Patents Assigned to Lear Corporation
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Patent number: 11749476Abstract: An electrical unit may include a current controller including an electrical regulator, a control circuit connected to a first input of the electrical regulator, a timer connected to a second input of the electrical regulator, and/or a turn-off circuit including a turn-off switch. The current controller may be configured to provide a first output signal in a first mode and a second output signal in a second mode. The current controller may be configured to transition from the first mode to the second mode based on a timer output of the timer. An electrical system may include an electrical unit and or a switch connected to the electrical unit. The switch may include a coil. The electrical unit may be configured to provide the first output signal to the coil in the first mode and provide the second output signal to the coil in the second mode.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2021Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Ayoub Ajouhy, Michael Haggerty, Abdelmouneim Charkaoui
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Publication number: 20230271536Abstract: A ventilated seat includes a cushion pad, including a plurality of air distribution holes therethrough, and having a hook-loop fastener affixed thereto; a seat bottom including a main bottom cushion; a seat back operatively engaging the seat bottom and including a main back cushion; wherein one of the main bottom cushion and the main back cushion is comprised of a closed cell foam, includes a recess that is shaped to receive and orient the cushion pad therein, a ventilation passage for directing airflow from a climate control system to the recess, and a hook-loop fastener molded into the closed cell foam in the recess; and wherein the cushion pad is secured in the recess by the hook-loop fastener of the cushion pad operatively engaging the hook-loop fastener in the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2022Publication date: August 31, 2023Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Mark Antony Palmer, Wreford Graham Cox
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Patent number: 11742606Abstract: Electrical term finals and electrical connector assemblies for electrically conductive structures are described. An example electrical terminal has a terminal head and an electrical contact. The electrical contact extends from the terminal head and has a lengthwise axis and a spring finger contact. The spring finger contact is movable relative to the terminal head and has a cantilever portion and a contact portion. The cantilever portion extends away from the terminal head and away from the lengthwise axis of the electrical contact. The contact portion extends from the cantilever portion.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2021Date of Patent: August 29, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Edgar Michael Racho, Lewis Galligan
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Patent number: 11731538Abstract: A seat assembly and a method of assembly. The seat assembly includes a trim cover assembly and a cushion that defines an opening for receiving a child seat anchor. The trim cover assembly has flaps that are attached to a stiffener. The stiffener is received in the opening and is mounted to the cushion.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Heike Krumbein, Peter Haeussler, Julian Kollmann
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Patent number: 11735891Abstract: An electrical assembly may include a bus bar assembly, a fuse connected to the bus bar assembly, a contactor connected to the bus bar assembly, a bracket connected to the bus bar assembly, and/or a cooling member connected to the bracket such that the fuse is indirectly connected to the cooling member via the bus bar assembly and the bracket. A method of operating an electrical assembly may include controlling the contactor to provide current from a power source to a load, generating heat via the current flowing through the fuse, conducting the heat from the fuse to the bus bar assembly, conducting the heat from the bus bar assembly to the cooling member, and/or dissipating the heat via the cooling member.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Rutunj Rai, Robert M. Schmidt, Aric Anglin
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Patent number: 11728636Abstract: An assembly of a flat flexible electrical conductor and a supporting device that quickly and easily supports an intermediate portion of a flat flexible electrical conductor on a support surface. The flat flexible electrical conductor includes a plurality of electrically conductive traces supported on an electrically non-conductive insulator. The electrically non-conductive insulator has an opening extending therethrough. The supporting device includes a head portion and a shaft portion. The head portion includes first and second flanges disposed on opposite sides of the flat flexible electrical conductor and an intermediate portion that extends through the opening of the electrically non-conductive insulator.Type: GrantFiled: December 31, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Jun Ruayana, Erwin BagaAn
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Patent number: 11724931Abstract: An example method of correcting a defect in a seat comprises the steps of: (a) imaging a seat to obtain an image of the seat, a portion of the seat having a defect; (b) applying a localized boundary around the portion of the seat having the defect within the image of the seat; (c) translating the localized boundary into a seat specific map of a baseline model of the seat such that a portion of the baseline model of the seat that corresponds to the portion of the seat having the defect within the image of the seat is disposed within a translated localized boundary; (d) selecting a predetermined path for an automated device to correct the portion of the seat having the defect based on the portion of the baseline model of the seat; and (e) correcting the portion of the seat having the defect.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Andrew Williams, Christopher Giles Humphrey, Mark Ramsden, Daniel Vera, Jiayi Zhang, Fengjia Yao, Alexander Keller
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Patent number: 11726940Abstract: A system for communicating with removable components may include an electronic controller and a removable component having an identifier and configured to communicate with the electronic controller. The removable component may be configured to transmit the identifier to the electronic controller via a first communication channel. The electronic controller may be configured to transmit a confirmation to the removable component after receipt of the identifier. The removable component may be configured to transmit information to the electronic controller via at least one of the first communication channel and/or a second communication channel, after receipt of the confirmation.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Raúl Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Jeffrey A. Jones
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Patent number: 11721956Abstract: An electrical assembly may include a contactor, a bus bar connected to the contactor, a bracket connected to the bus bar, and/or a cooling member. The cooling member may be connected to the bracket such that the contactor is indirectly connected to the cooling member via the bus bar and the bracket. A method of assembling an electrical assembly may include providing a bracket and one or more contactors, inserting the one or more contactors into the bracket, disposing a flexible circuit at least partially on and/or in the bracket, electrically connecting the flexible circuit with the one or more contactors, connecting a bus bar assembly with the one or more contactors, connecting the bus bar assembly with the bracket, disposing a cooling member on or about the bracket, and/or connecting the cooling member with the bracket.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Rutunj Rai, Aric Anglin
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Patent number: 11718214Abstract: A modular seat assembly includes a seat frame, a modular seat component for engaging the seat frame including a mounting bracket, a cable routed towards the frame and engaged with the mounting bracket, and a cable tensioning system. The cable tensioning system is configured to tighten the cable into a tensioned state and release the cable into a slacked state. In the tensioned state, the modular seat component is secured to the seat frame via engagement of the cable with the mounting bracket, and in the slacked state, the modular seat component is releasable from the cable via disengagement of the cable from the respective mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2021Date of Patent: August 8, 2023Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: David Abdella, Arjun Yetukuri, Joshua Hallock, Brandon Landry
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Publication number: 20230238805Abstract: An on-board battery charger (OBC) includes a converter (e.g., a DC/DC converter) and a controller. An output port of the converter is connectable to a battery (e.g., a traction battery of an electric vehicle (EV)) via a voltage network (e.g., a high-voltage (HV) network of the EV). The converter converts an input power into an output power and outputs the output power onto the voltage network for charging the battery. The controller, upon detecting a transitory disconnection in the voltage network, controls the converter to stop converting the input power into the output power. In stopping the converter, the controller stops the converter prior to a corresponding reconnection in the voltage network. The controller may detect the transitory disconnection upon detecting a switching frequency of a power switch of the converter decreasing below a pre-defined threshold as the switching frequency decreases due to effects of the transitory disconnection.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2022Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Adria MARCOS PASTOR, Antonio MARTINEZ PEREZ, Sergio MARTINEZ PORRAS
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Patent number: 11710927Abstract: A connector pair includes a header with a protrusion and an electrical connector assembly movable relative to the header between a mated position and an unmated position. The electrical connector assembly includes a connector housing and a connector position assurance retained on the connector housing for relative linear movement between a lock position and an open position. The connector position assurance includes a first lock surface that engages a second lock surface on the protrusion to retain the electrical connector assembly in the mated position. The connector position assurance includes a first assist surface that engages a second assist surface on the protrusion to move the electrical connector assembly from the mated position toward the unmated position.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 2021Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Vikas Azad, David Menzies
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Patent number: 11711384Abstract: A method and system for detecting illegitimate messages injected into legitimate messages of a bus, such as a Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, are provided. Legitimate messages are broadcasted over the bus with a period whereby the legitimate messages are periodic legitimate messages. A controller connected to the bus receives at a first time instant a first message from the bus and receives at a second time instant a second message from the bus. The controller compares a first difference in time between the second time instant and the first time instant with a limit. The limit is two-thirds of the period. An anomaly is detected when the first difference in time is less than the limit.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2018Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: William D. Hass, Lars Wolleschensky
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Patent number: 11706867Abstract: A system is described for providing an electrical ground connection for a circuit assembly. The system may include a housing for the circuit assembly, the housing having an electrically conductive fixation member configured for attachment to an electrically conductive element outside the housing. The system may also include an electrically conductive feature having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to cooperate with the electrically conductive fixation member inside the housing and the second end configured for attachment to the circuit assembly. Attachment of the electrically conductive fixation member to the electrically conductive element outside the housing enables an electrical ground connection for the circuit assembly via the electrically conductive feature.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Joan Balana Avila, Josep Maria Combalia, Gloria Simo Quinonero, Jordi Angel Serrano
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Patent number: 11702013Abstract: A hinge arrangement may be used for a vehicle seat bottom to facilitate pivoting of the seat bottom to open a storage area below the seat bottom. The hinge arrangement may include at least one hinge having two plates connected by a pivot pin and a support structure separate from the at least one hinge. The support structure may be positioned adjacent to the at least one hinge to stop the hinge pin or pins from being ejected in the presence of an impact force.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Yoshikazu Okamoto, Michael J. Walkowski
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Patent number: 11705818Abstract: A DC-DC converter includes a first switching network that receives the input DC voltage and outputs a first AC voltage, a transformer, and a secondary side conversion circuit that receives the second AC voltage and outputs the output DC voltage. The transformer includes a first plurality of primary windings, a second plurality of primary windings and a plurality of secondary windings. The transformer is configured to receive the first AC voltage and outputting a second AC voltage. When the input DC voltage is intended to be used in a low voltage range, the first plurality of primary windings and the second plurality of primary windings are configured to be in parallel at the time the DC-DC converter is manufactured. When the input DC voltage is intended to be used in a high voltage range the first plurality of primary windings and the second plurality of primary windings are configured to be in series at the time of manufacture.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2021Date of Patent: July 18, 2023Assignee: LEAR CORPORATIONInventors: Rafael Jimenez Pino, Pablo Gaona Rosanes, Hector Sarnago Andia, Oscar Lucia Gil
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Patent number: 11697365Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seat base and/or a seat back. The seat back may be connected to the seat base. The seat back may include a back panel having a plurality of external support members disposed in a grid configuration. The back panel may include a first portion, a second portion, and/or a third portion. The third portion may connect the second portion to the first portion. A method of assembling a seat assembly may include connecting the back panel with the seat back, and/or connecting the seat back to the seat base.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2021Date of Patent: July 11, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventor: Rochelle Kirzhner
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Publication number: 20230216286Abstract: An assembly of a flat flexible electrical conductor and a supporting device that quickly and easily supports an intermediate portion of a flat flexible electrical conductor on a support surface. The flat flexible electrical conductor includes a plurality of electrically conductive traces supported on an electrically non-conductive insulator. The electrically non-conductive insulator has an opening extending therethrough. The supporting device includes a head portion and a shaft portion. The head portion includes first and second flanges disposed on opposite sides of the flat flexible electrical conductor and an intermediate portion that extends through the opening of the electrically non-conductive insulator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2021Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Jun Ruayana, Erwin BagaAn
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Publication number: 20230216228Abstract: Contact members and electrical terminals are described. An example contact member has a first panel, a second panel, and an interspace defined between the first panel and the second panel. Each of the first and second panels has a plurality of posts. Each post of the plurality of posts has a plurality of slots and a contact point. Each slot of the plurality of slots is disposed adjacent to the contact point. Each post of the plurality of posts extends into the interspace such that the contact point is disposed within the interspace. Each post of the plurality of posts is moveable between a first position and a second position to accommodate retention of an electrically conductive structure and an electrical connection between the electrically conductive structure and the contact member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2022Publication date: July 6, 2023Applicant: Lear CorporationInventors: Chao Fang, Jiayun Chen
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Patent number: 11691552Abstract: Seats that include sound cancelation systems are described. An example vehicle bench seat has a first backrest, a first speaker, a second backrest, a second speaker, a central portion, and a seat base. The first speaker is disposed within the first backrest and the second speaker is disposed within the second backrest. Each of the first and second speakers emit primary sound waves and secondary sound waves. The secondary sound waves of the first speaker are 180 degrees out of phase with the primary sound waves of the first speaker and the secondary sound waves of the second speaker are 180 degrees out of phase with the primary sound waves of the second speaker. The central portion includes channels that direct the secondary sound waves emitted by the first and second speakers into the vehicle cabin to cancel undesired primary sound waves.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2020Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Lear CorporationInventors: Peter Festag, Jochen Kohlhofer, Stefan Willems