Abstract: A power adjuster (30) for adjusting the position of an upper track (16) relative to a lower track (18) of a seat track assembly (10). The power adjuster includes a lead screw (22) fixedly secured to the upper track, a drive assembly (32) operatively coupled to the upper track and selectively coupled to the lead screw, a driven assembly (34) operatively coupled to the lead screw and selectively coupled to the drive assembly, and a release mechanism (36) coupled to the upper track. The release mechanism is operable between a locked condition coupling the driven assembly to the drive assembly and the upper track wherein the driven assembly and the drive assembly move longitudinally along the lead screw with the upper track relative to the lower track and an unlocked condition wherein the driven assembly is decoupled from the upper track and retained along the lead screw during movement of the upper track relative to the lower track.

Abstract: A seat is provided in which a seat cushion is pivotally coupled to a seat back by a recliner assembly. The recliner assembly is selectively operable between a locked condition preventing pivotal movement of the seat back and an unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of the seat back. A riser assembly supports the seat assembly above a floor, such as the floor of a vehicle, and is configured for actuation and movement of the seat assembly between a generally upright seating position, a pitched easy entry position tilted forwardly and downwardly towards the floor to allow easier ingress and egress behind the seat, and a stowed position recessed within a compartment below the floor.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle comprising a seat cushion and a seat back for pivotal movement between an upright seating position and a forwardly dumped position. A recliner mechanism is operatively coupled between the seat cushion and the seat back for selective actuation between a locked and unlocked condition allowing the pivotal movement of the seat back. A seat track assembly is coupled to the seat cushion for selective actuation between a locked and unlocked condition allowing fore and aft sliding movement of the seat assembly between a passenger comfort position and a full forward position.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are provided for detecting drowsiness or the alertness level of a driver of vehicle. A driver's heart rate variability level is determined based on signals received from one or more sensors placed in the vehicle, such as biometric sensors located in a seat assembly. In response to a low heartbeat variability indicating a drowsy or non-alert driver, one or more output signals may be generated to warn or notify the driver.

Abstract: A cable assembly is provided for use with Bowden cables that combines a splitter and compensator. The cable assembly includes a hollow housing having a longitudinal axis, a first end defining a first aperture for receiving the wire of an input cable, and a second end defining a second aperture for receiving the wires of the output cables. A slider is provided within the housing for joining the wires of the input and output cables. The slider is configured for movement within the housing and along the axis. A conduit cap fixes the conduits of the output cables to one another. The conduit cap is configured for movement within the housing. A compression spring is configured to bias the conduit cap away from the first end of the housing.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle comprises a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a use position and a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion. A seat track assembly is coupled to the seat cushion for providing selective adjustment of the seat assembly between an upright design position and a reclined slouch position wherein the seat back is automatically pivoted rearwardly in response to forward sliding movement of the seat cushion. A sliding fold flat latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the seat back for slidably guiding the seat back during movement of the seat assembly between the upright design position and the reclined slouch position and for actuation between a locked condition retaining the seat back in the use position and an unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of the seat back to the fold flat position.

Abstract: A flex shield operatively coupled to a seat assembly of an automotive vehicle for concealing a portion of the seat assembly. The flex shield comprising a flexible planar body portion extending laterally between a front edge and a rear edge and vertically between an upper edge and a lower edge. A plurality of elastic straps are fixedly secured to the body portion and adapted to be coupled to the seat assembly for maintaining tension on the flexible body portion. A plurality of pre-formed fold lines are formed in the body portion and extend between at least one of the front edge and rear edge for consistently controlling folding motion of the body portion between an unfolded position defining a generally planar body portion and a folded position wherein the body portion is collapsed along the fold lines.

Abstract: A disc recliner 18 for a seat assembly includes a fixed plate 22 secured to a seat cushion 12 and a rotatable plate 30 secured to a seat back 14. Each of the fixed and rotatable plates 22,30 has a plurality of teeth 40,48, the number of teeth not being equal. A flex spline 26 has a plurality of teeth 52, the number of teeth being equal to the number of teeth on the fixed plate 22. A wave generator 28 causes a portion of the teeth 52 on the flex spline 26 to meshingly engage with the teeth 40,48 on the fixed and rotatable plates 22,30. Rotation of the wave generator 28 causes the teeth 52 on the flex spline 26 which meshingly engage with the teeth 40,48 on the fixed and rotatable plates 22,30 to change, thereby causing the rotatable plate 30 to rotate relative to the fixed plate 22, which in turn causes the seat back 14 to pivot relative to the seat cushion 12.

Abstract: A power adjuster for adjusting an upper track relative to a lower track of a seat track assembly. An elongated lead screw extends axially between opposite fore and aft ends and is fixedly secured to the lower track. A driven assembly is selectively coupled to the lead screw for axial travel along the lead screw between the fore and aft ends. A drive assembly is fixedly coupled to the upper track and operatively coupled to the driven assembly for selectively rotating the driven assembly in opposite first and second directions for axial travel along the lead screw in a power operation mode. A release mechanism is coupled to the upper track and operable between a locked condition.

Abstract: A thermally conductive trim cover is provided for use on a seat assembly. The trim cover comprises a layer of leather material having a top surface and a bottom surface and thermally conductive particles embedded in the leather material between the top and bottom surface for dispersing heat therethrough.

Abstract: A disc recliner assembly has a guide plate including one pair of spaced apart and parallel guide walls and an outer peripheral rim having a plurality of radially projecting teeth. A tooth plate has an outer peripheral rim with a plurality of radially projecting teeth axially aligned with the teeth of the guide plate. A pawl is mounted between the guide plate and the tooth plate. The pawl is guided by the pair of guide walls between an unlocked position with the teeth of the pawl spaced and disengaged from teeth of the guide plate and the tooth plate to allow rotational movement of the guide plate relative to the tooth plate and a locked position with the teeth of the pawl in messed engagement with the teeth of the guide plate and the tooth plate to prevent rotational movement of the guide plate relative to the tooth plate.

Abstract: A single motor gearbox assembly (100) including a shift motor (104) operatively connected to a shift worm (106), a worm gear (108), a drive selection arm (110), and a drive motor (116) operatively connected to a plurality of output gears (112a-112c) to selectively control multiple seat assembly functions. The single motor gearbox assembly (100) further includes a plurality of micro-switches (114a-114c) configured to activate/deactivate the shift motor (104) and the drive motor (116).

Abstract: A quick adjust power adjuster for adjusting the position of an upper track relative to a lower track of a seat track assembly comprises an elongated guide rod extending axially between opposite first and second ends and fixedly secured to the lower track. A tubular lead screw is slidably coupled to the guide rod. A driven assembly is operatively coupled to the tubular lead screw for axial travel along the tubular lead screw in response to rotation of the driven assembly. A drive assembly is fixedly coupled to the upper track and operatively coupled to the driven assembly for selectively rotating the driven assembly in opposite first and second directions for axial travel along the tubular lead screw.

Abstract: A seat track assembly includes a latch mechanism operable to allow movement of a movable track relative to a fixed track between a plurality of positions. A memory mechanism is operable between a home position, coupled with the movable track, and a memory position, coupled with the fixed track, to define a selected position. Actuation of the memory mechanism to the memory position unlocks the latch mechanism to allow movement of the movable track in a first direction away from the selected position to an easy-entry position. In response to movement of the movable track in a second direction from the easy-entry position, the memory mechanism blocks the movable track at the selected position, allowing the latch mechanism to lock and the memory mechanism to return to the home position. The latch mechanism operates independently to unlock the latch mechanism when the memory mechanism is in the home position.

Abstract: A disc recliner comprises a fixed guide plate coupled to a rotatable tooth plate. Pawls are movable between a first position interlocking the guide plate and tooth plate in a locked condition and a second position disengaged from the tooth plate in an unlocked condition to allow pivotal movement therebetween. A shaft extends through the guide plate and the tooth plate and a cam is fixedly mounted on the shaft for engagement with the pawls. A drive nut is fixedly mounted to the guide plate for rotation therewith. A drive screw is fixedly mounted to the shaft and matingly engaged with the drive nut wherein rotation of the shaft rotates the drive screw and the drive nut causes lateral movement of the shaft and cam along an axis to drive the pawls between the first and second positions thereby actuating the disc recliner between a locked and unlocked conditions.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes a frame assembly for supporting a seat occupant in the vehicle, a foam pad supported by the frame assembly, and a trim cover covering the foam pad. A noise reduction coating is applied to the foam pad between the foam pad and the frame assembly to reduce noise from movement therebetween. The noise reduction coating includes a fluorescent additive from the group consisting of: vitamin A, thiamine, niacin, riboflavin, vitamin B-12, gypsum, talc, opal, agate, quartz, amber, chlorophyll, quinine, n-propanol, n-butanol, diacetone alcohol, xylene, and cresol.

Abstract: A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle comprises a seat cushion and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement between a use position and a fold flat position overlying the seat cushion. A seat track assembly is coupled to the seat cushion for providing selective adjustment of the seat assembly between an upright design position and a reclined slouch position wherein the seat back is automatically pivoted rearwardly in response to forward sliding movement of the seat cushion. A sliding fold flat latch mechanism is operatively coupled to the seat back for slidably guiding the seat back during movement of the seat assembly between the upright design position and the reclined slouch position and for actuation between a locked condition retaining the seat back in the use position and an unlocked condition allowing pivotal movement of the seat back to the fold flat position.

Abstract: A disc recliner for a seat assembly includes a fixed plate secured to a seat cushion and a rotatable plate secured to a seat back. Each of the fixed and rotatable plates has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth not being equal. A flex spline has a plurality of teeth, the number of teeth being equal to the number of teeth on the fixed plate. A wave generator causes a portion of the teeth on the flex spline to meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates. Rotation of the wave generator causes the teeth on the flex spline which meshingly engage with the teeth on the fixed and rotatable plates to change, thereby causing the rotatable plate to rotate relative to the fixed plate, which in turn causes the seat back to pivot relative to the seat cushion.

Abstract: A seat track assembly includes upper and lower tracks slidably coupled together. The lower track includes a locking window and the upper track includes a first aperture. A locking mechanism includes a mounting bracket fixedly secured to the upper track. The mounting bracket includes a second aperture. At least one pin is slidably guided by the second aperture for movement in and out of the locking window and first aperture for interlocking the upper and lower tracks. The pin includes opposite first and second sides and at least one of the sides includes a recess. The recess reduces a surface area of the respective side of the pin and defines upper and lower edges. The upper and lower edges of the recess lockingly engage with the upper and lower tracks in response to a dynamic impact to prevent withdrawal of the pin from the locking window and first aperture.

Abstract: A seat assembly comprises a seat cushion and a seat back having a bottom portion coupled to the seat cushion and an opposite top portion. A head restraint is coupled to the seat back for movement between a stowed position adjacent the top portion of the seat back and a deployed position spaced above the top portion of the seat back. A cable carriage is coupled to the seat back for actuation along a longitudinal axis between a home position and a lift position. A cable extends between a first end coupled to the head restraint and a second end coupled to the cable carriage for moving the head restraint between the stowed position and the deployed position in response to actuation of the cable carriage between the home position and the lift position.