GB2330300A

GB2330300A - Automotive seat suspension

Info

Publication number: GB2330300A
Application number: GB9721977A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hugh Charles Christopher
Original assignee: Lear Corp Nottingham Ltd
Current assignee: Lear Corp Nottingham Ltd
Priority date: 1997-10-17
Filing date: 1997-10-17
Publication date: 1999-04-21
Also published as: GB9721977D0

Abstract

An automotive seat height adjustment mechanism utilises a spring link to provide resilience. The spring link comprises a corrugated strip forming part of a linkage which forms part of the actuating mechanism of the seat height adjustment function.

Description

AUTOMOTIVE SEAT SUSPENSION The present invention relates to automotive seating, and more particularly, the invention relates to a method and apparatus providing a suspension system for an automotive vehicle seat.

It is known to provide vehicle seats with a suspension system to provide a more comfortable ride for the driver or passenger, as the vehicle travels along bumpy roads.

Typically, the suspension system is in the form of a sprung cushion provided in the vehicle seat. The springs in the cushion serve to absorb the jolts of the vehicle, thereby providing the passenger with a smoother ride.

It is an object of the present invention to provide vehicle seat suspension apparatus which is of simple construction; and/or which is of light-weight construction; and/or which can be manufactured at reduced cost; and/or to provide improvements generally.

According to the present invention there is provided a seat adjustment menber which also functions as a seat suspension member. The seat suspension member may comprise a resilient member, such as a corrugated strip which forms an active spring member.

In an embodiment, the seat adjustment ember forms part of a seat height adjustment mechanism. By replacing a conventional connecting rod in the seat height adjustment mechanism with a resilient member, such as a corrugated strip, an additional seat suspension arrangement is not required, and thus the total weight and production costs of the seat assembly is reduced.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a seat adjustment member with a load displacement characteristic which can be modified to suit the application by means of shape and critical dimensions. For example, the thickness of the strip and/or the amplitude of the corrugations may be modified according to the conditions of use.

It is preferred that the corrugated link member has a shape characteristic which limits the maximum stress which can be experienced by the material under normal management loads.

In a preferred embodiment, the limiting stress occurs when the material is in its stretched flat condition. As the spring member is straightened, bending stresses do not increase further. The spring is then in tension, which the material is able to withstand to a greater level.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the present invention relates to a device for providing a controlled spring load in a tension link. The tension link is part of a seat height adjustment arrangement 10.

The height of the seat may be adjusted by the user by adjusting the position of a first end 1 of a link member 2 by means of a conventional seat adjustment device (not shown). Adjustment of the position of the first end 1 of the link 2 causes rotation of the lever 3 (which is connected to the base of the vehicle seat), and thus lifts or lowers the occupant at point 4.

Once the height of the seat is correctly adjusted, the position of the first end 1 of the link member is fixed.

In the apparatus of the present invention, the conventional link member is replaced with a resilient member, such as a corrugated strip, forming a spring. In this way, the position of the second end of the strip 2, and therefore the position of lever 3 and seat 4, varies as the spring extends and contracts.

The strip 2 may be manufactured from a spring steel material, such as a heat treated steel. The corrugations in the strip may be formed by a normal pressing operation. The spring characteristic provided by the corrugations may be varied to suit the application.

In the event of any disturbance of the vehicle by road surface conditions, the occupant load will change. This change in load is converted to a displacement of the second end of the link 2 by virtue of its in-built spring characteristic. The occupant will experience increased comfort by the absorption of the peak loads in the spring link.

In this way, the seat adjustment member provides a second function as a suspension member. This dual function allows a reduction in cost, weight and complexity of the seating arrangement, as an additional suspension system, such as a sprung cushion is no longer required, or is less required.

We hereby incorporate in the description of the above embodiment, by way of supplementary disclosure, the entire text of our prior-published European application EP 95930595.4-2306 published as PCT/GB95/02049 (reference P53527EP/DC10750) which describes and illustrates a seat height adjustment mechanism incorporating a linkage for seat height adjustment.

Claims

1. A seat adjustment member comprising a corrugated strip which is also an active spring member.

2. A seat adjustment member as in claim 1 which forms part of a seat height adjustment mechanism.

3. An adjustment member with a load displacement characteristic which can be modified to suit the application by means of shape and critical dimensions.

4. A corrugated spring link with a shape characteristic which limits the maximum stress that can be experienced by the material under normal maximum loads.

5. A link as in claim 4 when the limiting stress occurs when the material is in its stretched flat condition.

6. A seat suspension member substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. An automotive seat system comprising: a) a seat; b) a seat height adjustment mechanism; c) said seat height adjustment mechanism comprising an actuating mechanism to raise and lower said seat; d) said actuating mechanism comprising resilient means through which forces involved in raising and lowering said seat are transmitted, said resilient means said serving to provide a degree of resilient degree of said seat; characterised by e) said resilient rears comprising a link forming part of said seat height adjustment mechanism and which also provides said resilient function.

8. An automotive seat system according to claim 7 characterised by said link comprising a corrugated portion.

9. An automotive seat system according to claim 8 characterised by said link comprising a corrugated strip and forming part of a linkage which forms part of said actuating mechanism.

10. A method of suspending an automotive seat comprising employing as a link in a seat height adjustment mechanism, a resilient link and causing same to extend and retract in use to provide resilient suspension characteristics for said seat.