Patents by Inventor David A. Hein
David A. Hein has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9457699Abstract: A seat assembly having an automatically adjustable head restraint is provided. A seat back is mounted within a vehicle and a head restraint assembly is adjustably mounted to the vehicle and disposed adjacent the seat back. The seat back includes a sensor mounted adjacent an upper portion of the seat back for detecting the presence and position of a passenger relative to the head restraint. A controller is in communication with the sensor and receives the output signal of the sensor. The controller then generates a control signal in order to position the head restraint based on the output signals of the sensor. An actuator is connected to the head restraint for positioning the head restraint based on a control signal received from the control module.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: October 4, 2016Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Arjun Yetukuri, David A. Hein, Sai Prasad Jammalamadaka
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Patent number: 9434276Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment assembly has an actuator adapted to move a component of the vehicle seat assembly, and a generally planar sensor array in communication with the controller and accessible from an outer surface of the vehicle seat assembly. The sensor array has a plurality of adjacent sensors accessible from an outer surface of the vehicle seat assembly. A controller is in communication with the actuator for controlling the actuator and in communication with the sensor array. The controller is configured to control the actuator to move the component in response to receiving a signal indicative of a touch input of the sensor array by a user such that the movement of the component correlates with the input to the sensor array.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Arjun Yetukuri, David A. Hein, Gerald S. Locke
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Patent number: 9383872Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly has a vehicle seat with a seat base and a seat back. The vehicle seat has at least one actuator configured to move one of the seat back and seat base along a path between a first position and a second position. A sensor has a generally planar surface defining a sensing area. A controller is in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to, in response to receiving a sliding input on the sensing area, control the at least one actuator to move the one of the seat back and seat base along the path.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Arjun V. Yetukuri, David A. Hein
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Patent number: 9333880Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling movement of a seat in a vehicle. A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to sense a presence of an object and to generate an output signal representing a proximity of the object to the sensor. A control unit is configured to receive the sensor output signal and to generate a control signal for use in controlling movement of the seat.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Mark A. Farquhar, David A. Hein, Arjun Yetukuri
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Patent number: 9296303Abstract: An EVSE assembly convertible between a charge cord and a charge station includes a charge unit having a connector of a first type, a charge station sub-assembly having a connector of a second type, and a cord set sub-assembly having a connector of the second type. The connector of the charge station sub-assembly is hard-wired to an (240V) electrical circuit. The charge unit electrically connects to the charge station sub-assembly while the connectors of the charge unit and the charge station sub-assembly are connected to one another to thereby form a (240V) charge station. The cord set sub-assembly further includes a power plug connectable to (one of a 120V and 240V) electrical outlet. The charge unit electrically connects to the cord set sub-assembly while the connectors of the charge unit and the cord set sub-assembly are connected to one another to thereby form a (120V or 240V) cord set.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Mark Anthony Mueller, David A. Hein, Mary Mueller, John N. Topolewski
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Publication number: 20150251551Abstract: An electric vehicle charging system in described that includes an electrical energy source that includes a base with a plurality of electrical signal connectors to receive a first electrical signal, a second electrical signal and a ground signal, an adapter having a plurality of outlet connectors configured to electrically connect to at least some of the plurality of electrical signal connectors, wherein the adapter can be placed in a plurality of positions on the base to correctly orient the base to any of plurality of outlet connector orientations, and a locking ring adapted to engage the base to removable fix the adapter to the base in one of the four positions. The system can include a thermistor assembly to sense thermal energy in the source and if thermal energy exceeds a threshold to output a signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2015Publication date: September 10, 2015Inventors: Mark Anthony MUELLER, David A. HEIN, David MENZIES, Reinhard PUSCH, Mary MUELLER
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Publication number: 20150231991Abstract: Seats and methods for controlling a seat are described. A position of the user's leg is sensed relative to the position of the front of the seat. A determination is made as to if the position of the user's leg from a front of the seat is greater than a gap minimum. If the gap is greater than the gap minimum, a cushion length extender portion of the seat is moved until the sensed position is less than or equal to the gap minimum. In an example, the remainder of seat base is held in a fixed position within the vehicle environment. In an example, sensing can include capacitively sensing a position of the user's leg. In an example, sensing can use at least one of a thermal sensor, a light sensor, a radio frequency sensor, a microwave sensor or combinations thereof to sense the position of the user's leg. The gap minimum can be with the cushion length extender portion in slight contact with the user's leg. The sensor can be at a front face of seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2015Publication date: August 20, 2015Inventors: Arjun YETUKURI, Mark A. FARQUHAR, David A. HEIN
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Publication number: 20150054461Abstract: An EVSE assembly convertible between a charge cord and a charge station includes a charge unit having a connector of a first type, a charge station sub-assembly having a connector of a second type, and a cord set sub-assembly having a connector of the second type. The connector of the charge station sub-assembly is hard-wired to an (240V) electrical circuit. The charge unit electrically connects to the charge station sub-assembly while the connectors of the charge unit and the charge station sub-assembly are connected to one another to thereby form a (240V) charge station. The cord set sub-assembly further includes a power plug connectable to (one of a 120V and 240V) electrical outlet. The charge unit electrically connects to the cord set sub-assembly while the connectors of the charge unit and the cord set sub-assembly are connected to one another to thereby form a (120V or 240V) cord set.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2014Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Mark Anthony Mueller, David A. Hein, Mary Mueller, John N. Topolewski
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Publication number: 20150035483Abstract: An electrical cable assembly is provided with an electrical connector sized to be received into an electrical outlet. A cable is in electrical communication with the electrical connector. A lockable connector is in electrical communication with the cable. An adapter receptacle is sized to receive the lockable connector for electrical communication with the lockable connector. The lockable connector is lockable within the adapter receptacle. A vehicle connector assembly is in electrical communication with the adapter receptacle and is sized to be received by a vehicle receptacle to convey current to the vehicle receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Mark Anthony Mueller, David A. Hein, Mary Mueller, Aric Henderson Anglin
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Publication number: 20150038025Abstract: An electrical terminal assembly is provided with at least one blade having a distal end that is sized to be received within an electrical outlet. One of a lug and a pair of crimp tabs with distal ends is provided on a proximal end of the at least one blade. A wire is in electrical communication with a vehicle charger. The wire is welded to the lug or received between the pair of crimp tabs with the distal ends of the crimp tabs deformed centrally within the crimp tabs to press the wire against the proximal end of the at least one blade, with the wire welded to the pair of crimp tabs.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2014Publication date: February 5, 2015Inventors: Mark Anthony Mueller, David A. Hein, Aric Henderson Anglin, Mary Mueller
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Patent number: 8922967Abstract: A thermal protection system for an electrical system having a control system and an electrical outlet connected to an electrical power source includes an electrical cord having a plug attached thereto that is configured to electrically connect with the outlet. A non-contact temperature sensor is disposed within the plug and configured to measure a temperature of the outlet. The temperature sensor is in communication with the control system and configured to send a signal to the control system to effect a reduced flow of current through the outlet and plug when the temperature sensor indicates that a predetermined condition is met.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2012Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Paul Goelz, David A. Hein
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Publication number: 20140277952Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for controlling movement of a seat in a vehicle. A sensor assembly includes a sensor configured to sense a presence of an object and to generate an output signal representing a proximity of the object to the sensor. A control unit is configured to receive the sensor output signal and to generate a control signal for use in controlling movement of the seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Mark A. Farquhar, David A. Hein, Arjun Yetukuri
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Publication number: 20140265477Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment assembly has an actuator adapted to move a component of the vehicle seat assembly, and a generally planar sensor array in communication with the controller and accessible from an outer surface of the vehicle seat assembly. The sensor array has a plurality of adjacent sensors accessible from an outer surface of the vehicle seat assembly. A controller is in communication with the actuator for controlling the actuator and in communication with the sensor array. The controller is configured to control the actuator to move the component in response to receiving a signal indicative of a touch input of the sensor array by a user such that the movement of the component correlates with the input to the sensor array.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Arjun Yetukuri, David A. Hein, Gerald S. Locke
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Publication number: 20140210239Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly has a vehicle seat with a seat base and a seat back. The vehicle seat has at least one actuator configured to move one of the seat back and seat base along a path between a first position and a second position. A sensor has a generally planar surface defining a sensing area. A controller is in communication with the actuator and the sensor. The controller is configured to, in response to receiving a sliding input on the sensing area, control the at least one actuator to move the one of the seat back and seat base along the path.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Arjun V. Yetukuri, David A. Hein
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Patent number: 8781689Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is provided with a support structure and a head restraint supported by the support structure and being movable relative to the support structure between a first position and a second position. An actuator is connected to the head restraint for moving the head restraint, and a controller is in communication with the actuator. A sensor array is supported by one of the support structure and the head restraint and in communication with the controller. The sensor array has a first region and a second region. The sensor array is configured to sense an input of the first region and second region being sequentially activated. The sensor array communicates the input to the controller, and the controller causing the actuator to move the head restraint.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Arjun Yetukuri, David A. Hein, Gerald S. Locke
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Patent number: 8779717Abstract: An offline power supply includes a power supply circuit including a primary-side circuit for connecting to a power source, a secondary-side circuit for connecting to a load, and a transformer connecting the primary-side circuit and the secondary-side circuit. A switch operates to selectively connect the primary-side circuit to the power source. A trigger circuit is connected to the secondary-side circuit and has at least one input. The trigger circuit generates an output to selectively operate the switch based on the at least one input.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2011Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: David A. Hein, Krzysztof Klesyk
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Patent number: 8729856Abstract: A system and method operable to facilitate thermal wall plug sensing and control may include an ability to control current drawn by a charging system or other load according to a temperature determined at an interface between the charging system and an energy source used to provided energy to the charging system. A temperature sensed with a temperature sensor included in a plug assembly or other housing or cord used to connect the charging system to the energy source may be used to implement the temperature regulated current control.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2011Date of Patent: May 20, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: John F. Nathan, David A. Hein, Faisal K. Sallam, Mark Anthony Mueller
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Patent number: 8692557Abstract: A ground monitor is disclosed. The ground monitor may be configured to conduct a ground continuity test based on a determined ground resistance. The ground monitor may be operable to determine the ground resistance as a function of a voltage differential detected during application of a test current.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2013Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: David A. Hein, Aftab Ali Khan
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Patent number: 8672409Abstract: A vehicle seat with an adjustable head restraint assembly is provided with a controller configured to receive an instruction signal to actuate a head restraint from a use position to a stowed position. A detection signal indicates whether an object is within a predetermined range of the head restraint. A stow signal is transmitted to an actuator to actuate the head restraint to the stowed position in response to the instruction signal and in response to the detection signal indicating that an object is not within the predetermined range of the head restraint. A use signal is transmitted to the actuator to maintain the head restraint in the use position in response to the instruction signal and in response to the detection signal indicating that an object is within the predetermined range of the head restraint.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2011Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Arjun Yetukuri, David A. Hein, Gerald S. Locke
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Patent number: 8648606Abstract: A ground monitor is disclosed. The ground monitor may be configured to conduct a ground continuity test based on a determined ground resistance. The ground monitor may be operable to determine the ground resistance as a function of a voltage differential detected during application of a test current.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2010Date of Patent: February 11, 2014Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: David A. Hein, Aftab Ali Khan