WO2012134448A1

WO2012134448A1 - Pedestal-type support for a vehicle seat assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2012134448A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/030324
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vincent J. ADRAGNA; David J. Abdella; Michael R. Powell; Karl Henn
Original assignee: Lear Corporation
Priority date: 2011-03-29
Filing date: 2011-03-29
Publication date: 2012-10-04

Abstract

A seat assembly is provided that includes a seat structure having a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat assembly further includes a single support leg having a pedestal portion that is adapted to support the seat structure on the single support leg relative to a support surface.

Description

TITLE

PEDESTAL-TYPE SUPPORT FOR A VEHICLE SEAT ASSEMBLY

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates in general to seat assemblies, such as can be used in automobiles and other transportation vehicles. In particular, this invention relates to an improved seat assembly having a pedestal-type support that provides increased foot room and storage capacity beneath the seat assembly.

[0002] Seat assemblies are used in a wide variety of applications for supporting persons thereon. For example, seat assemblies are generally disposed within a passenger compartment of an automobile or other transportation vehicle and mounted to a floor. Known seat assemblies include a horizontal seat bottom and a vertical seat back that is supported to the seat bottom by a seat frame. The seat frame is typically mounted to the floor by a pair of conventional seat track assemblies for fore/aft movement of the seat assembly. Each of the seat track assemblies includes an upper rail that is secured to the seat bottom and a lower rail that is secured to the floor. Relative movement between the upper and lower rails provides movement of the seat assembly relative to the floor. The seat track assemblies are typically spaced apart from one another and mounted along the lateral edges of the seat bottom to provide stability to the seat assembly. However, as passenger compartments become smaller and more efficient it has been found that such a mounting configuration can needlessly consume foot room and storage capacity located beneath the seat assembly.

[0003] Although known seat assemblies function in an acceptable manner, it is desirable to provide an improved seat assembly having a pedestal-type support that provides increased foot room and storage capacity beneath the seat assembly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention relates to an improved seat assembly having a pedestal-type support that provides increased foot room and storage capacity beneath the seat assembly. The seat assembly includes a seat structure having a seat bottom and a seat back. The seat assembly further includes a single support leg having a pedestal portion that is adapted to support the seat structure on the single support leg relative to a support surface.

[0005] Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a seat assembly in accordance with this invention.

[0007] Fig. 2 is an enlarged, front elevational view of the seat assembly shown in Fig. 1 illustrating an internal portion thereof.

[0008] Fig. 3 is an enlarged, front elevational view of a second embodiment of a seat assembly shown in partial cross section, in accordance with this invention.

[0009] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a seat assembly in accordance with this invention.

[0010] Fig. 5 is an enlarged, side elevational view of the seat assembly as shown in Fig. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 a first embodiment of a seat assembly, indicated generally at 10, in accordance with this invention. The seat assembly 10 can be disposed within a passenger compartment of an automobile (not shown) or other vehicle and adapted to support occupants thereon. The illustrated seat assembly 10 can be a driver seat, a passenger seat, a rear seat, or can be embodied as any other seating configuration if so desired. Although the seat assembly 10 will be described and illustrated as a vehicle seat assembly, it should be appreciated that this invention may be used in any desired environment and for any desired purpose.

[0012] The illustrated seat assembly 10 includes a seat bottom 11 and a seat back 12. The seat back 12 may be supported for movement (typically pivoting movement) relative to the seat bottom 11, although such is not required. The illustrated seat bottom 11 includes a frame 13 that is adapted to be supported within the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The seat frame 13 can be any structure or define any shape for a desired application. The seat frame 13 may also be formed from any suitably rigid material such as a metal, a plastic composite, or the like.

[0013] In the illustrated embodiment, the seat assembly 10 is supported to a floor 14 of the passenger compartment by a single support leg, indicated generally at 20. The illustrated support leg 20 includes a lower base portion 21 that is supported by the floor 14 and extends upwardly therefrom. The support leg also includes an upper pedestal portion 22 that is supported on the lower base portion 21, although such is not required. The upper pedestal portion 22 is engaged with the seat bottom 11 so as to support the seat assembly 10 relative to the floor 14.

[0014] The lower base portion 21 of the support leg 20 has a lateral width W. The lateral width W of the lower base portion 21 of the support leg 20 is configured to be relatively small in dimension so as to provide an increased amount of usable space beneath and around the seat assembly 10. For example, the lateral width W of the lower base portion 21 of the support leg 20 can be approximately four inches (approximately 10.1 cm) or less, with an ideal lateral width W being approximately two inches

(approximately 5.2 cm). Such a relatively small lateral width W provides increased foot room and storage capacity beneath the seat assembly 10 and further increases the overall interior space of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. However, the lateral width W may be any suitable width for a desired application. [0015] The illustrated support leg 20 is centrally positioned between the lateral edges of the seat assembly 10, although such is not required. The lower base portion 21 of the support leg 20 may be dimensioned to extend any longitudinal distance along the floor 14. The support leg 20 may have one or more aperture 23 if so desired. The apertures 23 may be provided to reduce the weight of the support leg 20 and to provide further usable space beneath the seat assembly 10. Alternatively, the support leg 20 can be embodied as a plurality of separate lower base portions (not shown) that are aligned with one another and individually connected to the upper pedestal portion 22 or the seat frame 13.

[0016] The illustrated seat bottom 11 is rigidly mounted to the support leg 20.

Alternatively, the seat bottom 11 may be supported on the support leg 20 for movement relative thereto. For example, in one embodiment the seat bottom 11 may be supported on the support leg 20 for vertical movement, wherein the distance between the seat assembly 10 and the floor 14 can be adjusted. In another embodiment, the seat bottom 11 may be supported on the support leg 20 for fore/aft movement, wherein the longitudinal position of the seat assembly 10 relative to the floor 14 can be adjusted. In yet a further embodiment, the seat bottom 11 may be supported on the support leg 20 for pivotal movement, wherein the angular orientation of the seat assembly 10 relative to the floor 14 can be adjusted. As such, any conventional mechanism or configuration of

mechanisms such as one or more conventional actuators (not shown) may be provided for facilitating such movements. It should be appreciated that the seat bottom 11 may be supported on the support leg 20 for any desired movement or combination thereof.

[0017] The support leg 20 of the seat assembly 10 may be mounted in a fixed position relative to the floor 14. Alternatively, the support leg 20 can be mounted for movement of the seat assembly 10 relative to the floor 14. For example, the support leg 20 can be mounted to the floor 14 for fore/aft movement, wherein the longitudinal position of the seat assembly 10 relative to the floor 14 can be adjusted as indicated generally by arrow 18. In another embodiment, the support leg 20 can be supported to the floor 14 for lateral movement from side to side, wherein the lateral position of the seat assembly 10 relative the floor 14 can be adjusted (not shown). It should be appreciated that the support leg 20 can be mounted to the floor 14 for any movement or combination of movements thereof.

[0018] The support leg 20 may be formed using any number of components. For example, the lower base portion 21 and the pedestal portion 22 may be formed from individually stamped components that are secured together to form the support leg 20. Alternatively, the support leg 20 can be integrally formed from a single piece of material using any suitable method including but not limited to casting, molding, and/or machining. The support leg 20 may define a substantially solid member, a substantially hollow member, or any combination thereof. Further, the support leg 20 may be contoured to maximize the amount of space beneath the seat assembly 10 and to achieve a visually appealing surface configuration.

[0019] Referring now to Fig. 2, there is illustrated an enlarged front elevational view of the seat assembly 10. The illustrated seat assembly 10 includes a single support track assembly 40 used to mount the support leg 20 to the floor panel 14 for fore/aft movement relative thereto. The support track assembly 40 can be any mechanism that is suitable for supporting the weight of the seat assembly 10 and a passenger positioned on the seat assembly 10. For example, the support track assembly 40 may be configured as a sliding seat track mechanism having a stationary rail 42, a corresponding movable rail 44, and bearing structure (not shown) that facilitates sliding movement of the movable rail 44 relative to the stationary rail 42. The stationary rail 42 is secured to the floor panel 14 so as to extend in the fore/aft directions within the passenger compartment. The

corresponding moveable rail 44 is secured to the lower base portion 21 of the support leg 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire length of the support track assembly 40 is located within an interior region of the lower base portion 21 and concealed by the support leg 20, although such is not required. This enables the external walls of the lower base portion 21 to vertically extend downwardly and communicate with the floor panel 14 in a generally perpendicular manner. As such, the support leg 20 maximizes the usable space located beneath the seat assembly 10 and also functions to shield the movable parts of the seat assembly 10 from unwanted contact with occupants, stowed articles, or the like.

[0020] The support leg 20 can be moved in the fore/aft directions along the support track assembly 40 by an electric motor 50 that, in turn, operates a drive screw mechanism 52. The drive screw mechanism 52 is rotatably engaged with the movable rail 44 of the support track assembly 40 for providing linear movement to the seat assembly 10.

Alternatively, linear movement can be provided to the seat assembly 10 in any manner including, for example, a manual, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuator if so desired.

[0021] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the motor 50 is positioned within an interior region of the support leg 20. This configuration maintains a narrow profile of the lower base portion 21 and the support leg 20 for maximizing the amount of usable space located between the floor 14 and the upper base portion 22. As will be explained below, the motor 50 and the support track assembly 40 may also be mounted below an exposed surface of the floor panel 14 if so desired.

[0022] A protective cover (not shown) may be positioned over and secured to the support leg 20 and/or any portion of the seat assembly 10, although such is not required. One purpose of the protective cover is to prevent unwanted contact between the occupants and the movable components of the seat assembly 10, such as the motor 50 or the support track assembly 40. As such, the protective cover may be formed from a substantially rigid material such as a plastic or the like. Additionally, the protective cover may be specifically contoured to maximize the amount of usable space located beneath the seat assembly 10 and to define a visually appealing surface for improving the overall perception of space inside the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

[0023] Referring now to Fig. 3, there is illustrated a second embodiment of a seat assembly, indicated generally at 210, in accordance with this invention. It should be appreciated that the general structure of the seat assembly 210 may be embodied as the seat assembly 10 described above in the first embodiment. However, in the illustrated embodiment, the seat assembly 210 includes at least two support track assemblies 240 mounted to the floor 214 and a support member 260 that extends between the support track assemblies 240.

[0024] The illustrated support track assemblies 240 are generally aligned in a parallel fashion relative to one another. The support track assemblies 240 can be laterally spaced apart so as to provide added support to the seat assembly 210. For example, the support track assemblies 240 are spaced apart a distance D of approximately twelve inches (approximately 30 cm) or less, although the support track assemblies 240 can be spaced any distance apart. The support track assemblies 240 can be embodied as sliding seat track mechanisms that each includes a stationary track 242 and a moveable track 244, similar to the seat track assembly 40 described above in the first embodiment.

[0025] The illustrated support member 260 is a plate-like structure that horizontally extends between the support track assemblies 240. The support member 260 is attached to the movable rails 244 of the respective support track assemblies 240 for movement in the fore/aft directions. The lower base portion 221 of the support leg 220 is secured to the support member 260 for supporting the seat assembly 210 a vertical height from the floor 214. It should be appreciated that the lower base portion 221 may be secured to the support member 260 in any manner. Alternatively, the support member 260 may be integrally formed with the lower base portion 221 using any suitable method including but not limited to a casting process, a molding process, and/or a machining process.

[0026] The support member 260 can be moved in the fore/aft directions along the support track assemblies 240 by a motor 250 that, in turn, operates drive screw mechanisms 252. It should fully appreciated that the motor 250 and drive screw mechanisms 252 may be embodied as described above in the first embodiment.

[0027] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the support track assemblies 240, the support member 260, and the motor 250 are each mounted beneath an exposed surface 262 of the floor 214. The exposed surface 262 is a portion of the floor 214 that defines the generally horizontal surface of the passenger compartment, although the exposed surface 262 may also define contours or the like. By mounting such components below the exposed surface 262, the external walls of the lower base portion 221 communicate with the exposed surface 262 in a substantially perpendicular manner. This configuration maximizes the usable space located beneath the seat assembly 210 and also functions to shield the movable parts of the seat assembly 210 from unwanted contact with occupants, stowed articles, or the like. In another embodiment, the support track assemblies 240, the support member 260, and the motor 250 may be mounted above the exposed surface 262 of the floor 214 and concealed by a cover (not shown) if so desired.

[0028] Referring now to Fig. 4, there is illustrated a third embodiment of a seat assembly, indicated generally at 310, in accordance with this invention. It should be appreciated that the general structure of the seat assembly 310 may be embodied as the seat assembly 10 and the seat assembly 210 as described above in the previous

embodiments. Thus, the seat assembly 310 may include a support leg 320 that is supported to the floor 314. The seat assembly 310 may be rigidly mounted to the floor 314 in any manner or may be mounted for relative movement such as, for example, in the fore/aft directions as indicated by arrow 318.

[0029] The illustrated seat assembly 310 also includes a lateral support arm 370 that is configured to provide added support to the seat assembly 310. As shown, the lateral support arm 370 defines a first end portion 372 that is mounted to the seat assembly 310 and a second end portion 374 that is mounted to a second surface 380. The second surface 380 can be any surface within the passenger compartment that vertically extends in generally upward direction from the floor 314, such as for example a center console, an outer sill, or a rocker panel (not shown).

[0030] The first end portion 372 of the lateral support arm 370 can be mounted to the support leg 320 near a forward end thereof, although such a mounting location is not required. The forward mounting location maximizes the amount of usable space located beneath the seat assembly 310, particularly for the occupants seated behind the seat assembly 310. The first end portion 372 may be secured to the support leg 320 in any suitable manner, including but not limited to the use of fasteners, a welding process, or the like. Alternatively, the lateral support arm 370 and the support leg 320 may be integrally formed from a single piece of material using any method including, for example, a casting process, a molding process, and/or a machining process.

[0031] The second end portion 374 of the lateral support arm 370 may be mounted to the second surface 380 for movement in the fore/aft directions, as indicated by arrow 318, although such is not required. To accomplish this, a second support track assembly 346 is mounted to the second surface 380 and extends in the fore/aft directions and the second end portion 374 of the lateral support arm 370 is mounted to the second support track assembly 346. The second support track assembly 346 can be embodied as any seat track mechanism, such as described above in the previous embodiments. As shown, the second support track assembly 346 is located an elevated height from the floor 314 relative to the first end portion 372 so as to maximize the amount of usable space located beneath the seat assembly 310. It should be appreciated that the lateral support arm 370 can be rigidly mounted to the second surface 380 if so desired, or can be mounted for any desired movement relative thereto.

[0032] Referring now to Fig. 5, there is illustrated an enlarged, side elevational view of the seat assembly 310. The seat assembly 310 may include any number or

combination of lateral support arms to provide additional support to the seat assembly 310. For example, the seat assembly 310 may include a second lateral support arm 372. As illustrated, the second lateral support arm 372 is located near a rear portion of the seat assembly 310 and extends from the upper pedestal portion 322 of the support leg 320. By locating the second lateral support arm 372 an elevated height from the floor 314, such as for example to the upper pedestal portion 322 or the seat frame 313, the amount of usable space beneath the seat assembly 310 is maximized. However, the second lateral support arm 372 may be configured in any suitable manner for a desired application.

[0033] The first lateral support arm 370 and the second lateral support arm 372 may both be supported for movement in the fore/aft directions by the second support track assembly 346. Alternatively, the first lateral support arm 370 and the second lateral support arm 372 may be individually mounted to the second surface 380 using individual support tracks (not shown) if so desired.

[0034] As in the previous embodiments, the seat assembly 310 can be moved along the first and second support track assemblies 340, 346 by an electric motor 350 that, in turn, operates a drive screw mechanism 352. In the illustrated embodiment, the motor 350 is located within an interior region of the first lateral support arm 370 to further maximize the usable space located beneath and around the seat assembly 310.

Alternatively, the motor 350 may be mounted directly to the lateral support arm 370 and subsequently concealed by a protective cover (not shown), or the motor 350 can be mounted within an interior portion of the support leg 320. Accordingly, the motor 350 and the drive screw mechanism 352 can be configured in any manner for a desired application.

[0035] It should be fully appreciated that associated components of an automotive seat assembly, including but not limited to seat adjustment mechanisms, seat belt restraint assemblies, rear hatch compartment panels, etc. may be mounted to the seat assembly or independently secured to the floor panel or side walls of the automobile if so desired without departing from the scope of this invention.

[0036] The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A seat assembly comprising:

a seat structure having a seat bottom and a seat back; and

a single support leg including a pedestal portion that is adapted to support the seat structure on the single support leg relative to a support surface.

2. The seat assembly of Claim 1, wherein the single support leg defines side walls that are adapted to communicate with the support surface in a substantially perpendicular manner.

3. The seat assembly of Claim 1, wherein the single support leg is adapted to be movably mounted to the support surface.

4. The seat assembly of Claim 1, wherein the single support leg includes a track assembly for movably mounting the seat structure to the support surface.

5. The seat assembly of Claim 1, wherein the single support leg includes a track assembly and a motor for actuating movement of the track assembly, wherein the motor is located within an internal portion of the single support leg.

6. The seat assembly of Claim 1, wherein the single support leg includes a first pedestal portion and a second pedestal portion for supporting the seat structure on the single support leg.

7. The seat assembly of Claim 1, wherein the single support leg is mounted to a support member that is, in turn, mounted to a pair of spaced apart track assemblies.

8. The seat assembly of Claim 7, wherein the support member and the track assemblies are adapted to be positioned below the support surface.

9. The seat assembly of Claim 1, further including a support arm that extends from the seat assembly and adapted to be attached to a second support surface.

10. The seat assembly of Claim 9, wherein a first end of the support arm is attached to the single support leg.

11. The seat assembly of Claim 9, wherein a first end of the support arm is attached to the pedestal portion.

12. The seat assembly of Claim 9, wherein a second end of the support arm is configured to be movably mounted to the second surface.

13. The seat assembly of Claim 9, further including a second support arm that extends from the seat assembly and adapted to be attached to the second support surface.

14. The seat assembly of Claim 13, wherein the first and second support arms are adapted to be movably mounted to the second support surface.

15. The seat assembly of Claim 14, wherein the first and second support arms are movably mounted to a track assembly.

16. The seat assembly of Claim 14, wherein the first support arm extends from the single support leg and the second support arm extends from the pedestal portion.

17. The seat assembly of Claim 9, wherein the single support leg includes a first track assembly and the support arm includes a second track assembly adapted to movably support the seat structure.

18. The seat assembly of Claim 16, further including a motor for actuating movement of the seat structure, wherein the motor is located within an internal portion of the single support leg or the support arm.

19. The seat assembly of Claim 13, wherein the single support leg includes a first track assembly and the first and second support arms include a second track assembly for movably supporting the seat structure.

20. The seat assembly of Claim 19, further including a motor for actuating movement of the seat structure, wherein the motor is located within an internal portion of the single support leg or the support arm.