Vehicle seat with variable firmness
A vehicle seat includes a frame, a flexible cover, and a material that is sufficiently mounted with respect to the flexible cover such that the material resists displacement of at least part of the flexible cover with respect to the frame. The material is characterized by a first state in which the material is characterized by a first rigidity, and a second state in which the material is characterized by a second rigidity that is greater than the first rigidity. Thus, the firmness of the seat is selectively variable by causing the material to change between the first and second states. A corresponding method is also provided.
1. A seat assembly for installation in a vehicle comprising:
a seat including a frame and a flexible cover;
said flexible cover defining an occupiable surface;
said seat including two bolsters protruding from opposite sides of the occupiable surface;
said flexible cover at least partially defining the outer surfaces of the bolsters; and
material comprising shear thickening fluid and being characterized by a first state in which the material is characterized by a first rigidity and a second state in which the material is characterized by a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity, said material being mounted with respect to the flexible cover such that the material resists displacement of at least part of the outer surfaces of the bolsters with respect to the frame.
2. A vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body defining a passenger compartment;
a vehicle seat mounted with respect to the body and at least partially disposed within the passenger compartment;
said seat including a frame, a flexible cover, and material mounted with respect to the cover to resist displacement of at least part of the cover with respect to the frame; and
said material being characterized by a first state in which the material has a first rigidity and a second state in which the material has a second rigidity greater than the first rigidity;
wherein the material comprises shear thickening fluid;
wherein the vehicle seat includes two seat bolsters spaced laterally apart from one another;
wherein the flexible cover at least partially defines the outer surfaces of the seat bolsters; and
wherein the material is mounted with respect to the flexible cover such that the material resists displacement of at least part of the outer surfaces of the seat bolsters with respect to the frame.