阅读说明：本技术 可调整座椅 (Adjustable chair ) 是由 乔纳森·安德鲁·莉娜 卡罗尔·黛安娜·凯西 S·M·阿克巴·贝里 安德鲁·马图斯科 马科斯· 于 2020-04-16 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开提供了“可调整座椅”。一种车辆座椅总成,包括座椅和设置在座椅与底座构件之间的连杆总成,所述连杆总成可定位在静止位置和展开位置之间。在所述静止位置,在座板总成与所述底座构件的底部之间形成第一角度。在所述展开位置,在所述座板总成与所述底座构件的所述底部之间形成第二角度。所述第二角度大于所述第一角度。(The present disclosure provides an "adjustable seat". A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat and a link assembly disposed between the seat and a base member, the link assembly being positionable between a rest position and a deployed position. In the rest position, a first angle is formed between a seat plate assembly and a bottom of the seat member. In the deployed position, a second angle is formed between the seat pan assembly and the bottom of the base member. The second angle is greater than the first angle.)

1. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising:

a seat; and

a link assembly disposed between the seat and base member and positionable between a resting position and a deployed position, wherein in the resting position a first angle is formed between a seat pan assembly and a bottom of the base member, wherein in the deployed position a second angle is formed between the seat pan assembly and the bottom of the base member, and wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.

2. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the linkage assembly comprises: a pair of primary link arms disposed below a primary portion of the seat pan assembly; and a pair of auxiliary link arms disposed below the auxiliary portion of the seat plate assembly.

3. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 2, wherein said primary link arm is a portion of a first bracket disposed below a primary portion of said seat pan assembly.

4. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 3, wherein said auxiliary link arm is a portion of a second bracket disposed below an auxiliary portion of said seat pan assembly.

5. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said main portion of said seat pan assembly comprises a forward portion of said seat pan assembly.

6. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said secondary portion of said seat pan assembly comprises a rear portion of said seat pan assembly.

7. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said seat pan assembly includes a first side seat pan member and a second side seat pan member, and wherein each of said first side seat pan member and said second side seat pan member is pivotally coupled to said first bracket and said second bracket.

8. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 7 wherein the first bracket is pivotably coupled to the base member, and wherein the first bracket rotates about a first axis extending through the base member between a rest position and a deployed position.

9. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 8, wherein the second bracket is pivotably coupled to the base member, and wherein the second bracket rotates about a second axis extending through the base member between a rest position and a deployed position.

10. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

an actuator for engaging the second bracket, wherein the actuator exerts a force on the second bracket about the second axis to move the linkage assembly between the rest position and the deployed position.

11. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the actuator includes a rotation mechanism for rotating the second bracket about the second axis to move the linkage assembly between the rest position and the deployed position.

12. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 11, further comprising a toothed interface between the swivel mechanism and the second bracket.

13. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 12 wherein the toothed interface comprises a plurality of teeth disposed on the second bracket and a plurality of teeth disposed on a wheel coupled to the swivel mechanism, and wherein the swivel mechanism is selectively actuatable to position the link assembly in a plurality of intermittent positions corresponding to the plurality of teeth disposed on the second bracket.

14. A vehicle comprising the vehicle seat assembly of any one or more of claims 1-13.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to vehicle seat assemblies. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to vehicle seat assemblies that include a mechanism for adjusting the position of the seat.

Background

The mechanism for adjusting the seat position can improve the comfort of the occupant. It may be beneficial to have a mechanism for adjusting the seat position that may be effectively incorporated into a vehicle. The occupant may move the seat from the first position to the second position to relieve pressure on a particular occupant's body part.

Disclosure of Invention

According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seat assembly includes a seat and a link assembly disposed between the seat and a base member, the link assembly being positionable between a rest position and a deployed position. In the rest position, a first angle is formed between a seat plate assembly and a bottom of the seat member. In the deployed position, a second angle is formed between the seat pan assembly and the bottom of the base member. The second angle is greater than the first angle.

Embodiments of the first aspect of the disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

the connecting rod assembly comprises: a pair of primary link arms disposed below a primary portion of the seat pan assembly; and a pair of auxiliary link arms disposed below the auxiliary portion of the seat plate assembly;

the primary link arm is the part of the first bracket disposed below the main part of the seat pan assembly;

the auxiliary link arm is a part of the second bracket disposed below the auxiliary part of the seat pan assembly;

the main portion of the seat pan assembly comprises a forward portion of the seat pan assembly;

the auxiliary portion of the seat pan assembly comprises a rear portion of the seat pan assembly;

the seat pan assembly comprises a first side seat pan member and a second side seat pan member, wherein each of the first side seat pan member and the second side seat pan member is pivotably coupled to the first bracket and the second bracket;

the first bracket is pivotably coupled to the base member and rotates about a first axis extending through the base member between a rest position and a deployed position;

the second bracket is pivotably coupled to the base member and rotates about a second axis extending through the base member between a rest position and a deployed position;

an actuator for engaging the second bracket, wherein the actuator exerts a force on the second bracket about the second axis to move the linkage assembly between the rest position and the deployed position;

the actuator comprises a rotation mechanism for rotating the second support about the second axis to move the linkage assembly between the rest position and the deployed position;

a toothed interface between the rotation mechanism and the second support; and is

The toothed interface comprises a plurality of teeth disposed on the second support and a plurality of teeth disposed on a wheel coupled to the rotation mechanism, and wherein the rotation mechanism is selectively activatable to position the linkage assembly in a plurality of intermittent positions corresponding to the plurality of teeth disposed on the second support.

According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seat assembly includes a seat having a seat bottom. The first bracket and the second bracket are each pivotably coupled to the seat bottom and the base member. A rotation mechanism is coupled to the second bracket and the base member. The swivel mechanism is enabled to move the seat bottom from a resting position to a deployed position. The swivel mechanism is enabled to position the seat bottom in a plurality of intermittent positions between the rest position and the deployed position. In the rest position, the front portion of the seat bottom has a first height. In the deployed position, the front portion of the seat bottom has a second height that is greater than the first height.

Embodiments of the second aspect of the disclosure may include any one or combination of the following features:

a toothed flange coupled to at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket;

a gear coupled to the rotation mechanism, wherein the toothed flange forms a toothed interface with the gear, and wherein the rotation mechanism rotates the gear to cause the toothed flange to move the seat bottom from the rest position to the deployed position and to selectively position the toothed flange at a plurality of intermittent positions between the rest position and the deployed position.

A stop bracket fixed to the rotation mechanism;

a stop bolt extending from the stop bracket and through a cut-out portion of the toothed flange, wherein the stop bolt extends through the cut-out portion of the toothed flange as the toothed flange rotates to move the seat bottom between the rest position and the deployed position;

in the rest position, the stop bolt is disposed in a first end of the cut-out portion of the flange, and wherein in the deployed position, the stop bolt is disposed in a second end of the cut-out portion of the flange;

the toothed flange and the second bracket are an integral part; and is

The seat bottom includes a seat pan assembly pivotably coupled to the first and second brackets.

According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seat assembly includes a seat pan assembly with four link arms pivotally coupled with the seat pan assembly. A base member is pivotably coupled with each of the four link arms. A rack is coupled to and defines an articulation path for one of the four link arms. A pinion gear operably engages the rack and pinion gear to drive articulation of one of the four link arms and movement of the seat pan assembly between a rest position and a deployed position.

These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.

Drawings

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a vehicle having a plurality of vehicle seat assemblies in a first configuration;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a portion of a vehicle having a plurality of vehicle seat assemblies in a second configuration;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a floor of a vehicle including a plurality of vehicle seat assemblies and track assemblies;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of a seat including a seat pan, a linkage assembly, and a first side of a base member according to one example;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of a second side of the seat, link assembly and base member including the seat pan shown in FIG. 4 according to one example;

FIG. 6 is an exploded assembly view of a seat according to one example;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a swivel assembly disposed in an interior of a second side of a seat according to one example;

FIG. 8 is a side cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 5 of a seat including a seat pan, a linkage assembly, and a second side of a base member in a rest position and a deployed position, according to one example;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 5 of a seat including a seat pan, a linkage assembly, and a second side of a base member in a rest position according to an example;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the seat plate and link assembly shown in FIG. 8 according to one example;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI of FIG. 5 of a seat including a seat pan, a linkage assembly, and a second side of a base member in a deployed position according to one example;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the seat plate and link assembly shown in FIG. 10 according to one example.

Detailed Description

For purposes of the description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," "left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," "interior," "exterior," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the vehicle 18 as oriented in fig. 1. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosure may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Referring to the vehicle seat assembly 10 described below and illustrated in the drawings, the vehicle seat assembly 10 may be described from the vantage point of an occupant 124 seated in the seat assembly 10. The side of the seat assembly 10 disposed to the right of the seated occupant 124 may be referred to as the right side or first side of the seat assembly 10. The side of the seat assembly 10 disposed to the left of the seated occupant 124 may be referred to as the left or second side of the seat assembly 10.

Referring to fig. 1-3, the vehicle seat assembly 10 may include various features for providing mobility of the vehicle seat assembly 10. The vehicle seat assembly 10 may include a track assembly 14 for translating the vehicle seat assembly 10 fore and aft within a vehicle 18. The track assembly 14 may be a long track assembly 14 or a short track assembly 14 for full or partial movement of the seat assembly 10 within the vehicle 18, respectively. The seat assembly 10 may also include a platform 22 extending between the rails 26 of the track assembly 14. The platform 22 and track assembly 14 may be integrated into the vehicle underbody frame 30 to provide structural rigidity and side impact performance. The platform 22 includes a cross beam configured to allow the structural rigidity required for side impact performance to move with the seat assembly 10, thereby allowing the seat assembly 10 to be moved to various positions while maintaining structural support. Additionally, the platform 22 may also include a universal attachment system 38 to allow various seat assemblies (including, for example, swivel seat assemblies) to be coupled with the platform 22. Also, the seat assembly 10 may have a base member 42, which may be a module that may be received by the universal attachment system 38 of the platform 22. The platform 22 may include an extendable or widening beam that may be adjustable to configure the platform 22 to receive various widths of the base member 42, which may correspond to various widths of the seat assembly 10.

Referring now to fig. 1 and 2, a vehicle underbody frame 30 is shown having a plurality of seat assemblies 10. The vehicle underbody frame 30 may include a floor 46 configured to support a plurality of seat assemblies 10. The vehicle underbody frame 30 may also include a forward region 50 and a rearward region 54. One or more of the plurality of seat assemblies 10 may be configured as a movable vehicle seat assembly 10. It is contemplated that vehicle 18 may be any type of vehicle such as, for example, a car, truck, van, or other vehicle. It is also contemplated that vehicle 18 may be an autonomous vehicle. It is also contemplated that the concepts set forth in the present disclosure may be used in the front region 50 of the vehicle 18 as well as the rear region 54 of the vehicle 18, depending on the configuration of the vehicle 18.

A portion of the plurality of seat assemblies 10 of fig. 1 and 2 are shown positioned within a forward region 50 of the vehicle 18, wherein one or more of the plurality of seat assemblies 10 is configured as a movable vehicle seat assembly 10. Another portion of the plurality of seat assemblies 10 may be positioned elsewhere within the vehicle 18. The plurality of seat assemblies 10 are operatively coupled to a floor 46 of the vehicle 18 by the track assembly 34. Any of the plurality of seat assemblies 10 may be configured as a movable vehicle seat assembly 10. The vehicle seat assembly 10 is translatable between a first position (fig. 1) and a second position (fig. 2) along the respective track assemblies 14. Additionally, the vehicle seat assembly 10 may be rotated relative to the platform 22 using a rotation assembly (not shown). With the vehicle seat assembly 10 rotatable, the vehicle seat assembly may also be movable between a forward facing position (FIG. 1) and a rearward facing position (FIG. 2).

Referring now to fig. 3, the seat assembly 10 may include a seat 60 and a seat back 64. The seat 60 may be disposed above the base member 42. A linkage assembly 58 for securing the seat 60 to the base member 42 may be disposed between the base 60 and the base member 42. The seat back 64 may be pivotally coupled to the seat 60. The head restraint 68 may be coupled to the seat back 64. As previously mentioned, according to various examples, the seat assembly 10 may include a cover 72, the cover 72 being positioned on either side of the seat assembly 10.

The floor covering 76 may be positioned above the floor 46 and parallel to the floor 46, and may be configured to conceal the track assembly 34. The floor covering 76 may define a plurality of slots 80. A plurality of slots 80 may be defined above the rails 26 of the rail assembly 34 such that the platform 22 may extend at least partially through the plurality of slots 80 to couple to the rail assembly 34. Each of the slots 80 may be defined to have a length selected to allow the seat assembly 10 to move between the first position (fig. 1) and the second position (fig. 2).

The floor covering 76 may also conceal the cutout 84 of the bottom panel 46. Cutout 84 may be configured to receive track assembly 34. The cutout 84 may include front and rear walls 88, 92 and side walls 96, 100. The sidewalls 96, 100 may be spaced apart and may frame a void 104 of the cutout 84. The track assembly 34 may be positioned within the void 104. In various examples, platform 22 may be positioned at least partially within void 104 and rail assembly 34. The track assembly 34 may include guides 108 positioned on the first and second sides of the seat assembly 10 and operatively coupled with the cutout 84. The guides 108 may be positioned in pairs. Each guide 108 may be operably coupled with one of the side walls 96, 100 such that the track assembly 34 is recessed within the cutout 84 as the seat assembly 10 translates between the first position (fig. 1) and the second position (fig. 2).

Referring to fig. 1-12, the vehicle seat assembly 10 may include a seat 60 and a linkage assembly 58 disposed between the seat 60 and the base member 42. The linkage assembly 58 is positionable between a rest position a and a deployed position B. In the rest position A, between the seat plate assembly 142 and the bottom 44 of the base member 42Form a first angle alpha₁. In the deployed position, a second angle α is formed between the seat pan assembly 142 and the bottom 44 of the base member 42₂. Second angle alpha₂Greater than the first angle alpha₁。

It is desirable to increase the comfort of the passenger 124 during travel. When seated in a conventional seating position (e.g., rest position a) during travel in the vehicle 18, the thighs and gluteus muscles of the occupant 124 may experience uncomfortable pressure. The comfort of the seated occupant 124 may be increased by moving the seat 60 to the deployed position B. In deployed position B, the portion of seat 60 disposed proximate to the knees of occupant 124 may be raised and the portion of seat 60 disposed proximate to the gluteus muscles of occupant 124 may be lowered. When seat 60 moves from rest position a to deployed position B, pressure may be transferred from the thighs and gluteus muscles of passenger 124 to the buttocks of passenger 124. Thus, deployed position B may allow passenger 124 to assume a more comfortable position than stationary position a. In this way, pressure exerted on the buttocks of passenger 124 (rather than on the thighs and gluteus muscles of passenger 124) may increase the comfort of passenger 124 during travel of vehicle 18.

Referring to fig. 4-5, the seat 60, linkage assembly 58, and base member 42 are shown in a right side rear perspective view (fig. 4) and a left side rear perspective view (fig. 5). Fig. 4 and 5 show seat 60 in a rest position a. FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded assembly view of the seat 60, linkage assembly 58 and base member 42. Seat 60 may include at least U-shaped support member 128, seat pan assembly 142, and suspension 146. The term seat pan assembly 142 may include the center seat pan member 132, the first side seat pan member 136, and the second side seat pan member 140. The U-shaped support member 128 may include a central section 128a, a first section 128b, and a second section 128 c. The center seat pan member 132 may be disposed over the center section 128a and a portion of the first and second sections 128b, 128c of the U-shaped support member 128. The first side saddle member 136 may be disposed above the first section 128b of the U-shaped member 128. Second side saddle member 140 may be disposed over second section 128c of U-shaped member 128. A crossbar 144 may extend between the first side saddle member 136 and the second side saddle member 140. A suspension 146 may extend between the seat pan assembly 142 and the crossbar 144. The seat 60 may include a seat bottom 62. Seat bottom 62 may include a portion of seat 60 that may be disposed below suspension 146.

Referring again to fig. 4-5, the base member 42 may be configured to receive the linkage assembly 58 and may be adapted to the track assembly 14 previously described. Base member 42 may be disposed between linkage assembly 58 and vehicle underbody frame 30. The base member 42 may be slidably coupled to the rails 26 of the rail assembly 14.

With continued reference to fig. 4-5, a linkage assembly 58 for moving the seat 60 between the rest position a and the deployed position B may be disposed between the seat 60 and the base member 42. The linkage assembly 58 may include a first bracket 150 and a second bracket 154. The first bracket 150 may be pivotably coupled to the front portion 60a of the seat 60. The second bracket 154 may be pivotably coupled to the rear portion 60b of the seat 60. The first bracket 150 and the second bracket 154 may be pivotally coupled to the respective first side seat pan member 136 and second side seat pan member 140 (see fig. 6) of the seat pan assembly 142. It is also contemplated that the first bracket 150 and the second bracket 154 may be coupled to other portions of the seat 60 (e.g., a seat frame member or a bracket coupled to a seat frame). The first bracket 150 may be pivotably coupled to the base member 42. The first axis 162 may extend through the pivot point 158 in the base member 42. The second bracket 154 may be pivotably coupled to the base member 42. The second axis 166 may extend through the pivot point 158 in the base member 42.

Referring to fig. 5 and 7, the swivel assembly 170 may be located on the left side of the base member 42 and the left side of the second bracket 154. The rotating assembly 170 may be described as a rack and pinion assembly. The rotation assembly 170 may include a toothed portion 174 (rack) of the second bracket 154 and a gear 178 (pinion) coupled to an actuator 182. The toothed portion 174 of the second bracket 154 and the gear 178 may form a toothed interface 186. Actuation of the actuator 182 may cause the gear 178 to rotate such that the toothed portion 174 of the second bracket 154 may move between the rest position a and the deployed position B in the direction indicated by arrow I (fig. 5). The second bracket 154 may be positioned between a rest position A and a deployed position B corresponding to that provided on the second bracket 154Multiple intermediate deployed positions (e.g., A) of the plurality of teeth 210₁、A₂、A₃)。

With continued reference to fig. 5 and 7, the toothed portion 174 of the second bracket 154 may be disposed on a flange 190 extending from the second bracket 154. The flange 190 may include a cut-out portion 194. The cut-out portion 194 may be an elongated curved portion. The stop bracket 198 may include a central portion 198a, a first extension 198b, and a second extension 198 c. The first extension 198b may be positioned proximate the cut-out portion 194 of the flange 190. The second extension 198c may be positioned proximate to the actuator 182. The stop bolt 202 may extend from the stop bracket 198 and into the cut-out portion 194 of the flange 190. The stop bolt 202 (fig. 5) may extend through the aperture 206 of the stop bracket 198. The gear 178 may include teeth 210 that may drive teeth 210 disposed on the flange 190 of the second bracket 154.

With continued reference to fig. 4-6, the link assembly 58 may be described as having four link arms 220. The four link arms may include a pair of primary link arms 220a and a pair of secondary link arms 220 b. The primary link arm 220a may be disposed on a first side of the front portion 60a of the seat 60. The primary link arm 220a may be provided on a second side of the front portion 60a of the seat 60. An auxiliary link arm 220b may be provided on a first side of the rear portion 60b of the seat 60. An auxiliary link arm 220b may be provided on a second side of the rear portion 60b of the seat 60.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a cross-sectional view of the second or left inner side of the seat 60 shown in FIG. 5 is shown. The seat 60 is shown in a rest position a and a deployed position B. The seat bottom 62 may be at a first angle α relative to a substantially horizontal line disposed along the bottom 44 of the base member 42₁The angle of (c). The seat bottom 62 may be at a second angle α relative to a substantially horizontal line disposed along the bottom 44 of the base member 42₂The angle of (c). The first bracket 150 is rotatable about a first axis 162 that is extendable through the base member 42. The second bracket 154 is rotatable about a second axis 166 that is extendable through the base member 42. When the seat pan assembly 142 is moved from the rest position a to the deployed position B, the primary link arm 220a and the secondary link arm 220B rotate in a clockwise direction about the first axis 162 and the second axis 166. When the auxiliary link arm 220B moves from the rest position a to the deployed position B, the auxiliary link arm 220B pushes the rear portion 142B of the seat plate assembly 142 forward and pulls the rear portion 142B of the seat plate assembly 142 downward. When the secondary link arm 220B moves from the rest position a to the deployed position B, the primary link arm 220a pushes forward the forward portion 142a of the seat pan assembly 142 and pushes upward the forward portion 142a of the seat pan assembly 142. In the rest position A, the forward portion 142a of the seat pan assembly 142 may have a height H₁. In the deployed position B, the front portion 142a of the seat pan assembly 142 may have a height H₂. The front portion 142a of the seat pan assembly 142 may also be referred to as a main portion of the seat pan assembly 142; the rear portion 142b of the seat pan assembly 142 may also be referred to as an auxiliary portion of the seat pan assembly 142;

with continued reference to fig. 8, the swivel assembly 170 is shown disposed at the rear portion 60b of the seat 60. The flange 190 of the second bracket 154 includes a cut-out portion 194 for limiting movement of the second bracket 154 between the rest position a and the deployed position B.

Referring to fig. 9 and 10, the linkage assembly 58 is shown in the rest position a. Referring to fig. 10, an exploded view of the swivel assembly 170 of fig. 9 is shown. Referring to fig. 10, the flange 190 of the second bracket 154 is shown in the first position a. The first position of the flange 190 of the second bracket 154 corresponds to the rest position a of the linkage assembly 58. The first position a of the flange 190 of the second bracket 154 may be defined by the stop bolt 202 being located at the first end 194a of the cut-out portion 194 of the flange 190.

Referring to fig. 11 and 12, the linkage assembly 58 is shown in the deployed position B. Referring to fig. 12, an exploded view of the swivel assembly 170 of fig. 11 is shown. The flange 190 of the second bracket 154 is shown in the second position b. The second position B of the flange 190 of the second bracket 154 corresponds to the deployed position B of the linkage assembly 58. The second position b of the flange 190 of the second bracket 154 may be defined by the stop bolt 202 being located at the second end 194b of the cut-out portion 194 of the flange 190.

The swivel assembly 170 may be designed to allow for a desired height (e.g., H)₁And H₂) Angle of inclination (e.g., α)₁And alpha₂) And positions (e.g., storage position A, intermediate deployment position A)₁、A₂、A₃And a deployed position B). The primary link arm 220a and the secondary link arm 220b may be designed to have such a length: which allows the seat assembly 10 to have a desired height (e.g., H)₁And H₂) Angle of inclination (e.g., α)₁And alpha₂) And positions (e.g., storage position A, intermediate deployment position A)₁、A₂、A₃And a deployed position B). The attachment points (e.g., pivot point 158) of the primary link arm 220a and the secondary link arm 220b to the base member 42 and the seat pan assembly 142 may be for a desired height (e.g., H) of the seat assembly 10₁And H₂) Angle of inclination (e.g., α)₁And alpha₂) And positions (e.g., storage position A, intermediate deployment position A)₁、A₂、A₃And a deployed position B). Additionally, the cut-away portion 194 of the second bracket 154, the teeth 210 disposed on the second bracket 154, and the teeth 210 disposed on the wheels 178 may be at a desired height (e.g., H) relative to the seat assembly 10₁And H₂) Angle of inclination (e.g., α)₁And alpha₂) And positions (e.g., storage position A, intermediate deployment position A)₁、A₂、A₃And the deployed position B).

Various advantages can be obtained by using the present disclosure. Passenger 124 may be positioned in seat 60 in a rest position a, a deployed position B, and a plurality of intermediate positions (a) between rest position a and deployed position₁、A₂、A₃). Passenger 124 may adjust seat 60 between a resting position a and a deployed position B to achieve a position that provides optimal comfort for passenger 124. The seat 60 can be moved from the rest position a to the deployed position B to reduce pressure on the thighs and gluteus muscles of the seated passenger 124. The various positions of seat 60 allow occupant 124 to assume the most comfortable position possible for occupant 124. When seat 60 is in deployed position B or an intermediate deployed position (e.g., A) near deployed position B₃) Then the seat 60 may be in a dynamic event (such as applying an impact force F)₁Or sudden deceleration force F₁A collision leading to the front of a seated occupant 124) to provide anti-creep load and support. Rotary assembly170 may be effectively positioned adjacent to the secondary link arm 220b of the linkage assembly 58. The rotation assembly 170, positioned adjacent the secondary link arm 220b of the linkage assembly 58, can drive the primary link arm 220a forward.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat assembly having: a seat; and a link assembly disposed between the seat and base member and positionable between a resting position and a deployed position, wherein in the resting position a first angle is formed between a seat pan assembly and a bottom of the base member, wherein in the deployed position a second angle is formed between the seat pan assembly and the bottom of the base member, and wherein the second angle is greater than the first angle.

According to one embodiment, the linkage assembly comprises: a pair of primary link arms disposed below a primary portion of the seat pan assembly; and a pair of auxiliary link arms disposed below the auxiliary portion of the seat plate assembly.

According to one embodiment, the primary link arm is a portion of the first bracket disposed below a main portion of the seat pan assembly.

According to one embodiment, the auxiliary link arm is a portion of the second bracket disposed below the auxiliary portion of the seat pan assembly.

According to one embodiment, the main portion of the seat pan assembly comprises a front portion of the seat pan assembly.

According to one embodiment, the auxiliary portion of the seat pan assembly comprises a rear portion of the seat pan assembly.

According to one embodiment, the seat pan assembly comprises a first side seat pan member and a second side seat pan member, and wherein each of the first side seat pan member and the second side seat pan member is pivotably coupled to the first bracket and the second bracket.

According to one embodiment, the first bracket is pivotably coupled to the base member, and wherein the first bracket rotates about a first axis extending through the base member between a rest position and a deployed position.

According to one embodiment, the second bracket is pivotably coupled to the base member, and wherein the second bracket rotates about a second axis extending through the base member between a rest position and a deployed position.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by: an actuator for engaging the second bracket, wherein the actuator exerts a force on the second bracket about the second axis to move the linkage assembly between the rest position and the deployed position.

According to one embodiment, the actuator includes a rotation mechanism for rotating the second bracket about the second axis to move the linkage assembly between the rest position and the deployed position.

According to one embodiment, the invention also features a toothed interface between the rotational mechanism and the second bracket.

According to one embodiment, the toothed interface comprises a plurality of teeth disposed on the second bracket and a plurality of teeth disposed on a wheel coupled to the rotation mechanism, and wherein the rotation mechanism is selectively activatable to position the linkage assembly in a plurality of intermittent positions corresponding to the plurality of teeth disposed on the second bracket.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat assembly having: a seat comprising a seat bottom; and first and second brackets each pivotably coupled to the seat bottom and base member; and a swivel mechanism coupled to the second bracket and the base member, wherein the swivel mechanism is activatable to move the seat bottom from a rest position to a deployed position, and wherein the swivel mechanism is activatable to position the seat bottom at a plurality of intermittent positions between the rest position and the deployed position, wherein in the rest position the front portion of the seat bottom has a first height, wherein in the deployed position the front portion of the seat bottom has a second height, and wherein the second height is greater than the first height.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by: a toothed flange coupled to at least one of the first bracket and the second bracket; a gear coupled to the rotation mechanism, wherein the toothed flange forms a toothed interface with the gear, and wherein the rotation mechanism rotates the gear to cause the toothed flange to move the seat bottom from the rest position to the deployed position and to selectively position the toothed flange at a plurality of intermittent positions between the rest position and the deployed position.

According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by: a stop bracket fixed to the rotary mechanism; and a stop bolt extending from the stop bracket and through a cut-out portion of the toothed flange, wherein the stop bolt extends through the cut-out portion of the toothed flange as the toothed flange rotates to move the seat bottom between the rest position and the deployed position.

According to one embodiment, in the rest position the stop bolt is provided in a first end of the cut-out portion of the flange, and wherein in the deployed position the stop bolt is provided in a second end of the cut-out portion of the flange.

According to one embodiment, the toothed flange and the second bracket are an integral part.

According to one embodiment, the seat bottom includes a seat pan assembly pivotably coupled to the first bracket and the second bracket.

According to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle seat assembly having: a seat plate assembly; four link arms pivotably coupled with the seat pan assembly; a base member pivotably coupled with each of the four link arms; a rack coupled with one of the four link arms and defining an articulation path therefor; and a pinion gear operably engaged with the rack gear to drive articulation of the one of the four link arms and movement of the seat pan assembly between a rest position and a deployed position.