Kinetic seat assemblies having dampers for fixed components and movable components including lateral damping mechanisms and fluid reservoirs

US12304369B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• TOYOTA MOTOR ENGINEERING & MANUFACTURING NORTH AMERICA, INC. · US
• Stabilus GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Todd Rupert Muck · Fowlerville, US
• Charles P. Patterson · New Boston, US
• Peter J. Moegling · Whitmore Lake, US
• Matthew R. Speck · Plymouth, US
• Leon T. Toma · Wixom, US
• Raphael Piroth · Koblenz, DE
• Lars Löhken · Bonn, DE
• Yashodhan Joshi · Rochester Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 26, 2022
• Grant date: May 20, 2025
• Expiry date: Jul 5, 2043

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F16F2230/42
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A kinetic seat assembly includes a primary seat cushion frame, a secondary seat cushion frame movable relative to the primary seat cushion frame, a primary seat back frame, a secondary seat back frame movable relative to the primary seat back frame, a pair of lateral dampers extending between the primary seat back frame and the secondary seat back frame, a pair of vertical dampers extending between the secondary seat back frame and the primary seat cushion frame, a pair of fluid reservoirs for providing a fluid into the pair of lateral dampers and the pair of vertical dampers, and an electronic control unit configured to control the rate at which the fluid is provided to and drawn out of each of the dampers to control a damping effect. In embodiments, an end of the lateral dampers is permitted to move freely relative to the secondary seat back frame.