Abstract: A method for configuring a controller to operate a motor to position a seat, in which the controller includes an integrated current sensor and the seat includes a latch operatively coupled to the motor, includes determining an operating profile of the motor under one or more operating conditions, wherein the operating profile represents motor current values during activation of the latch, and wherein the activation of the latch includes at least one latch pulling condition and one latch release condition. The method further includes analyzing the operating profile in order to correlate the profile to the position of the latch. The method also includes loading the controller with instructions to enable comparison of a real-time current measured by the integrated current sensor to the stored operating profile, wherein the analysis enables determination of the latch condition in real-time.

Abstract: A pneumatically adjustable seat includes a seat frame having a seat back frame portion and a headrest coupled to the seat back frame portion. The headrest includes a resilient cushion. A drive assembly includes a contact member operatively associated with the resilient cushion. A first bladder is operatively coupled to the contact member and in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid. Inflation of the first bladder via the source of pressurized fluid extends the contact member from a first position nearer the seat back frame to a second position further from the seat back frame. A second bladder is operatively coupled to the contact member and in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid. Inflation of the second bladder via the source of pressurized fluid pivots the contact member away from an occupant of the seat.

Abstract: An adjustable support system for a seat having a fixed frame includes a support movable from a first position to a second position relative to the frame. An actuator is coupled to only the support and is configured to move the support between the first and second positions. A member is operatively associated with and movable by the actuator. A flexible cable has a first end coupled to the member for travel along the length of the member and a second end coupled to the fixed frame such that movement of the member by the actuator causes the flexible cable to move the support between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A wireless charging system for a vehicle. The wireless charging system includes a wireless power transmitter, a vehicle signal sensor, and a controller. The controller starts a wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to a receiving device. The controller measures an electromagnetic signal within the vehicle during the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device. The controller detects a vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal. The controller stops the wireless transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device upon detection of the vehicle control signal within the electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A bolster assembly for a seat includes a fixed frame and a housing coupled to the fixed frame. The housing includes a track and a bracket moveable along at least a portion the track between a first position and a second position. A paddle is moveably coupled to the bracket and a drive shaft is configured for rotation about a drive axis. Rotation of the drive shaft about the drive axis moves the bracket between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A lumbar support system for a seat backrest having a fixed frame includes a lumbar support coupled to the fixed frame that is movable from a first position to a second position and a motor for moving the lumbar support. A threaded member is operatively associated with the motor such that the motor rotates the threaded member about an axis. A traveling member is operatively associated with the threaded member such that rotation of the threaded member translates the traveling member along the threaded member. The system further includes a flexible cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the traveling member for movement therewith and the second end is coupled to the fixed frame such that translation of the traveling member in response to rotation of the threaded member moves the lumbar support element from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A lumbar support system for a seat backrest having a fixed frame includes a lumbar support coupled to the fixed frame that is movable from a first position to a second position and a motor for moving the lumbar support. A threaded member is operatively associated with the motor such that the motor rotates the threaded member about an axis. A traveling member is operatively associated with the threaded member such that rotation of the threaded member translates the traveling member along the threaded member. The system further includes a flexible cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the traveling member for movement therewith and the second end is coupled to the fixed frame such that translation of the traveling member in response to rotation of the threaded member moves the lumbar support element from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: An adjustable support system for a seat having a fixed frame includes a support movable from a first position to a second position relative to the frame. An actuator is coupled to only the support and is configured to move the support between the first and second positions. A member is operatively associated with and movable by the actuator. A flexible cable has a first end coupled to the member for travel along the length of the member and a second end coupled to the fixed frame such that movement of the member by the actuator causes the flexible cable to move the support between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A wireless charging system for a vehicle. The system includes a wireless power transmitter, a detector device associated with the wireless power transmitter, and a controller operatively associated with the wireless power transmitter. The controller senses whether a vehicle control signal is present using the detector device, stops transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to a receiving device if a vehicle control signal is present, and resumes transmission of electromagnetic energy from the wireless power transmitter to the receiving device after a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Maintaining continuous wireless charging of a device includes various elements. Events that may disrupt wireless charging are detected and the disruption circumvented by adjusting functions of an inductive coil. A frequency and power-shifting methodology is employed to achieve the continuous wireless charging. The invention may be implemented into various devices and environments, including vehicle consoles.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle seat includes a seat track, a seat base, a backrest, and a remote damping system. The remote damping system includes a housing and a damping element disposed within the housing. A traction cable has a sheath with a first end and a second end, and a wire with a first end and a second end. The first end of the sheath is fixed with respect to the housing and the first end of the cable is coupled to the damping element.

Abstract: An actuation system for concurrently actuating a first mechanism and a second mechanism from a first state to a second state includes an actuator and a sliding member operatively engaged with the actuator and movable from a first position to a second position in response to actuation of the actuator. A connecting member has a relaxed state and a taut state. The connecting member includes a first end coupled to the first mechanism, a second end coupled to the second mechanism, and a medial portion cooperative with the sliding member. Movement of the sliding member from the first position to the second position changes the connecting member from the relaxed state to the taut state, whereby the tension is increased in the connecting member.

Abstract: A pneumatically adjustable seat includes a seat frame having a seat back frame portion and a headrest coupled to the seat back frame portion. The headrest includes a resilient cushion. A drive assembly includes a contact member operatively associated with the resilient cushion. A first bladder is operatively coupled to the contact member and in fluid communication with a source of pressurized fluid. Inflation of the first bladder via the source of pressurized fluid extends the contact member from a first position nearer the seat back frame to a second position further from the seat back frame. A second bladder is operatively coupled to the contact member and in fluid communication with the source of pressurized fluid. Inflation of the second bladder via the source of pressurized fluid pivots the contact member away from an occupant of the seat.

Abstract: A method for operating a pneumatic lumbar support between a deflated position and an inflated position. The method includes inflating a bladder of the pneumatic lumbar support; sensing a pressure within the bladder using a pressure sensor; producing an inflation output signal from the pressure sensor, wherein the inflation output signal is a function of time; and converting the inflation output signal using an inflation-deflation transfer function.

Abstract: A mechanism for vertically adjusting a component on a shaft has a collet sleeve riding on the shaft. A spiral track of the component's hub receives a radially outwardly projecting pin on the collet sleeve. The outer surface of the collet sleeve and the inner surface of the hub are tapered so that the hub can rotated one direction to advance the hub on the collet sleeve and compress the collet sleeve onto the shaft to frictionally lock the collet sleeve to the shaft. Because the hub is joined to the collet sleeve by the pin, this also locks the vertical position of the component. Conversely, the hub can be oppositely rotated to release the compression of the collet sleeve so that the collet sleeve, and therefore the vertical component, is slidable on the shaft.

Abstract: A mechanism for vertically adjusting a component on a shaft has a collet sleeve riding on the shaft. A spiral track of the component's hub receives a radially outwardly projecting pin on the collet sleeve. The outer surface of the collet sleeve and the inner surface of the hub are tapered so that the hub can rotated one direction to advance the hub on the collet sleeve and compress the collet sleeve onto the shaft to frictionally lock the collet sleeve to the shaft. Because the hub is joined to the collet sleeve by the pin, this also locks the vertical position of the component. Conversely, the hub can be oppositely rotated to release the compression of the collet sleeve so that the collet sleeve, and therefore the vertical component, is slidable on the shaft.

Abstract: An actuation system for concurrently actuating a first mechanism and a second mechanism from a first state to a second state includes an actuator and a sliding member operatively engaged with the actuator and movable from a first position to a second position in response to actuation of the actuator. A connecting member has a relaxed state and a taut state. The connecting member includes a first end coupled to the first mechanism, a second end coupled to the second mechanism, and a medial portion cooperative with the sliding member. Movement of the sliding member from the first position to the second position changes the connecting member from the relaxed state to the taut state, whereby the tension is increased in the connecting member.

Abstract: A lumbar support system for a seat backrest having a fixed frame includes a lumbar support coupled to the fixed frame that is movable from a first position to a second position and a motor for moving the lumbar support. A threaded member is operatively associated with the motor such that the motor rotates the threaded member about an axis. A traveling member is operatively associated with the threaded member such that rotation of the threaded member translates the traveling member along the threaded member. The system further includes a flexible cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the traveling member for movement therewith and the second end is coupled to the fixed frame such that translation of the traveling member in response to rotation of the threaded member moves the lumbar support element from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A pelvic support apparatus for a seat having a seat back and a seat pan includes a frame positioned within the seat back and a pelvic support member coupled with the frame adjacent a bottom of the seat back and a rear of the seat pan. The pelvic support member is movable between a first, retracted position, and a second, extended position that provides support to a pelvic area of a person seated in the seat. The pelvic support member has first and second lateral support portions operable to provide support to the pelvic area, each lateral support portion spaced from a central axis of the seat back.

Abstract: A torque limiting handle assembly is described. One member of a two member torque limiting handle assembly has resiliently depending legs extending about its rotational axis. The second member has features arranged such that on rotation of the first member, the features contact the legs so that when a reaction torque of the second member is less than a threshold value, the second member rotates with the first member and when a reaction torque of the second member is greater than the threshold value, the legs resiliently deflect so that the features simply pass across the legs and the second member does not rotate with the first member.