Patents Assigned to Lear Corporation
  • Patent number: 12126211
    Abstract: An electrical assembly may include a controller, a first switch electrically connected to the controller, a switch driver electrically connected to the first switch and the controller, and/or a circuit electrically connected to the first switch and the controller. The controller may be configured to control the first switch via the switch driver, and/or the controller may be configured to control the first switch via the circuit. The circuit may include a first resistor and/or a second resistor. A method of operating an electrical assembly may include providing power from a power source to the first switch and/or one or more loads, determining whether a fault condition is present, deactivating the first switch via the controller if the fault condition is present, closing the second switch via the controller, and/or determining, via the circuit, whether the first switch is in an activated state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Eduardo De las Heras Palmero, Ignacio Molinero Horno
  • Patent number: 12122265
    Abstract: A track assembly includes a track and a support member connected to and configured move along the track. The support member may include an engagement portion. The engagement portion may be configured to engage the track to limit relative movement between the track and the support member in a loaded state of the track assembly. The engagement portion may be configured not to operatively engage the track or limit movement between the track and the support member in an unloaded state of the track assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Fahui Xiao, Jianliang Ma, Hui Zhang, Chao Wang, Chengyuan Liu
  • Patent number: 12109917
    Abstract: A seat assembly comprises a seat adjuster; and a seat including: a seat base connectable with a track assembly; a seat bottom pivotably connected to the seat base at a first pivot axis; a seatback pivotably connected to the seat base at the first pivot axis; and an adjustment member pivotably connected to the seat base at a second pivot axis and pivotably connected to the seat bottom at a member-bottom pivot axis. The seat adjuster is connected to the seat to adjust the seatback about the first pivot axis, the seat bottom about the first pivot axis, and the adjustment member about the second pivot axis to adjust the seat to a first seat position and to a second seat position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Darren Legh, Justin Meredith, James King, Chris J. Edwards
  • Publication number: 20240326667
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seat, a fan disposed at least partially in the seat to ventilate the seat, a sensor configured to sense if a portion of an occupant is adjacent a surface of the seat, and an electronic controller connected to the fan and the sensor. The electronic controller can control a speed of the fan according to an output from the sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2023
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Steven Ziolkowski, David J. Abdella, Samuel Blair
  • Patent number: 12107493
    Abstract: A method and system for balancing output currents of parallel connected first and second DC/DC converters is provided. In operation, the first converter (i) receives, via a communications line connected between the converters such as a CAN bus, a value of the output current of the second converter and (ii) uses this value in weighing an output voltage comparison performed by the first converter for generating the output current of the first converter to thereby adjust the output current of the first converter based on this value. Likewise, the second converter (i) receives, via the communications line, a value of the output current of the first converter and (ii) uses this value in weighing an output voltage comparison performed by the second converter for generating the output current of the second converter to thereby adjust the output current of the second converter based on this value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ruben Molina Llorente, Antonio Martinez Perez, Pablo Gaona Rosanes, Rafael Jimenez Pino
  • Patent number: 12103444
    Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seat support configured to be fixed to a first mounting portion of a mounting surface; a seatback frame having an upper portion and a lower portion; a seat base including a seat base frame rotationally connected to the seat support, and a track movably connected to the seat base frame; and a linkage connecting the lower portion of the seatback frame with the track. The upper portion of the back frame may be configured to be rotationally connected to a second mounting portion of said mounting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Wee Gam, Anthony Mollica, Paul Severinski
  • Patent number: 12103448
    Abstract: A trim cover assembly includes a trim cover disposable over a cushion having a release handle bezel assembly, the trim cover has an A-side and a B-side, opposite the A-side, facing an external surface of the cushion. The trim cover defines a cover opening that, when disposed over the cushion, generally corresponds to a release handle of the release handle bezel assembly. The trim cover assembly also includes a trim retainer on the B-side of the trim cover having an outer periphery and an inner periphery defining a retainer opening generally corresponding to at least a portion of the cover opening. The trim retainer is configured to engage a housing of the release handle bezel assembly such that the trim cover assembly can be secured to the housing and between the housing and a bezel of the release handle bezel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jason Sacco, Laura Schulz, Ronald L. Miotto
  • Patent number: 12103449
    Abstract: A retention clip, a seat assembly having a retention clip, and a method of assembly. The retention clip has a spiral anchor and at least one retention feature. The spiral anchor is configured to be screwed into a cushion. The retention feature extends away from the spiral anchor and is configured to secure a seat component to the retention clip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: David Abdella, Joshua Hallock, Lisa Swikoski, Sam Blair
  • Patent number: 12088183
    Abstract: An electrical system may include an electronic control unit (ECU), a load driver connected to the ECU and configured to selectively provide a first electrical connection between a power source and a load, and/or a secondary power circuit connected to the ECU and configured to selectively provide a second electrical connection between said power source and said load. The secondary power circuit may include a wake-up circuit including a wake-up circuit switch, a trigger circuit including a trigger circuit switch, a sensing circuit including a sensing circuit switch; a switching circuit including a switching circuit switch; and/or a disable circuit connected to the ECU. The ECU may be configured to control the disable circuit to selectively open the switching circuit switch. The disable circuit may include a first disable circuit switch connected to ground and a second disable circuit switch connected to the switching circuit switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Lorenzo Blasco Gonzalez, Fernando Gallego
  • Patent number: 12083936
    Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a panel defined as a portion of a vehicle seat, the panel defines a first aperture therethrough to access an anchor and a second aperture therethrough, and has an engagement region thereon adjacent to the second aperture, a trim cover assembly including a trim cover, a strap connecting the trim cover to the vehicle seat, a seat frame and/or a vehicle framework via the second aperture, and a holder member. The holder member is sized to retract into and emerge from the second aperture, and has an edge configured to engage the engagement region. The trim cover assembly has a first position covering the first aperture to visibly hide the anchor, and a second position with the trim cover assembly spaced apart from the aperture to provide access to the anchor, where the edge of the holder member is engaged with the engagement region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alexander Sel, Geraldine Arand, Jochen Kohlhofer
  • Patent number: 12074413
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert M. Schmidt, Rutunj Rai, Aric Anglin
  • Patent number: 12074470
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a vehicle battery charger is provided. The vehicle battery charger includes at least one transformer, a first modular converter, a filter, and at least one controller. The first modular converter includes a first plurality of switching devices to generate a first voltage signal in response to a filtered input signal. A second plurality of switching devices generate a second voltage signal. The filter is operably coupled to the first modular converter and provides the filtered input signal to the first modular converter in response to a first input signal from a mains supply. The filtered input signal includes a detectable current portion and an undetected current portion. The controller is programmed to determine the undetected current portion based at least on a capacitance of the filter and generate a first control variable to compensate for the undetected current portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Rafael Jimenez Pino, Pablo Gaona Rosanes, Hector Sarnago Andia, Oscar Lucia Gil
  • Patent number: 12066500
    Abstract: An electrical assembly may include an electrical component, a first switch, and/or a second switch. The electrical component may include a closed state and an open state. The first switch may be connected in series with the second switch. The first switch and the second switch may be connected in parallel with the electrical component. The first switch and the second switch may be configured to provide a second electrical connection when the electrical component is in the open state. A method of operating an electrical assembly may include providing power from a power source to the electrical component, opening the electrical component, the first switch, and/or the second switch via a controller, closing a second electrical component via the controller, and/or providing a diagnostic current from the power source to a diagnostic load to determine a status of the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Ignacio Molinero Horno, Eduardo De las Heras Palmero, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas
  • Patent number: 12065066
    Abstract: A seat assembly may include a seat, a seat actuator, a sensor assembly, and an electrical control unit (ECU). The seat actuator may be configured to adjust the seat. The sensor assembly may be connected to the seat and may be configured to detect a pressure applied to the seat. The ECU may be operatively connected to the seat actuator and the sensor assembly. The ECU may be configured to reduce soft tissue stress in soft tissue of a user via adjusting the seat with the seat actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Francesco Migneco, Sajad Arabnejad
  • Patent number: 12059980
    Abstract: A method of controlling a seat system. A physiological condition of the seat occupant may be assessed based on at least two of the heart rate, breathing rate, and heart rate variability. A countermeasure may be executed to alter the physiological condition of the seat occupant and/or data associated with the heart rate, breathing rate, and/or heart rate variability may be communicated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Francesco Migneco, David Gallagher
  • Publication number: 20240262269
    Abstract: A vehicle seat component includes a mounting structure, and a cover member attachable to the mounting structure. When the cover member is attached to the mounting structure, the cover member is movable between a first position for at least partially covering an attachment location configured for attaching an additional device, and a second position for exposing the attachment location. The mounting structure and the cover member are configured so that the cover member is attachable to the mounting structure by moving the cover member relative to the mounting structure in a mounting direction when the cover member is in a mounting orientation relative to the mounting structure. When the cover member is attached to the mounting structure, the cover member is inhibited from detachment from the mounting structure when the cover member is in the first position or the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: August 8, 2024
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Maximilian RESCH, Matthias BOEHM
  • Patent number: 12055205
    Abstract: A track system may include a track assembly and a support assembly. A track assembly may include a wheel receptacle. The support assembly may include a support member removable from and adjustably connected to the track assembly. The support member may include a wheel. The wheel may be adjustable to an engaged position in which the wheel engages the wheel receptacle. The wheel may be adjustable to a disengaged position in which the wheel is not engaged with the wheel receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventor: Antoine Moulin
  • Patent number: 12049178
    Abstract: An electrical system includes a movable component configured for selective connection with and selective removal from a mounting surface. The movable component may include a first electronic control unit (ECU), and an electromechanical interface configured for selectively locking the movable component with said mounting surface. The electrical system may include a second ECU configured to communicate with the first ECU, and/or a third ECU configured to detect a potential dynamic event via one or more sensors. The third ECU may be configured to provide dynamic event information to the second ECU. The second ECU may be configured to provide disable information corresponding to the dynamic event information to the movable component. The first ECU may be configured to lock the movable component with the mounting surface according to the disable information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2024
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey A. Jones, Antoine Moulin, Raúl Ricart, Antoni Ferré Fàbregas, Jose Gabriel Fernández Bañares
  • Publication number: 20240250467
    Abstract: Electrical connectors with integrated touch protection are described. An example electrical connector has a conductor element, a fastening element that contacts the conductor element, a contact ring, an annular collar, and a protective sleeve. The protective sleeve fixed to the contact ring and partially covering the fastening element. The annular collar surrounding the contact ring. The annular collar and the protective sleeve form a touch protection that prevents unintentional contact of the contact ring and the fastening element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2024
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Kaiser, Heiko Klein, Andreas Behrendt
  • Publication number: 20240246467
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a vehicle seat vibration dampening system including a vibration sensor that senses vibration of a vehicle seat generated by movement of a vehicle on a roadway, wherein the vibration sensor generates a signal indicative of the sensed vibration, a controller that determines, based on the signal generated by the vibration sensor, a counter vibration to dampen the sensed vibration of the vehicle seat and, based on the determination, produces a control signal to effect generation of the counter vibration, and a transducer that generates the counter vibration of the vehicle seat in response to the control signal to dampen the sensed vibration of the vehicle seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2023
    Publication date: July 25, 2024
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Darren LEGH, Martin HITCHMAN, Adam FREEMAN LEA