Abstract

A vehicle includes a chassis and a seating system. The seating system includes a frame coupled to the chassis, a seat cushion supported by at least one of the frame and a floor of the vehicle, a first recoverable insert configured to provide a first energy attenuation response, and a second recoverable insert configured to provide a second energy attenuation response different than the first energy attenuation response. The seat cushion defines a cavity shaped to interchangeably receive either the first recoverable insert or the second recoverable insert to thereby selectively vary an energy attenuation provided by the seating system.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60N 2/00 - Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
• A47C 7/00 - Parts, details, or accessories of chairs or stools
• A47C 7/02 - Seat parts
• B60N 2/24 - Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles
• B60N 2/42 - Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles for particular purposes or particular vehicles the seat constructed to protect the occupant from the effect of abnormal g-forces, e.g. crash or safety seats
• B60N 2/50 - Seat suspension devices
• B60N 2/90 - Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles - Details or parts not otherwise provided for
• F41H 7/04 - Armour construction
• G01B 3/02 - Rulers with scales or marks for direct reading

Abstract

A suspension element includes a main body having an internal volume configured to contain a liquid therein, a tubular element extending at least partially within the main body, the tubular element having an internal volume that defines a first fluid chamber configured to contain a compressible gas therein, a first piston separating the internal volume of the main body into a second fluid chamber and a third fluid chamber, a second piston positioned to separate the first fluid chamber from the second fluid chamber, and a flow control element disposed along a flow path between the second fluid chamber and the third fluid chamber. Movement of the tubular element generates a flow of the liquid through the flow control element to produce a damping force and changes the pressure of the compressible gas to produce a spring force.

IPC Classes  ?

• B60G 17/08 - Characteristics of fluid dampers
• F16F 9/32 - Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium - Details
• F16F 9/46 - Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium - Details such means combined with temperature correction allowing control from a distance
• F16F 9/06 - Springs, vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or similarly-constructed movement-dampers using a fluid or the equivalent as damping medium using both gas and liquid