FOLDABLE SEAT FRAME STRUT

Abstract

The system comprises a seat with a seat frame and a backrest with a backrest frame that pivots through the seat frame. The system also includes a seat frame strut that is movable between a stowed and an unfolded configuration. The seat frame strut includes a rear section comprising a first end section and a second end section coupled to the backrest frame. An actuator is coupled to the seat frame and can be operated to move the first end section in the seat-rearward direction to position the seat frame strut in the unfolded configuration.

Description

AREA OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] This disclosure concerns a seat belt assembly in vehicles. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] A vehicle may include a seat and a seat belt assembly. The seat may include a backrest and a seat cushion that can support an occupant. For example, the occupant may sit on the top of the seat cushion and lean against the backrest. The seat belt assembly may, in a controlled manner under certain conditions, include a seat belt retractor and a webbing that can be retracted from the retractor. The seat belt assembly may include an anchor point coupled to the webbing and a buckle tongue that engages a buckle. The seat belt assembly may be located adjacent to a seat in the vehicle. The webbing may extend continuously from the seat belt retractor to the anchor point. For example, one end of the webbing leads into the seat belt retractor, and the other end of the webbing is attached to the anchor point.The seat and seat belt assembly can work together to control occupant kinematics in the event of certain vehicle impacts. In some examples, the seat belt assembly can be a seat integrated restraint (SIR), in which various components of the seat belt assembly, such as the retractor, webbing guide, and / or anchorage, are supported by the seat. SUMMARY

[0003] A seating system comprises a seat surface, which has a seat frame, and a backrest, which has a backrest frame that is pivotally supported by the seat frame. A seat frame strut is movable between a stowed configuration and an unfolded configuration. The seat frame strut includes a rear link having a first end section and a second end section coupled to the backrest frame. An actuator is coupled to the seat frame and can be operated to move the first end section in the seat-rearward direction to position the seat frame strut in the unfolded configuration.

[0004] The actuator can be a linear actuator positioned to extend when activated in the backward direction of the seat.

[0005] The linear actuator can be retracted in the stowed configuration and extended in the unfolded configuration.

[0006] The linear actuator can be attached to the seat frame.

[0007] The first end section of the rear link can be pivotably and slidably coupled to the linear actuator.

[0008] The system may include a locking mechanism that can be operated to lock the rear link and actuator in their position when the unfolded configuration is achieved.

[0009] The actuator may include a channel attached to the seat frame, a rod slidably arranged in the channel and coupled to the first end section, and a cylinder supported by the rod and positioned to extend the rod when actuated in the backward direction of the seat.

[0010] The system may include a locking mechanism positioned to extend into the channel to lock the rod and rear link in position when the unfolded configuration is achieved.

[0011] The system may include a webbing guide that is mounted to the backrest frame.

[0012] The seat frame brace can be coupled to the backrest frame on the same side as the webbing guide.

[0013] The system may include a second seat frame strut that is coupled to one side of the backrest frame opposite the webbing guide.

[0014] The system may include a safety belt assembly that is supported by the backrest frame.

[0015] An anchor point for the safety belt assembly can be positioned between the seat surface frame and the seat frame strut.

[0016] The first end section can be positioned behind the seat relative to the backrest pivot axis when the seat frame strut is in the unfolded configuration.

[0017] The system may include a processor and a storage device on which instructions are stored that can be executed by the processor to activate the actuator in response to certain vehicle impacts, to move the seat frame strut into the unfolded configuration and to counteract a forward movement of the backrest relative to the seat surface.

[0018] The actuator can be a pyrotechnic device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. Figure 1A is a side view of a section of a vehicle that includes a seat having a foldable seat frame strut in a stowed configuration. Fig. 1B is a side view of the seat in Fig. 1A with the foldable seat frame strut in an unfolded configuration. Fig. Figure 2 is an enlarged partial side view of the deployable seat frame strut in the stowed configuration. Fig. Figure 3 is an enlarged partial side view of the unfoldable seat frame strut in an unfolded configuration. Fig. 4A is a side view of a linear actuator and a locking mechanism. Fig. 4B is a top view of the linear actuator and the locking mechanism located in Fig. 4A are shown. Fig. Figure 5 is a block diagram of a system of the vehicle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] With reference to the figures, in which the same reference numerals denote the same features in the different views, an example of a seating system having a foldable seat frame strut 50 may include a seat assembly 14 with a seat surface 24 having a seat surface frame 28, and a backrest 22 having a backrest frame 26 which is pivotably supported by the seat surface frame 28. The seat frame strut 50 is located between a stowed configuration ( Fig. 1A) and an unfolded configuration ( Fig. 1B) movable. The seat frame strut includes a rear link 54, which has a first end section 56 coupled to an actuator 60, and a second end section 58 coupled to the backrest frame 26. The seat frame strut 50 also includes the actuator 60, which is coupled to the seat surface frame 28 and is operable to move the first end section 56 in a seat-reverse direction SR in order to position the seat frame strut 50 in the unfolded configuration, thereby counteracting movement of the backrest 22 in a seat-forward direction SF.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 1A The vehicle 10 can be any suitable type of land vehicle, e.g., a passenger car or a commercial vehicle, such as a sedan, a coupé, a truck, an SUV, a crossover, a van, a minivan, a taxi, a bus, etc. The vehicle 10 can define a passenger compartment 12 for accommodating occupants of the vehicle 10, if present. The passenger compartment 12 can extend through the vehicle 10, e.g., from one left side of the vehicle 10 to one right side of the vehicle 10. The passenger compartment 12 includes a front end and a rear end, with the front end being located in front of the rear end during forward movement of the vehicle 10.

[0021] One or more seats, such as seat 14, can be supported in the passenger compartment 12, for example, by a floor of the vehicle 10. Each seat 14 includes a backrest 22 and a seat surface 24 that can support the occupant of seat 14. For example, the occupant of seat 14 can sit on the upper surface of the seat surface 24 and lean against the backrest 22. While the seat 14 shown in the figures is in the front driver's position, the disclosed technology can be applied to any seat in the vehicle.

[0022] The backrest 22 can include a backrest frame 26. The backrest frame 26 can include tubes, beams, etc. In particular, the backrest frame 26 can include a pair of upright frame elements 29. The upright frame elements 29 are elongated and are, in particular, elongated in a generally upright direction (e.g., along a vertical axis of the seat) when the backrest 22 is in a generally upright position. The upright frame elements 29 are spaced apart from each other in a transverse direction of the vehicle. The backrest frame 26 can include one or more transverse elements that extend between the upright frame elements 29.

[0023] The seat surface 24 has a front end and a rear end. The front end is located in the forward direction of seating SF in front of the rear end. The seat surface 24 may include a seat surface frame 28. The frame 28 may include tubes, beams, etc. In particular, the seat surface frame 28 may include a pair of frame elements that extend in the forward direction of seating, e.g., between the front end and the rear end of the seat surface 24. The seat surface frame 28 may include transverse elements that extend between the frame elements. The seat surface frame 28 may include a seat shell. The seat shell may generally be flat and extend from one of the frame elements to the other. The seat shell may be attached to the frame elements.

[0024] The backrest frame 26 and the seat frame 28 can be made of any suitable plastic material, e.g., carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), glass fiber reinforced thermoplastic composite (organosheet), etc. Alternatively, some or all components of the backrest frame 26 and the seat frame 28 can be made of a suitable metal, e.g., steel, aluminum, etc. The backrest 22 and the seat 24 can include suitable covers. The covers can include a cover and padding. The cover can be made of fabric, leather, imitation leather, or any other suitable material. The cover can be sewn in panels around the frames. The padding can be located between the cover and the frames. The padding can be made of foam or any other suitable material.

[0025] The backrest 22 is supported at its rear end by the seat surface 24. The seat surface 24 extends from the backrest 22 in the forward direction SF of the seat 14. The rear end is proximal to the backrest 22 and the front end is distal to the backrest 22. The backrest 22 can be stationary or movable relative to the seat surface 24. In one example, the backrest 22 is pivotably supported by the seat surface 24 and can be selectively pivoted into a desired position by an occupant of the seat 14. In such an example, the backrest 22 is pivotable about a pivot axis A relative to the seat surface 24. Fig. 1B). The backrest 22 and the seat 24 can be adjustable in several degrees of freedom. In particular, the backrest 22 and the seat 24 can themselves be adjustable, or in other words, can be adjustable components within the backrest 22 and / or the seat 24, and / or can be adjustable relative to each other. The backrest 22 can be selectively pivotable about the pivot axis A and selectively locked in its position relative to the pivot axis A by any suitable mechanism, including mechanical and / or electronic components and, in some examples, including mechanisms currently known.

[0026] The seat 14 can include a headrest 30. The headrest 30 can be supported by the backrest 22. The headrest 30 can be located at the upper end of the backrest 22. The headrest 30 can be stationary or movable relative to the backrest 22. The backrest 22 and the headrest 30 can be adjustable in multiple degrees of freedom. In particular, the backrest 22 and / or the headrest 30 can be independently adjustable and / or adjustable relative to each other. The processes, systems, and procedures described herein should always be implemented and / or carried out in accordance with applicable owner / user instructions and / or safety guidelines.

[0027] A seat belt assembly 32 is assigned to each seat 14. The seat belt assembly 32 can include a retractor 36 and a webbing 34. The webbing 34 can be retracted and unrolled from the retractor 36. The seat belt assembly 32 can include an anchor (not visible) that is fixed to the webbing 34 and a buckle tongue (not visible) that engages in a buckle (not visible). The webbing 34 can extend continuously from the retractor 36 through a webbing guide 38 and to the anchor. The buckle tongue can slide freely along the webbing 34 and divide the webbing 34 into a lap belt and a shoulder belt when it engages in the buckle. The webbing 34 can be made of fabric, e.g., polyester.

[0028] The seat belt assembly 32 can be a seat-integrated restraint device (SIR) in which various components of the seat belt assembly 32, e.g., the retractor 36 and the webbing guide 38, are supported by the backrest frame 26. For example, the frame of the retractor 36 can be attached to the frame 26 of the backrest 22 by a weld, a fastener, or another suitable structure. The retractor 36 can be supported by the backrest 22 at its upper end, as shown. It is considered that future regulatory and technical developments may allow the safe and permissible use of seats that can be selectively rotated into different facing positions, and in such examples, the seat belt assembly 32 can be an SIR.

[0029] As a result of certain vehicle impacts, the occupant may pull on the seat belt 34, which is attached to the backrest 22 via the belt guide 38 and the retractor 36. This exerts forces on the backrest 22 that tend to pivot and / or twist it relative to the seat surface 24 in a forward direction. In response to certain vehicle impacts, the seat frame brace 50 moves from its stowed configuration to its deployed configuration, thus counteracting any forward movement of the backrest 22. In one example, the seat frame brace 50 may be mounted on the same side of the seat 14 as the belt guide 38, attached to the seat frames 26 and 28. In other examples, the seat frame braces 50 may be mounted on both sides of the seat frames 26 and 28.In other words, a second seat frame strut 50 can be coupled to the backrest frame 26 and the seat surface frame 28 on one side of the seat frames 26 and 28 opposite the belt guide 38.

[0030] With reference to Fig. 1B is the seat frame strut 50 between the stowed configuration ( Fig. 1A) and an unfolded configuration ( Fig. 1B) movable. The seat frame strut 50 includes a rear link 54 having a first end section 56 and a second end section 58. The second end section 58 can be coupled to the backrest frame 26. The second end section 58 of the rear link 54 can be pivotally mounted to the upright frame element 29 by any suitable hardware, such as a mounting screw 64. The seat frame strut 50 also includes an actuator 60, which is coupled to the seat surface frame 28 and can be operated to move the first end section 56 in a seat-reverse direction SR to position the seat frame strut 50 in the unfolded configuration, thus counteracting movement of the backrest 22 in a seat-forward direction SF. In an example, the seat frame strut 50, i.e.The actuator 60 and the rear link 54 exhibit tensile and / or bending strength greater than the forces against the backrest 22 expected in certain vehicle impacts. The first end section 56 is positioned behind the backrest pivot axis A on the seat when the seat frame strut 50 is in the unfolded configuration. Positioning the first end section 56 behind the backrest pivot axis A increases the strength of the seat frame strut with respect to a forward movement of the backrest 22.

[0031] The seat frame brace 50 can be concealed by a cover 42, e.g., the upholstery of the seat surface 24 and the backrest 22. In other words, the seat frame brace 50 can be located between the frames 26 and 28 of the seat 14 and the upholstery of the seat 14. The cover 42 can include a tear seam (no reference numeral) associated with the seat frame brace 50. The seat frame brace 50 can extend through the tear seam when unfolded. The tear seam can be designed to tear open when subjected to a tensile force above a threshold value. In other words, the cover 42 on one side of the tear seam separates from the cover 42 on the other side of the tear seam when the force exceeds the threshold value. The threshold value can be chosen to exceed forces such as those that, for example,caused by accidental pressure against the seat by an occupant, but is subject to forces generated by the unfolding of the seat frame strut 50. The tear seam could, for example, be a perforation line through the cover 42, a line with thinner cover material than in the rest of the cover 42, etc.

[0032] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 2, the actuator 60 can be attached to the seat frame 28 via a weld, a fastener (such as bolts 66 and 68), or another suitable structure. The actuator 60 is retracted in the stowed configuration, as shown in Figure 2. Fig. 2 shown, and extended in the unfolded configuration, as in Fig. Figure 3 shows that the first end section 56 of the rear link 54 is pivotally and slidably coupled to the actuator 60. For example, suitable hardware, such as a nut-bolt assembly 72, can couple the actuator 60 to a slot 74 formed in the rear link 54. When the backrest 22 is pivoted forward or backward relative to the seat surface 24 (i.e., reclined), the rear link 54 can rotate about the nut-bolt assembly 72 and, if necessary, slide along the slot 74 relative to the actuator 60.

[0033] With reference to Fig. 3. The actuator 60 is a linear actuator positioned to extend in the seat-rearing direction when actuated. The first end section 56 is positioned behind the backrest pivot axis A on the seat when the seat frame strut 50 is in the unfolded configuration. Positioning the first end section 56 behind the backrest pivot axis A increases the rigidity of the seat frame strut with respect to a forward movement of the backrest 22. The actuator 60 can be a magnetic coil device, a pyrotechnic device, a pneumatic device, a hydraulic device, or another suitable actuator. The seat strut can include a locking mechanism 70 that can be operated to lock the rear link 54 and the actuator 60 in their position when the unfolded configuration is reached.

[0034] With reference to the Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B, the actuator 60 can be a linear actuator that includes a channel 76 which is attached to the seat frame 28, for example, by bolts 66 and 68. A rod 78 is slidably arranged in the channel 76 and coupled to the first end section 56 by the nut-bolt assembly 72 ( Fig. 3) The nut-bolt assembly 72 can extend through the slot 74 and an opening 82 formed by the rod 78, thereby pivotably and slidably coupling the rod 78 to the first end section 56 of the rear member 54.

[0035] In one example, a cylinder 80 is supported by the rod 78 and positioned such that, when actuated, it extends the rod 78 in the seat-reversing direction. The cylinder 80 may have a cylindrically shaped cylinder section 81 secured within the rod 78. The rod 78 may have a rectangular shape to facilitate its sliding engagement with the channel 76. A rod end 84 of the cylinder 80 may, for example, be attached to the channel 76 and / or the seat frame 28 by means of the fastening element 66. As noted above, the cylinder 80 may be a solenoid device, a pyrotechnic device, a pneumatic device, a hydraulic device, or another suitable actuator.

[0036] In one example, the locking pin 70 can be in the form of a pin positioned in a pocket 77 (e.g., a countersunk hole) formed in the channel 76. The locking pin 70 can be biased against the rod 78 by an elastic element, such as a compression spring 71. When actuated, the rod 78 can slide in the channel 76 in the seat-reverse direction SR, and as the rod 78 moves past the locking pin 70, the locking pin extends into the channel 76 to lock the rod 78 and the rear link 54 in position when they reach the extended configuration. In particular, the locking mechanism prevents axial sliding between the actuator rod 78 and the channel 76 in order to lock the rod 78, the actuator 60 and the rear link 54 in the unfolded configuration after the rod 78 and the rear link 54 have moved from the stowed configuration to the unfolded configuration.

[0037] With reference to Fig. The system can include the seat assembly 14 and the foldable seat frame strut 50, as well as a computer 90, a network 98, and various sensors, including an occupancy sensor 92, a seat belt buckle sensor 94, and an impact sensor 96. The vehicle 10 can include an occupancy sensor 92 configured to detect whether the seat 14 is occupied. The occupancy sensor 92 can include visible light or infrared cameras directed at the seat, weight sensors embedded in the seat surface 24, or another suitable structure, including those conventionally known. The occupancy sensor 92 provides data to the computer 90 indicating whether the seat 14 is occupied or unoccupied.

[0038] The vehicle 10 can include a seat belt buckle sensor 94 that detects the engagement of the buckle tongue of the seat belt assembly 32 with the seat belt buckle. The seat belt buckle sensor 94 can include a switch, a contact sensor, a Hall effect sensor, or any other suitable structure for detecting the engagement of the buckle tongue with the seat belt buckle, including conventional structures. The seat belt buckle sensor 94 provides data to the computer 90 indicating whether the buckle tongue is engaged in or disengaged from the seat belt buckle.

[0039] The vehicle 10 can include at least one impact sensor 96 for detecting certain vehicle impacts (e.g., impacts of a certain magnitude, direction, etc.). The vehicle computer 90 can activate the actuator 60, e.g., supply power to a magnetic coil or provide a pulse to a pyrotechnic charge, when the impact sensor 96 detects certain vehicle impacts. Alternatively or in addition to detecting certain vehicle impacts, the impact sensor 96 can be configured to detect certain vehicle impacts before the impact, i.e., pre-impact detection.

[0040] The impact sensor 96 is configured to detect certain vehicle impacts. In other words, a "certain vehicle impact" is an impact of the type and / or severity for which the seat frame strut 50 is designed to activate; that is, "certain" indicates the type and / or severity of the impact. The type and / or severity of such "certain vehicle impacts" may be pre-stored in the computer 90, e.g., a restraint control module and / or a body control module. The impact sensor 96 may be of any suitable type, for example, post-impact sensors such as accelerometers, pressure sensors, and contact switches; and pre-impact sensors such as radar, LiDAR, and vision systems. The vision systems may include one or more cameras, CCD image sensors, CMOS image sensors, etc. The impact sensor 96 may be located at numerous points in or on the vehicle 10.

[0041] The vehicle 10 may include a communication network 98. The communication network 98 includes hardware, such as a communication bus, to enable communication between vehicle components, e.g., the computer 90, the occupancy sensor 92, the seatbelt buckle sensor 94, the impact sensor 96, the actuators 60, etc. The communication network 98 may enable wired or wireless communication between the vehicle components in accordance with a number of communication protocols, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN), Ethernet, WiFi, Local Interconnect Network (LIN), and / or other wired or wireless mechanisms. Alternatively or additionally, in cases where the computer 90 comprises a plurality of devices, the communication network 98 may be used for communication between devices referred to in this disclosure as the computer 90.

[0042] Computer 90 can be a microprocessor-based computer implemented using circuits, chips, or other electronic components. Computer 90 includes a processor, a memory device, and so on. The memory of Computer 90 can include storage for programming instructions executable by the processor, as well as for electronic storage of data and / or databases. For example, Computer 90 can be a general-purpose computer with a processor and memory as described above, and / or include an electronic control unit (ECU) or a controller for a specific function or set of functions, and / or a dedicated electronic circuit containing an ASIC manufactured for a specific operation, such as an ASIC for processing sensor data and / or communicating sensor data. As another example, Computer 90 can be a restraint control module.In another example, the Computer 90 might include an FPGA (field-programmable gate array), which is an integrated circuit manufactured to be user-configurable. Typically, a hardware description language such as VHDL (Very High-Speed ​​Integrated Circuit Hardware Description Language) is used in the electronic design to describe digital systems and mixed-signal systems, such as FPGAs and ASICs. For example, an ASIC is manufactured using VHDL programming provided prior to fabrication, whereas logic components within an FPGA might be configured based on VHDL programming, for example, stored in memory electrically connected to the FPGA circuitry.In some examples, the computer 90 may include a combination of processor(s), ASIC(s), and / or FPGA circuitry. The memory can be of any type, such as hard disk drives, solid-state drives, servers, or any volatile or non-volatile media. The memory can store the data collected and sent by the sensors.

[0043] The computer 90 is programmed to store instructions that can be executed by the processor to command the actuator 60, for example, to move the first end section 56 in a seat-reverse direction SR in order to move the seat frame strut 50 into the deployed configuration. The computer 90 can deploy the seat frame strut 50 by supplying power to a solenoid, a pulse to a pyrotechnic charge, or by actuating a fluid control valve via the communication network 98. The computer 90 can be programmed to deploy the seat frame strut 50 in response to the detection of certain vehicle impacts. Based on information received from the impact sensor 96 via the communication network 98, the computer 90 can determine that a certain vehicle impact has occurred or may occur.

[0044] Based on information received from the occupancy sensor 92 via the communication network 98, the computer 90 can determine that seat 14 is occupied. For example, the computer 90 can be programmed to unfold the seat frame strut 50 in response to the detection of certain vehicle impacts and when the computer 90 has determined that seat 14 is occupied.

[0045] Based on information received from the seat belt buckle sensor 94 via the communication network 98, the computer 90 can determine that the buckle tongue of the seat belt assembly 32 engages the buckle. For example, the computer 90 can be programmed to unfold the seat frame strut 50 in response to the detection of certain vehicle impacts and once the computer 90 has determined that the buckle tongue engages the buckle.

[0046] The computer 90 can determine that the seat assembly 14 is occupied and that the locking tongue of the seat belt assembly 32 engages in the belt buckle. In another example, the computer 90 can be programmed to unfold the seat frame strut 50 in response to the detection of certain vehicle impacts and when the computer 90 has determined that the seat 14 is occupied and the locking tongue engages in the belt buckle.

[0047] Computing devices, such as the Computer 90, generally contain computer-executable instructions, which may be executable by one or more computing devices, such as those listed above. Computer-executable instructions may be assembled or evaluated by computer programs created using a variety of programming languages ​​and / or technologies. In general, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions, for example, from memory, a computer-readable medium, etc., and executes these instructions, thereby carrying out one or more processes that include one or more of the processes described herein. Such instructions and other data may be stored and transmitted using a variety of computer-readable media.

[0048] A computer-readable medium (also designated as a processor-readable medium) comprises any non-transient (e.g., physical) medium involved in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer (e.g., by a computer's processor). Such a medium can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile and volatile media. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical disks or magnetic disks and other permanent storage devices. Volatile media can include, for example, dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), which is typically main memory.

[0049] The adverb "approximately", which modifies a value or result, means that a form, structure, measurement, value, determination, calculation, etc., may deviate from a precisely described geometry, distance, measurement, value, determination, calculation, etc., due to deficiencies in materials, processing, manufacturing, sensor measurements, calculations, processing time, communication time, etc.

[0050] The numerical adjectives “first”, “second”, etc. are used in this text as identifiers and do not indicate any meaning, order, or quantity.

[0051] The use of “in response to”, “based on” and “in determining” in this text indicates a causal relationship and not merely a purely temporal one.

[0052] The revelation has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is understood that the terminology used is intended to be descriptive and not restrictive. In light of the foregoing teachings, many modifications and variations of the present revelation are possible, and the revelation can be implemented differently than specifically described.

[0053] According to the present invention, a system is provided comprising: a seat surface having a seat surface frame, and a backrest having a backrest frame pivotably supported by the seat surface frame; and a seat frame strut movable between a stowed configuration and an unfolded configuration, the seat frame strut comprising: a rear member with a first end section and a second end section coupled to the backrest frame; and an actuator coupled to the seat surface frame and operable to move the first end section in the seat-rearward direction in order to move the seat frame strut into the unfolded configuration.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the actuator is a linear actuator positioned to extend when actuated in the backward direction of the seat.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the linear actuator is retracted in the stowed configuration and extended in the unfolded configuration.

[0056] According to one embodiment, the linear actuator is attached to the seat frame.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the first end section of the rear link is pivotably and slidably coupled to the linear actuator.

[0058] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a locking mechanism that can be operated to lock the rear link and the actuator in their position when the unfolded configuration is achieved.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the actuator includes a channel that is attached to the seat frame; a rod that is slidably arranged in the channel and coupled to the first end section; and a cylinder that is supported by the rod and positioned to extend the rod when actuated in the backward direction of the seat.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a locking mechanism positioned to extend into the channel in order to lock the rod and the rear link in their position when the unfolded configuration is achieved.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a webbing guide which is mounted on the backrest frame.

[0062] According to one embodiment, the seat frame strut is coupled to the backrest frame on the same side as the webbing guide.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a second seat frame strut which is coupled to a side of the backrest frame opposite the webbing guide.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a safety belt assembly which is supported by the backrest frame.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the safety belt assembly is anchored between the seat surface frame and the seat frame strut.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the first end section is positioned rearward of the backrest pivot axis when the seat frame strut is in the unfolded configuration.

[0067] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a processor and a storage device on which instructions are stored that can be executed by the processor to activate the actuator in response to certain vehicle impacts, to move the seat frame strut into the unfolded configuration and to counteract a forward movement of the backrest relative to the seat surface.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the actuator includes a channel that is attached to the seat frame; a rod that is slidably arranged in the channel and coupled to the first end section; and a cylinder that is supported by the rod and positioned to extend the rod when actuated in the backward direction of the seat.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a locking mechanism positioned to extend into the channel in order to lock the rod and the rear link in their position when the unfolded configuration is achieved.

[0070] According to one embodiment, the invention is further characterized by a locking mechanism that can be operated to lock the rear link and the actuator in their position when the unfolded configuration is achieved.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the actuator is a pyrotechnic device.

[0072] According to one embodiment, the first end section of the rear link is pivotably and slidably coupled to the actuator.

Claims

[1] System, comprising the following: a seat having a seat frame and a backrest having a backrest frame which is pivotably supported by the seat frame; and a seat frame brace that is movable between a stowed configuration and an unfolded configuration, wherein the seat frame brace includes the following: a rear link comprising a first end section and a second end section coupled to the backrest frame; and an actuator coupled to the seat frame and operable to move the first end section in the seat-reverse direction in order to position the seat frame strut in the unfolded configuration. [2] System according to claim 1, wherein the actuator is a linear actuator positioned to extend when actuated in the seat-reversing direction. [3] System according to claim 2, wherein the linear actuator is retracted in the stowed configuration and extended in the unfolded configuration. [4] System according to claim 2, wherein the linear actuator is attached to the seat frame. [5] System according to claim 4, wherein the first end section of the rear member is pivotably and slidably coupled to the linear actuator. [6] System according to claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism operable to lock the rear member and the actuator in their position when the unfolded configuration is achieved. [7] System according to claim 1, wherein the actuator includes a channel attached to the seat frame; a rod slidably arranged in the channel and coupled to the first end section; and a cylinder supported by the rod and positioned to extend the rod when actuated in the seat-reversing direction. [8] System according to claim 7, further comprising a locking mechanism positioned to extend into the channel to lock the rod and rear link in their position when the unfolded configuration is achieved. [9] System according to claim 1, further comprising a webbing guide mounted on the backrest frame. [10] System according to claim 9, wherein the seat frame strut is coupled to the backrest frame on the same side as the webbing guide. [11] System according to claim 10, further comprising a second seat frame strut coupled to a side of the backrest frame opposite the webbing guide. [12] System according to claim 1, further comprising a safety belt assembly which is supported by the backrest frame. [13] System according to claim 12, wherein an anchoring of the safety belt assembly is positioned between the seat surface frame and the seat frame strut. [14] System according to claim 1, wherein the first end section is positioned behind the backrest pivot axis on the seat when the seat frame strut is in the unfolded configuration. [15] System according to any one of claims 1 to 14, further comprising a processor and a storage device on which instructions are stored which can be executed by the processor to activate the actuator in response to certain vehicle impacts in order to move the seat frame strut into the unfolded configuration and to counteract a forward movement of the backrest relative to the seat surface.

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