IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,415,447
Granted Patent B2
US 12,415,447 · App. 17/738,473 · Granted Sep 16, 2025

Foldable vehicle seat

Inventors: Uwe Lindenberg (Stadthagen, DE); David Epaud (Lardy, FR); Farouk Bouzid (Bretigny sur Orge, FR)
Assignee: FAURECIA Sièges d'Automobile
B60N2/30B60N2/045B60N2/12B60N2/309
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,415,447
App. No.
17/738,473
Granted
Sep 16, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle seat comprises an underframe; a backrest with a backrest frame; and a flange on each side of the backrest. Each flange is mounted so as to pivot relative to the backrest frame about a first transverse axis, and relative to the underframe about a second transverse axis.

Claims (28)

1. A vehicle seat comprising:

an underframe;

a backrest with a backrest frame; and

a flange, on each side of the backrest,

wherein each flange being mounted so as to pivot relative to the backrest frame about a first transverse axis, and relative to the underframe about a second transverse axis,

the vehicle seat further comprising a seat base with a seat base frame, the seat base frame being attached to the backrest frame so as to pivot relative to the backrest frame about a third transverse axis.

2. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the seat base frame has an “L” shape.

3. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , further comprising a first connecting rod, in order to connect the seat base frame to a seat support, the first connecting rod being mounted so as to pivot relative to the seat base frame about a fourth transverse axis, the first connecting rod further being intended to be mounted so as to pivot relative to the seat support about a fifth transverse axis.

4. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , further comprising two first connecting rods arranged one on each side of the seat, in order to connect the seat base frame to a seat support, each first connecting rod being mounted so as to pivot relative to the seat base frame about a fourth transverse axis, each first connecting rod further being intended to be mounted so as to pivot relative to the seat support about a fifth transverse axis.

5. The vehicle seat of claim 3 , further comprising an actuator for controlling the pivoting of the first connecting rod about the fifth transverse axis.

6. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , comprising a first tilt adjustment device for adjusting the tilt of the backrest frame relative to the flanges about the first transverse axis, and a second tilt adjustment device for adjusting the tilt of the flanges relative to the underframe about the second transverse axis, at least one among the first and the second tilt adjustment devices being capable of being disengaged.

7. The vehicle seat of claim 6 , wherein the first and second tilt adjustment devices are both capable of being disengaged.

8. The vehicle seat of claim 6 , wherein each among the first and second tilt adjustment devices is one among a continuous and discontinuous hinge, able to be disengaged.

9. The vehicle seat of claim 8 , further comprising a single actuating device, suitable for selectively controlling the disengagement of one among the first and second hinges.

10. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , further comprising a second connecting rod, the second connecting rod being mounted so as to pivot relative to the underframe about a sixth transverse axis, and intended to be mounted so as to pivot relative to a seat support about a seventh transverse axis, such that a rotation of the second connecting rod causes a rear end of the seat, to rise relative to a front end of the seat.

11. The vehicle seat of claim 10 , further comprising a third connecting rod, the third connecting rod being mounted so as to pivot relative to the underframe about an eighth transverse axis, and intended to be mounted so as to pivot relative to the seat support about a ninth transverse axis, such that a rotation of the second and third connecting rods causes a rear end of the seat, to rise relative to a front end of the seat.

12. The vehicle seat of claim 1 , wherein the underframe is intended to be mounted so as to pivot relative to the seat support about a tenth transverse axis.

13. The vehicle seat of claim 10 , further comprising a lock intended for locking/unlocking the underframe to/from the seat support.

14. The vehicle seat of claim 12 , further comprising a lock intended for locking/unlocking the underframe to/from the seat support.

15. A vehicle seat assembly, comprising a seat support and the vehicle seat according to claim 1 fixed to the seat support.

16. A motor vehicle comprising a chassis defining a passenger compartment with a floor, and the vehicle seat assembly according to claim 15 , the support of the vehicle seat being fixed to the floor of the passenger compartment or being formed by the floor.

17. A method for folding the vehicle seat according to claim 1 , from a deployed position enabling it to receive an occupant of the seat, to a first folded position, comprising the step of:

folding down the backrest frame to face the seat base frame, by pivoting the backrest frame relative to the flanges about the first transverse axis.

18. A method for folding the vehicle seat according to claim 1 , from a deployed position enabling it to receive an occupant of the seat, to a second folded position, comprising the step of:

folding down the backrest frame to face the seat base frame, by pivoting the backrest frame and the flanges relative to the underframe, about the second transverse axis.

19. A method for transitioning the vehicle seat according to claim 10 , from a deployed position enabling it to receive an occupant of the seat, to an easy entry position facilitating access to seating located behind the seat, the method comprising the step of:

raising the rear of the seat relative to the front of the seat.

20. A method for transitioning the vehicle seat according to claim 12 , from a deployed position enabling it to receive an occupant of the seat, to an easy entry position facilitating access to seating located behind the seat, the method comprising the step of: raising the rear of the seat relative to the front of the seat.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 1, 2023
From: EPAUD, DAVID; BOUZID, FAROUK
To: FAURECIA SIÈGES D'AUTOMOBILE
Reel/Frame 062838/0681 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 2104999 · May 11, 2021 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220363170A1 · Nov 17, 2022
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