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US 10,293,718 B1Granted
Motion control seating system
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsFilip Ilievski, John J. Baker, Kathryn C. Zhou, Matthew E. Last, Randol W. Aikin, Donald J. Novotney, Stephen P. Zadesky
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A seating system for a vehicle is disclosed. The seating system includes a support surface having a surface contour formed by first springs having fixed stiffness values, a frame, and second springs having adjustable stiffness values coupling the support surface and the frame. The first springs and the second springs together control motion of the support surface in relation to motion of the frame.
Claims20
A seating system for a vehicle, comprising:
- a support surface formed by first springs having fixed stiffness values;
- a frame;
- second springs having adjustable stiffness values and directly coupling the first springs and the frame, wherein the second springs include buckling elements and actuators operable to compress and decompress the buckling elements;
- and
- a control unit operable to send commands to the actuators to adjust the adjustable stiffness values of the second springs by compressing and decompressing the buckling elements, wherein the first springs and the second springs together control motion of the support surface in relation to motion of the frame.
2 more elements
A seating system for a vehicle, comprising:
- first springs forming a support surface;
- a cushion coupled to the support surface and including bolsters having adjustable inflation levels;
- a frame;
- and
- second springs having adjustable stiffness values directly coupling the first springs and the frame,
- wherein the bolsters, the first springs, and the second springs together dampen vibration passed from the frame to a vehicle occupant seated on the support surface.
3 more elements
A seating system for a vehicle, comprising:
- first springs having fixed stiffness values, the first springs extending in parallel to form a support surface of a seat base or a seat back, the first springs having spring surfaces that support a vehicle occupant;
- second springs having adjustable stiffness values, the second springs directly coupling the first springs and a frame;
- a sensor operable to generate an output signal based on at least one of vibration information, vehicle information, occupant information, or external environment information;
- and
- a control unit operable to send a command to adjust the adjustable stiffness values of the second springs based on the output signal from the sensor.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.