Claims:
1. A mechanism (1) for supporting a seat (2) of a vehicle, the mechanism (1) comprising:
a frame (3) configured to accommodate a seating portion (2a) of the seat (2);
a pair of arms (4), wherein one end (4a) of each of the pair of arms (4) is pivotally connected to the frame (3) and at least one link (5) extending from an other end (4b) of each of the pair of arms (4);
at least one first dampener (6) of predetermined shape coupled to a free end of link (5) extending from each of the pair of arms (4); and
one or more sliders (7) connectable to a floor of the vehicle, wherein, the each of the one or more sliders (7) accommodates joining portion of each of the other end (4b) of each pair of arms (4) and the at least one link (5), and facilitates the sliding of the pair of arms (4),
wherein, sliding motion of the pair of arms (4) varies the tension of the at least one first dampener (6) to dampen the vibrations.

2. The mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one first dampener (6) is of a trapezoidal shape.

3. The mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one first dampener (6) comprises a flat top face (6a) and a pair of legs (6b) extending outwardly from the flat top face (6a).

4. The mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one first dampener (6) is made of polymeric material.

5. The mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a second damper (8) positioned below the frame (3), wherein one end (8a) of the second damper is connectable to the frame (3) and the other end (8b) supported on a coupler (9).

6. The mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 1 wherein the coupler extends from a flat top surface of one of the at least one first dampener to the flat top surface of other of the at least one first dampener.

7. The mechanism as claimed in claim 6, wherein the second dampener (8) is configured to dampen the vertical oscillations of the seat.

8. The mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of the one or more sliders (7) comprises a base (7a) and a slot (7b), wherein the slot (7b) accommodates the joining portion of the other end (4b) of each pair of arms (5) and the at least one link (5).

9. The mechanism (1) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the seat (2) comprises the seating portion (2a), a back-rest portion (2b), a lever (2c).

10. A vehicle comprising a mechanism (1) for supporting a seat (2) as claimed in claim 1.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD:

The present disclosure relates in general to a field of automobiles. Particularly, but not exclusively, the disclosure relates to seating devices for the vehicles. Further, embodiments of the disclosure disclose a mechanism for supporting a seat of a vehicle, such that it reduces shocks transmitted to the seat through a floor of the vehicle vertically, as well shocks from lateral and longitudinal direction.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally, vehicles such as passenger vehicle, commercial vehicles are employed with seating devices for accommodating the passengers. Drivers of the commercial vehicles drive for longer hours and are more prone for the health issues due to prolonged seating and absorption of vibrations generated in the vehicles. Further, the drivers of commercial vehicle drive more than 6 to 8 hours a day and due to continuous exposure of high vibrations, the drivers are prone to back and spinal cord related problems. Also, it is seen that these drivers are not able to work more than 20 years. Conventionally, various efforts have been made to improve the comfort to the passengers and drivers while travelling in the vehicles. One such improvement may include providing seat suspension mechanisms in the vehicles to support a person sitting on the seat while providing maximum comfort. These mechanisms are designed to provide comfort to the occupants while minimizing and absorbing or dampening bumps and jolts due to uneven, rough or rugged terrain the vehicle encounters. Design criteria of such mechanisms may include parameters such as seat vibration and frequency of the seat and suspension of the seat and the vehicle, space limitation under the seat and above the seat to overhead restraints, the type of terrain likely to be encountered, limits of seat travel up and down to absorb shocks during operation, components costs, durability, and the like. The design criteria are particularly critical and generally more complicated for off-road vehicles, such as tractors, lift-trucks, heavy equipment, earth moving vehicles, and the like. These off-road vehicles have either relatively heavy-duty or no shock absorbing suspensions between the wheels and the chassis that do not prevent jolts, bumps, vibrations, and shocks from reaching the driver.

It is also common practice to provide vehicle seats with some form of suspension system. It is seen that “fore and aft” isolators have been employed to reduce the undesirable effects of forces inputted to the seat from the front or back. So too, “lateral” isolators have been used for the same purpose with respect to forces input from the sides of the vehicle. Oftentimes, both fore/aft and lateral isolators are used together. The combined systems, however, are less than satisfactory. First, they are relatively complex mechanically and are therefore expensive both to manufacture and install. Second, with space constraints becoming increasingly severe, these combined systems tend to present too high a profile.

Some seat suspensions have suspension damping means such as shock absorbers. These have created several problems. Most notably, the stroke of shock absorbers does not have a linear relationship to the vertical movement of the seat. The nonlinear relationship between the stroke of the shock absorber and the vertical movement of the seat diminishes the performance and ride characteristics of such a suspension device. In addition, shock absorbers or other such pneumatic devices often have difficulty dissipating heat, especially when enclosed within a device where air circulation is not adequate. This causes both poor performance and a shorter life of the shock absorber.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more problems stated above, or any other limitations associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
The one or more shortcomings of the prior art are overcome by an assembly as claimed and additional advantages are provided through the provision of assembly as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.

In a non-limiting embodiment of the disclosure, a mechanism for supporting a seat of a vehicle is disclosed. The mechanism for supporting a seat of a vehicle, comprising a frame configured to accommodate a seating portion of the seat. A pair of arms, wherein one end of each of the pair of arms is pivotally connected to the frame and at least one link extends from an other end of each of the pair of arms. At least one first dampener of predetermined shape coupled to a free end of link extending from each of the pair of arms and one or more sliders connectable to a floor of the vehicle, wherein, the each of the one or more sliders accommodates joining portion of each of the other end of each pair of arms and the at least one link , and facilitates the sliding of the pair of arms, wherein, sliding motion of the pair of arms varies the tension of the at least one first dampener to dampen the vibrations.

In an embodiment, at least one first dampener is of a trapezoidal shape.

In an embodiment, the at least one first dampener comprises a flat top face and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the flat top face.

In an embodiment, at least one first dampener is made of polymeric material.

In an embodiment, a second dampener positioned below the frame, wherein one end of the second dampener is connectable to the frame and the other end supported on a coupler.

In an embodiment, the coupler extends from a flat top surface of one of the at least one first dampener to the flat top surface of other of the at least one first dampener.

In an embodiment the second dampener is configured to dampen the vertical oscillations of the seat.

In an embodiment, each of the one or more sliders comprises a base and a slot, wherein the slot accommodates the joining portion of the other end of each pair of arms and the at least one link.

In an embodiment, the seat comprises the seating portion, a back-rest portion, a lever.

It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined together to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate front perspective views of a mechanism for supporting seat in a vehicle, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 illustrates a bottom perspective view of a mechanism for supporting seat in a vehicle of Figure 1;

Figures 4 illustrates side view of the mechanism for supporting seat in a vehicle of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure;
Figures 5 illustrates an enlarged view of the bottom section of Figure 3, in accordance with embodiment of the present disclosure; and
Figures 6 and 7 illustrate perspective mechanism for supporting seat in a vehicle in two different positions, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing has broadly outlined the features and technical advantages of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description of the disclosure that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the disclosure. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other mechanism for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, the present disclosure discloses a mechanism for supporting a seat of a vehicle is disclosed. The mechanism for supporting a seat of a vehicle, comprising a frame configured to accommodate a seating portion of the seat. A pair of arms, wherein one end of each of the pair of arms is pivotally connected to the frame and at least one link extends from an other end of each of the pair of arms. At least one first dampener of predetermined shape coupled to a free end of link extending from each of the pair of arms and one or more sliders connectable to a floor of the vehicle, wherein, the each of the one or more sliders accommodates joining portion of each of the other end of each pair of arms and the at least one link , and facilitates the sliding of the pair of arms, wherein, sliding motion of the pair of arms varies the tension of the at least one first dampener to dampen the vibrations. In an embodiment, at least one first dampener is of a trapezoidal shape. In an embodiment, the at least one first dampener comprises a flat top face and a pair of legs extending outwardly from the flat top face. In an embodiment, at least one first dampener is made of polymeric material. A second dampener positioned below the frame, wherein one end of the second dampener is connectable to the frame and the other end supported on a coupler. The coupler extends from a flat top surface of one of the at least one first dampener to the flat top surface of other of the at least one first dampener. The second dampener is configured to dampen the vertical oscillations of the seat. In an embodiment, each of the one or more sliders comprises a base and a slot, wherein the slot accommodates the joining portion of the other end of each pair of arms and the at least one link. The seat comprises the seating portion, a back-rest portion, a lever.

The mechanism for supporting a seat of vehicle according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be employed in any commercial vehicles including vans, light commercial vehicles, rickshaws, and the like.

The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that an assembly, device or method that comprises a list of components or steps does not include only those components or steps but may include other components or steps not expressly listed or inherent to such setup or device or method. In other words, one or more elements in a system or apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the system or apparatus.

In the following description, the words such as upper, lower, front and rear are referred with respect to particular orientation of the assembly as illustrated in drawings of the present disclosure. The words are used to explain the aspects of the present disclosure and for better understanding. However, one should not construe such terms as limitation to the present disclosure, since the terms may interchange based on the orientation of the assembly.

Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of figures of seat mechanism. However, such exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. A person skilled in the art can envisage various such embodiments without deviating from scope of the present disclosure. In the figures, a seat along with the seat mechanism is shown for a commercial vehicle and the same is included for the purpose of simplicity. Such illustration should not be considered as a limitation to the present disclosure.

Figures 1-4 are exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure illustrating a front view, perspective view and side view of a seat (2) of a vehicle supported on a mechanism (1). As illustrated in figures 1-4, the seat of a vehicle may include a seating portion (2a), a back-rest portion (2b) and a lever (2c). The seating portion (2a) provides a seating arrangement for the occupants while seating in the vehicle and back rest portion (2a) provides support to the back of the person. A lever (2c) may also be positioned to adjust the seat (2) according to the height of the person/driver. As seen in figures, the mechanism (1) is positioned at the bottom of the seat (2) to reduce the vibrations and oscillations generated due to the movement of the vehicle. The seat of the vehicle may also be defined by a horizontal axis (X-X) and a vertical axis (Y-Y) as shown in figure 4.

The mechanism (1) for supporting a seat (2) of a vehicle comprises a frame (3), a pair of arms (4), at least one link (5), at least one first dampener (6), one or more sliders (7), a second damper (8) and a coupler (9). The frame (3) is configured to accommodate the seating portion (2a) of the seat (2). The frame (1) provides a rigid support to the seat and is connected with the seating portion (2a) by means of fasteners such as nut bolt joints or rivets. The shape and size of the frame (3) is constructed is such a manner that is cooperates with the space present below the seating portion (2a). The second damper (8) is positioned below the frame (3) and parallel to the vertical axis (y-y) of the seat to provide a comfortable ride to driver. In an embodiment, the second dampener (8) is a piston cylinder arrangement. The second dampener (8) may resist the oscillation and vibration which is generated from the floor of the vehicle parallel to a vertical axis (y-y) of the seat (2). Thus, in order to cancel out the vibration in vertical direction, the second dampener (8) may be positioned parallel to the vertical direction which damp out the vibrations to zero. The dampener (8) is having a first end (8a) connected with the frame and a second end (8b) connected with the coupler (9).

The pair of arms (4) are arranged in at least two sides of the mechanism (1) where one end (4a) of each of the pair of arms (4) is pivotally connected to the frame (3) and at least one link (5) extends from an other end (4b) of each of the pair of arms (5). The one end (4a) of each pair of arms may be referred as “inner arm” and the other end (4b) of each pair of arms may be referred as “outer arm”. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mechanism (1) includes pair of arms (5) which are equally spaced from distanced from location of the damper (8). The inner arm or one end (5a) is pivotably connected with the frame (3) and provides the rigid support to the outer arm or other arm (5b) thereby allowing the sliding motion of the outer arm (5b) as the inner arm (5a) is fixed with the frame (3) of the mechanism (1). The outer arms (5b) are connected to at least one first dampener (6) through at least links (5).

The at least one first dampener (6) is of predetermined shape and is coupled to a free end of link (5) extending from each of the pair of arms (4). The predetermined shape of the at least one first dampener (6) may be a trapezoidal shape which comprises a flat top face (6a) and a pair of legs (6b) extending outwardly from the flat top face (6a) which connects with the free end of the link (5).

In an embodiment, each of the at least one first dampener (6) may be made of polymeric material, such as but not limiting to rubber. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the mechanism (1) may include two first dampeners (6) which are equally spaced from the location of the second damper (8) and are adapted to absorb seat vibrations in all the three directions.

As shown in Figures. 5 and 6, one or more sliders (7) are connectable to a floor of the vehicle is having a base (7a) and slot (7b). The slot (7b) of each of the one or more sliders (7) accommodates the joining portion of each of the other end (4b) of each pair of arms (5) and the at least one link (5) and facilitates the sliding of the pair of the pair of arms (5). The sliding motion of the pair of arms (5) varies the tension of the at least one first dampener (6) to dampen the vibrations. During the downward movement of the seat (2) i.e. the position when the person sits on the seating portion (2a), the load is transmitted to both the first dampeners (6) though the second damper (8) and the coupler (9) as the free ends of coupler (9) are connectable to both the dampener (6). The dampeners (6) are subjected to tension in order to reduce the vibration and the arms (5) slide outward direction in the slot (7b) when there is vertical movement. Thus, when there is oscillation or vibration on the seat (2), the pair of arms (5) adjusts to the oscillation by moving outward, the vertical damper (4) cancels the vertical vibrations and the first dampeners (6) isolates the vibration in all the three direction. The coupler (9) is connected to the top face (6a) of the first dampeners (6) and the vibration is equally distributed to the both the first dampeners (6) and to adjust the oscillation/vibration, the arms slide in the outward directions in the slot.

Thus, the present disclosure provides an improve solution, which increases the driving hours per day of the commercial vehicles and isolate hazardous frequencies on seat surface which thereby reduces the driver fatigue. Also, the present disclosure provides a cost-effective solution for ride improvement.

It is to be understood that, the configuration of the seat mechanism illustrated in figures and configuration of mechanism are exemplary configurations. One skilled in the art may use a different mechanism and such variations may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations provided they come within the ambit of the appended claims and their equivalents. Also, the bipolar plate assembly of the present disclosure may be employed in light commercial vehicles. However, one should not consider such application as limitation to the present disclosure.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
Mechanism 1
Seat 2
Seating portion 2a
Back rest portion 2b
Lever 2c
Frame 3
Pair of Arms 4
One end of Arm 4a
Other end of Arm 4b
Links 5
First Dampener 6
Top face of First Dampener 6a
Legs of First Dampener 6b
Sliders 7
Slider Base 7a
Slider Slot 7b
Second Dampener 8
First end of Second Damper 8a
Second end of Second Damper 8b
Coupler 9

Equivalents:
The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the use of one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may be in the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of the desired objects or results.

Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like that has been included in this specification is solely for the purpose of providing a context for the disclosure. It is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form a part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the disclosure as it existed anywhere before the priority date of this application.

The numerical values mentioned for the various physical parameters, dimensions or quantities are only approximations and it is envisaged that the values higher/lower than the numerical values assigned to the parameters, dimensions or quantities fall within the scope of the disclosure, unless there is a statement in the specification specific to the contrary.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this disclosure, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other modifications in the nature of the disclosure or the preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.