Comfortable system retention assembly and method

Abstract

An assembly includes a trim cover assembly and a comfort layer. The retention fastener includes a rod and a cross bar, and the rod is joined to one of the trim layer and the comfort layer at a joint point. The other of the trim layer and the comfort layer includes an opening through which a retention fastener is received with the crossbar on a side of the opening opposite the junction point.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] The vehicle seat assembly may be provided with a decorative cover formed by one or more panels and positioned above the padding. Attached Figure Description

[0002] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an exemplary seat assembly.

[0003] Figure 2 A portion of an exemplary seat assembly is shown.

[0004] Figure 3 A portion of an exemplary seat assembly is shown.

[0005] Figure 4 A portion of an exemplary seat assembly is shown.

[0006] Figure 5 An exemplary padding for an exemplary seat assembly is shown.

[0007] Figure 6A An example of maintaining the shape of a fastener is shown.

[0008] Figure 6B Another example of maintaining the shape of a fastener is shown.

[0009] Figure 6C Another example of maintaining the shape of a fastener is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0010] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following detailed description to provide a thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the various described embodiments can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

[0011] "One or more" includes functions performed by one element, functions performed by more than one element, and functions performed by more than one element. For example Functions performed in a distributed manner, functions performed by a single element, functions performed by several elements, or any combination thereof.

[0012] It should also be understood that although the terms first, second, etc., are used in some instances herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact may be referred to as a second contact, and similarly, a second contact may be referred to as a first contact, without departing from the scope of the various described embodiments. Both a first contact and a second contact are contacts, but they are not the same contact.

[0013] The terminology used in the description of the various described embodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description of the various described embodiments and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “described” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and covers any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It should be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and / or “comprising”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0014] As used herein, depending on the context, the term "if" may optionally be interpreted as meaning "when," "at," "in response to determination," or "in response to detection." Similarly, depending on the context, the phrase "if determination" or "if [the condition or event] is detected" may optionally be interpreted as meaning "when determination," "in response to determination," "when [the condition or event] is detected," or "in response to the detection of [the condition or event]."

[0015] It should be understood that terms such as “about,” “basically,” and “generally” are not intended to be unbounded terms and should be interpreted in accordance with the way those skilled in the art interpret these terms.

[0016] This disclosure relates to a seat assembly that uses retaining fasteners to attach one or more layers to one or more other layers. The disclosed assembly can be relatively low-cost and relatively easy to manufacture and assemble.

[0017] Figure 1An exemplary seat assembly 10 is shown. Seat assembly 10 can be used as a vehicle seat assembly 10 for seating in a vehicle such as a car, aircraft, ship, or any other seating environment. In this example, seat assembly 10 includes a seat back 12 and a seat base 14, the seat base being adaptable for electrically driven adjustable translation in the forward and rearward directions and in the upward and downward directions of the vehicle. Seat back 12 includes a seat frame 16. Seat back 12 can be pivotally connected to seat base 14 to extend substantially upright relative to seat base 14 for pivotal adjustment about an axis relative to seat base 14. Seat frame 16 supports a padding 18 covered by a cover assembly 26. Seat base 14 also includes a seat frame 22 supporting padding 24.

[0018] In some embodiments, the shape and size of the seat assembly 10 may be configured as a front driver or passenger seat, a second, third, or other rear seat, and may include a bench seat, a bucket seat, or other seat styles. Furthermore, the seat assembly 10 may be a non-retractable seat, or it may be a retractable seat that is foldable and retractable into a cavity in the vehicle floor. Additionally, the seat assembly 10 may be configured for use with other non-vehicle applications.

[0019] The seat frame 16 may be made of metal, plastic, wood, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the seat frame 16 may be made of steel and / or aluminum.

[0020] The seat base 14 can be configured to support the seat occupant. In vehicle applications, the seat base 14 can be mounted to a supporting surface, such as the vehicle floor. It should be understood that this is merely one example of a seat configuration, and other configurations may also be utilized.

[0021] Each pad 18, 24 may be one or more foam portions joined together to form a seat assembly. For example, seat back pad 18 may include a main seating portion and various side wing portions. Pads 18, 24 may have any suitable size and be formed from any suitablely constructed components. In embodiments, pads 18, 24 are formed into contoured shapes, such as concave shapes, corresponding to occupant seating surfaces, wherein the concavity of pads 18, 24 improves occupant comfort and aesthetic design of seat assembly 10. Pads 18, 24 may independently comprise any suitable comfort foam material, such as, but not limited to, suitable resilient polymers, and may be formed independently in any suitable manner. For example, pads 18, 24 may be formed from conventional polyurethane foam, soy-based foam, silicone, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic polyurethane and / or natural oil-based foamed polyurethane, soy-based polyurethane, polymer fibers, nonwoven polyester pads, latex foam, etc. The foam pads 18 and 24 are formed of any suitable comfort material that provides soft resilience when the seat assembly flexes during use when the occupant is in a seated position.

[0022] In one embodiment, the cover assembly 26 may be disposed above or on the pads 18, 24. The cover assembly 26 provides at least a portion of the visible outer surface of the seat assembly 10. In another embodiment, the cover assembly 26 may include a plurality of trim panels, which may be assembled in any suitable manner, such as by stitching. The trim panels may be made of any suitable one or more materials, such as fabric, woven fabric, artificial leather, or leather surfaces, including cotton, polyester, polyurethane, nylon, or any other suitable material, or combinations thereof. The cover assembly 26 may be the outermost layer of the seat assembly 10. The cover assembly 26 may provide a seating surface for the seat assembly 10. The cover assembly 26 may be formed of one or more trim panels made of fabric, leather, artificial leather, vinyl material, or other interior trim material. Two adjacent trim panels may be sewn along a seam or otherwise joined to each other, such as by welding.

[0023] One or more comfort layers 28 may be disposed between the cover assembly 26 and the pads 18, 24. In some embodiments, the comfort layer 28 may be a heated pad that can provide warmth and comfort to vehicle occupants. The heated pad may include thin, flexible heating elements and, when activated, can generate heat radiating through the seat surface to warm the occupant. In some embodiments, the heated pad may include polyester felt. In some embodiments, the heated pad may include a non-mesh foam having a fibrous fabric, such as warp-knitted or circular fiber fabric. In some embodiments, the comfort layer 28 may be a massage assembly that includes one or more massage bladders for providing massage to vehicle occupants.

[0024] like Figure 2-4 As shown, one or more layers of the seat assembly 10 can be attached to each other using retaining fasteners 30. For example, the cover assembly 26 can be attached to the comfort layer 28. In some embodiments, this can be done before the cover assembly 26 and the comfort layer 28 are positioned above or on the pads 18, 24. In some embodiments, the two comfort layers can be attached to each other in any of the ways described herein.

[0025] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the retaining fastener 30 may include a rod 32 and a crossbar 34. The rod 32 may be connected (e.g., welded, secured with additional fasteners, or otherwise integrated into the layer) at a connection point 36 to one of the cover assembly 26 and the comfort layer 28, and the other of the cover layer and the comfort layer includes an opening 38 for receiving the retaining fastener 30. In some embodiments, the rod 32 may be connected to the layer before the fastener 30 is pushed through the opening 38. When the retaining fastener 30 is received within the opening 38, the crossbar 34 may be on the side of the opening 38 opposite to the connection point 36.

[0026] In some embodiments, one or more openings 38 may be provided in the fastening portion 40 of the trim cover assembly 26. The fastening portion 40 may include a trim strip 42 and a rolled duon extrusion 44, wherein one or more openings 38 are provided in the trim strip 42. The trim strip 42 may be sewn or otherwise attached to the B side of the trim strip forming the trim cover portion of the trim cover assembly 26. Other fastening portion configurations may benefit from this disclosure. A crossbar 34 may be received abutting against the surface of the fastening portion 40, and the bar 32 extends through the opening 38 and through the opposite surface of the fastening portion 40 to reach the connection point 36. In some embodiments, the use of the fastening portion 40 is advantageous for one or more openings 38 because the fastening portion 40 is an existing feature in the trim cover assembly 26.

[0027] In some embodiments, the rod 32 may be welded or otherwise attached (e.g., fastener, grommets, two-piece rivets, or integrated into the layer) to the comfort layer 28 at the connection point 36. Any technique, such as high-frequency welding, can be used to form the weld. The retaining fastener 30 may be placed within the opening 38, with the crossbar 34 on the side of the opening 38 opposite the connection point 36. The crossbar 34 creates a physical barrier that prevents the fastener 30 from sliding back through the opening 38, thereby securing the cover assembly 26 to the comfort layer 28.

[0028] Rod 32 can be connected to comfort layer 28 at multiple points near its periphery.

[0029] like Figure 4As shown, the decorative cover assembly 26 can be attached to the comfort layer 28 at multiple attachment points P using fasteners 30. In some embodiments, the attachment points P can be located at two fasteners 40 on opposite lateral sides of the comfort layer 28, which allows it to remain secured during transport, assembly, and seat use. That is, refer to... Figure 2 and Figure 3 Each fastener 40 may include one or more openings 38 for receiving one or more fasteners 30. The comfort layer 28 may be side-attached to two fasteners 40 on opposite sides and attached to each fastener 40.

[0030] like Figure 5 As shown in the image, please refer to the following: Figure 2-4 Multiple fasteners 40 can be positioned within one or more corresponding grooves 46 of the pads 18 and 24.

[0031] In some embodiments, the retaining fastener 30 may be a polymer material. In some embodiments, the retaining fastener 30 may be plastic. In some embodiments, the retaining fastener 30 may be thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). In some embodiments, the retaining fastener may be a material suitable for withstanding pull forces imposed on the component by transportation, assembly, and seat durability.

[0032] like Figure 6A As shown, the retaining fastener 30 may be T-shaped, with the bar 32 formed by the vertical portion of the "T" and the crossbar 34 formed by the horizontal portion of the "T". Other shapes are contemplated, including any shape that retains the comfort layer throughout the product lifecycle. The crossbar 34 may have a maximum width w1 greater than the maximum width w2 of the opening 38 to prevent the fastener 30 from slipping back through the opening 38 during normal use of the seat assembly 10. The crossbar 34 may have a maximum width w1 greater than the maximum width of the bar 32. The fastener 30 may be rotated, rotatable, flexed, or a combination thereof to feed the crossbar 34 through the opening 38 during the attachment process. In some embodiments, one end of the crossbar 34 may be fed through the opening 38, and then a second opposite end of the crossbar 34 may be fed through the opening 38 during the attachment process.

[0033] As another example, such as Figure 6B As shown, the shape of the crossbar 34 can be circular or, in other cases, round. As another example, in... Figure 6C In the middle, the crossbar 34 can be herringbone shaped. The crossbar 34 can have a suitable width w1 to prevent the fastener 30 from slipping back through the opening 38 during normal use.

[0034] The examples disclosed herein can be used to attach two layers of seat assembly 10 together without adding additional mechanical clamps, double-sided tape, or other fasteners. The disclosed examples can reduce costs and / or assembly and / or maintenance time.

[0035] The method according to any example disclosed herein can be considered to include connecting the rod 32 of the retaining fastener 30 at the connection point 36 to one of the comfort layer 28 and the decorative cover assembly 26; and pushing the retaining fastener 30 through an opening 38 in the other of the comfort layer 28 and the decorative cover assembly 26 such that the crossbar 34 of the retaining fastener 30 is on the side of the opening 38 opposite to the connection point 36.

[0036] The connection step may include welding the rod 32 to the comfort layer 28 or the cover assembly 26. The method may include positioning the cover assembly 26 and the comfort layer 28 onto the seat cushions 18, 24. An opening 38 may be provided in a fastening portion 40 of the cover assembly 26. The method may include attaching the fastening portion 40 to the seat cushions 18, 24.

[0037] Alternatively, one method may include attaching a bar 32 of the retaining fastener 30 to a comfort layer 28 at a connection point 36, and pushing the retaining fastener 30 through an opening 38 in another comfort layer 28 such that a crossbar 34 of the retaining fastener 30 is on the side of the opening 38 opposite to the connection point 36.

[0038] An assembly may include a cover assembly; a comfort layer; and a retaining fastener comprising a rod and a crossbar. The rod is connected at a connection point to one of the cover layer and the comfort layer, the other of which includes an opening, and the retaining fastener is received through the opening, wherein the crossbar is on the side of the opening opposite the connection point.

[0039] In some embodiments, the component includes a seat frame and a seat cushion supported by at least a portion of the seat frame. A trim layer is positioned above the seat cushion.

[0040] In some implementations, the comfort layer is positioned between the seat cushion and the trim cover assembly.

[0041] In some implementations, the comfort layer is a heating pad.

[0042] In some implementations, the retainer is T-shaped.

[0043] In some implementations, the retaining fastener comprises thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0044] In some implementations, the rods are welded to the comfort layer.

[0045] In some embodiments, the opening is located in the fastening portion of the decorative cover assembly.

[0046] In some embodiments, the assembly includes a seat frame and a seat cushion supported by at least a portion of the seat frame. A trim layer is positioned above the seat cushion, a comfort layer is a heating pad positioned between the seat cushion and the trim layer, a retaining fastener is T-shaped and comprises thermoplastic polyurethane, a rod is welded to the heating pad, and an opening is provided in the fastening portion of the trim assembly.

[0047] In some implementations, the comfort layer is a heating pad, the retaining fastener is T-shaped and comprises thermoplastic polyurethane, the rod is welded to the heating pad, and the opening is provided in the fastening portion of the decorative cover assembly.

[0048] One method may include connecting a retaining fastener bar at a connection point to one of the comfort layer and the cover assembly; and pushing the retaining fastener through an opening in the other of the comfort layer and the cover assembly such that the retaining fastener bar is on the side of the opening opposite to the connection point.

[0049] In some implementations, the connection step includes welding the rod to the comfort layer.

[0050] In some embodiments, the opening is located in the fastening portion of the decorative cover assembly.

[0051] In some embodiments, the method includes attaching the fastener to the seat cushion.

[0052] In some implementations, the retaining fastener is T-shaped and comprises thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0053] In some implementations, the method includes positioning a trim shroud assembly and a comfort layer onto the seat cushion.

[0054] In some embodiments, the opening is located in the fastening portion of the decorative cover assembly.

[0055] In some embodiments, the method includes attaching the fastener to the seat cushion.

[0056] In some implementations, the comfort layer is a heating pad.

[0057] In some embodiments, the connecting step includes welding a rod to the comfort layer, an opening being provided in the fastening portion of the cover assembly, the fastener being T-shaped and comprising thermoplastic polyurethane, and the comfort layer being a heating pad, the method comprising: positioning the cover assembly and the comfort layer onto the seat cushion; and attaching the fastening portion to the seat cushion.

[0058] Although the different embodiments have the specific components shown in the figures, the embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those specific combinations. Some components or features from one embodiment may be used in combination with features or components from another embodiment. In addition, the various figures accompanying this disclosure are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be enlarged or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

[0059] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above embodiments are exemplary and non-limiting. That is, modifications to this disclosure will fall within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

1. A component, the component comprising: Decorative cover assembly; Comfort layer; as well as A retaining fastener comprising a rod and a crossbar, wherein the rod is connected at a connection point to one of the cover assembly and the comfort layer, the other of the cover assembly and the comfort layer including an opening, and the retaining fastener being received through the opening, wherein the crossbar is on the side of the opening opposite the connection point.

2. The component according to claim 1, comprising: Seat frame; as well as A seat cushion supported by at least a portion of the seat frame, wherein the decorative cover assembly is positioned above the seat cushion.

3. The component of claim 2, wherein the comfort layer is positioned between the seat cushion and the trim cover assembly.

4. The component of claim 3, wherein the comfort layer is a heating pad.

5. The component of claim 1, wherein the retaining fastener is T-shaped.

6. The component of claim 5, wherein the retaining fastener comprises thermoplastic polyurethane.

7. The component of claim 1, wherein the rod is welded to the comfort layer.

8. The component of claim 7, wherein the opening is provided in the fastening portion of the decorative cover assembly.

9. The component of claim 1, comprising: Seat frame; as well as A seat cushion supported by at least a portion of the seat frame, wherein the decorative cover assembly is positioned above the seat cushion. The comfort layer is a heating pad positioned between the seat cushion and the trim cover assembly. The retaining fastener is T-shaped and comprises thermoplastic polyurethane. The rod is welded to the heating pad, and The opening is located in the fastening part of the decorative cover assembly.

10. The component of claim 1, wherein the comfort layer is a heating pad. The retaining fastener is T-shaped and comprises thermoplastic polyurethane. The rod is welded to the heating pad, and The opening is located in the fastening part of the decorative cover assembly.

11. A method comprising: The retaining fastener rod is connected at the connection point to one of the comfort layer and the trim cover assembly; as well as The retaining fastener is pushed through an opening in the other of the comfort layer and the decorative cover assembly, such that the crossbar of the retaining fastener is on the side of the opening opposite the connection point.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting step comprises welding the rod to the comfort layer.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the opening is provided in the fastening portion of the decorative cover assembly.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising: The fastening part is attached to the seat cushion.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the retaining fastener is T-shaped and comprises thermoplastic polyurethane.

16. The method of claim 11, comprising: Position the decorative cover assembly and the comfort layer onto the seat cushion.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the opening is provided in the fastening portion of the decorative cover assembly.

18. The method of claim 17, comprising: The fastening part is attached to the seat cushion.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the comfort layer is a heating pad.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein the connecting step includes welding the rod to the comfort layer, the opening being disposed in the fastening portion of the decorative cover assembly, the retaining fastener being T-shaped and comprising thermoplastic polyurethane, and the comfort layer being a heating pad, the method comprising: Position the decorative cover assembly and the comfort layer onto the seat cushion; as well as The fastening part is attached to the seat cushion.

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