Electronic suspension vehicle seat

Claim 2

A sprung seat suspension comprising a base frame; a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably, vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame and including actuator means which strokes the sensor assembly means along a path during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; mover means mounted on the base frame and for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; extension means connected to the height sensor assembly means and the mover means and for selectively extending the mover means; retraction means operatively connected to the height sensor assembly means and the mover means for selectively retracting the mover means; the sensor assembly means comprising a plurality of sensor means positioned along the stroke path of the actuator means which may be selectively independently activated to selectively activate the extension means and retraction means as the actuator means strokes the sensor assembly means.

Claim 3

The suspension as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the linkage means is a scissors linkage.

Claim 4

The suspension as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the linkage means is a parallelogram linkage.

Claim 5

The suspension as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the linkage means is a mechanical spring and motor driven screw thread assembly.

Claim 6

The suspension as defined in claim 1 further characterized in that the linkage means is an arm and roller linkage.

Claim 7

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of reed switches and the actuator means comprises a magnet.

Claim 8

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of ferrous sensing proximity switches and the actuator means comprises metal.

Claim 9

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of photosensors and the actuator means comprises a light source.

Claim 10

The suspension as defined in claim 8 wherein the light source comprises an LED or laser diode.

Claim 11

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of Hall effect switches and the actuator means comprises a magnet.

Claim 12

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of capacitive proximity switches and the actuator means comprises a ferrous material.

Claim 13

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of ultrasonic sensors.

Claim 14

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor means are selectively energized in sets, the energized set defining a desired actuator stroke region corresponding to a desired suspension height region.

Claim 15

The suspension as defined in claim 13 wherein the set comprises first and second sensor means, wherein the first sensor means of the activated set activates the extension means and the second activates the retraction means.

Claim 16

The suspension as defined in claim 14 further comprising a third sensor means positioned on the height sensor assembly means adjacent a side of the first sensor means distant from the second sensor means, the third sensor means also activating the extension means when stroked by the actuator, and further comprising a fourth sensor means positioned on the height sensor assembly means adjacent a side of the second sensor means distant from the first sensor means, the fourth sensor means also activating the retraction means when stroked by the actuator means, said third and fourth sensor means defining ride protection zones on either side of the desired seat height region.

Claim 17

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the mover means is an air spring, the extension means is a compressor, and the retraction means is a solenoid valve.

Claim 18

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the mover means is an air spring, the extension means is a solenoid valve and an external source of compressed air, and the retraction means is a solenoid valve.

Claim 19

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the mover means is a hydraulic cylinder, the extension means is a solenoid valve and an external pressurized supply of hydraulic fluid, and the retraction means is a solenoid valve connected to tank.

Claim 20

The suspension as defined in claim 1 wherein the mover means comprises a threaded screw means, and the extension and retraction means comprises a motor.

Claim 21

The suspension as defined in claim 1 further comprising extensible tether means attached between the base frame and seat carrier frame.

Claim 22

The suspension as defined in claim 1 further comprising electronic control means for delaying activation of the extension means and retraction means for a predetermined duration.

Claim 23

An air suspension seat comprising a base frame, a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame; air spring means mounted on the base frame for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; valve inlet means for compressed air for selectively filling the air spring means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; solenoid means for selectively dumping the air spring means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; actuator means positioned to stroke the height sensor assembly means during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; the height sensor assembly means comprising (1) a first sensor means which when stroked by the actuator means activates the inlet valve means, and (2) a second sensor means which when stroked activates the solenoid means; the region between the first and second sensor means defining a desired actuator means stroke region and desired range of seat heights having a low end and a high end; the first sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the low end of the desired seat height region, and the second sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the high end of the desired seat height region.

Claim 24

An air suspension seat comprising a base frame, a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame; air spring means mounted on the base frame for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; valve inlet means for compressed air for selectively filling the air spring means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; solenoid means for selectively dumping the air spring means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; actuator means positioned to stroke the height sensor assembly means during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; the height sensor assembly means comprising (1) a first sensor means which when stroked by the actuator means activates the inlet valve means, and (2) a second sensor means which when stroked activates the solenoid means; the region between the first and second sensor means defining a desired actuator means stroke region and desired range of seat heights having a low end and a high end; the first sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the low end of the desired seat height region, and the second sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the high end of the desired seat height region.

Claim 25

An air suspension seat comprising a base frame, a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame; air spring means mounted on the base frame for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; a compressor for selectively filling the air spring means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; solenoid means for selectively dumping the air spring means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; actuator means positioned to stroke the height sensor assembly means during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; the height sensor assembly means comprising (1) a first sensor means which when stroked by the actuator means activates the compressor, and (2) a second sensor means which when stroked activates the solenoid means; the region between the first and second sensor means defining a desired actuator means stroke region and desired range of seat heights having a low end and a high end; the first sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the low end of the desired seat height region, and the second sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the high end of the desired seat height region.

Claim 26

An air suspension seat comprising a base frame, a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame; air spring means mounted on the base frame for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; a compressor for selectively filling the air spring means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; solenoid means for selectively dumping the air spring means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; actuator means positioned to stroke the height sensor assembly means during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; the height sensor assembly means comprising (1) a first sensor means which when stroked by the actuator means activates the compressor, and (2) a second sensor means which when stroked activates the solenoid means; the region between the first and second sensor means defining a desired actuator means stroke region and desired range of seat heights having a low end and a high end; the first sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the low end of the desired seat height region, and the second sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the high end of the desired seat height region.

Claim 27

A hydraulic suspension seat comprising a base frame, a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame; hydraulic cylinder means mounted on the base frame for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; first solenoid means connected to a pressurized source of hydraulic fluid for selectively filling the hydraulic cylinder means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; second solenoid means connected to tank for selectively dumping the hydraulic cylinder means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; actuator means positioned to stroke the height sensor assembly means during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; the height sensor assembly means comprising (1) a first sensor means which when stroked by the actuator means activates the first solenoid means, and (2) a second sensor means which when stroked activates the second solenoid means; the region between the first and second sensor means defining a desired actuator means stroke region and desired range of seat heights having a low end and a high end; the first sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the low end of the desired seat height region, and the second sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the high end of the desired seat height region.

Claim 28

A hydraulic suspension seat comprising a base frame, a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame; hydraulic cylinder means mounted on the base frame for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; first solenoid means connected to a pressurized source of hydraulic fluid for selectively filling the hydraulic cylinder means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; second solenoid means connected to tank for selectively dumping the hydraulic cylinder means and connected to the height sensor assembly means; actuator means positioned to stroke the height sensor assembly means during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; the height sensor assembly means comprising (1) a first sensor means which when stroked by the actuator means activates the first solenoid means, and (2) a second sensor means which when stroked activates the second solenoid means; the region between the first and second sensor means defining a desired actuator means stroke region and desired range of seat heights having a low end and a high end; the first sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the low end of the desired seat height region, and the second sensor means being positioned at a point on the height sensor assembly means corresponding to the high end of the desired seat height region.

Claim 29

A sprung seat suspension comprising a base frame; a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably, vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame and including actuator means which strokes the sensor assembly means along a path during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; conical spring means mounted on the base frame including motor driven screw means mounted to the seat carrier frame and for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; the sensor assembly means comprising a plurality of sensor means positioned along the stroke path of the actuator means which may be selectively independently activated to selectively activate the motor driven screw means as the carrier means strokes the sensor assembly means.

Claim 30

A sprung seat suspension comprising a base frame; a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably, vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame and including actuator means which strokes the sensor assembly means along a path during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; conical spring means mounted on the base frame including motor driven screw means mounted to the seat carrier frame and for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; the sensor assembly means comprising a plurality of sensor means positioned along the stroke path of the actuator means which may be selectively independently activated to selectively activate the motor driven screw means as the carrier means strokes the sensor assembly means.

Claim 31

The invention as defined in claim 22, 23, 24, or 25 wherein the linkage means is a scissors linkage.

Claim 32

The invention as defined in claim 22, 23, or 24 wherein the linkage means is a parallelogram linkage.

Claim 33

The invention as defined in claim 22, 23, or 24 wherein the linkage is an arm and roller linkage.

Claim 34

The suspension as defined in claim 22, 23, 24, or 25 wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of reed switches and the actuator means comprises a magnet.

Claim 35

The suspension as defined in claim 22, 23, 24, or 25 wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of ferrous sensing proximity switches and the actuator means comprises metal.

Claim 36

The suspension as defined in claim 22, 23, 24, or 25 wherein the sensor means comprise photosensors and the actuator means comprises a light source.

Claim 37

The suspension as defined in claim 22, 23, 24, or 25 wherein the sensor means comprise a plurality of Hall effect switches and the actuator means comprises a magnet.

Claim 38

The suspension as defined in claim 24 wherein the hydraulic cylinder means comprises a hydraulic cylinder in fluid communication with an accumulator.

Claim 39

The suspension as defined in claim 22, 23, 24, or 25 further comprising electronic contral means for delaying activation of the extension means and retraction means for a predetermined duration.

Claim 40

A sprung seat suspension comprising a base frame; a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably, vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame and including actuator means which strokes the sensor assembly means along a path during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; mover means mounted on the base frame and for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; extension means connected to the height sensor assembly means and the mover means and for selectively extending the mover means; retraction means connected to the height sensor assembly means and the mover means for selectively retracting the mover means; the sensor assembly means comprising a plurality of sensor means positioned along the stroke path of the actuator means which are continuously activated to activate the extension means and retraction means as the carrier means strokes the sensor assembly means, the sensor assembly means being infinitely adjustable to provide infinitely variable vertical adjustment.

Claim 41

A sprung seat suspension comprising a base frame; a seat carrier frame including height sensor assembly means; linkage means mounted on the base frame and operative to adjustably, vertically support the seat carrier frame with respect to the base frame and including actuator means which strokes the sensor assembly means along a path during vertical movement of the seat carrier frame; mover means mounted on the base frame and for adjustably vertically displacing the seat carrier frame from the base frame; extension means connected to the height sensor assembly means and the mover means and for selectively extending the mover means; retraction means connected to the height sensor assembly means and the mover means for selectively retracting the mover means; the sensor assembly means comprising a plurality of sensor means positioned along the stroke path of the actuator means which are continuously activated to activate the extension means and retraction means as the carrier means strokes the sensor assembly means, the sensor assembly means being infinitely adjustable to provide infinitely variable vertical adjustment.

Claim 42

The suspension as defined in claim 35 further characterized in that the linkage means is a scissors linkage.

Claim 43

The suspension as defined in claim 35 further characterized in that the linkage means is a parallelogram linkage.

Claim 44

The suspension as defined in claim 35 further characterized in that the linkage means is a mechanical spring and motor driven screw thread assembly.

Claim 45

The suspension as defined in claim 35 further characterized in that the linkage means is an arm and roller linkage.