicle floor 18.
In another variation of the present embodiment, brackets 20, 22 are
an integral part of vehicle floor 18. The seat bottom (and seat
bottom frame 12) includes front side 24, rear side 26, left side
28, and right side 30. Similarly, seat back 14 includes top side
32, bottom side 34, left side 36 and right side 34.
[0016] Still referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, five-bar linkage
assembly 16 includes forward linkage 40 having first forward
linkage end 42 and second linkage end 44. First forward linkage end
42 is pivotally attached to forward location 46 of the seat bottom
via seat bottom frame 12 at first pivot position 48. Similarly,
second forward linkage end 44 is pivotally attached to vehicle
floor 18 via bracket 22 at a second pivot position 50. Five-bar
assembly 16 also includes rear linkage 60 which includes first rear
linkage end 62 and second rear linkage end 64. First rear linkage
end 62 is pivotally attached to rear location 66 of the seat bottom
at third pivot location 68. Second rear linkage end 64 pivotally
attaches vehicle floor 18 at a fourth pivot position 70 via bracket
20. Five-bar linkage assembly 16 also includes folding linkage 80.
Folding linkage 80 has first folding linkage end 82 and second
folding linkage end 84. First folding linkage end 82 is pivotally
attached to third pivot location 68. Second folding linkage end 84
pivotally attaches to fifth pivot position 90 which is also
pivotally attached to seat back frame 14. Collectively, five-bar
linkage assembly 16 allows for movement of the seat bottom in a
forward direction as the seat back folds downward. Seat back frame
14 is also pivotally attached to bracket 20 at sixth pivot position
92 which is attached to vehicle floor 18. The attachment of seat
back frame 14 at sixth position 92 provides stability to vehicle
seat assembly 10. Seat back frame 14 is held in the upright
position by a mechanism known in the art of vehicle seat
technology. FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a latching mechanism in which
stop pin 96 engages stopping surface 98 to keep seat back frame 14
in the upright position.
[0017] Stilling referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, vehicle seat assembly
10 is moveable from an upright position as illustrated in FIG. 1 to
a folded position as illustrated in FIG. 2. During motion from the
upright to the folded position the seat back (and seat back frame
12) moves along curved direction d.sub.1 while the seat bottom (and
seat bottom frame 12) moves forward along direction d.sub.2.
Moreover, the seat bottom (and seat bottom frame 12) also moves
downward when seat assembly 10 is folded. In one variation, seat
assembly 10 has a load floor angle of less than 10 degrees when in
the folded position. The load floor angle is defined as angle
A.sub.1 as illustrated in FIG. 2. Specifically, the load floor
angle is the angle between the seat back in the upright and folded
positions. In another variation of the present embodiment, seat
assembly 10 has a load floor angle of less than 5 degrees when in
the folded position. In yet another variation of the present
embodiment, seat assembly 10 has a load floor height angle of about
0 degrees when in the folded position. In still another variation
of the present embodiment, seat assembly 10 has a load floor angle
from about 0 to about 5 degrees when in the folded position. When
in the folded position, vehicle seat assembly 10 advantageously
allows a reduction in height h.sub.1 as compared to prior art
vehicle seat assemblies.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 3, the positioning of two five-bar
linkage assemblies 16, 16' on opposing sides of seat bottom frame
12 and seat back frame 14 is provided. As set forth above, seat
bottom frame 12 includes left side 28 and right side 30 while seat
back frame 14 includes left side 36 and right side 34. Five-bar
assembly 16 attaches right side 30 of seat bottom frame 12 to the
right side 38 of seat back frame 14. Second five-bar linkage
assembly 16' pivotally attaches left side 28 of seat bottom frame
12 to the left side 36 of seat back frame 14. Five-bar assemblies
16, 16' are substantially the same and described above in
detail.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 4A-D, a series of schematic side
views of the seat assembly of the invention at various positions is
provided. FIG. 4A provides a side view of seat assembly 10 in the
closed position. In this view, the ability of the present invention
to conform to the shape of vehicle floor 18 is provided. In FIG.
4A, vehicle floor 18 has a section that curves downward. The five
bar folding mechanism of the present invention allows seat assembly
10 to fold down into this curve. Bottom seat cushion 50 and seat
back cushion 52 are also depicted. FIG. 4B provides a side view of
the seat assembly in an intermediate position between the fold
position and the design position (i.e., the position when a vehicle
occupant sits in the seat). FIG. 4C provides a side view of seat
assembly 10 in the design position. Finally, FIG. 4D provides a
side view of seat assembly 10 in a reclined position. It should be
appreciated that the design of the present embodiment allows
positioning of the seat in the reclined position from the design
positioning with minimal pivoting of seat bottom frame 12. Instead,
most of the pivoting allowing seat assembly 10 to achieve the
reclined positioned is via pivoting of folding linkage 80 about
third pivot location 68. Specifically, in positioning from the
design position to the reclined position, folding linkage 80
traverse an angle with greater absolute value than the angle
traversed by rear linkage 60 about third pivot location 68.
[0020] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *