Pillow assembly
A filament fabric cushion assembly with a welded fastening strip addresses the challenges of foam-based cushions by offering a lightweight, recyclable, and noise-free solution for seat assemblies.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- DE102025123786
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-06-26
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-18
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-31
AI Technical Summary
Existing seat cushions often rely on foam materials that are heavy, difficult to recycle, and may produce noise when loaded or unloaded, and they do not provide a uniform and recyclable bonding solution.
A cushion assembly using a filament fabric structure made of interwoven polymeric filaments, welded with a fastening strip to form a strong bond without adhesives, allowing for recyclability and reduced noise.
The solution provides a lightweight, comfortable, and recyclable cushion that reduces vehicle weight and improves fuel efficiency by eliminating adhesive noise and ensuring a uniform, strong bond.
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Abstract
Description
Technical field
[0001] Various embodiments relate to a cushion assembly and a method for manufacturing a cushion. Brief description of the illustrations Fig. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a seat assembly containing a filament fabric structure. Fig. Figure 2 is a schematic view of an example of a manufacturing system for producing the filament fabric structure. Fig. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a cushion from the seating assembly of Fig. 1. Fig. Figure 4 is another perspective view of the pillow. Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view of the trim cover of the seat assembly of Fig. 1 from the bottom. Fig. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cushion from the seating assembly of Fig. 1, which interacts with a cutting tool, illustrating a step of a method according to an embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the pillow of Fig. 6, which interacts with a welding tool, illustrating a further step of the process. Fig. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the pillow of Fig. 6, the one with the welding tool from Fig. 7 interacts, illustrating a further step of the process. Fig. Figure 9 is a perspective view of the pillow of Fig. 6, the one with the welding tool from Fig. 7 interacts, illustrating a further step of the process. Detailed description
[0002] The following section will discuss embodiments in detail, examples of which are shown in the accompanying figures. Numerous specific details are defined in the following detailed description to provide a comprehensive understanding of the various described embodiments. However, it will be clear to a person skilled in the art that the various described embodiments can also be implemented without these specific details. In other cases, known methods, procedures, components, circuits, and networks have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring aspects of the embodiments.
[0003] It goes without saying that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary and that various and alternative forms are possible. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features may be exaggerated or reduced in size to show details of certain components. Therefore, the specific structural and functional details disclosed here are not to be understood as limiting, but merely as a representative basis to show the person skilled in the art how the embodiments according to the disclosure can be used in different ways.
[0004] “One or more” includes a function that is executed by one element, a function that is executed by more than one element, e.g. in distributed form, multiple functions that are executed by one element, multiple functions that are executed by multiple elements, or any combination of the above.
[0005] It goes without saying that, although the terms "first," "second," etc., are used here in some cases to describe different elements, these elements should not be restricted by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first fastener could be called a second fastener, and similarly, a second fastener could be called a first fastener, without this altering the scope of the various embodiments described. The first fastener and the second fastener are both fasteners, but they are not the same fastener.
[0006] The terminology used in the description of the various embodiments described herein serves only to describe specific embodiments and is not to be understood as limiting. As used in the description of the various embodiments and the appended claims, the singular forms "a" and "an" and "the" are intended to also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It is also understood that the term "and / or," as used herein, refers to and encompasses all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.It is further understood that the terms “contains”, “containing”, “comprises” and / or “comprehensive”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of specified features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.
[0007] As used here, the term "if" is understood, depending on the context, as "when" or "at" or "in response to the determination" or "in response to the recognition." Similarly, the expression "when determined" or "when [a particular condition or event] is determined" is interpreted, depending on the context, as meaning "at the determination" or "in response to the determination" or "upon determination [of the particular condition or event]" or "in response to the determination [of the particular condition or event]."
[0008] In Fig. Figure 1 shows an example of a seat assembly 10. In some embodiments, the seat assembly 10 is a vehicle seat assembly, for example, for a land vehicle such as a car, truck, bus, or the like, or for a non-land vehicle such as an aircraft or a watercraft. For example, a seat assembly 10 for a land vehicle may have the shape and size of a driver's or front passenger's seat in the first row, a second, third, or other seat in the rear row, and may include basket-shaped seats, bench-shaped seats, or other seat shapes. Furthermore, the seat assembly 10 may be a non-stowable seat or a stowable seat that can be folded and stored in a cavity in the vehicle floor. Additionally, the seat assembly 10 may be configured for applications outside the vehicle, such as furniture.
[0009] In the Fig. In the configuration shown, the seat assembly 10 includes a seat surface 20 and a seat back 22. In some configurations, the seat back 22 can be omitted, e.g., if the seat assembly 10 is configured as a motorcycle seat or stool.
[0010] The seat surface 20 is configured to accommodate a seated occupant and support the occupant's pelvis and thighs. The seat surface 20 comprises a seat frame 30, a cushion 32, and a trim cover 34.
[0011] The seat frame 30 is a support structure that supports the cushion 32. The seat frame 30 contains one or more structural elements and can be made of any suitable material, e.g., a metal alloy, a polymeric material, a fiber-reinforced polymeric material, or a combination thereof. In some configurations, the seat frame 30 includes a panel, a seat pan, a suspension mat, or suspension wires on which the cushion 32 is placed.
[0012] The cushion 32 is positioned on the seat frame 30. The cushion 32 consists of a flexible material that supports the seat occupant and distributes the load forces from the seat occupant to the seat frame 30. The cushion 32 and the associated manufacturing processes are explained in more detail below.
[0013] The trim cover 34 covers at least part of the cushion 32. Furthermore, the trim cover 34 provides one or more visible outer surfaces of the seat backrest 22. The seat occupant can sit on the trim cover 34 when seated on the seat assembly 10. The trim cover 34 is made of one or more suitable materials, such as fabric, leather, imitation leather, vinyl, or combinations thereof. The trim cover 34 can comprise multiple panels assembled in any suitable manner, such as by fusing or sewing. The trim cover 34 is attached to the seat surface frame 30, the cushion 32, or both.The trim cover 34 may, for example, include fastening means that are attached to the seat frame 30, the cushion 32, or both, to prevent the trim cover 34 from being removed and to adapt the trim cover 34 to the contour of the seat frame 30, the cushion 32, or both. The trim cover 34 may also be attached to a fastening pad, as will be explained in more detail below.
[0014] The seat backrest 22 is configured to support the back of a seated occupant. The seat backrest 22 is positioned next to the seat surface 20. For example, the seat backrest 22 may be positioned above the seat surface 20 and near the rear of the seat surface 20. The seat backrest 22 extends essentially upward, away from the seat surface 20. In some configurations, the seat backrest 22 is attached to the seat surface 20 and may pivot relative to the seat surface 20. In other configurations, the seat backrest 22 is not attached to the seat surface 20. For example, a vehicle seat backrest may be attached to the vehicle's body structure, as is the case with some second-row seat assemblies. The seat backrest 22 includes a seat backrest frame 40, a cushion 42, a trim cover 44, and optionally a headrest 46.
[0015] The seat back frame 40 is a support structure that supports the cushion 42. The seat back frame 40 contains one or more structural elements and can be made of any suitable material, e.g., a metal alloy, a polymeric material, a fiber-reinforced polymeric material, or combinations thereof. In some configurations, the seat back frame 40 includes a panel, a tray, a suspension mat, or suspension wires on which the cushion 42 is placed. It is also conceivable that, in some configurations, the seat back frame 40 is integrally formed with the seat surface frame 30.
[0016] The cushion 42 is positioned on the seat back frame 40. The cushion 42 consists of a flexible material that supports the occupant and distributes the load forces from the occupant to the seat back frame 40. It is conceivable that the cushion 42 is formed integrally with the cushion 32 of the seat surface 20 or that it is positioned separately from the cushion 32 of the seat surface 20. The cushion 42 and the associated manufacturing processes are explained in more detail below.
[0017] The trim cover 44 covers at least part of the cushion 42. Furthermore, the trim cover 44 provides one or more visible outer surfaces of the seat backrest 22. The seat occupant may be positioned on the trim cover 44 when seated on the seat assembly 10. The trim cover 44 is made of one or more suitable materials, such as fabric, leather, imitation leather, vinyl, or combinations thereof. The trim cover 44 may comprise one or more panels that are suitably assembled, for example, by fusing or sewing. The trim cover 44 is attached to the seat backrest frame 40, the cushion 42, or both.The trim cover 44 may, for example, include fastening means that are attached to the seat back frame 40, the cushion 42, or both, to prevent the trim cover 44 from being removed and to adapt the trim cover 44 to the contour of the seat back frame 40, the cushion 42, or both. The trim cover 44 may also be attached to a fastening pad, as will be explained in more detail below.
[0018] The headrest 46, if provided, is configured to support the head of a seat occupant. The headrest 46 is located at the top of the seat backrest 22 or at an end of the seat backrest 22 opposite the seat surface 20. The headrest 46 may be movable in one or more directions relative to the seat backrest 22, or it may be integrally formed with the seat backrest 22.
[0019] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows an example of a cushion 50. For simplicity, the cushion is generally referred to by the reference number 50. It is understood that the construction and description of cushion 50 are applicable to cushion 32 of the seat 20, cushion 42 of the backrest 22, or to both.
[0020] The cushion 50 is a non-foam component or contains at least one non-foam component. The non-foam component is primarily referred to as a fabric element, but can also be described as a stranded element, looped element, woven element, filament fabric structure, fabric structure, stranded fabric, looped fabric, woven fabric, or fabric cushion. In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the cushion 50 as a non-foam component, meaning it does not contain any foam component or foam material, such as urethane or polyurethane foam. However, it is conceivable that the cushion 50 could also contain a foam component or foam material in addition to the non-foam component to provide additional or localized padding for a seat occupant. For example, foam could be provided between the cushion 50 and a trim cover (e.g., trim cover 34, 44) placed on top of the cushion 50, within the cushion 50 itself, or in combinations thereof. Reducing the amount of foam provided with the cushion 50, or removing the foam from the cushion 50, would decrease its weight and supportive effect, potentially improving comfort for the seat occupant.Furthermore, removing the foam can make recycling the Pillow 50 easier.
[0021] The cushion 50 is described below in the context of a cushion 50 that does not contain any foam material. In this context, the cushion 50 consists of filaments 52 made of polymeric material, which are randomly looped, bent, crimped, or interwoven and connected to one another, as will be explained in more detail below. One filament 52 is directly connected to another filament 52 and not indirectly to a resin or any other intermediate material.
[0022] The filaments 52, which can also be referred to as strands or threads, are made of any suitable material or materials. In some configurations, the filaments 52 consist of a polymeric or thermoplastic material, such as a thermoplastic resin based on polyamide, polyester, polyimide, polyolefin (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.), polystyrene, or combinations thereof. A polyethylene-based filament, for example, may consist of linear low-density polyethylene (LLPDE). The filament material may be recyclable, or more easily recycled than foam. It is also conceivable that a filament 52 may include reinforcing fibers, and that these reinforcing fibers need not be made of a thermoplastic material.
[0023] In some configurations, a filament 52 can be a monofilament made from a single material. In other configurations, a filament 52 is made from multiple materials. For example, a multi-material filament 52 might contain a core made from a first thermoplastic material and a sheath surrounding the core made from a second thermoplastic material that differs from the first. It is conceivable that the cushion 50 contains a combination of monofilaments and multi-material filaments that are not monofilaments.
[0024] Filaments 52, which are arbitrarily looped, bent, twisted, crimped, or entangled, are joined together where one filament 52 touches another filament 52, creating a light, air-permeable cushion (e.g., cushion 32 and / or 42) or fabric with openings or cavities between the filaments 52. An example of a manufacturing system 60 for producing a cushion or filament fabric structure is also shown in Fig. Figure 2 shows the manufacturing system 60. In this example, the manufacturing system 60 includes a material supply 70, an extruder 72, and a hopper 74. The manufacturing system 60 also includes a cooling tank 76 and a material handling subsystem 78.
[0025] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the material supply 70 contains material to be extruded, e.g., solid beads, flakes, granules, pellets, or powder. In some configurations, the material supply 70 is configured as a container or hopper. The material supply 70 provides the material to the extruder 72.
[0026] The extruder 72 melts the starting material and extrudes it into a set of filaments 52. The extruder 72 can have any suitable configuration. In some configurations, the extruder 72 contains a cylinder that houses a rotating screw and heating elements. The rotation of the screw forces the material to move through the cylinder, and the friction generated by the screw's rotation contributes to heating the material. The material exits the cylinder under pressure and in a molten state and is conveyed under pressure to a nozzle 80 of the extruder 72.
[0027] The nozzle 80, which can also be called a nozzle plate or extrusion nozzle, has several through-holes or filament-forming openings through which the molten material passes. A single filament 52 is extruded from each through-hole. The filaments 52 fall from the nozzle 80 downwards into the hopper 74 by gravity.
[0028] The funnel 74 compresses or groups the filaments 52 into a more compact arrangement in which the filaments bend, curl, or interlock, and each filament 52 touches and connects with at least one other filament 52. The funnel 74 has an inlet opening or funnel inlet and an outlet opening or funnel outlet that is smaller than the funnel inlet. Individual detached filaments 52 enter the funnel inlet. The filaments 52 bend, curl, or interlock and touch each other as they accumulate. The filaments 52 move through the funnel 74 or an intermediate sheet arranged on top of the funnel 74 as they move toward the funnel outlet.Connections form between the filaments 52 at the points of contact, while at other points, where a filament 52 does not come into contact with or is connected to another filament 52, openings or cavities exist between the filaments 52. The interwoven and connected filaments 52 pass through the funnel outlet of the funnel 74 and enter the cooling tank 76. For simplicity, the connected filaments 52 are referred to as a fabric element or filament fabric structure 90.
[0029] The cooling tank 76 contains a liquid, such as water or a mixture of water and another fluid. The liquid in the cooling tank 76 supports the interwoven and connected filaments 52 to limit further compaction or solidification of the filaments 52 into a less open or less porous arrangement and to maintain the desired porosity and density of the filament fabric structure 90. In this way, the liquid provides a certain amount of buoyancy or resistance, which can cause the filaments 52 near the surface of the liquid or within the funnel 74 to bend, curl, or entangle further to build up the filament fabric structure 90. The liquid also cools the filaments 52 when they are immersed in it. The liquid cools the filaments 52 from the outside in order to solidify the filaments 52 and to prevent the filaments 52 from joining together at other points.At this point, the filaments 52 are relatively stiff and are no longer in a plastic state, so that they essentially retain their shape and cannot be shaped or reshaped without reheating.
[0030] The material handling subsystem 78 transports the filament fabric structure 90 through the cooling tank 76. The material handling subsystem 78 includes various rollers and conveyors that assist in moving the filament fabric structure 90 through and out of the liquid. In some configurations, a tractor conveyor 92 is provided in the cooling tank 76, which assists in pulling the filament fabric structure 90 away from the hopper 74 and counteracting the buoyancy of the filaments 52.
[0031] One or more other rollers, such as roller 94, keep the filament fabric structure 90 immersed in the liquid and guide it through the cooling tank 76. Roller 94 can, for example, guide the filament fabric structure 90 to a conveyor belt 96 and a vibrating table 98, which are located outside the cooling tank 76. The vibrating table 98 shakes the filament fabric structure 90 while it is on the conveyor belt 96 to remove liquid. Alternatively or additionally, the filament fabric structure 90 can be squeezed to remove liquid, or air can be blown onto the filament fabric structure 90 to remove the liquid from it, or both. It is also conceivable to allow the filament fabric structure 90 to drain or to dry in the ambient air.
[0032] The manufacturing system 60 described above is a continuous flow process in which the filament fabric structure 90 is formed as a continuous structure if the filament extrusion is not interrupted. Further processing of the filament fabric structure 90 is provided after it leaves the cooling tank 76 to cut the filament fabric structure 90 into individual pieces or blanks for individual cushions. This processing is carried out by a cutting subsystem of the manufacturing system 60. The cutting subsystem can be of any suitable type. For example, the cutting subsystem can use a blade, knife, hot knife, saw, fluid jet, or similar device to cut the filaments 52 of the filament fabric structure 90 into a blank. The cutting subsystem can be used to shape or contour the blank.Furthermore, a blank can be shaped or contoured by other manufacturing processes, for example by casting the entire blank or part of it.
[0033] Using the above method, the cushion 50 can be formed from a set of filaments 52, wherein at least two elements of the set of filaments 52 are looped and connected to each other. In one or more embodiments, each element of the set of filaments 52 is looped and connected to at least one other element of the set of filaments 52.
[0034] In the Fig. 3 and Fig. Figure 4 shows the example of the cushion 50, which is provided by a part 50 or a blank 50 of the filament fabric structure 90 comprising filaments 52. A support body, such as a fastening strip 120, is in contact with and attached to the cushion 50. In some embodiments, the fastening strip 120 is a hook-fastening strip. A hook-fastening strip comprises a fabric strip with a plurality of polymer hooks. In other configurations, the fastening strip 120 is a loop-fastening strip. A loop-fastening strip comprises a fabric strip with a plurality of polymer loops. When the fabric of the hook strip is pressed against the fabric of the loop strip, the hooks engage in the loops and form a secure connection that can be released upon separation.
[0035] In other embodiments, the fastening strip 120 takes an alternative form of a fastening means, e.g. a strip which varies depending on the material or fabric and may include a clip, a longitudinal closure, a zipper, a cord insertion, a flex hook closure, a double prong closure, a pin closure, a series of these forms or the like.
[0036] The fastening strip 120 provides a first fastening element in a fastening assembly. Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a cladding component 122 according to another embodiment. According to some embodiments, the cladding component 122 is a cladding cover, such as the cladding cover 34 or the cladding cover 44. According to other embodiments, the cladding component 122 is an actuator, such as a bladder assembly, a heat transfer assembly, a heating pad, or another suitable cladding component that can be attached to the cushion 50.
[0037] A second fastening strip 124 is attached to the underside of the cladding component 122, where it is concealed during assembly. The second fastening strip 124 interacts with the first fastening strip 120 to secure the cladding component 122 to the cushion 50. The second fastening strip 124 is attached to the cladding component 122 by any suitable fastener, such as welding, sewing, gluing, co-extrusion, casting, or the like. In the embodiment where the cladding component 122 is a cladding cover 122, the second fastening strip 124 allows for seamless attachment of the cladding cover 122 to the cushion 50 without an externally visible seam. Suitable fasteners can be applied along a concave surface of the cushion without cutting through the cushion 50.By using the elongated fastening strips 120, 124, adhesives can be dispensed with, which would otherwise produce an audible noise when a load is applied and removed, which is associated with an occupant sitting down and standing up.
[0038] According to one embodiment, the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120 are each based on a similar recyclable material, such as a thermoplastic resin based on polyamide, polyester, polyimide, polyolefin, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, or combinations thereof; a polyethylene-based filament fabric element can, for example, be made of linear low-density polyethylene (LLPDE). These similar materials do not require adhesives and allow for recycling. The second fastening strip 124 can also be formed from a similar recyclable material. Furthermore, the cladding component 122 can also be formed from a similar recyclable material.
[0039] As from the Fig. 3 and Fig. As can be seen from Figure 4, the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120 are at least partially connected to each other along the mating surfaces 126, 128 between the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120. A plurality of welds 130 are formed at least partially along the mating surfaces 126, 128 of the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120. The welds 130 can be formed at least partially through the cushion 50, as shown in Figure 4. Fig. 4 shown.
[0040] The welds 130 of the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120 join to form a strong, homogeneous bond. When the first fastening strip 120 is configured as a hook-and-loop fastener strip, sufficient fastening strip material remains around the welds 130 so that the hook material easily connects with the loop material.
[0041] In Fig. In Figure 6, the cushion 50 and the fastening strip 120 are stacked on top of each other. The mating surfaces 126, 128 of the cushion 50 and the fastening strip 120 are in contact. A cutting tool 132 is used to cut an opening 134 in the cushion 50. The cutting tool 132 is schematically represented as scissors. However, the cutting tool 132 can be any suitable type of tool, such as a blade, a knife, a hot knife, a saw, a fluid jet, or the like. The cutting tool 132 can be provided in the cutting subsystem of the manufacturing system 60. Alternatively, the cutting tool 132 can also be provided in a subsequent or separate manufacturing operation.
[0042] In Fig. The opening 134 is formed as a slot 134 through a base surface 136 of the cushion 50, which is spaced apart from the mating surface 126. The slot 134 is formed with a blind depth 138, which is spaced apart from the mating surface 126. The distance of the blind depth 138 from the mating surface is a dimension suitable for welding the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120. Furthermore, the slot 134 is dimensioned to accommodate part of a welding tool 140 for carrying out the welding process.
[0043] Fig. Figure 7 shows the cushion 50 stacked on the first fastening strip 120. The cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120 are located beneath the welding tool 140. The welding tool 140 can be operated automatically or manually. According to one embodiment, the welding tool 140 is an ultrasonic welding tool 140. Any welding tool 140 can be used, e.g., a heated welding tool or a friction stir welding tool. The welding tool 140 includes a welding arm 142 with a welding tip 144 at the distal end of the welding arm 142.
[0044] In Fig. 8 The welding arm 142 with the welding tip 144 extends into the slot 134 in the base surface 136 and contacts the blind depth 138 of the cushion 50. According to one embodiment, the welding tip 144 can be used to compress part of the cushion 50 to improve the contact between the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120. The welding tip 144 is also vibrated ultrasonically under the pressure of the welding arm 142 to generate friction between the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120 and to weld the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120 at the mating surfaces 126, 128.
[0045] In Fig. 9. The mating surfaces 126, 128 of the cushion 50 and the first fastening strip 120 are cooled to solidify and form the weld 130. The welding arm 142 is retracted to allow the cushion 50 to expand as a welded cushion 50. The weld 130 has a uniform depth, e.g., a number of threads 52 extending beyond the mating surface 128. The number of threads 52 can be up to three threads 52 or two millimeters, to name just a few examples. The uniform depth of the weld 130 is more repeatable than an adhesive, which often drips beyond the mating surfaces and creates a denser and inconsistent bond across the lower mating surface. By eliminating adhesives, the cushion 50 is formed from a uniform material, which simplifies recyclability. Furthermore, the weld seam 130 provides a flexibility that is less rigid compared to a comparable adhesive bond.
[0046] The welded cushion 50 provides a lightweight, sustainable comfort solution for seat assemblies 10, reducing vehicle weight while supporting the seat occupant to lower costs and improve fuel efficiency. The threads 52 of the cushion 50 provide a reduced surface area for joining. However, by compressing and / or welding the cushion 50, the density and area of the mating surfaces 126 are increased to create the weld 130, which is stronger than adhesives in application tests, such as shear strength. Although a cushion 50 and a fastening strip 120 are shown welded together, any number of cushions 50, parts or segments 50, and fastening strips 120, as well as any number of welds 130, can be used to manufacture various cushions 50.
[0047] According to another embodiment, the opening 134 can be sealed by welding, gluing, or similar means. The sealed opening 134 can be used to return the cushion 50 to a fixed configuration similar to the configuration before the cutting process. Fig. 6 corresponds.
[0048] Various parameters of the welding process can be varied for different specifications or applications. For example, the power, voltage, and current of the welding tool 140 can be adjusted to modify the weld quality 130. The proximity of the contact point between the welding tip 144 and the pad 50, as well as the pressure exerted on the pad 50 by extending the welding arm 142, can also influence the weld quality 130. The welding time 130 can also be varied to adjust the quality. The welding tip 144's frequency can be varied to further modify the weld quality. Additionally, the shape of the welding tip 144 can be adjusted to create a surface weld, a spot weld, or similar weld types.
[0049] Various configurations of the cushion mating surface 126 can be used to assemble different configurations. For example, the cushion mating surface 126 can include a skin layer. Furthermore, the weld seam 130 can be varied by changing the material of the cushion 50, the area of the mating surfaces 126, 128, or the number of weld seams 130. Various materials can include polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, thermoplastic polyester elastomer, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyoxymethylene, or similar materials.
[0050] According to a first clause, alone or in combination with any of the subsequent clauses, a cushion is provided with a filament fabric element comprising a set of filaments made of thermoplastic material, each element of the set of filaments being looped and connected to at least one other element of the set of filaments. A fastening strip is welded to the filament fabric element.
[0051] According to a second clause, the cushion is provided from one of the preceding or subsequent clauses, the fastening means comprising a hook closure or a loop closure.
[0052] According to a third clause, the cushion is provided from one of the preceding or subsequent clauses, the fastening means further comprising a hook closure.
[0053] According to a fourth clause, the cushion is provided according to one of the preceding or subsequent clauses, wherein the fastening means is further defined as a first fastening means and wherein the cushion is further provided with a second fastening means which is attached to the first fastening means.
[0054] According to a fifth clause, the cushion is provided from one of the preceding or subsequent clauses, the second fastening means further comprising a loop closure.
[0055] According to a sixth clause, the cushion of one of the preceding or subsequent clauses is provided with a trim component attached to the second fastener.
[0056] According to a seventh clause, the cushion of one of the preceding or subsequent clauses is provided with a cladding cover that is at least partially arranged over an outside of the filament fabric element.
[0057] According to an eighth clause, the cushion is provided according to one of the preceding or subsequent clauses, wherein the fastening element and the filament fabric element each comprise a similar recyclable material.
[0058] According to a ninth clause, the cushion is provided according to one of the preceding or subsequent clauses, wherein an opening is formed in a first surface of the filament fabric element spaced apart from the fastening means.
[0059] According to a tenth clause, a seat assembly with a seat frame is provided, and the cushion of one of the preceding or subsequent clauses is provided, which is attached to the frame.
[0060] According to an eleventh clause, the seat assembly of the preceding clause is further provided, wherein the fastening strip is further defined as a first fastening means. The cushion is further provided with a second fastening means attached to the first fastening means. The seat assembly is further provided with a trim component attached to the second fastening means. The trim component is further provided with a trim cover that is arranged at least partially over an outer surface of the filament fabric element. The trim cover at least partially covers the seat frame.
[0061] According to a twelfth clause, a cushion is provided, alone or in combination with any of the preceding or subsequent clauses. A filament fabric element is provided with a plurality of filaments made of thermoplastic material, each element of the set of filaments being looped and connected to at least one other element of the set of filaments, forming an opening in a first surface of the filament fabric element. A support body is welded to the filament fabric element at a second surface spaced apart from the first surface.
[0062] According to a thirteenth clause, the cushion is provided from one of the preceding or subsequent clauses, the opening being formed in a blind depth.
[0063] According to a fourteenth clause, the cushion is provided according to one of the preceding or subsequent clauses, with the blind depth spaced away from the support body.
[0064] According to a fifteenth clause, the pillow is provided from one of the preceding or subsequent clauses, with the opening being shaped as a slit.
[0065] According to a sixteenth clause, the cushion is provided in accordance with one of the preceding clauses, with the opening sealed.
[0066] According to a seventeenth clause, a method is provided by forming a filament fabric element with a set of filaments made of thermoplastic material, wherein each element of the set of filaments is looped and connected to at least one other element of the set of filaments, and wherein an opening is formed in a first face of the filament fabric element. A welding tool is inserted into the opening of the filament fabric element. A region of the filament fabric element is welded.
[0067] According to an eighteenth clause, the procedure of one of the preceding or subsequent clauses is provided in which a support body is welded to the area of the filament fabric element.
[0068] According to a nineteenth clause, the procedure of one of the preceding or subsequent clauses is provided by withdrawing the welding tool after welding the filament fabric element.
[0069] According to a twentieth clause, a seat cushion is formed according to the procedure of one of the preceding clauses.
[0070] Although various embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms according to the disclosure. In this respect, the words used in the description are descriptive rather than limiting, and it is understood that various modifications can be made without deviating from the essence and scope of the disclosure. Furthermore, the features of various parameters implementing embodiments can be combined to form further shapes according to the disclosure.
Claims
[1] Including a pillow: a filament fabric element comprising a set of filaments made of thermoplastic material, wherein each element of the set of filaments is looped and connected to at least one other element of the set of filaments; and a fastening strip that is welded to the filament fabric element. [2] The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the fastening strip comprises a hook closure or a loop closure. [3] The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the fastening strip further comprises a hook closure. [4] The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the fastening strip is further defined as a first fastening strip, and wherein the cushion further comprises a second fastening strip which is attached to the first fastening strip. [5] The cushion according to claim 4, wherein the second fastening strip further comprises a loop closure strip. [6] The cushion according to claim 4, further comprising a covering component which is attached to the second fastening strip. [7] The cushion according to claim 6, wherein the covering component further comprises a covering cover which is arranged at least partially over an outer surface of the filament fabric element. [8] The cushion according to claim 1, wherein the fastening strip and the filament fabric element each comprise a similar recyclable material. [9] The cushion according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed in a first surface of the filament fabric element spaced apart from the fastening strip. [10] A seating assembly comprising: a seat frame; and the cushion according to claim 1, which is attached to the frame. [11] The seat assembly according to claim 10, wherein the fastening strip is further defined as a first fastening strip; wherein the cushion further comprises a second fastening strip which is attached to the first fastening strip; wherein the seat assembly further comprises a trim component which is attached to the second mounting strip; wherein the fairing component further comprises a fairing cover which is arranged at least partially over an outer surface of the filament fabric element; and wherein the fairing cover at least partially covers the seat frame. [12] Including a pillow: a filament fabric element comprising a plurality of filaments made of thermoplastic material, wherein each element of the set of filaments is looped and connected to at least one other element of the set of filaments, and wherein an opening is formed in a first surface of the filament fabric element; and a support body which is welded to the filament fabric element on a second surface that is spaced apart from the first surface. [13] The cushion according to claim 12, wherein the opening is formed to a blind depth. [14] The cushion according to claim 13, wherein the blind depth is spaced apart from the support body. [15] The pillow according to claim 12, wherein the opening is shaped as a slit. [16] The cushion according to claim 12, wherein the opening is sealed. [17] A procedure encompassing: Forms of a filament fabric element comprising a set of filaments made of thermoplastic material, wherein each element of the set of filaments is looped and connected to at least one other element of the set of filaments, and wherein an opening is formed in a first surface of the filament fabric element; and Inserting a welding tool into the opening of the filament fabric element; and Welding of an area of the filament fabric element. [18] The method according to claim 17, further comprising welding a support body to the area of the filament fabric element. [19] The method according to claim 17, further comprising retracting the welding tool after welding the filament fabric element. [20] A seat cushion shaped according to the method of claim 17.