DESC:TECHNICAL FIELD

Present disclosure generally relates to a seat structure. Particularly but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to the seat structure used in vehicles. Further, embodiments of the disclosure discloses the seat structure with impact dampening arrangement.

BACKGROUND

With increase in population and depleting renewable resources, requirement of public transport is on the rise. Due to ease, affordability and flexibility, many commuters prefer public transport rather than private vehicles or self-drive. Generally, public transport may include mass transit vehicles such as buses, intercity or intracity trains and the like. One of the basic and yet an important feature, which is expected in public transportation is the availability of seats, which provides comfort and stress-free experience during long travel hours. The commuters using public transportation desire for a comfortable seat. Generally, the seat used in such public transportation vehicles comprises a base portion, a backrest portion and a head rest portion, which may be covered by resilient or cushioning materials such as foam, fiber glass and the like, to provide adequate cushioning to the commuter or passenger.

Generally, components in any of the public transportation modes such as trains or buses, are prone to high rate of wear and tear. Along with these issues, various other factors such as vibrational and impact forces generated by wheels, frames, chassis and the like during movement of the vehicle may impact the seat causing reduction in life of the seat. Despite use of various components, the seat may be prone to damage and vibrational or impact forces. Moreover, the seats subjected to such impacts, will have direct impact on the passengers, as the seat fails to provide convenient seating or cushioning provision to the passenger, which is undesirable. Moreover, the vibrational forces may reduce durability of the seat skin component in the seat structure, which may result in increased maintenance cost.

Conventional seats used in the public transportation are not designed to suppress vandalism impact and vibrational or impact forces generated from wheel, frames and the like, which results in inconvenient seating experience to the commuter. In addition, the vandalism impact and the vibrational forces may also result in crack or tearing of the skin or cover parts of the resilient or cushioning materials, which is undesirable as the seat loses its capability of providing comfort seating provision for the passenger or occupant. Further, this defect demands for replacement of the entire seat skin plastic or fibre component which is an expensive & time-consuming maintenance task. Moreover, the existing seats, do not provide flexibility for replacing only a part of the damaged seat skin or cover parts. Thus, this demands for replacement of the complete seat reinforced skin or cover, which may be considered as a tedious activity and hinders the seat from easy serviceability. Moreover, the configuration of the seats do not provide any provisions for air flow ventilation, which would cause uneasiness or would generate sweat in the clothing of the passenger under adverse environmental conditions.

The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above and any other limitations associated with the conventional assemblies.
SUMMARY
The shortcomings of the conventional assemblies are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the provision of dampening members as disclosed 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 disclosure.
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a seat assembly for a passenger vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes a frame connectable to a floor of the passenger vehicle, wherein the frame comprises a supporting structure, a seating portion and a backrest. A plurality of first dampening members are provisioned along the seating portion, wherein each of the plurality of first dampening members extends longitudinally between a pair of support members of the seating portion. An end of each of the plurality of first dampening members farthest from the back rest is defined with an extended portion, the extended portion of the each of the plurality of first dampening members extends beyond one of the support member of the seating portion and is bent at a predetermined angle to extend downwardly to a plane of the seating portion to define a thigh support, and a tip of the extended portion is defined with a convex portion such that the convex portion is connectable to one of the pair of support members of the seating portion. The plurality of first dampening members facilitate dampening in the seat assembly.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the assembly includes a plurality of second dampening members connectable at sides of the seating portion.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the first dampening members is positioned equidistant from one another along length of the seating portion.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the assembly includes a seating platform mounted on the plurality of first dampening members and the second dampening members.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the seating platform is defined with a plurality of flow channels to provide ventilation.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the seating platform is mounted to the frame by at least one of a fastening member or adhesives.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of second are at least one of S-shaped or Z-shaped.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the plurality of first dampening members are made of at least one of mild steel, iron and fibre reinforced composite material.
In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the supporting structures are connected to the frame of the seating structure and to the floor of the vehicle to secure the frame with the floor of the vehicle.
In an embodiment, the seating platform comprises at least one of a cushion foam a fibre structure and a cover.
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 DRAWINGS

The novel features and characteristic of the disclosure are set forth in the detailed disclosure. 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. 1a, 1b and 1c illustrates perspective views of a first damping member and a second damping member, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a frame of a seat assembly, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure. 3 illustrates perspective view of the seat, in accordance with an exemplary 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 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 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 devices 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 spirit and scope of the disclosure. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the disclosure, as to its organization, 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.
Embodiments of the disclosure discloses a seat assembly, which is configured with a first and a second dampening member. The dampening members are capable of exhibiting high dampening characteristics when subjected to vibrational forces or impact forces of certain magnitude. Further, the dampening members facilitates in mitigating stresses acting on a seating platform which may be mounted on the first and the second dampening members of the seat assembly and hence, facilitates in improving durability of the seating platform. Additionally, the dampening member facilitates in providing gleeful seating experience to an occupant. As an example, some of the applications of the seat having impact absorbing features may include, but not limiting to mass transit vehicles such as trains, buses and the like.
Seat assembly in accordance to the embodiments of the present disclosure may comprise a plurality of supporting structures, a seating portion and a backrest. The plurality of first and second dampening members may be positioned in the seating portion of the frame. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of first and second dampening structures are configured to accommodate the seating platform, which is to be positioned on the seating portion. Further, the dampening members also facilitates dampening the vibrational forces or impact forces generated due to various parameters. A free end of the back-rest frame is configured as a head rest. Further, the seating platform provisioned on at least one of the seating portion and the back rest are defined with flow channels, to facilitate effective ventilation or flow of air to the occupant in the seat. Additionally, the seating platform are secured to the frame members with the aid of fasteners such as but not limiting to cotter pin, lock nut and like, which are biased to vibrational forces and hence, mitigates the chances of self-unfastening.
In the following description of the embodiments of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying figures that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the disclosure may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Figures. 1a, 1b and 1c, illustrates perspective views of first and second dampening members (100 and 200) respectively, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
As seen in Figure. 1a, each of the plurality of first damping members (100) comprises an elongated longitudinal body portion (101). The elongated body portion (101) is bent on either ends at a desired angle i.e. to resemble a C-shape cross section (best seen in Figure. 1c), based on the configuration of the seat assembly (300). Further, ends of the elongated body portion (101) is configured with a convex portion (312). The convex portion (312) acts as a hook and facilitates in connecting the first dampening member (100) to the seat assembly. Additionally, the first damping member (100) may be configured with a plurality of apertures or through bores (103) extending between an upper and a lower surface of the body portion (101). The plurality of apertures or through bores (103) are configured to receive and secure fastening members. In an embodiment, the first damping member (100) may resemble a shape of a leaf spring having a C-shape configuration. In some embodiments, the plurality of first dampening members (100) that may include an extended portion (100c). The extended portion (100c) of each of the plurality of first dampening members (100) may extend beyond and may be bent at a predetermined angle to extend downwardly to a plane to define thigh support.
Now turning to Figure. 1b, each of the second damping members (200) comprises a body portion (201) which is bent at a pre-determined angle, based on the configuration of the seat (300). Further, the body portion (201) may be defined with at least one aperture or through bore (202) to secure the fastening members. In an embodiment, the second damping member (200) may resemble a S-shape and Z-shape configuration.
In an embodiment, the first and second dampening members (100 and 200) may undergo elastic deformation to dampen or mitigate the vibrational forces or impact forces from the chassis. Further, the first and second dampening members (100 and 200) facilitates in maintaining sufficient gap between a seating platform (400) and the seating portion (302) of the seat assembly (300), even when subjected to a vertical load of certain magnitude. In an embodiment, maintaining such gap may mitigate the vibrational forces from transferring on to the seating platform (400), and thus reducing stresses acting on the seating platform (400).
In an embodiment, the first damping member (100) and the second dampening member (200) may be made of material possessing high yield strength such as but not limiting to steel, mild steel, iron, fibre reinforced composite structure and the like.
Figure. 2, illustrates perspective view of the frame structure (500) of the seat (300), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
The frame (500) of the seat assembly (300) comprises a plurality of supporting structures (301), the seating portion (302) and a backrest (303). The seating portion (302) may be positioned on the plurality of supporting structures (301). As an example, the frame (500) of the seat assembly (300) may be provided with four supporting structures (301). In an embodiment, free ends of each of the plurality of supporting structures (301) may be provided with a bracket (308), which facilitates in securing the seat (300) on a desired platform. Generally, the seating portion (302), the backrest (303) and the plurality of supporting structures (301) may be made of metallic alloys such as but not limiting to iron, steel and the like. The backrest (303) may be connected to the seating portion (302) in such a way that the backrest (303) makes an appropriate ergonomic angle with the seating portion (302). In an embodiment, the seating structure (302) and the backrest (303) may be connected to each other by any of the joining process such as welding, brazing and the like. Further, a portion of a free end of the backrest (303) may be configured as a head frame (304). The backrest (303) may also comprise a plurality of supporting members (305), extending vertically. Each of the plurality of the supporting members (305) are configured with a plurality of apertures for receiving fasteners. In an embodiment, the plurality of supporting structures (305) are configured to support a lumbar portion of the occupant.
In an embodiment, the seating portion (302) comprises a pair of first longitudinal members (306), whose ends may be adjoined by a pair of second longitudinal members (307) to form a frame structure of desired shape and configuration. The plurality of first dampening structures (100) are positioned on the seating portion (302) at predefined distances, with ends i.e. the convex surface (102) may be secured on to each of the pair of longitudinal members (306). At least one second damping member (200) is positioned on each of the pair of second longitudinal members (307). In an embodiment, the plurality of first and second dampening members (100 and 200) may be secured to the seat frame structure (302) by any of the joining process such as welding, brazing and the like.
Now referring to Figure. 3, an end of each of the plurality of first dampening members (100) farthest from the back rest (303) defined with the extended portion (100c) may be connected to a support member (302a) of the seating portion (302). The extended portion (100c) may be extend beyond one of the support member (302a) of the seating portion (302). The extended portion (100c) may be bent at a predetermined angle extending downwardly to a plane of the seating portion (302) to define a thigh support. Further, the seating (302), the backrest (303) and the head frame (304) are independently adapted to accommodate the seating platform (400) i.e. at least one of the seating platform (400) may be accommodated by each of the seat frame structure (302), the back rest (303) and the head frame (304). In an embodiment, the seating platform (400) may include a cushion foam or staple fibre structure & cover, which may be made of water-resistant material such as but not limiting to leather, rubber and the like. In an embodiment, the seating platform (400) may be provided with a plurality of studs (not shown in figures) at a rear side, which facilitates in securing the seating platform (400) with the frame members (302, 303, 304) of the seat (300). In an embodiment, the seating platform (400) may be secured to each of the seat frame structure (302), the head frame (303) and the head frame (304) by a plurality of fastening members such as cotter pin, lock nut and the like, which are secured to the studs of the seating platform (400) protruding through the apertures provided in the supporting members (305) in the backrest (303).
In an embodiment, the seating platform (400) positioned on the seating portion (302), may be accommodated on the plurality of first dampening members (100) and the second dampening members (200). The seating platform (400) may be secured to the base frame structure with the aid of fastening members such as lock nut, cotter pin and the like that protrude through the apertures provided in the first and second dampening members (100, 200).
In an embodiment, the first and second dampening members (100 and 200) maintains a desired gap between the seating platform (400) and the seating portion (302), even when subjected to vertical forces of certain magnitude. This hinders, the vibrational or impact forces to affect the seating platform (400) from being slashed or sheared. Further, the first and second dampening structures (100 and 200) assists in dampening the vibrational forces or impact forces generated by the vehicle. Additionally, the damping structures (100 and 200) assists in providing convenient seating provision for the occupant.
The seating platform (400) accommodated in the seating portion (302), the backrest (303) and the head frame (304) may provide appropriate support to buttocks, spine and head portions of the occupant. Hence, the seating potion (400) serve the purpose of a bench rest, a back rest and a head rest respectively. This feature facilitates in providing convenient seating experience to the occupant. Additionally, providing individual resilient plastic or fibre skin or cushioning member (400) in each of the seating portion (302), backrest (303) and the head frame (304) facilitates in easy repair and serviceability i.e. only the damaged seating platform (400) in either of the seating portion (302), the backrest (303) and the head frame (304) may be replaced instead of removing complete seat for replacing the seating platform (400) in the seat assembly (300).
In an embodiment, the seating platform (400) accommodated in the backrest (303) and the head frame (304) may be configured with a plurality of flow channels (310) for improved ventilation or circulation of air. This facilitates convenient seating experience to the occupant even at adverse environmental conditions such as high temperature and the like.
In an embodiment, providing the first damping member (100) and the second damping member (200) in the seating portion (302) may not be construed as a limitation, since the first and the second dampening members (100 and 200) may also be provided in the backrest (303) of the seat assembly (300).

In an embodiment, a sufficient gap may be maintained between the seating platform (400) accommodated on the seating portion (302) and the backrest (303). The said gap facilitates in easy air flow or ventilation on to the lumbar portion of the occupant and hence, may facilitate in hassle free seating experience to the occupant.

Example:

Further embodiments of the present disclosure will be now described with reference to the experiments (Static loading and Impact condition) carried out on the normal seat assembly and the seat assembly of the present disclosure.
Test results are depicted in Table 1:
Parameter Standard Design Energy Absorbent structure Inference
Displacement 30.31 mm 27.18 mm 10% Reduced deformation response
Stress 27.97 MPa 17.49 MPa 37% Reduced stresses in material

It should be construed that the various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

EQUIVALENTS:

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit.

REFERRAL NUMERICALS

Particulars
Numerical
100 First dampening member
100a Rear portion of the first dampening member
100b Front portion of the first dampening member
100c Extended portion of the first dampening member
101 Body portion of first dampening member
102 Ends of body portion first dampening member
103 Aperture in first dampening member
200 Second damping member
201 Body portion of second dampening member
202 Aperture in second damping member
300 Seat assembly
301 Supporting structure
302 Seating portion
302a & 302b Pair of support members of the seating portion
303 Backrest
304 Head frame
306 First longitudinal member
307 Second longitudinal member
308 Bracket
311 Concave portion
312 Convex portion
400 Seating platform
500 Frame
,CLAIMS:We claim:

1. A seat assembly (300) for a passenger vehicle, the structure (300) comprising:
a frame (500) connectable to a floor of the passenger vehicle, wherein the frame (500) comprising a supporting structure (301), a seating portion (302) and a backrest (303);
a plurality of first dampening members (100) provisioned along the seating portion (302), wherein each of the plurality of first dampening members (100) extends longitudinally between a pair of support members (302a and 302b) of the seating portion (302),
wherein, an end of each of the plurality of first dampening members (100) farthest from the back rest (303) is defined with an extended portion (100c), the extended portion (100c) of the each of the plurality of first dampening members (100) extends beyond one of the support member (302a) of the seating portion (302) described by (311) and is bent at a predetermined angle to extend downwardly to a plane of the seating portion (302) to define a thigh support, and a tip of the extended portion (110c) is defined with a convex portion (312) such that the convex portion (312) is connectable to one of the pair of support members (302a and 302b) of the seating portion (302);
wherein, the plurality of first dampening members (100) facilitate dampening in the seat assembly (300).

2. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a plurality of second dampening members (200) connectable at sides of the seating portion (302).

3. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein an end of the first dampening member (100) proximal to the backrest (303) is defined with a bent portion and is connected to the support member (302b) of the seating portion (302).
.
4. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first dampening members (100) is positioned equidistant from one another along length of the seating portion (302).

5. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1 comprises a seating platform (400) mounted on the plurality of first dampening members (100) and the second dampening members (200).

6. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the seating platform (400) is defined with a plurality of flow channels (310) to provide ventilation.

7. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the seating platform (400) is mounted to the frame (313) by at least one of fastening members or adhesives.

8. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the plurality of second dampening members (200) are at least one of S-shaped or Z-shaped.

9. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first dampening members (100) and the second dampening members (200) are made of at least one of stainless steel, mild steel, iron and fibre reinforced composite material.

10. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the supporting structures (301) is connected to the frame (313) of the seating structure (300) and to the floor of the vehicle to secure the frame (313) with the floor of the vehicle.

11. The assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the backrest (303) is connected to the seating portion (302) of the seating structure (300), forming an impact absorbing extended S-section for backrest comfort.

12. A train comprising an assembly (300) as claimed in claim 1.