Vehicle seat trim components and assemblies

Abstract

The present application relates to a vehicle seat trim component and assembly. A vehicle seat trim assembly for concealing a vehicle seat frame is provided with at least two adjacent panels, the at least two adjacent panels being oriented at an angle relative to each other. At least one slot extends through the at least two adjacent panels. The liner is formed of a flexible nonwoven material and sewn into the at least one slot. The liner includes a slot having a width less than the width of at least one slot in the at least two adjacent panels to close the slot in the at least two adjacent panels and deform to provide clearance for a head restraint column. An embroidered seam is sewn into the vehicle seat trim component around the at least one slot and into the liner to attach the liner to the at least two adjacent panels.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments are directed to vehicle seat trim components and vehicle seat trim assemblies.

[0002] background

[0003] The vehicle seat trim assembly is provided with a vehicle seat trim member to conceal the basic frame and components of the vehicle seat assembly. The vehicle seat assembly is provided with a head restraint assembly that is adjustable relative to the seat assembly.

[0004] Overview

[0005] According to an embodiment, a vehicle seat trim component is adapted to be attached to a vehicle seat frame to conceal the frame. The vehicle seat trim component is provided with at least two adjacent panels, the at least two adjacent panels being oriented at an angle relative to each other. One of the at least two adjacent panels extends across a lateral width of the frame. The other of the at least two adjacent panels extends less than the lateral width of the frame. At least one slot extends through the at least two adjacent panels.

[0006] According to a further embodiment, the at least one slot is dimensioned to receive a head restraint post, the head restraint post passing through the at least one slot for translation within the at least one slot.

[0007] According to another further embodiment, at least one slot does not intersect a deck seam.

[0008] According to another further embodiment, the vehicle seat trim component does not include a gusset in the slot.

[0009] According to another embodiment, a vehicle seat assembly is provided with a frame. A vehicle seat trim component is attached to the vehicle seat frame to conceal the frame. The vehicle seat trim component is provided with at least two adjacent panels, the at least two adjacent panels being oriented at an angle relative to each other. One of the at least two adjacent panels extends across a lateral width of the frame. Another of the at least two adjacent panels extends less than the lateral width of the frame. At least one slot extends through the at least two adjacent panels.

[0010] According to a further embodiment, the head restraint post is connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame and extends through the at least one slot in the vehicle seat trim component for movement within the at least one slot.

[0011] According to another further embodiment, the frame is provided with a forward support region, a top region and a rear region. The vehicle seat trim component further provides a first panel and a vertical panel, wherein the first panel is located on the top region of the frame and the vertical panel is located on the forward support region or the rear region of the frame. At least one slot is formed through the first panel and the vertical panel.

[0012] According to another further embodiment, the vertical panel is a rearward facing panel on a rear region of the frame.

[0013] According to another further embodiment, the vehicle seat trim component is further provided with a third panel, the third panel being adjacent to the first panel or the vertical panel, and the layer seam is sewn along the intersection of the third panel and the first panel or the vertical panel.

[0014] According to another embodiment, a vehicle seat trim assembly is provided with a vehicle seat trim component, which is suitable for attachment to a vehicle seat frame to conceal the frame. The vehicle seat trim component is provided with at least two adjacent panels, and the at least two adjacent panels are oriented at a certain angle relative to each other. One of the at least two adjacent panels extends across the lateral width of the frame. The other of the at least two adjacent panels extends less than the lateral width of the frame. At least one slot extends through the at least two adjacent panels. At least one slot has a width. The liner is sewn into the at least one slot. The liner includes a slot whose width is less than the width of at least one slot in the vehicle seat trim component.

[0015] According to a further embodiment, the vehicle seat trim component is formed of cloth, leather or polymeric fabric.The inner lining is formed of fabric.

[0016] According to yet a further embodiment, the liner is formed from a nonwoven fabric.

[0017] According to another further embodiment, the liner is formed from a flexible material.

[0018] According to another further embodiment, a seam is sewn into the vehicle seat trim component around the at least one slot and into the inner liner to attach the inner liner to the vehicle seat trim component.

[0019] According to yet a further embodiment, the seam is embroidered and exposed on an outer side of the vehicle seat trim component.

[0020] According to another embodiment, a vehicle seat assembly is provided with a frame. A vehicle seat trim assembly is provided with a vehicle seat trim component, the vehicle seat trim component being adapted to be attached to the vehicle seat frame to conceal the frame. The vehicle seat trim component is provided with at least two adjacent panels, the at least two adjacent panels being oriented at an angle relative to each other. One of the at least two adjacent panels extends across the lateral width of the frame. The other of the at least two adjacent panels extends less than the lateral width of the frame. At least one slot extends through the at least two adjacent panels. At least one slot has a width. An inner liner is sewn into the at least one slot. The inner liner includes a slot having a width less than the width of at least one slot in the vehicle seat trim component. A head restraint post is provided with a width greater than the width of the slot in the inner liner. The head restraint post is connected to the frame to move relative to the frame and extends through at least one slot in the vehicle seat trim component and through the slot in the inner liner to move within the at least one slot.

[0021] According to another embodiment, a vehicle seat trim assembly is adapted to be attached to a vehicle seat frame to conceal the frame. The vehicle seat trim assembly is provided with at least two adjacent panels, the at least two adjacent panels being oriented at an angle relative to each other. At least one slot extends through the at least two adjacent panels. The liner is formed of a flexible nonwoven material and sewn into the at least one slot. The liner includes a slot having a width less than the width of at least one slot in the at least two adjacent panels to close the slot in the at least two adjacent panels and deform to provide clearance for a head restraint column. An embroidered seam is sewn around the at least one slot into the at least two adjacent panels and into the liner to attach the liner to the at least two adjacent panels.

[0022] According to a further embodiment, at least two adjacent panels do not comprise a gusset in at least one slot.

[0023] According to an embodiment, a vehicle seat assembly is provided with a frame having a forward support area, a top area, and a rear area. A head restraint post is connected to the frame to move relative to the frame. The head restraint post has a width. A vehicle seat trim component is attached to the vehicle seat frame to hide the frame. The vehicle seat trim component is provided with a first panel and an adjacent vertical panel, the first panel is located on the top area of ​​the frame, and the adjacent vertical panel is located on the forward support area or the rear area of ​​the frame, so that the first panel and the vertical panel are oriented at a certain angle relative to each other. At least one slit extends through the first panel and the vertical panel. The width of at least one slit is greater than the width of the head restraint post. The head restraint post extends through the at least one slit for translation in the at least one slit. The liner is formed of a flexible nonwoven material and sewn in the at least one slit. The liner includes a slit having a width less than the width of at least one slit in the vehicle seat trim component and less than the width of the head restraint post to close the slit in the vehicle seat trim component and deform to provide clearance for the head restraint post. An embroidered seam is sewn into the vehicle seat trim component around the at least one slot and into the inner liner to attach the inner liner to the vehicle seat trim component.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the vehicle seat trim component does not include a gusset in the at least one slot. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly according to an embodiment;

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A rear perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly;

[0027] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 An enlarged top perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly;

[0028] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top perspective view of a vehicle seat assembly of , showing a head restraint in a retracted position;

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 a top plan view of a vehicle seat trim assembly of a vehicle seat assembly;

[0030] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A bottom view of a vehicle seat trim assembly; and

[0031] Figure 7 yes Figure 5An enlarged view of a portion of a vehicle seat trim assembly. Detailed Description

[0032] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the present invention that can be implemented 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, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to employ the present invention in various ways.

[0033] Figure 1-Figure 4 A vehicle seat assembly 20 according to an embodiment is illustrated. The seat assembly 20 is a motor vehicle seat assembly 20. The seat assembly 20 can be disposed in any vehicle, such as a mass transit vehicle, an airplane, a boat, etc. The depicted vehicle seat assembly 20 is a rear seat assembly 20. However, any seat position or arrangement within a vehicle can use the seat assembly 20. The seat assembly 20 is illustrated as a seat assembly 20 for a single occupant. However, the seat assembly 20 can also be used for multiple occupants, such as a bench seat assembly, a partial seat assembly, etc.

[0034] refer to Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the seat assembly 20 includes a seat base 22 that is adapted to be mounted to a vehicle floor to receive a seated occupant thereon. Figure 1-Figure 4 The seat assembly 20 is shown to further include a seat back 24 that extends vertically from the seat base 22 in the seating position to support the back of the seated occupant. Figure 1 In the depicted embodiment, the seat back 24 is pivotally connected to the seat base 22 at a pivot mechanism referred to as a reclining mechanism 26. The reclining mechanism 26 allows an occupant to adjust the angle of the seat back 24 relative to the seat base 22. The reclining mechanism 26 also allows an occupant to pivot the seat back 24 toward the seat base 22 to fold flat, thereby providing clearance for occupants and cargo to enter and exit. The rear surface 28 of the seat back 24 can be used as a cargo loading floor in the folded position of the seat assembly 20.

[0035] Figure 1 The frame 30 of the seat back 24 is schematically illustrated. The frame 30 is formed of a structural resilient material such as a steel stamping, a polymer molded attachment, or the like. Referring now to Figure 1-Figure 4, the seat assembly 20 includes a vehicle seat trim assembly 32 located on the frame 30 to hide the frame 30. Foam, cushions, pads, massage components, air bags, lumbar mechanisms, etc. can be provided on the frame 30 and enclosed by the trim assembly 32. The trim assembly 32 includes an overall shape similar to the frame 30, and the surface of the trim assembly 32 overlaps and is a common surface with the surface provided by the frame 30.

[0036] The vehicle seat assembly 20 includes a head restraint assembly 34 supported by and extending above the seat back 24, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the head restraint assembly 34 is in a seating position to support the head of the occupant. The head restraint assembly 34 includes a head restraint 36 to support the head of the occupant in the seating position. The head restraint assembly 34 also includes a pair of posts 38 connected to the seat back frame 30 to support the head restraint 36 relative to the seat back 24.

[0037] The head restraint post 38 is pivotally connected to the frame 30 to pivot the head restraint 36 toward the rear surface 28 of the seat back 24, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 When the seat back 24 is pivoted forward, the head restraint 36 is pivoted rearward to provide clearance for a front obstacle (such as a front seat). The pivoting of the head restraint 36 improves the compactness of the seat assembly 20 in the folded position.

[0038] The post 38 of the head restraint assembly 34 extends through the seat trim assembly 32. Due to the pivoting of the post 38 relative to the frame 30 and the seat trim assembly 32, a pair of slots 40 are formed through the seat trim assembly 32 to allow the post 38 to translate through the slots 40 as the post 38 pivots.

[0039] The seat trim assembly 32 includes Figure 1 The front support area 42 is shown in the figure, which is used to receive the back of the occupant and support the occupant together with the lower forward support area of ​​the frame 30. Figure 1-Figure 4 , the seat trim assembly 32 and the frame 30 also include a top region 44. The seat trim assembly 32 and the frame 30 also include a rear region along the rear surface 28. Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the seat trim assembly 32 and frame 30 also include a pair of side regions 46 .

[0040] The seat trim assembly 32 is provided by a plurality of trim components, such as an upper trim component 48, a front trim component 50, a rear trim component 52, and a pair of side trim components 54. Each of the trim components 48, 50, 52, 54 can be sewn together, fastened by interlocking mechanical fasteners, or otherwise attached together along adjacent seams. Each trim component 48, 50, 52, 54 can be formed of leather, fabric, or any suitable material. Each trim component 48, 50, 52, 54 can be formed as a single integral sheet of material, or as a plurality of interconnected panels.

[0041] exist Figure 1-Figure 4 In FIG. 4 , the upper trim member 48 is shown as being fixed to other trim members 50 , 52 , 54 . The upper trim member 48 is also Figure 5-Figure 7 The front trim member 50 is connected to the upper trim member 48 and a pair of side trim members 54 by a layer seam 56. The layer seam 56 includes stitching that attaches adjacent trim members 50, 52, 54 while also providing a decorative appearance of a boundary or dividing line between adjacent areas 42, 44, 46 of the seat assembly 20.

[0042] A pair of slots 40 are formed through the upper trim member 48. Due to the pivoting of the head restraint assembly 34, the posts 38 extend through the top region 44 and the rear surface 28. The slots 40 are confined to the upper trim member 48 to avoid intersecting seams, such as deck seams, thereby avoiding obfuscate decorative stitching. The upper trim member 48 includes an upper panel 58 and an adjacent rear panel 60. The upper panel 58 is Figure 1-Figure 6 The upper panel 58 extends across the lateral width of the upper region 44. The integral rear panel 60 extends from the upper panel 58 in a vertical direction along the rear seat surface 28. Figure 2 and Figure 4-Figure 6 The rear panel 60 has a lateral width that is smaller than the upper panel 58. The slot 40 is formed through the upper panel 58 and the rear panel 60.

[0043] The rear trim member 52 may be formed of a nonwoven wear-resistant material, such as automotive carpet, to prevent cargo wear when used as a load-bearing surface. The rear panel 60 of the upper trim member 48 has a reduced width to allow the rear trim member to extend around the rear panel 60 to the upper panel 58 .

[0044] Figure 5 An exterior, outward-facing surface of the upper trim member 48 is depicted. Figure 6 The inner hidden surface of the upper trim member 48 is illustrated. Figure 7 is from Figure 5 An enlarged view of one of the slots 40 as viewed from the outside of the slot 40. Figure 5-Figure 7Each slot 40 has a width slightly larger than the width or diameter of one post 38 to allow the post 38 to pass freely within the slot 40 .

[0045] like Figure 6 4, the lining 62 is disposed on the inner side of the upper decorative member 48, overlapping the slot 40. The lining 62 is formed of a flexible nonwoven fabric (such as an automotive carpet). The lining 62 is sewn to the upper decorative member 48 by an embroidered seam 64 around the perimeter of each slot 40. The embroidered seam 64 is exposed on the outer side of the upper decorative member 48 to close the raw edge of the upper decorative member 48. A pair of slots 66 are formed through the lining 62 and aligned with the slots 40 of the upper decorative member 48. The slots 66 can be formed as line cuts or slits in the lining 62.

[0046] The slots 66 in the liner 62 have a minimum width that is less than the width of the head restraint posts 38. Each of the head restraint posts 38 extends through one of the slots 66. Due to the flexibility of the liner 62, the liner 62 deforms to allow the head restraint posts 38 to extend through the slots 66. Because the carpet is non-woven, the slots 66 can remain raw and unfinished, and the slots 66 will not unravel. Also, due to the properties of the non-woven material, the exposed edges of the slots 66 maintain the appearance of the liner 62, which is different from the cut edges of leather or vinyl with different colors and textures. The non-woven material of the liner 62 eliminates additional stitching required to fold the material into the slots 40, such as gussets, etc. By eliminating gussets, unsightly folds and wrinkles are avoided while eliminating additional material and labor costs.

[0047] The upper trim member 48 also includes an aperture 68 with an embroidered seam 70. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The strap 72 extends through the aperture 68 to initiate release of the recliner mechanism 26 to fold the seat assembly 20 .

[0048] Although various embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the present invention. On the contrary, these words used in this specification are illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In addition, the features of various implementation embodiments can be combined to form other embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat trim component adapted to be attached to a vehicle seat frame to conceal the frame, the vehicle seat trim component comprising at least two adjacent panels, the at least two adjacent panels being oriented at an angle relative to each other, the at least two adjacent panels comprising a first panel, a vertical panel, and a third panel, wherein the first panel extends across the lateral width of the frame at the top region of the frame, the vertical panel and the first panel are formed as a single unitary sheet of material, the third panel extends over the forward support region or rear region of the frame, and the layer seam is sewn along the intersection of the vertical panel and the third panel, and the vertical panel extends less than the lateral width of the frame, and in, At least one slot extends through the first panel and the vertical panel, and wherein the vertical panel extends in a vertical direction along a forward support region or a rear region of the frame to avoid the slot intersecting the deck seam.

2. The vehicle seat trim component according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one slot is sized to receive a head restraint post that passes through the at least one slot for translation within the at least one slot.

3. The vehicle seat trim component according to claim 1, wherein: The vehicle seat trim member does not include a gusset in the at least one slot.

4. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: frame; as well as The vehicle seat trim component according to claim 1.

5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 4, further comprising a head restraint post connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame and extending through the at least one slot in the vehicle seat trim member for movement within the at least one slot.

6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 4, wherein: The frame includes a forward support region, a top region, and a rear region; The vehicle seat decoration component further includes a first panel and a vertical panel, wherein the first panel is located on the top area of ​​the frame, and the vertical panel is located on the forward supporting area or the rear area of ​​the frame.

7. A vehicle seat trim assembly, comprising: The vehicle seat trim component of claim 1, wherein the at least one slot has a width; and An inner liner is sewn into the at least one slot, wherein the inner liner includes a slot having a width that is less than a width of the at least one slot in the vehicle seat trim component.

8. The vehicle seat trim assembly of claim 7, wherein: The vehicle seat trim member is formed of cloth, leather, or a polymer fabric; and Wherein, the lining is formed by fabric.

9. The vehicle seat trim assembly of claim 8, wherein: The inner liner is formed of a nonwoven fabric.

10. The vehicle seat trim assembly of claim 7, wherein: The liner is formed of a flexible material.

11. The vehicle seat trim assembly of claim 7 further comprising a seam sewn into the vehicle seat trim component about the at least one slot and into the inner liner to attach the inner liner to the vehicle seat trim component.

12. The vehicle seat trim assembly of claim 11, wherein: The seam is embroidered and exposed on an outer side of the vehicle seat trim member.

13. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: frame; The vehicle seat trim assembly according to claim 7; as well as a head restraint pillar having a width greater than a width of the slot in the liner, the head restraint pillar being connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame and extending through the at least one slot in the vehicle seat trim member and through the slot in the liner for movement within the at least one slot.

14. A vehicle seat trim assembly adapted to be attached to a vehicle seat frame to conceal the frame, the vehicle seat trim assembly comprising: at least two adjacent panels, the at least two adjacent panels being oriented at an angle relative to each other, the at least two adjacent panels comprising a first panel, a vertical panel and a third panel, wherein the first panel extends across a lateral width of the frame over a top region of the frame, the vertical panel and the first panel are formed as a single, unitary sheet of material, the third panel extends over a forward support region or a rear region of the frame, and a plane seam is sewn along an intersection of the vertical panel and the third panel, wherein the vertical panel extends less than the lateral width of the frame, and wherein at least one slot extends through the first panel and the vertical panel, and wherein the vertical panel extends in a vertical direction along the forward support region or the rear region of the frame to avoid intersection of the slot with the plane seam; a liner formed of a flexible nonwoven material and sewn into the at least one slot, wherein the liner includes slots having a width less than a width of the at least one slot of the at least two adjacent panels to close the at least one slot in the at least two adjacent panels and deform to provide clearance for a head restraint pillar; and An embroidered seam is sewn into the at least two adjacent panels around the perimeter of the at least one slot and into the liner to attach the liner to the at least two adjacent panels.

15. The vehicle seat trim assembly of claim 14, wherein: The at least two adjacent panels do not include a gusset in the at least one slot.

16. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising: a frame having a forward support region, a top region, and a rear region; a head restraint post connected to the frame for movement relative to the frame, the head restraint post having a width; a vehicle seat trim component attached to the frame to conceal the frame, the vehicle seat trim component comprising a first panel, a vertical panel, and a third panel oriented at an angle relative to each other, wherein the first panel extends across a lateral width of the frame over a top region of the frame, the vertical panel and the first panel are formed as a single, unitary sheet of material, the third panel extends over a forward support region or a rear region of the frame, and a floor seam is sewn along an intersection of the vertical panel with the third panel, and the vertical panel extends less than the lateral width of the frame, wherein at least one slot extends through the first panel and the vertical panel, wherein the vertical panel extends in a vertical direction along the forward support region or the rear region of the frame to avoid intersection of the slot with the floor seam, wherein a width of the at least one slot is greater than a width of the head restraint post, and wherein the head restraint post extends through the at least one slot for translation within the at least one slot; an inner liner formed of a flexible nonwoven material and sewn into the at least one slot, wherein the inner liner includes a slot having a width less than the width of the at least one slot in the vehicle seat trim component and less than the width of the head restraint pillar to close the at least one slot in the vehicle seat trim component and deform to provide clearance for the head restraint pillar; and An embroidered seam is sewn into the vehicle seat trim component around a perimeter of the at least one slot and into the liner to attach the liner to the vehicle seat trim component.

17. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 16, wherein: The vehicle seat trim member does not include a gusset in the at least one slot.

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