CN112977182A

CN112977182A - Seat assembly with cover sheet

Info

Publication number: CN112977182A
Application number: CN201911216111.5A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 杨勇; 杨雯娟; 俞咏乐
Original assignee: Lear Corp
Current assignee: Lear Corp
Priority date: 2019-12-02
Filing date: 2019-12-02
Publication date: 2021-06-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-02
Also published as: CN112977182B

Abstract

The present application relates to a seat assembly having a cover sheet. A seat assembly has a seat back, a seat bottom, and a cover sheet. The cover sheet may be disposed adjacent to a bottom of the recess, and the recess may be disposed with the seat bottom. The cover sheet may conceal the vehicle floor when the seat back is in the seating position.

Description

Seat assembly with cover sheet

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a seat assembly that may have a cover sheet (cover panel). The cover sheet may be provided with a seat bottom to help conceal (systematic) a vehicle floor (vehicle floor).

Background

A seat assembly with a trim cover is disclosed in U.S. patent No. 9,963,052.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment, a seat assembly is provided. The seat assembly may include a seat back, a seat bottom, and a cover sheet. The seat back may be pivotally mounted on the seat bottom. The seat bottom can be configured to be mounted on a vehicle floor. The seat bottom may include a front side, lateral side portions (lateral side portions) and a recess. The lateral side portion may extend from the front side toward the seat back. The recess may extend from the lateral side portions to a center plane of the seat bottom, which may extend from the front side to the seat back. The recess may be at least partially bounded by a recess side, which may extend from the lateral side portion to the seat back. The cover piece may be disposed proximate a bottom of the recess and may extend from the recess side in a direction extending away from the central plane. The cover sheet may conceal the vehicle floor when the seat back is in the seating position.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a seat assembly.

Figure 2 is a top view of a portion of the seat assembly.

Fig. 3 is a side view of a portion of the seat assembly of fig. 2 in a seating position.

Figure 4 is a side view of a portion of the seat assembly in a folded position.

FIG. 5 is a partial top view of a cover sheet of the seat assembly mounted to the seat bottom frame.

Detailed Description

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The drawings are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

Referring to fig. 1, an example of a seat assembly 10 is shown. The seat assembly 10 may be provided with or configured for use with a vehicle (e.g., an automotive vehicle such as a car or truck).

The seat assembly 10 may be configured as a rear seat that may be positioned behind a front row seat of the vehicle. For example, the seat assembly 10 may be positioned behind a front seat that may accommodate a vehicle operator. The seat assembly 10 may include a seat back 20 and a seat bottom 22.

Referring to fig. 1, the seat back 20 and the seat bottom 22 may cooperate to provide one or more seating positions. For example, the seat back 20 and the seat bottom 22 may cooperate to define one or more primary seating positions 30 and booster seating positions 32. The booster seating position 32 may be disposed between the two primary seating positions 30 and may be located near the center of the seat assembly 10 or at the center of the seat assembly 10. Alternatively, a foldable armrest may be provided with the seat back 20 in the booster seating position 32.

The seat assembly 10 may be divided into multiple sections that are individually movable. For example, the seat assembly 10 may be split along the split line 34 such that the portion of the seat back 20 associated with the portion of the seat assembly 10 on one side of the split line 34 may be independently folded relative to the portion of the seat back 20 associated with the portion of the seat assembly 10 on the opposite side of the split line 34. In fig. 1, an example is shown in which a parting line 34 separates one portion of the seat assembly 10 having one primary seating position from a second portion of the seat assembly 10 having the booster seating position 32 and the other primary seating position 30. The portions of the seat bottom 22 on opposite sides of the split line 34 may also move independently relative to each other, such as when the attachment portion of the seat back 20 is moved between a generally upright seating position, as shown in fig. 1 and 3, and a folded position, as shown in fig. 4, in which a portion of the seat back 20 is folded against a top side of a corresponding portion of the seat bottom 22.

Referring primarily to fig. 3, the seat back 20 may be configured to support the back of a seat occupant. The seat back 20, or one or more portions thereof, may be pivotally mounted to the seat bottom 22. For example, the seat back 20, or a portion thereof, may be pivotally mounted to the seat bottom 22 with a pivot mechanism 40, which pivot mechanism 40 may facilitate pivoting of the seat back 20 relative to the seat bottom 22. The pivot mechanism 40 may allow for facilitating rotation of the seat back 20 relative to the seat bottom 22 about an axis 42. The axis 42 may extend in a generally horizontal direction.

Referring to fig. 1 and 3, the seat bottom 22 may be disposed adjacent the seat back 20. Like the seat back 20, the seat bottom 22 may also be configured to support a seat occupant. The seat bottom 22 may be configured to be mounted on a vehicle body structure (e.g., a vehicle floor 50 of a vehicle). In at least one configuration, the seat bottom 22 may include a seat bottom frame 60, a seat bottom cushion 62, a trim cover assembly 64, and a cover sheet 66.

The seat bottom frame 60 may be a support structure for the seat bottom 22. For example, the seat bottom frame 60 may directly or indirectly support other components of the seat bottom 22, such as the seat bottom cushion 62, the trim cover assembly 64, and the cover piece 66. The seat bottom frame 60 may be configured to be mounted to the vehicle floor 50 of the vehicle. For example, a portion of the seat bottom frame 60 may be fixedly mounted to the vehicle floor 50 in any suitable manner (e.g., with fasteners, such as bolts). The seat bottom frame 60 may have any suitable configuration. For example, the seat bottom frame 60 may include various structural members, such as lateral side members interconnected with a laterally extending cross member in a manner known to those skilled in the art. As best shown in fig. 5, the seat bottom frame 60 may include a suspension pad (suspension mat) 70. In fig. 5, only a portion of the suspension pad 70 is shown and the seat bottom cushion 62 is not shown for clarity. The suspension pad 70 may be mounted to one or more structural members of the seat bottom frame 60 and may extend under the seat bottom cushion 62 to support the seat bottom cushion 62.

Referring to fig. 1 and 3, the seat bottom pad 62 may be configured to help support a seat occupant. The seat bottom cushion 62 may be disposed on the seat bottom frame 60 as previously discussed. The seat bottom cushion 62 may be made of any suitable material, such as a molded polymer material (e.g., an open cell foam or a closed cell foam).

The trim cover assembly 64 may form an exterior surface of at least a portion of the seat bottom 22. The trim cover assembly 64 may be disposed over the seat bottom pad 62 and may at least partially cover or cover the pad. For example, the trim cover assembly 64 may extend across the top, front, rear, and lateral sides of the seat bottom pad 62. The trim cover assembly 64 may be made of any suitable material, such as fabric, vinyl, leather, or combinations thereof. The trim cover assembly 64 may be mounted to the seat bottom 22 in any suitable manner. For example, the trim cover assembly 64 may be secured with one or more attachment features (e.g., hooks, clips, loops, hook and loop fasteners, drawstrings, or the like).

Referring to fig. 1-3, the seat bottom 22 may have a plurality of sides, such as a front side 80, a rear side 82, a top side 84, a bottom side 86, and a pair of lateral sides 88. In a seat assembly having a split line 34, each portion of the seat bottom 22 may include the aforementioned sides, and each portion of the seat bottom 22 may have one lateral side that may face and may engage a lateral side of another portion of the seat bottom 22. In other words, the lateral sides 88 disposed proximate to the split line 34 may face each other and may engage each other. The front side 80, the rear side 82, the top side 84, and the lateral side 88 may be at least partially defined by the trim cover assembly 64.

The front side 80 may be disposed opposite the seat back 20 and may face away from the seat back 20. The front side 80 may also extend in a generally vertical direction between a top side 84 and a bottom side 86.

The back side 82 may be disposed opposite the front side 80. The rear side 82 may be disposed adjacent the seat back 20 and may be disposed below or underneath the seat back 20. The rear side 82 may extend in a generally vertical direction between a top side 84 and a bottom side 86.

The top side 84 may face away from the seat bottom pad 62 and may face in an upward direction. The top side 84 may extend longitudinally between the front side 80 and the back side 82, and may extend laterally between opposing lateral sides 88.

The bottom side 86 may be disposed opposite the top side 84. Thus, the bottom side 86 may face the vehicle floor 50.

A pair of lateral sides 88 may be provided with the seat bottom 22. Each lateral side may extend longitudinally between the front side 80 and the back side 82, and may extend in a generally vertical direction between the top side 84 and the bottom side 86. In the configuration shown in fig. 1, each portion of the seat bottom 22 may have an outer lateral side 88 and an inner lateral side 88. The outer lateral side 88 may be disposed at an end of the seat bottom 22 disposed opposite the split line 34. The inner lateral side 88 may face the parting line 34 and may be disposed adjacent to the parting line 34. The medial lateral side 88 may at least partially define a recess 90 and may include lateral side portions 92 and recess sides 94, as best shown in fig. 2 and 3.

Referring primarily to fig. 2, a recess 90 may be provided at each portion of the seat bottom 22. The recess 90 may provide clearance that may allow the seat bottom 22 to move rearward and/or downward when the seat back 20 is moved from the seating position shown in fig. 3 to the folded position shown in fig. 4. For example, the seat bottom 22 may be moved rearward and/or downward relative to the pivot mechanism 40 such that the front end of the recess 90 may be positioned closer to the pivot mechanism 40 when the seat back 20 is in the folded position. The pivot mechanism 40 may be partially received in the recess 90 when the seat back 20 is in the seating position and the folded position.

The recess 90 may extend vertically from the top side 84 to the bottom side 86. The recess 90 may be disposed proximate the rear side 82 of the seat bottom 22. For example, the recess 90 may extend from the rear side 82 to the front side 80 such that the recess 90 is spaced apart from the front side 80 and does not extend to the front side 80. The recess 90 may extend in a lateral direction away from the split line 34 and toward a center plane 100 of the seat bottom 22 or a corresponding portion of the seat bottom 22.

An example of a central plane 100 is shown in fig. 1 and 2. The center plane 100 may be a plane extending in a longitudinal direction from the front side 80 to the rear side 82 or from the front side 80 to the seat back 20. The central plane 100 may be a vertical plane, which may be disposed substantially parallel to the parting line 34. The central plane 100 may be disposed substantially perpendicular to the vehicle floor 50 or a portion thereof. For clarity, one central plane is shown in fig. 1 and 2; however, it is contemplated that the center plane 100 may be disposed with the opposing portion of the seat assembly 10 to the left of the split line 34 from the perspective shown in these figures.

Referring to fig. 2 and 3, the recess 90 may be at least partially bounded by a lateral side portion 92 and a recess side 94. The lateral side portion 92 may be a portion of the inboard lateral side 88 that may extend from the front side 80 to the seat back 20. The lateral side portions 92 may be disposed adjacent to the split line 34.

The recess side 94 may extend from the lateral side portion 92 or toward the rear side 82 and/or the seat back 20. The recess side 94 may be spaced from the parting line 34 and may extend away from the parting line 34. For example, the recess side 94 may extend from an end of the lateral side portion 92 in a direction that may extend away from the split line 34 and toward the central plane 100, forming a recess relative to the split line 34. As such, the recesses 90 may extend from the lateral side portions 92 toward the central plane 100. The pivot mechanism 40 may be disposed adjacent the recess side 94.

Referring to fig. 2-5, the cover sheet 66 is shown. The cover sheet 66 may be made of any suitable material or materials, such as a flexible material, e.g., fabric, vinyl, leather, carpet, polymeric material, or combinations thereof. As best illustrated in fig. 2, the cover piece 66 may extend into the recess 90 and may cover or conceal a portion of the vehicle floor 50 disposed below the recess 90 when the seat back 20 is in the seating position. In this way, the vehicle floor 50 below the recess 90 may be invisible to the seat occupant. As best shown in fig. 3, the cover piece 66 may be disposed proximate the bottom of the recess 90 and may extend from the bottom side 86 of the seat bottom 22. For example, the cover flap 66 may have a generally flat or generally planar configuration when the seat back 20 is in the seating position as best shown in fig. 3; and the cover sheet 66 may extend from the concave side 94 to the split line 34 or toward the split line 34, as best shown in fig. 2. As such, the cover tabs 66 may extend from the recess side 94 in a direction extending away from the central plane 100. The cover piece 66 may also extend from the lateral side portion 92 in the longitudinal direction or the forward/rearward direction to the pivot mechanism 40.

Referring to FIG. 5, the cover piece 66 may be secured to the seat bottom 22 in various ways. In at least one configuration, the cover sheet 66 may include an outer edge (outer lateral edge)110, an inner edge (inner lateral edge)112, a mounting strap (mounting strap)114, a mounting loop 116, a mounting clip 118, and a tab (tab) 120.

Referring to fig. 2 and 5, the outer edge 110 may be disposed proximate the dividing line 34. In one or more embodiments, the outboard edge 110 can extend substantially parallel to the split line 34, the central plane 100, or both. As best shown in fig. 2, the outboard edge 110 may extend rearwardly from the lateral side portion 92 to a rear edge 130 of the cover sheet 66. The rear edge 130 may extend from an end of the outer side edge 110 in a direction that may extend away from the split line 34 and toward the central plane 100. As best shown in fig. 2 and 5, the rear edge 130 may be disposed outboard of the pivot mechanism 40 or disposed closer to the split line 34 than the pivot mechanism 40.

Referring to fig. 5, the medial edge 112 may be disposed opposite the lateral edge 110. The inboard edge 112 may be disposed below the seat bottom 22. For example, the inboard edge 112 may be disposed proximate the bottom side 86 of the seat bottom 22 and may not be visible when the seat bottom 22 is viewed from above.

The mounting strap 114 may help secure the cover piece 66 to the seat bottom 22. In at least one configuration, the mounting strap 114 may extend from a rear edge 130 of the shroud segment 66. In at least one configuration, the mounting strap 114 may include a strap portion 140 and a clip 142.

The band portion 140 may extend from the cover sheet 66. The band portion 140 may be made of any suitable material. For example, the belt portion 140 may be made of an elastic material, rubber, or other stretchable material. The band portion 140 may have a first end and a second end. The first end may be coupled to the patch 66. For example, the first end may be coupled to the reinforcement tab 144 and the reinforcement tab 144 may be fixedly disposed on the cover tab 66.

The reinforcement tab 144 may help reinforce the cover tab 66 such that the strap portion 140 remains secured to the cover tab 66. In at least one configuration, the reinforcement tab 144 may be mounted to the underside of the cover tab 66, which may face the vehicle floor 50, of the cover tab 66. Therefore, when the cover sheet 66 is viewed from above, the reinforcement sheet 144 can be hidden. The reinforcement panel 144 may be attached to the cover panel 66 by any suitable means, such as stitching, an adhesive, one or more fasteners, or a combination thereof. The reinforcing sheet 144 may be made of any suitable material. For example, the reinforcement sheet 144 may be made of a polymeric material, such as plastic, a woven material, or the like.

A clip 142 may be provided at a second or distal end of the band portion 140. The clips 142 may help secure the mounting strap 114 to the seat bottom 22. For example, the clip 142 may be attached or coupled to the seat bottom frame 60. As best shown in fig. 3, the mounting strap 114 may extend behind the pivot mechanism 40 and may extend at least partially around the pivot mechanism 40 in a direction that may extend away from the split line 34 such that the clip 142 may be secured to the seat bottom frame 60. The clip 142 may have any suitable configuration. For example, the clip 142 may be configured as a hook or J-clip that may be hooked onto the seat bottom frame 60 to secure the distal end of the belt portion 140 to the seat bottom frame 60.

Referring to fig. 5, one or more mounting rings 116 may help secure the cover piece 66 to the seat bottom 22. In at least one configuration, the mounting ring 116 may be disposed below the seat bottom 22 and may extend from the inboard edge 112 of the cover flap 66. As such, the mounting ring 116 may be disposed closer to the central plane 100 than the mounting band 114. Further, the mounting ring 116 may be disposed closer to the front side 80 of the seat bottom 22 than the mounting strap 114, noting that from the perspective shown, the front side would be positioned toward the bottom of FIG. 5. The mounting ring 116 may have a first end 150 and a second end 152. The first end 150 and the second end 152 may be coupled to the patch 66 under the seat bottom 22. The first end 150 and the second end 152 may be coupled to the cover piece 66 in any suitable manner (e.g., by stitching, adhesives, fasteners, or combinations thereof). The mounting ring 116 may be hooked over a portion of the seat bottom frame 60 (e.g., the suspension mat 70) and may extend around a portion of the seat bottom frame 60 (e.g., the suspension mat 70).

The mounting clips 118 may help secure the cover sheet 66 to the seat bottom 22. In at least one configuration, the mounting clip 118 may be disposed under the seat bottom 22 and may extend from the inboard edge 112 of the cover flap 66. As such, the mounting clip 118 may be disposed closer to the central plane 100 than the mounting strap 114. Further, the mounting clip 118 may be disposed closer to the front side 80 of the seat bottom 22 than the mounting ring 116. The mounting clip 118 may have any suitable configuration. For example, the mounting clips 118 may be configured as hooks or J-clips that may be hooked onto the seat bottom frame 60 to secure the cover sheet 66 to the seat bottom frame 60.

The protrusion 120 may be disposed proximate the front side 80 of the seat bottom 22. The tab 120 may be positioned opposite the rear edge 130. For example, the tab 120 may be at least partially bounded by the lateral edge 110 and the front edge 160 of the cover sheet 66. The front edge 160 may extend from an end of the outer side edge 110 in a direction that may extend away from the split line 34 and toward the central plane 100. As best shown in fig. 3, the tab 120 may extend under the seat bottom 22 and may be attached to the lateral side portion 92 in any suitable manner (e.g., by stitching, adhesives, fasteners, or combinations thereof).

Referring to fig. 5, a front reinforcing tab 170 may be fixedly disposed on the cover tab 66 to help reinforce the cover tab 66 so that the cover tab 66 remains secured to the lateral side portion 92. In at least one configuration, the front stiffener 170 may be mounted to an underside of the cover sheet 66, which may face the vehicle floor 50, and thus the front stiffener 170 may not be visible when viewed from above. The front reinforcing panel 170 may be disposed adjacent or near the front edge 160 and the lateral edge 110. The front stiffener panel 170 may be attached to the cover panel 66 in any suitable manner (e.g., by stitching, adhesive, one or more fasteners, or a combination thereof). The front stiffener 170 may be made of any suitable material, such as a polymeric material, e.g., plastic, a woven material, or the like. The tab 120 may be disposed closer to the front side 80 of the seat bottom 22 than the mounting clip 118.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the cover sheet 66 may fold over on itself and may fold under the seat bottom 22 when the seat assembly 10 is moved from the seating position to the folded position. The cover piece 66 may remain attached to the seat bottom frame 60 and trim cover assembly 64 in the manner previously discussed, but may fold to accommodate movement of the seat bottom 22 relative to the pivot mechanism 40 and relative movement between the pivot mechanism 40 and the recess 90. The seat belt buckle 180, which is pivotally mounted to the seat bottom frame 60, may pivot with the seat back 20 as the seat assembly 10 is folded and unfolded. The cover flap 66 may unfold and flatten as the seat assembly 10 moves from the folded position to the seating position.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments 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. Furthermore, the features of the various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. A seat assembly, comprising:

a seat back pivotally mounted on a seat bottom, wherein the seat bottom is configured to be mounted on a vehicle floor and the seat bottom comprises:

a front side;

a lateral side portion extending from the front side toward the seat back;

a recess extending from the lateral side portion toward a central plane of the seat bottom, the central plane extending from the front side to the seat back, the recess being at least partially defined by a recess side extending from the lateral side portion to the seat back; and

a cover sheet disposed proximate a bottom of the recess and extending from the recess side in a direction extending away from the central plane, wherein the cover sheet conceals the vehicle floor.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover piece extends from the lateral side portion to a pivot mechanism that facilitates pivoting of the seat back relative to the seat bottom.

3. The seat assembly of claim 2 wherein the cover piece extends from a bottom side of the seat bottom.

4. A seat assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said cover sheet is substantially planar when said seat back is in the seating position.

5. The seat assembly of claim 3 wherein said cover sheet has an outboard edge extending substantially parallel to said center plane, wherein said outboard edge extends rearwardly from said lateral side portion.

6. The seat assembly of claim 5 wherein the cover sheet has a mounting strap that extends rearward of the pivot mechanism and is coupled to a seat bottom frame.

7. The seat assembly of claim 6 wherein the mounting strap extends from a rear edge of the cover sheet, the rear edge extending from an end of the outboard edge and disposed outboard of the pivot mechanism.

8. The seat assembly of claim 7 wherein the mounting strap includes a strap portion extending from the cover sheet and a clip disposed at a distal end of the strap portion, the clip coupled to the seat bottom frame.

9. The seat assembly of claim 8 wherein the mounting strap is coupled to a reinforcement tab mounted to an underside of the cover tab.

10. The seat assembly of claim 6 wherein the cover sheet includes a mounting ring having a first end coupled to the cover sheet below the seat bottom and a second end coupled to the cover sheet below the seat bottom, wherein the mounting ring is coupled to the seat bottom frame.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the mounting ring is coupled to a suspension pad of the seat bottom frame, the suspension pad supporting a seat bottom cushion.

12. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein said mounting ring is disposed closer to said front side of said seat bottom than said mounting strap.

13. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the cover sheet includes mounting clips disposed beneath the seat bottom and coupling the cover sheet to the seat bottom frame.

14. The seat assembly of claim 13 wherein the mounting clip extends from an inboard edge of the cover piece, the inboard edge being disposed opposite the outboard edge.

15. The seat assembly of claim 13 wherein said mounting clip is disposed closer to said front side of said seat bottom than said mounting ring.

16. The seat assembly of claim 13 wherein the cover flap is sewn to the lateral side portion proximate the front side.

17. The seat assembly of claim 16 wherein the cover sheet has a tab at least partially bounded by a front edge extending from the outer edge toward the central plane, wherein the tab is stitched to the lateral side portions.

18. The seat assembly of claim 17 wherein a front reinforcement panel is mounted to said underside of said cover panel proximate said front edge and said outboard edge.

19. The seat assembly of claim 17 wherein said projection is disposed closer to said front side of said seat bottom than said mounting clip.

20. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the cover sheet folds upon itself when the seat assembly is moved from a seating position to a folded position in which the seat back is folded over a top side of the seat bottom.