Patent classifications
B60N2/501
Active seat suspension systems including systems with non-back-drivable actuators
Embodiments related to active vibration isolation systems for a vehicle seat, as well as their methods of use, are disclosed. In some embodiments, an active suspension system may be configured to support a seat above a floor of a vehicle. The active suspension system may include two or more actuators that may be operated cooperatively to control both the roll and heave of the vehicle seat. In some instances, these actuators may also be non-back-drivable actuators. Additionally, in some embodiments, an active suspension system may include one or more torsion springs that apply torques in parallel with associated actuators of the active suspension system to support at least a portion of the loads applied to the active suspension system during operation.
Vehicle seat with operating device
The invention relates to an operating device for adjusting seat parameters of a seat, in particular of a vehicle seat, wherein the operating device comprises at least one multifunction operating element having at least one selection element, by means of which at least two operating levels are selectable, wherein the multifunction operating element is movable in at least five switching directions, wherein each switching direction can be assigned to a specific function, which belongs to the selected operating level and changes a seat parameter.
Variable tracking active suspension system
An active suspension system for a sprung mass that is supported and movable relative to an unsprung mass. The active suspension system has a suspension that comprises an electromagnetic actuator that is adapted to produce an arbitrary force on the sprung mass that is independent of the position, velocity and acceleration of the sprung mass, a control system that provides control signals that cause the suspension to exert force on the sprung mass, to control the position of the sprung mass relative to the unsprung mass, wherein the control system implements a control algorithm with one or more constants, and a user interface that is operable to cause a change of one or more of the control algorithm constants so as to vary how closely motion of the sprung mass follows motion of the unsprung mass.
Suspension system, preferably driver seat
The invention relates to a suspension system (1), preferably a driver seat (1), comprising a first suspension part (10), preferably a frame (10) of the driver seat (1); a second suspension part (11), preferably a seat surface (11) of the driver seat (1), wherein the two suspension parts (10, 11) are movable relative to each other in at least one first spatial direction (Z), preferably in the vertical direction (Z); a kinematic system (12), preferably a scissor kinematic system (12) which is designed to connect the two suspension parts (10, 11) in a movable manner relative to each other at least in the first spatial direction (Z); a suspension device (13) which is designed to support the static load of the second suspension part (11); and an actuator (2) which is designed to introduce a force bidirectionally between the two suspension parts (10, 11) and thereby actively damp the relative movement between the two suspension parts (10, 11). The suspension system (1) is characterized in that the actuator (2) has a bearing (28), preferably a ball bearing (28), which is arranged within the power flow between the two suspension parts (10, 11) such that an axial load can be kept away from the driven axle of the actuator (2) at least partly, preferably completely.
Adjustable suspended seat apparatus having tuned frequency-tailored damping through a stratified seat structure
An adjustable suspended seat apparatus having a tuned frequency-tailored damping through stratified seat structure is described. The damping seat structure includes: a first material of a plurality of materials having a first characteristic to provide a first damping effect in a first layer. A second material of the plurality of materials based on a second characteristic to provide a second damping effect in a second layer, the first material or the second material having an adjustable damping characteristic. The suspended seat apparatus includes a seat base configured to have the seat coupled thereto; a suspension system coupled to the seat base, the suspension system comprising: an adjustment feature configured to adjust operation of the suspension system; and a chassis mount coupled to the suspension system, the chassis mount configured to be coupled to a vehicle.
Leg extension control devices and systems for vehicle seating
A safety system includes a safety response device positioned proximal to an aircraft seat. The safety response device is operable to deploy thereby controlling the leg extension condition of legs of an occupant of the aircraft seat. A triggering system is operable to activate the safety response device when a deceleration is detected. The safety response device can be operable to maintain the legs of a seated occupant in an un-extended condition thereby protecting the legs from extending when a rapid deceleration occurs. The safety response device can be operable to transition the legs of a seated occupant from an un-extended condition to an extended condition at a predetermined rate. The safety response device can be, for example, and airbag or a kick plate. The device may automatically return to a stowed condition a predetermined time after deployment to permit egress from the seat and aircraft.
System and method for seat vibration cancellation
A method for cancelling seat vibration includes receiving a first accelerometer measurement. The method also includes receiving a second accelerometer measurement. The method also includes determining a counter torque value based on the first accelerometer measurement and the second accelerometer measurement. The method also includes selectively controlling a motor using the counter torque value.
ADJUSTABLE SUSPENDED SEAT APPARATUS HAVING TUNED FREQUENCY-TAILORED DAMPING THROUGH A STRATIFIED SEAT STRUCTURE
An adjustable suspended seat apparatus having a tuned frequency-tailored damping through stratified seat structure is described. The damping seat structure includes: a first material of a plurality of materials having a first characteristic to provide a first damping effect in a first layer. A second material of the plurality of materials based on a second characteristic to provide a second damping effect in a second layer, the first material or the second material having an adjustable damping characteristic. The suspended seat apparatus includes a seat base configured to have the seat coupled thereto; a suspension system coupled to the seat base, the suspension system comprising: an adjustment feature configured to adjust operation of the suspension system; and a chassis mount coupled to the suspension system, the chassis mount configured to be coupled to a vehicle.
Seat-based force nullification systems and methods for seated vehicle occupants
System and methods for nullifying one or more of lateral and longitudinal acceleration forces experienced by an occupant of a vehicle in a seated or standing position while the vehicle is traveling along a travel plane, including: a chassis structure; an occupant cell one of coupled to and defined by the chassis structure; and one or more of a seat assembly configured to receive the occupant in a seated position and a standing platform assembly configured to receive the occupant in a standing position disposed within the occupant cell; wherein the one or more of the seat assembly and the standing platform assembly is/are configured to pivot one or more of: laterally at a longitudinal pivot point with respect to the chassis and travel plane; and longitudinally at a transverse pivot point with respect to the chassis and travel plane.
Seat occupancy detection with acceleration signal
The invention relates to a system for seat occupancy detection, comprising a vehicle seat for a driver with an upper part and at least one suspension-damper system, an acceleration sensor being arranged on the upper part which is designed to determine a characteristic of an acceleration of the upper part as a function of time, an evaluation unit being provided which is designed to create an evaluation of the characteristic of the acceleration and optionally to send a signal to a higher-level control unit, the evaluation unit also being designed to assign the evaluation to a value of a mass of an object with which the vehicle seat is currently occupied.