Abstract: A safe exit warning apparatus and method for an occupant may include a first sensor that detects position of the occupant in the vehicle, a second sensor that detects an approaching object from the vehicle's blind spot, a warning device that warns the occupant about collision with the object, and a controller that determines the occupant's intent to get out of the vehicle by monitoring the position of the occupant in the vehicle when the vehicle stops and that controls the warning device to warn the occupant about the collision with the approaching object.

Abstract: A modified OEM vehicle having an interior for accommodating a passenger in a wheelchair including a floor base assembly, a seat, and a seat base assembly operatively connected to the seat. The seat base assembly includes a lower seat base assembly configured to be coupled to the floor base assembly, an upper seat base assembly pivotably coupled to the lower seat base assembly, and an actuator coupled to the lower seat base assembly and to the upper seat assembly. The the actuator includes a retracted position in which the seat is located in a seated position and an extended position in which the seat is located in a tilted position, wherein the tilted position of the seat provides additional space for the wheelchair within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: Vehicle access seating supports a user seat unit using a mounting assembly, a fore-aft slide assembly, a swivel assembly and an extension/retraction assembly. The seat unit moves from a secured drive position on either side of the motor vehicle to an access position wherein at least part of the seat is outside the vehicle, facilitating user vehicle access. Moving from the drive position to the access position, the seat moves linearly along two axes—one (static) defined by the mounting assembly, and a second axis (pivotable) defined by the seat itself—increasing the seat occupant's legroom by reducing the clearances between the seat and the vehicle B-pillar and between the seat and the vehicle transmission tunnel. A vertical mounting recline angle improves the occupant headroom inside the vehicle. Moving between the drive and access positions, the seat can move through a narrow transition corridor in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A seat device for use in a vehicle that can move through an opening of a vehicle between a loading and unloading position positioned outside the vehicle, where a passenger can load and unload as well as be seated, and a seating position positioned in the cabin of the vehicle, where the passenger can maintain a seated disposition. A securing member of the seat device can secure a wheelchair in a folded state to a side surface or a back surface of the seat. The wheelchair together with the seat can move from the loading and unloading position to inside the cabin of the vehicle, with the passenger in a seated position.

Abstract: An articulated seating system supports a user seat using a mounting assembly, a fore-aft slide assembly, a swivel assembly and an extension assembly driven by a drive packet having one or more motors or the like. The seat is moved from a secured drive position (e.g., a standard interior vehicle seat position) to an extension position (wherein the seat faces out of a vehicle doorway) and finally to an access position outside the vehicle, facilitating access for a user having limited mobility, strength, etc. Extendible supporting arms engage and enclose guide rollers to allow stable and precise control of lateral and vertical seat movement. Moving between the drive and extension positions, the seat can move through a narrow transition corridor in the motor vehicle. The motors can operate manually to allow securing the seat in the drive position despite power or other failure.

Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle, includes a main support control means for moving a side support portion inwardly and outwardly by means of a driving portion depending on a road shape, a support control means for operating the side support portion on the basis of an electronic map data before the vehicle reaches a curve starting point, a distance calculating means for calculating distance between an intersection and the curve starting point on the basis of the electronic map data, the intersection and the curve starting point, a determining means for determining whether or not control of the support control means is executed on the basis of the calculated distance and electronic map data accuracy, a means for executing the control of the support control means on the basis of determination of the determining means, and a means for refraining the control of the support control means.

Abstract: A lower rail or an upper rail has a first wall provided at a position on a first one of opposite sides in a widthwise direction thereof, and a second wall provided at a position on the other, second, side in the widthwise direction and disposed opposed to the first wall. At least one of the first wall and the second wall has an opening. At least one of an outer portion of the holding member in the widthwise direction and an outer portion of the nut member in the widthwise direction is inserted in the opening and disposed opposed to an inner side-surface of the opening facing in a frontward-rearward direction.

Abstract: A slide rail for motor vehicle seat comprising a first profile section, attached to said vehicle, with a cross-section having a bottom and two side parts, a second profile section, guided translationally relative to the first profile section along the longitudinal axis, the second profile section having a cross-section with a web and first and second side flanges, a fixed motorization element connected to the first profile section, a movable motorization element connected to the second profile section, a sensor attached to the second profile section, the sensor being suitable for detecting the presence of the fixed motorization element when the sensor is opposite a portion of the fixed motorization element.

Abstract: An autonomous seat system of an automotive vehicle and a performing method thereof are disclosed. The system and method are aimed to reduce discomfort of a passenger due to centrifugal forces resulted from vehicle's turning motion. The system includes a lane prediction unit, a control unit, and a seat adjusting unit. The lane prediction unit is utilized for obtaining lane information in front of the automotive vehicle. According to the lane information the control unit calculates the centrifugal force which the passenger experiences while sitting in a seat of the automotive vehicle, and a seat tilt angle which is required for the seat to compensate the centrifugal force after a predetermined time interval. The seat adjusting unit adjusts the seat to the seat tilt angle after the predetermined time interval so as to reduce or eliminate the ill-effect on the passenger resulted from the centrifugal force.

Abstract: A vehicle seat device in which a seat can be simply and reliably held at a storage position. In a vehicle seat, a vehicle width direction outer side end portion of a seat cushion is supported so as to be capable of rotating around a drive shaft having an axis along a vehicle front-rear direction, and the seat cushion can be switched between a seating configuration at which an occupant can be seated and a storage configuration at which the seat cushion stands erect along a vehicle cabin inner side surface, due to being rotated around the drive shaft by a driving motor. Further, the vehicle seat which is in the storage configuration is held at the storage configuration by a striker.

Abstract: A vehicle having a door opening defining a threshold. A slide system includes a track operably connected to the vehicle. A slide is linearly moveable relative to the track. A seat is operably connected to the slide. The slide is laterally movable between a retracted position that corresponds with the seat being positioned inside the vehicle and an extended position that corresponds with the seat being disposed in the threshold.

Abstract: A vehicle seat may include a seat main body having a seat cushion, a rotation mechanism that is arranged and constructed to horizontally rotate the seat main body with respect to a vehicle floor, a vertically moving mechanism that is arranged and constructed to vertically move the seat main body while moving the seat main body between vehicle interior and vehicle exterior, and a seat support that is capable of attaching the seat main body to the vertically moving mechanism. A cushion frame of the seat cushion is composed of a pair of longitudinal side frame elements, an anchor frame positioned between the side frame elements and anchor members attached to the anchor frame. The anchor frame is connected to the seat support via reinforcement members.

Abstract: A vehicle seat of the present invention has an engaged member, an engagement member and a guide portion. The engagement member is provided on the seat body so as to be movable between a restraint position and a restraint release position. The engagement member is capable of moving to the restraint position, so as to be advanced to a position in which the engagement member faces the engaged member, and is capable of moving to the restraint release position, so as to be retracted to a position in which the engagement member does not face the engaged member. The guide portion is capable of moving the engagement member to the restraint position when the seat body moves to the retracted position, and is capable of moving the engagement member to the restraint release position when the seat body is advanced from the retracted position.

Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system in one embodiment includes a control device disposed in a front portion of a vehicle body; a plurality of first sensors mounted in the front portion of the vehicle body; two first actuators each mounted under a front seat equipped with a first seat belt; and a second actuator mounted under a rear seat equipped with a plurality of second seat belts; wherein each of the first sensors is adapted to detect a vehicle crash and send an activation signal to the control device when it occurs, and the activated control device is adapted to activate the first and second actuators to pivot the front and rear seats upward a predetermined angle to push seated vehicle occupants rearward.

Abstract: A seat row assembly is provided, having a first rail and a first seat movably connected to the first rail. A second seat is moveable between a first position and a second position, such that the second seat in its second position does not occupy the same space as in its first position. The first seat is configured to selectively move from a first position into a second position, in which it occupies space occupied by the second seat in its respective first configuration. A second rail, perpendicular to the first rail, is movably connected to the first rail such that the first seat is selectively movable along both the first rail and the second rail. The seats may be configured to fold to a collapsed configuration. A method of allowing access to a third row of seats in a vehicle having a second row of seats is also provided.

Abstract: A retractable seat of laterally folding type wherein a seat portion thereof is caused by a motor to displace in a direction laterally of a vehicle. The seat portion is pivotally connected, via connecting arm and support elements, with a support base element provided in the vehicle body. The motor and drive transmission elements are securely provided in the seat portion, such that the motor is operatively connected via the drive transmission element with a drive shaft fixed to one end of the connecting arm. Operation of the motor causes displacement of the seat portion in the direction laterally of the vehicle body toward one of a use position on a floor and a non-use storage position where the seat portion extends upright adjacent to a lateral side of the vehicle. The motor is controlled by electric and electronic elements and systems.

Abstract: A riser assembly extends between a seat cushion and a floor of an automotive vehicle. The riser assembly includes a floor bracket that is fixedly secured to the floor. A rod extends laterally within the vehicle and is fixedly secured to the floor bracket. A front leg extends between upper and lower ends. The upper end is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion for movement of the seat cushion between a generally horizontal seating position and an upright position. The lower end is slidably coupled to the rod for lateral sliding movement of the seat cushion between primary and secondary positions. A pulley wheel is pivotally coupled to the front leg between the upper and lower ends. A cable includes an intermediate portion that extends between a first end fixedly secured to the seat cushion and a second end fixedly secured to the floor bracket.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a seat part and a backrest which together are configured to be pivoted about a generally vertically aligned pivot axis from a use position into an entry position and from the use position into a cargo position. The seat part is configured to be substantially perpendicular to the backrest in the use position and the entry position. The seat part is configured to be substantially parallel to the backrest in the cargo position. The seat part and the backrest are configured to be pivoted at least approximately 30 degrees from the use position into the entry position. The seat part and the backrest are configured to be pivoted approximately 90 degrees from the use position into the cargo position.

Abstract: The invention discloses a vehicle seat adjusting apparatus including a seat base, a mechanically operated first transmission device, a first supporting plate, a mechanically operated second transmission device, and a second supporting plate. When the first transmission device is operated to be stationary, the second transmission device is capable of being operated to rotate a rotation shaft thereof to rotate the second supporting plate with respect to the first supporting plate. The second transmission device also actuates a first gear thereof to meshably rotate on a stationary first rack member of the first transmission device, such that the second supporting plate, together with the first supporting plate, moves with respect to the seat base along a direction defined by the first rack member.

Abstract: A vehicle seat lifting unit is provided with a slider and a lift arm assembly that are driven by a drive unit to move a seat with a seat holder between an initial position inside the vehicle occupant compartment and a displaced position outside the vehicle occupant compartment that is lower than the initial position. The lift arm assembly has a pair of arms that cooperate with the slider and the seat holder to form a linkage mechanism. The drive unit moves the slider along the predetermined path between an advance position and a retreat position and causes the first and second arms of the lift arm assembly to selectively swing from backwardly tilted positions to forwardly tilted positions, which in turn selectively shifts the seat between the initial position and the displaced position outside the vehicle occupant compartment that is lower than the initial position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism that can release the rotation lock mechanism without using an actuator. In the present vehicle seat, a nut (73) is moved upon rotation of a screw shaft (72) so that the seat body is moved in the lateral direction of the vehicle. When the nut (73) is moved by a desired distance, a guide roller (69) is pushed so that an operation arm (66) is moved parallel with the guide roller. As a result, a lock plate (64) is rotated in an unlock direction so that a claw (64a) is disengaged from a striker (61).

Abstract: It is one object of this invention to provide a technique that is effective in diminishing the range of fluctuation of a load applied to a drive source when a seat main body in a vehicle seat moving apparatus is moved between a raised position and a lowered position. For this purpose, this invention provides a vehicle seat moving apparatus constructed as follows. Provided on a rotation base 31, for rotating a seat main body 10 between a position where it faces the front side of the vehicle and a position where it faces a door opening, is a widthwise slide base 41 that moves horizontally in the vehicle width direction while the seat main body 10 faces the door opening. The seat main body 10 is supported by the slide base 41 via four-bar linkage mechanisms 44. Guide rollers 46 are attached to upper link arms 44a of the four-bar linkage mechanisms 44. The guide rollers 46 are placed on cam surfaces of cam plates 47 provided to the rotation base 31.

Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle seat system providing powered adjustment of the position of a seat or seat portion. The system comprises a pump, flow controller, and hydraulic actuator arranged in a hydraulic circuit. The actuator includes a first and second system protection valves for the respective inlet and outlet of the actuator. The system protection valves are adapted to be activated in response to pressure within the actuator exceeding a predetermined threshold level. When activated the system protection valves close off the respective inlet and outlets to hydraulically isolate the actuator and hydraulic fluid within the actuator from the remainder of the hydraulic circuit and adjustment system. This protects the remainder of the circuit and system from excessive pressures which may be generated within an by the actuators under crash loading.

Abstract: An arrangement in passenger vehicles, that diverts the impact energy in impacts away from the passengers to the remaining mass of the vehicle thereby protecting the passengers, and in the same arrangement provides utilitarian access to the vehicle, such utilitarian access making it possible to both install multi-element contoured surround seats for passengers and the driver, and also safety devices and arrangements for head-on collision protection that protect the passenger. An indo-skeletal structural arrangement proposed for the vehicle, provides further benefits by targeting the strength of the vehicle to protect passengers while minimizing other massive elements in the vehicle.

Abstract: A seat mounting structure is disclosed for reducing injury to vehicle occupants in side impact collisions. The seat mounting structure may include an inflation module, a linkage system, a sensor system, and a side airbag. The inflation module may include an inflatable structure and inflator or a piston device. The linkage system attaches the seat mounting structure to a seat and may help guide the movement of the seat. The sensor system may include a radar sensor and an optical sensor to help the sensor system anticipate an impending side impact. The seat mounting structure mitigates injury to the occupant by moving the occupant vertically up and laterally toward a centerline of the vehicle, thus increasing the space between the sidewall of the vehicle and the occupant. Additionally, the inflation module may comprise an inflatable structure that stiffens a floor structure of the vehicle upon inflation.

Abstract: In a movable seat for a vehicle, there are provided a seat body shiftable between inside and outside the vehicle passenger compartment, a seating member attached to the seat body to be movable between a first position where a sitter such as a humanoid biped robot is seated or unseated and a second position where the sitter is maintained seated, such that a location of a center of gravity of the sitter, when seated in the first position, with respect to a position of feet of the sitter is in a predetermined relationship, and a controller controlling an actuator to move the seating member toward one of the first and second positions in response to the inputted instruction, thereby enabling reliable seating, unseating, boarding and alighting, not only of elderly persons and others requiring special care but also of the humanoid robot.

Abstract: A method for controlling operations of power seats for a vehicle, comprises the steps of moving a first seat toward a second seat by a first reversible motor, causing a seat cushion of the first seat to be tipped up, by a second reversible motor, relative to a seat back of the first seat which stands up, sensing loads which are applied to the first and second reversible motors, once stopping the driving of the first reversible motor, when excessive load of the first reversible motor is sensed during the movement of the first seat toward the second seat, thereafter returning the first seat to a position at which the excessive load of the first reversible motor is not sensed and stopping the movement of the first seat, once stopping the tipping-up of the seat cushion, when excessive load of the second reversible motor is sensed during the tipping-up of the seat cushion, and thereafter returning the seat cushion to an original posture thereof and stopping the movement of the seat cushion.

Abstract: There is provided a vehicular seat capable of achieving smooth sliding motion. A first slider is formed by connecting center rails, on an outside of inner rails to each other by brackets, and a second slider, having a seat, is formed by connecting outer rails to each other by a bracket. A drive mechanism has ends of a driving chain, set around a drive sprocket, fixed to the bracket of the first slider after being returned by sprockets of the inner rail. A sending-out mechanism, which moves the second slider beyond the first slider when the first slider is moved beyond a swivel upper, is formed by fixing a sending-out chain, which is fixed relative to the inner rail and to the bracket of the outer rail after being returned by a sprocket at a front end of the center rail.

Abstract: A retractable seat to be attached to a floor may include a seat cushion, a seat back rotatably supported on the seat cushion, and a link mechanism for supporting the seat cushion on the floor. The link mechanism includes a front leg and a rear leg that are pivotally connected to the seat cushion and the floor so that the seat can be switched between a use condition and a retracted condition. The front and rear legs respectively have a different link length so as to produce a difference between a rotating range of the front leg and a rotating range of the rear leg. The seat may further include a compensation mechanism for compensating for the difference between the rotating ranges of the front and rear legs within an operating range of the link mechanism.

Abstract: A vehicle seat 1 includes a seat unit, a lift-up unit and a long-sliding unit. The lift-up unit moves the seat unit between an interior and an exterior of a vehicle via a door opening portion that corresponds to a passenger seat position. The long-sliding unit moves the seat unit between a driver's seat position and the fellow passenger seat position. The lift-up unit moves the seat unit downward when the seat unit is positioned at the driver's seat position, so that the seat unit is located at a suitable position for driving.

Abstract: A storable and removable jump seat for use in a vehicle. The improved seat provide for convertible seating in the form of a folding jump seat provides conforming appearance, comfort, safety and practicality. The jump seat provides a safe, comfortable and easily storable seat that may be folded and stored against a wall within the vehicle's cargo area in order to expand the available cargo space. The jump seat assembly is also designed to be quickly and easily removable in order to increase the available cargo space within a vehicle. The jump seat may be quickly and easily reinstalled without the need for tools or additional assistance. Multiple jump seats may be arranged within a vehicle to provide a side by side seating arrangement.

Abstract: A seat arrangement for a vehicle includes a first row of seats, a second row of seats mounted behind the first row of seats in a vehicular cabin, and a third row of seats mounted behind the second row of seats in the cabin. A second row seat is slidable in the longitudinal direction, and a seat cushion of the third row seat can be pivoted about a pivotal axis in the vicinity of its front edge into the upright position. When the seat cushion of the third row seat is in the upright position and the second row seat is slid rearwardly, the seat cushion of the third row seat and the second row seat are positioned closely with each other. The second row seat can slide rearwardly without interference from the step on the floor or rear wheel housings bulging out into a cabin.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is mounted on a floor in a laterally inwardly moveable manner, and is accelerated by a crash load input member, which is more rigid than the remaining part of the vehicle body, inwardly upon occurrence of a vehicle side crash. The vehicle occupant is firmly held to the seat. By thus appropriately controlling the time history of the lateral acceleration of the vehicle occupant at the time of a side crash, the maximum acceleration acting on the vehicle occupant can be controlled. The inward movement of the seat relative to the vehicle body provides a wider space between the vehicle occupant and door panel, and this contributes to the prevention of the injury to the vehicle occupant owing to the intrusion of the door panel into the passenger compartment at the time of a side crash.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is mounted on a floor in a laterally inwardly moveable manner, and is accelerated by a power actuator inwardly upon detection of a vehicle side crash. The vehicle occupant is firmly held to the seat. By thus appropriately controlling the time history of the lateral acceleration of the vehicle occupant at the time of a side crash, the maximum acceleration acting on the vehicle occupant can be controlled. The inward movement of the seat provides a wider space between the vehicle occupant and door panel, and this contributes to the prevention of the injury to the vehicle occupant owing to the intrusion of the door panel into the passenger compartment at the time of a side crash.

Abstract: A longitudinal support base 30 is provided with a rotating support base 10 that can be slide in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A seat body is placed on the rotating support base 10 via a rotary disc 13 so as to rotate. The longitudinal support base 30 is provided with an intermediate gear 22 that is engaged with a rack 21 extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle seat. The seat body 2 side is provided with a pinion gear 24 that is engaged with the intermediate gear 11. The rotary disc 13 is rotated by means of a driving force of an electric motor 41. Thus, when the electric motor 41 is rotated, the seat body 2 rotates and slides in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: With respect to a rotating seat for a vehicle, for example, for the elderly or the handicapped, the known art requires two operations of moving a seat body forward and rotating it to a door opening, and is thus poor in usability. Further, if the seat is positioned to the front such that the seat can be rotated at that position, the space close to occupant's feet is sacrificed. It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a rotating vehicle seat having excellent usability without sacrificing the space close to occupant's feet. A rotating vehicle seat of the present invention includes a rotating support base 10 for rotatably supporting a seat body 2, a longitudinal support base for supporting and moving the rotating support base in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and a coupling arrangement means 6, 38 disposed between the seat body 2 and the longitudinal support base for coupling the rotational movement and the longitudinal movement of the seat body.

Abstract: A vehicle seat is mounted on a floor in a laterally inwardly moveable manner, and is accelerated by a power actuator inwardly upon detection of a vehicle side crash. The vehicle occupant is firmly held to the seat. By thus appropriately controlling the time history of the lateral acceleration of the vehicle occupant at the time of a side crash, the maximum acceleration acting on the vehicle occupant can be controlled. The inward movement of the seat provides a wider space between the vehicle occupant and door panel, and this contributes to the prevention of the injury to the vehicle occupant owing to the intrusion of the door panel into the passenger compartment at the time of a side crash.

Abstract: A seat lifter device for a vehicle includes a reduction gear mechanism which is disposed between an operating member and a link which is adapted to be pivoted to raise and lower the vehicle seat. The reduction gear mechanism is mounted on a shaft and a spring is provided for assisting the rotation of a shaft on which the reduction gear mechanism is supported.