GB2479568A

GB2479568A - Vehicle seats and seat structures

Info

Publication number: GB2479568A
Application number: GB1006262A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham Schofield
Original assignee: SEAT DESIGN Co Ltd
Current assignee: SEAT DESIGN Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-04-15
Filing date: 2010-04-15
Publication date: 2011-10-19
Also published as: GB201006262D0

Abstract

A seat structure 10 for a seat for a vehicle comprises a base 12 and a back section 14 extending upwards from the base 12 and defining with the base 12 a seating position for an occupant. The back section 14 comprises two lateral load bearing arrangements 16, 18 each having a pair of load bearing structures 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b respectively, with one structure 16a, 18a being displaced foremost of the other structure 16b, 18b within each pair, so that loads applied to the back section 14 of the seat, in a generally forward direction relative to the seating position, are predominantly transmitted down the load bearing arrangement 16, 18. Also claimed is a seat comprising such a seat structure.

Description

Seats and Seat Structures The present invention relates to seats and seat structures and particularly but not exclusively to seats and seat structures for vehicles.

Seats are provided in both motorised and non-motorised vehicles, for occupancy by persons driving and/or passengers within the vehicle. Such seats generally have to meet certain integral strength and impact resistance requirements, which often means that they comprise an internal structure that provides the strength and impact resistance and an external cover or furnishing to give the seat appropriate comfort for an occupant. It can be preferable for the weight of a seat to be kept reasonably low, whilst retaining the necessary strength and impact resistance to perform satisfactorily.

Weight reduction can help to reduce the amount of fuel needed to propel the vehicle, whether that fuel be needed to power a motor for a motorised vehicle or a human or animal body to power the vehicle. Particularly for motorised vehicles, there is an interest in reducing the level of fuel consumption due to the finite resources of fuel that exist, the cost of fuel and the damage that the by-products of fuel consumption, often termed emissions, cause to the environment. However, reducing the weight of a vehicle seat whilst retaining the requisite strength and impact resistance is a challenge. It has to be done in a way that ensures that the inherent strength and load bearing capabilities of the seat meet the necessary standards, which are often set by local Government or other regulatory bodies.

According to the present invention there is provided a seat structure for a seat for a vehicle, the seat structure comprising a base and a back section that extends gener.ally upwardly from the base and to present with the base a seating position for an occupant, the back section comprising two lateral load bearing arrangements each having a pair of load bearing structures, one structure being displaced foremost of the other within each pair, such that loads applied to the back section of the seat, in a generally forward direction relative to the seating position, are predominantly transmitted down the load bearing arrangements.

The load bearing structures within each pair may define two primary load paths through each load bearing arrangement. One path may extend predominantly down the foremost load bearing structure and the other predominantly down the other, rearmost load bearing structure.

One or both of the load bearing structures in each arrangement may comprise an elongate hollow section that may be in the form of a tubular member. The tubular member may be of circular cross-section or may be of a cross-section that is elongate, such as oval, oblong or rectangular, preferably with the elongate axis in the generally forward direction relative to the seating position. The load bearing structures within a pair may be discrete structures or they may comprise a single structure, such as a pressing or moulding.

The rearmost load bearing structure in a load bearing arrangement may define, at least in part, a rear frame of the seat structure. An anchorage for a harness or seatbelt to restrain an occupant within the seat may be provided on the back section, and possibly on the rear frame of the back section of the seat structure.

The anchorage would typically be located toward the in use upper end of the back section. When forces are applied to the seat through the anchorage, such as in the event of rapid deceleration of the vehicle in which the seat is fixed, the load is largely transmitted down through the lateral load bearing arrangements and typically into the base of the seat structure and potentially into the vehicle itself. The configuration of the load bearing structures in a fore and aft arrangement plays a key role in the satisfactory dissipation of such load forces and thus the satisfactory inherent strength and impact resistance of the seat structure.

The load bearing structures within a pair may be connected preferably rigidly connected to each other by one or more connecting sections. A connecting section may connect the structures so that they are at an acute angle that may be between 200 and 60°. A connecting section may be arranged to accommodate a part of each structure. A connecting section may comprise an opening or channel in which a part of a structure can locate.

Each part may be securely accommodated within a connecting section, such as by adhesive, brazing, welding, friction, mechanical fixings, or by any other

suitable method.

Each end of a foremost structure in a pair may be secured in a respective connecting section. One of said connecting sections may accommodate a part of the rearmost structure in the pair generally at or near the base section and the other connecting section may accommodate a further part of the same rearmost structure at an upper region thereof.

One or both of the foremost structures in a pair may be angled at at least one point along its length, preferably such that said structure defines an angled portion that points in a generally forward direction relative to the seating position.

One or both of the structures in a pair may comprise high tensile strength metals, such as steel or steel alloys. Alternative materials can be used either instead of or in addition, such as fibre reinforced composites. A connecting section may comprise the same material(s) as the load bearing structure. The connecting sections may be moulded, pressed or otherwise formed from material of suitable load bearing strength.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a seat comprising a seat structure as described in any of paragraphs three to eleven above. The structure may be at least partly covered to provide seating surfaces on the base and head section for an occupant, which may include upholstery.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a seat structure according to the present invention; and Fig 2 illustrates a seat according to the present invention.

Referring particularly to Fig 1 there is provided a seat structure 10 comprising a base 12 and a back section 14 that extends generally upwardly from the base 12 and to define with the base 12 a seating position for an occupant (not shown). The back section 12 comprises two lateral load bearing arrangements 16, 18 each having a pair of load bearing structures 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b respectively, with one structure 16a, 18a being displaced foremost of the other structure 16b, 18b within each pair, such that loads applied to the back section 14 of the seat, in a generally forward direction relative to the seating position, are predominantly transmitted down the load bearing arrangement 16, 18.

The seat structure 10 of the present invention, as illustrated in the attached drawing, represents the main structure of a seat 11 (see Fig 2) for single occupancy by a person, such as for example a driver or passenger in a motorised vehicle such as an automobile. It will be appreciated, however, that the seat structure 10 and seat 11 comprising the seat structure (both of the present invention) can be sized to have multiple occupancy and may find application in many other areas, particularly those where seating with the good load bearing characteristics of the present seat structure would be of benefit.

In more detail, the seat structure 10 as illustrated comprises a base 12 that can be secured by suitable securing means (not shown) in position for use, such as to the chassis or general structure of a vehicle. The base 12 can be of any suitable design and is illustrated as having two lateral side members 20, 22 of tubular construction, each of which has securing feet 24, 26 respectively through which the seat structure 10 is secured in place for use.

The securing feet 24, 26 may comprise slidable arrangements that enable the position of the seat to be moved, according to conventional arrangements.

The sides 20, 22 may be held in relative upright position by bracing structures that are shown in part as a moulding 28 and a brace 29. A pivoting arrangement 30 also extends between a rearmost upper part of the sides 20, 22 to provide for pivotal movement of the back section 14 relative to the base 12, again in accordance with generally conventional arrangements. The base 12 may be covered or upholstered with any desired cushioning and finishing materials (see Fig 2) to present a seat base 15.

The back section 14 extends generally upwardly from the rear, uppermost region of the base 12, generally from the pivot arrangement 30. It will be appreciated, however, that the pivot 30 is not a necessary part of the present invention and the back section 14 can be fixed against pivotal movement on the base 12.

The rearmost load bearing structures 18a, 18b extend upward from the base 12 to form a rear frame of the back section 14. An upper head rest portion 32 is provided in the uppermost region of the back section 14, having a head rest frame 34 which forms a loop between the load bearing structures 16b, 18b and on which a padded head rest 35 may be provided. A bracing section 38 extends between the upper load bearing region of the structures 16b, 18b at or below the head rest frame 34, to help brace the load bearing structures 16b, 18b in the requisite spaced lateral position.

The load bearing structures 16b, 18b are tubular sections formed by drawing, extrusion, rolling or otherwise. The head rest frame 34 may be a similar tubular construction, as may be the brace 38. It will be appreciated that the structures 16b, 18b and head rest frame 34 may be formed as a single unit.

The foremost load bearing structures 1 6a, 1 8a extend upwardly from the generally aforesaid rearmost upper region of the base 12 to connect to the respective rearmost structure 1 6b, 1 8b generally at the region where the bracing section 38 connects to the structures 16b, 18b. However, it will be appreciated that structures 1 6a, 1 8a may connect with the rearmost structures 1 6b, 1 8b at different locations relative to the brace section 38.

Two connectors 40a, 40b are provided to connect the structures 16a, 1 6b and 1 8a, 1 8b respectively at the region of attachment of the back section 14 to the base 12. One connector 40a is arranged to receive a respective lowermost end 42, 44 of the structures 1 6a, 1 6b to act to securely and fixedly connect the two together. The connector 40a is only illustrated in part in the drawing, so that the way the ends 42, 44 are accommodated therein can be seen. It will be appreciated that a further section of the connector 40a (not shown) would generally act to enclose the ends 42, 44 within the connector 40.

The connector 40a is itself securely mounted to the base 12 of the seat structure 10, generally about the pivot 30.

The connector 40b securely connects the ends (not shown) of the structure 1 8a, 1 8b in exactly the same way as the connector 40a connects the structure 16a, 16b The ends 42, 44 (and those not shown) may be secured within each connector 40a, 40b by any suitable means, such as brazing, welding, friction, mechanical fixings or otherwise. It will be appreciated that a secure and tight fitment of the ends within the connectors 40a, 40b helps to retain the integrity of the connections. The provision of such connectors 40a, 40b assists with the dissipation of load force through the arrangement 16, 18, particularly towards the lower end thereof. It also assists in avoiding the need for direct fixing of the structures 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b to each other, which can introduce points of weakness within the structure and thus impair the load bearing properties.

Further connectors 46, 48 are provided to connect the upper ends (not shown) of the structures 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b on the respective sides of the structure 10. The connectors 46, 48 also provide a section to receive a respective end of the brace 48 for interconnection thereof.

The connector 48 is similar to the connector 46 in the way it connects the structures 18a, 18b and the brace section 38, but comprises a shroud or cover 50 for a harness or seatbelt anchorage 52 mounted on the head rest frame above the arrangement 18.

The load bearing arrangements 16, 18 provide a lateral load bearing structure within the seat structure 10. They also provide lateral support for an occupant in the seat.

The load bearing structures 16a, 16b, 18a 18b are tubular and can be formed of drawn, rolled and/or extruded material. They comprise high tensile strength metal, such as steel and/or steel alloy(s). Alternatively or in addition, they may comprise other materials preferably of high tensile strength, such as fibre reinforced composites.

The cross-section of the foremost structures 16a, 18a which are typically hollow can be circular and/or generally elongate (at least in part) in the fore and aft direction of the seat, to improve the load bearing properties.

The rearmost structures 16b, 18b may be of similar conformation, although the anticipated load bearing stresses are such that non-elongate sections may be preferred or at least may not be as useful for the rearmost structures 16b, 1 8b as for the foremost structures 1 6a, 1 8a.

The back section 14 comprises a bracing support 54, to help brace the back section and to provide a back support for an occupant.

The seat structure 10 can be covered to provide a seat for occupancy.

The structure 10 may be upholstered accordingly to conventional methods to have an external appearance as shown in Fig 2. A wire framework 57 is provided in the back section 14 and a wire framework 59 is provided in the base section 12, to provide support for upholstery such as seating foam. The frameworks 57, 59 may be comprised of metal, such as mild steel.

In use, the seat structure 10 provides a lightweight, high load bearing and impact resistant structure for a seat for an occupant. The seat structure would typically be secured to the floor or other fixture in a vehicle to face in the direction of forward movement of the vehicle. The seat will be secured by conventional fixings, such as threaded fastenings.

The structure 10 is designed to be of lightweight construction yet meeting current regulations and standards of load bearing properties so that the seat structure 10 does not collapse under anticipated load conditions.

For a motorised vehicle, it is generally preferred that seats within the vehicle do not collapse during rapid deceleration, such as that which could be experienced during a collision that brings the vehicle to a rapid halt. In such situations, a heavy load is applied to the back section 14 of the seat that acts to move the back section 14 forward in the direction of movement of the vehicle. The arrow F shows the general direction the load forces would typically try to move the back section 14 of the seat in. Since the back 14 is secured only at its lower end, the direction is generally forward and down, about the axis of connection with the base 12. The loads are particularly great when the back section 14 carries a seat belt or harness anchorage point as illustrated in 52 in the drawing, as the back section 14 must therefore also bear the load imparted thereon through the seat belt/harness, as the forces try to drive the occupant forward in the seat.

The configuration of the seat structure 10, and in particular the load bearing arrangements 16, 18, have been shown to provide good load bearing characteristics whilst retaining a relatively lightweight structure. The configuration of the structures 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b provide two principal load paths down each side of the seat during a typical impact scenario. The provision of the two load paths down each side of the seat structure provides enhanced dissipation of load forces over known seat arrangements. In embodiments where the cross-section of one or both of the structures 1 6a, 18a and/or 16b, 18b are elongate as described above, this further helps with the integral strength of the structure 10.

Further, the provision of the connectors 40, 42, 46, 48 to interconnect the structures 16a, 16b, iBa, 18b further helps with load dissipation and the inherent strength of the seat structure 10. The use of high tensile strength materials, particularly for the load bearing arrangement(s) 16, 18, further assists in the ability to achieve a relatively lightweight seat structure of high inherent structural strength and impact resistance.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. For example, the load bearing structures 16, 18 have been illustrated as comprising discrete tubular structures 16a, 16b, 18a, lOb. Each arrangement 16, 18 could be provided as a single member, such as a single moulding or pressing, which has discrete channels or hollow sections that are in a mutually spaced configuration and that are generally similar to the structures 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b and thus provide the same or similar load bearing characteristics as the structures 16a, 16b, 18a, 18b, but which may be connected by one or more webs of material. Such arrangements may provide a more convenient means of production, particularly for mass production, whilst still providing the same or similar load bearing properties, although potentially being of slightly greater weight than the aforesaid tubular arrangements.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

Claims 1. A seat structure for a seat for a vehicle, the seat structure comprising a base and a back section that extends generally upwardly from the base and to present with the base a seating position for an occupant, the back section comprising two lateral load bearing arrangements each having a pair of load bearing structures, one structure being displaced foremost of the other within each pair, such that loads applied to the back section of the seat, in a generally forward direction relative to the seating position, are predominantly transmitted down the load bearing arrangements.
2. A seat structure as claimed in claim 1, in which the load bearing structures within each pair define two primary load paths through each load bearing arrangement.
3. A seat structure as c'aimed in claim 2, in which one path extends predominantly down the foremost load bearing structure and the other predominantly down the other, rearmost load bearing structure.
4. A seat structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or both of the load bearing structures in each arrangement comprises an elongate hollow section.
5. A seat structure as claimed in claim 4, in which the elongate hollow section is in the form of a tubular member.
6. A seat structure as claimed in claim 5, in which the tubular member is of circular cross-section.
7. A seat structure as claimed in claim 5, in which the tubular section is of elongate cross-section with the elongate axis in the generally forward direction relative to the seating position.
8. A seat structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the load bearing structures within a pair are discrete structures.
9. A seat structure as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, in which the load bearing structures within a pair comprise a single structure.
10. A seat structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the rearmost load bearing structure in a load bearing arrangement defines, at least in part, a rear frame of the seat structure.
11. A seat structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which an anchorage for a harness or seatbelt to restrain an occupant within the seat is provided on the back section.
12. A seat structure as claimed in claim 11, in which the anchorage is provided on the rear frame of the back section of the seat structure.
13. A seat structure as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12, in which the anchorage is located toward the in use upper end of the back section.
14. A seat structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the load bearing structures within a pair are connected to each other by one or more connecting sections.
15. A seat structure as claimed in claim 14, in which a connecting section connects the structures so that they are at an acute angle.
16. A seat structure as claimed in claim 15, in which the structures are connected at an angle of between 200 and 60°.
17. A seat structure as claimed in any of claims 14 to 16, in which a connecting section is arranged to accommodate a part of each structure.
18. A seat structure as claimed in claim 17, in which a connecting section comprises an opening or channel in which a part of a structure can locate.
19. A seat structure as claimed in claim 17 or 18, in which a part is securely accommodated within a connecting section.
20. A seat structure as claimed in any of claims 14 to 19, in which each end of a foremost structure in a pair is secured in a respective connecting section.
21. A seat structure as claimed in any of claims 14 to 20, in which one of said connecting sections accommodates a part of the rearmost structure in the pair generally at or near the base section and the other connecting section accommodates a further part of the same rearmost structure at an upper region thereof.
22. A seat structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a or both of the foremost structures in a pair is/are angled at at least one point along its length, such that said structure defines an angled portion that points in a generally forward direction relative to the seating position.
23. A seat structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a or both of the structures in a pair comprises high tensile strength metals.
24. A seat structure as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or both of the structures in a pair comprise fibre-reinforced composites.
25. A seat structure as claimed in any of claims 14 to 24, in which a connecting section comprises the same material(s) as the load bearing structure.
26. A seat comprising a seat structure as defined in any of claims 1 to 25.
27. A seat as claimed in claim 26, in which the structure is at least partly covered to provide seating surfaces on the base and head section for an occupant.
28. A seat structure as claimed in claim 26 or claim 27, in which the structure is at least partly covered in upholstery.
29. A seat structure substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
30. A seat substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
31. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.