Abstract: A seat assembly includes a five-bar linkage for moving the seat assembly between a plurality of positions in an automotive vehicle. A first link is rotatably coupled to a seat back at a second pivot point disposed coaxial to a first pivot point, and to a seat base defining a fifth link at a third pivot point. A second link extends axially between the first and second pivot points. A third link is defined by a lower seat back portion and a seat cushion and extends between the first pivot point and a fifth pivot point disposed adjacent a front portion of the seat cushion. A fourth link is rotatably coupled to the third link at the fifth pivot point and the seat base at a fourth pivot point. The seat assembly is capable of moving to both a pitched easy entry position and a stow flat to floor position.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling a cross-talk tube of a vehicle seat with a shaft of a dual recliner assembly. The coupler comprises a generally cylindrical body extending axially between an inboard end and an outboard end. The inboard end includes an inboard aperture having an inboard planar surface. The outboard end includes an outboard aperture having an outboard planar surface. The inboard planar surface and the outboard planar surface transition from an axially offset position to an axially aligned position when the coupler is installed with the cross-talk tube and the shaft of the dual recliner assembly.

Abstract: A seat trim cover for an automotive seat is formed into a 3-dimensional shape by compression molding a laminated moldable foam in a 3-dimensional. The laminated moldable foam comprises at least a layer of cellular polyurethane foam compression moldable in a temperature range of about 220° F. to about 260° F. The 3-dimensional mold is heated to a temperature range of about 150° F. to about 320° F. The layer of cellular foam is adhered to a cover material layer and pre-cut into a pre-laminated blank prior to molding into the 3-dimensional shape. Optionally, seat heaters or other components can be integrated with the laminated foam prior to compression molding the seat trim cover.

Abstract: A central electronic control unit (ECU, Ref. 14) is provided for controlling at least one bi-directional direct current (DC) motor (106) attached to a first vehicle seat and at least one electronic device attached to a second vehicle seat. The central ECU includes a micro-controller configured to receive feedback on a positional status of the bi-directional DC motor from a Hall Effect sensor (130). The micro-controller is configured to receive input instructions for the bi-directional DC motor and the electronic device. The micro-controller creates command instructions based in part on the received feedback and received input instructions. The central ECU selectively provides pulse width modulated (PWM) power to the bi-directional DC motor attached to the first vehicle seat and selectively provides power to the electronic device attached to the second vehicle seat in response to the command instructions from the micro-controller.

Abstract: A reversible seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has an inboard seat riser, an outboard seat riser, a seat cushion, a seat back, a plurality of inboard reversing links, a plurality of outboard reversing links, a plurality of inboard strikers coupled to the inboard seat riser and a plurality of outboard strikers coupled to the outboard seat riser. The seat cushion is coupled to the inboard and outboard seat risers, and extends between a front end and a rear end. The seat back comprises an inboard latch bracket and an outboard latch bracket. The plurality of inboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the inboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the inboard seat riser, and the plurality of outboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the outboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the outboard seat riser.

Abstract: A disc recliner mechanism for use in an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of pawls and a cam mounted between a guide plate and a tooth plate. Rotation of the cam moves the pawls between an extended position in which the pawls engage the tooth plate to lock the disc recliner mechanism and a retracted position in which the pawls disengage the tooth plate to unlock the disc recliner mechanism and allow rotation between the guide plate and the tooth plate. A notch is disposed on an engagement surface of a cam lobe disposed on the cam for reducing friction when the cam lobe engages a cam follower disposed on the pawls. The tooth plate includes a circumferential outer lip with a concentric channel for retaining lubricant and reducing rotational friction between the tooth plate and the guide plate.

Abstract: A ventilated molded seat trim cover for a vehicle seat and a ventilated vehicle seat having a ventilated molded seat trim cover, comprising a stacked assembly of an upper textile layer, a first adhesive layer, an air permeable polyurethane cellular foam interlayer thermo-moldable at temperatures between about 104° C. and about 127° C., a second adhesive layer, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film, a third adhesive layer, and a scrim backing layer. The stacked assembly is compression molded in a 3-dimensional mold while at least a portion of the foam interlayer is heated to a temperature between about 104° C. and about 127° C. to form the ventilated molded seat trim cover. The TPU film prevents airflow passing through a bottom surface of the seat trim cover. Airflow in the foam interlayer can pass through the upper textile layer.

Abstract: An occupant classification system for a seat assembly (20) includes a plurality of sensors (32), a posture classifier and a weight classification system. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion (22) and a seat back (24). Each of the plurality of sensors (32) measures a force applied to the seat cushion (22) by an occupant of the seat assembly. The posture classifier identifies a posture of the occupant based on the distribution of forces applied to each of the plurality of sensors (32). The weight classification system identifies a weight class of the occupant based on the posture and the magnitude of forces applied to each of the plurality of sensors (32).

Abstract: A rail drive assembly having a loop latch and a loop latch release system is assembled with a fixed long rail for transposing a vehicle seat along the fixed long rail. The loop latch has spaced apart trigger releases and is repositionable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The loop latch release system includes a dual plunger, a rotatable actuator cam, and a return spring. The dual plunger has spaced apart plungers configured to engage with respective release triggers and is repositionable between a retracted position spaced apart from the loop latch and an extended position wherein the plungers engage with the release triggers and reposition the loop latch to the unlocked position. Rotation of the actuator cam repositions the dual plunger towards the extended position. The return spring biases the dual plunger towards the retracted position and towards an engaged position with the actuator cam.

Abstract: A seat trim cover for a vehicle seat comprises a molded foam backing formed on a cover material blank that has been vacuum-formed into a 3-dimensional shape. The cover material blank has been pre-cut into a predefined shape having a predefined selvage extending around an outer periphery of the cover material blank. The molded foam backing is spaced apart from the predefined selvage of the cover material blank forming a foam-free selvage. The molded foam backing includes a stepped edge profile having a first surface defining a first sewing alignment feature and a second surface defining a second alignment feature. The first sewing alignment feature is spaced apart from the second sewing alignment feature.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes a fixed long rail, a rail drive assembly having a drive wheel for transposing the rail drive assembly along the fixed long rail, an upper gearbox attached to a vehicle seat, and an auto-centering quick connection mechanism for operatively coupling a guide pin extending from the upper gearbox to the drive wheel when the vehicle seat is attached to the rail drive assembly. The auto-centering quick connection mechanism further automatically rotates the guide pin to a home position when the vehicle seat is decoupled from the rail drive assembly.

Abstract: A high durability electrically conductive urethane foam acts as a variable resistor such that as the foam deflects, conductive particles get closer together, causing electrical resistance to decrease. The electrically conductive foam is further integrated into an automotive seat sensor system.

Abstract: A seat assembly secured to a floor in an automotive vehicle has a seat cushion, a seat back, a seat track assembly, a latch mechanism, a memory mechanism, and an interlock assembly. The seat back is operatively coupled to the seat cushion, and is movable between an upright position and a folded position. The seat track assembly includes a fixed track adapted to be fixedly secured to the floor and a movable track fixedly secured to the seat cushion. The movable track is slidably coupled to the fixed track. The latch mechanism is operatively coupled between the fixed and movable tracks. The latch mechanism prevents sliding movement of the movable track, and is (17) selectively unlocked from the fixed track to allow sliding movement of the seat cushion between a plurality of positions. The memory mechanism is operable between a home position and a memory position. In the home position, the memory mechanism is coupled and moves with the movable track.

Abstract: An apparatus for molding a foam pad with a wire assembly for an automotive vehicle includes a mold bowl operably coupled to a mold lid to define a mold cavity therebetween. The mold bowl includes a bottom surface and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from and encircling the bottom surface. A plurality of wire holders extend inwardly from and are spaced around the peripheral wall for vertically positioning the wire assembly within the mold cavity. A holding element, such as an arcuate recess, is disposed along an upper ledge of at least one of the wire holders for horizontally positioning the wire assembly within the mold cavity. The mold cavity receives a foam material for filling the mold cavity and surrounding the wire assembly to form the foam pad with the wire assembly embedded therein.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a swivel mechanism for providing rotation of the seat assembly in an automotive vehicle. The swivel mechanism includes a first plate assembly coupled to a second plate assembly at a rolling-element bearing to facilitate axial rotation of one of the first and second plate assemblies relative to the other of the first and second plate assemblies. A lock plate slidably disposed on the second plate assembly selectively engages a lock pin extending from the first plate assembly for movement between a locked position in which the swivel mechanism cannot rotate and an unlocked position in which the swivel mechanism can freely rotate. Actuation of the lock plate between the locked position and the unlocked position actuates movement of a wedge between a cinched position to stabilize the swivel mechanism and an uncinched position to allow unimpeded rotation of the swivel mechanism.

Abstract: A power long rail assembly is attached to a vehicle floor for repositioning vehicle seats in a vehicle between a plurality of seating positions. The power long rail assembly includes a fixed long rail and a power rail drive assembly configured to travel along the fixed long rail. The power rail drive assembly has an upper channel having a driving wheel configured to frictionally and/or meshingly engage with the fixed long rail, a fore/aft motor operatively coupled to the driving wheel, a latch assembly for locking the upper channel to the fixed long rail, and a latch release mechanism having a latch motor operatively coupled to a release plunger for automatically unlocking the latch assembly from the fixed long rail, and a fore/aft button operatively coupled to the fore/aft motor and to the latch motor to selectively activate the fore/aft motor and the latch motor.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for use in a vehicle includes a fixed rail, a movable rail, a power strip, a latch power connector, and a channel power connector. The fixed rail extends longitudinally along a floor of the vehicle. The movable rail is slidably coupled to the fixed rail. The power strip is coupled to the fixed rail. The latch power connector is removably coupled to the movable rail. The channel power connector is fixedly coupled to the movable rail and is in constant sliding contact with the power strip. When the latch power connector is coupled to the movable rail, the latch power connector frictionally engages the channel power connector thereby generating an electrical bridge between the power strip and the latch power connector to provide power to the long rail assembly.

Abstract: A long rail assembly attached to a vehicle floor for repositioning vehicle seats in a vehicle between a plurality of seating positions. The long rail assembly includes a fixed long rail having a C-shaped cross-section in profile and an elongated opening in a side wall of the long rail, a power rail drive module configured to travel along an interior of the long rail and having at least one striker extending laterally away from the rail drive module through the elongated opening in the side wall of the long rail, and a vehicle seat having at least one leg releasably coupled to the at least one striker by a seat latch assembly.

Abstract: A reversible seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has a seat cushion, a seat back and a bolster. The seat cushion extends between a front end and a rear end. The bolster is operatively coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a deployed position when the seat back is adjacent the rear or front end of the seat cushion and a retracted position when the seat back is between the rear and front ends of the seat cushion to allow the seat back to rotate between a forward-facing seating position and a rearward-facing seating position.

Abstract: A seat trim cover having a 3-dimensional shape for an automotive vehicle seat is formed by pre-cutting a laminate blank into a predefined shape having a predefined selvage extending around an outer periphery of the laminate blank, vacuum forming the laminate blank in a 3-dimensional mold to form a 3-dimensional laminate blank, and forming a molded foam backing on the 3-dimensional shaped laminate blank to form the seat trim cover. The molded foam backing has an outer perimeter that is spaced apart from the predefined selvage such that the predefined selvage is free of foam.