Abstract: A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion and at least one link pivotally coupled between the seat cushion and a seat base. A detent assembly is rotatably coupled to the seat base, the detent assembly actuatable between a use condition for operatively coupling the at least one link and the detent assembly, and an override condition for decoupling the at least one link and the detent assembly. A linkage motor is operatively engaged with the detent assembly for pivoting the at least one link to move the seat assembly between a plurality of positions. Actuation of the detent assembly from the use condition to the override condition allows for manual pivoting of the at least one link to move the seat assembly between the plurality of positions in situations where the linkage motor is unable to be actuated.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has a long rail, a power rail drive assembly, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly removably couples the vehicle seat to the power rail drive assembly. When the latch assembly is latched, the seat is capable of power sliding adjustment and can be moved along a channel axis to a desired position within the interior of the vehicle. When the latch assembly is unlatched, the entire seat can be removed from the vehicle to provide for added space and variability in the vehicle interior configuration.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a cushion motor linked to a pinion gear for providing concentric rotation of a linkage through rotational engagement of the pinion gear with a sector gear. The seat assembly includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion and a seat base adapted for mounting the seat assembly within an automotive vehicle. The linkage includes a front link and a rear link extending between the seat cushion and the seat base, wherein pivoting of the linkage moves the seat assembly between a plurality of positions. A recliner mechanism is operatively coupled to the front link for selectively allowing pivoting thereof, and the sector gear is fixed to the front link. Actuation of the cushion motor when the recliner mechanism is unlocked rotates the pinion gear, causing the sector gear to rotate for pivoting the linkage to move the seat assembly between the plurality of positions.

Abstract: A pressure sensing system (24), seat cushion (20) incorporating the pressure sensing system, and method of sensing a weight group associated with an occupant of an automotive seat are described. The pressure sensing system includes a layer of an electrically conductive foam (28) and a flexible printed circuit (26) that includes a flexible substrate (26a) and N horizontal sensing wires (26b) and M vertical sensing wires (26c) securely placed on a top surface of the flexible substrate. The horizontal sensing wires intersect with the vertical sensing wires and form N×M intersections. The layer of an electrically conductive foam is placed on top of the N horizontal sensing wires and the M vertical sensing wires. When a pressure is applied to the layer of the electrically conductive foam, each intersection generates in real time an electric flux density value to reflect a degree of a compression caused by the pressure to a corresponding point of the electrically conductive foam.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for use in a vehicle includes a lower channel, an inverted U-shaped upper channel, a gearbox, a rack, a pinion, a drive shaft, and a motor. The lower channel is adapted to extend longitudinally along a floor of the vehicle. The upper channel is slidably coupled to the lower channel. The gearbox is fixedly secured to and housed within the upper channel. The rack is fixedly coupled to the lower channel and includes gear teeth extending along the rack in a longitudinal direction. The pinion is meshingly engaged with the gear teeth. The drive shaft operatively couples the gearbox to the pinion. The motor is operatively coupled to the gearbox to power drive the upper channel along the lower channel.

Abstract: A seat track assembly provides forward and rearward movement of a seat assembly. A latch mechanism allows movement of a movable track between a plurality of positions. A memory mechanism with a memory plate and a memory tab are operable between a home position in which the memory tab is disposed in a recess of the moveable track, and a memory position in which the memory plate is coupled with a plurality of angled teeth to define a selected position. Actuation of the memory mechanism to the memory position unlocks the latch mechanism to allow movement of the movable track in a first direction away from the selected position to an easy-entry position. Movement of the movable track in a second direction from the easy-entry position stops the movable track at the selected position, allowing the latch mechanism to lock and the memory mechanism to return to the home position.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes a fixed long rail and a power rail drive assembly having a drive wheel for transposing the power rail drive assembly along the fixed long rail. The power rail drive assembly includes an upper channel, a spring-loaded gearbox assembly fixedly coupled to the upper channel, and the drive wheel fixedly coupled to a drive shaft projecting from the spring-loaded gearbox assembly and rotated by the spring-loaded gearbox assembly for transposing the power rail drive assembly along the fixed long rail. The spring-loaded gearbox assembly includes a mounting bracket fixedly coupled to the upper channel, a gearbox repositionable within the mounting bracket, and a spring biasing the gearbox within the mounting bracket such that the drive wheel is engaged with the fixed long rail.

Abstract: A long rail assembly attached to a vehicle floor for repositioning vehicle seats in a vehicle between a plurality of seating positions. The long rail assembly includes a fixed long rail having an internal channel, and a power rail drive assembly configured to travel along the internal channel of the fixed long rail. The power rail drive assembly has a rail main body having a lateral driving wheel configured to frictionally and/or meshingly engage with the fixed long rail, an electric motor operatively coupled to the lateral driving wheel, and spring-loaded stability rolling elements attached to the rail main body configured to absorb channel variation as the power rail drive assembly travels along the internal channel of the fixed long rail.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for repositioning a seat assembly in a vehicle comprising an inboard lower channel, an inboard manual drive assembly, an outboard lower channel, an outboard manual drive assembly, a central lower channel, and a power drive assembly. The inboard lower channel is adapted to extend longitudinally along a floor of the vehicle. The inboard manual drive assembly is coupled to the seat assembly and slidably coupled to the inboard lower channel. The outboard lower channel is adapted to extend longitudinally along the floor of the vehicle. The outboard manual drive assembly is coupled to the seat assembly and slidably coupled to the outboard lower channel. The central lower channel is adapted to extend longitudinally along the floor of the vehicle. The power C drive assembly is coupled to the seat assembly and slidably coupled to the central lower channel. The power drive assembly power drives the seat assembly along the central lower channel.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a four-bar linkage for providing movement of the seat assembly between a plurality of positions in an automotive vehicle. The four-bar linkage includes front and rear links which simultaneously rotate to move the seat assembly between an easy entry position in which the seat assembly tilts forwardly and downwardly toward a floor of the automotive vehicle to allow ingress and egress behind the seat assembly, a stow position in which a seat cushion lowers toward the floor of the automotive vehicle and a seat back pivots toward and overlaps the seat cushion, and an intermediate design position in which the seat cushion is spaced from the floor of the automotive vehicle and the seat back is disposed generally upright to support an occupant. The seat assembly is capable of moving directly between the easy entry and stow positions without needing to intermediately return to the design position.

Abstract: A coupler for coupling a cross-talk tube of a vehicle seat with a shaft of a dual recliner assembly. The coupler comprises a generally cylindrical body extending axially between an inboard end and an outboard end. The inboard end includes an inboard aperture having an inboard planar surface. The outboard end includes an outboard aperture having an outboard planar surface. The inboard planar surface and the outboard planar surface transition from an axially offset position to an axially aligned position when the coupler is installed with the cross-talk tube and the shaft of the dual recliner assembly.

Abstract: A seat assembly includes a five-bar linkage for moving the seat assembly between a plurality of positions in an automotive vehicle. A first link is rotatably coupled to a seat back at a second pivot point disposed coaxial to a first pivot point, and to a seat base defining a fifth link at a third pivot point. A second link extends axially between the first and second pivot points. A third link is defined by a lower seat back portion and a seat cushion and extends between the first pivot point and a fifth pivot point disposed adjacent a front portion of the seat cushion. A fourth link is rotatably coupled to the third link at the fifth pivot point and the seat base at a fourth pivot point. The seat assembly is capable of moving to both a pitched easy entry position and a stow flat to floor position.

Abstract: A seat trim cover for an automotive seat is formed into a 3-dimensional shape by compression molding a laminated moldable foam in a 3-dimensional. The laminated moldable foam comprises at least a layer of cellular polyurethane foam compression moldable in a temperature range of about 220° F. to about 260° F. The 3-dimensional mold is heated to a temperature range of about 150° F. to about 320° F. The layer of cellular foam is adhered to a cover material layer and pre-cut into a pre-laminated blank prior to molding into the 3-dimensional shape. Optionally, seat heaters or other components can be integrated with the laminated foam prior to compression molding the seat trim cover.

Abstract: A central electronic control unit (ECU, Ref. 14) is provided for controlling at least one bi-directional direct current (DC) motor (106) attached to a first vehicle seat and at least one electronic device attached to a second vehicle seat. The central ECU includes a micro-controller configured to receive feedback on a positional status of the bi-directional DC motor from a Hall Effect sensor (130). The micro-controller is configured to receive input instructions for the bi-directional DC motor and the electronic device. The micro-controller creates command instructions based in part on the received feedback and received input instructions. The central ECU selectively provides pulse width modulated (PWM) power to the bi-directional DC motor attached to the first vehicle seat and selectively provides power to the electronic device attached to the second vehicle seat in response to the command instructions from the micro-controller.

Abstract: A reversible seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle has an inboard seat riser, an outboard seat riser, a seat cushion, a seat back, a plurality of inboard reversing links, a plurality of outboard reversing links, a plurality of inboard strikers coupled to the inboard seat riser and a plurality of outboard strikers coupled to the outboard seat riser. The seat cushion is coupled to the inboard and outboard seat risers, and extends between a front end and a rear end. The seat back comprises an inboard latch bracket and an outboard latch bracket. The plurality of inboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the inboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the inboard seat riser, and the plurality of outboard reversing links extend between an upper end pivotally coupled to the outboard latch bracket and a lower end pivotally coupled to the outboard seat riser.

Abstract: A disc recliner mechanism for use in an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of pawls and a cam mounted between a guide plate and a tooth plate. Rotation of the cam moves the pawls between an extended position in which the pawls engage the tooth plate to lock the disc recliner mechanism and a retracted position in which the pawls disengage the tooth plate to unlock the disc recliner mechanism and allow rotation between the guide plate and the tooth plate. A notch is disposed on an engagement surface of a cam lobe disposed on the cam for reducing friction when the cam lobe engages a cam follower disposed on the pawls. The tooth plate includes a circumferential outer lip with a concentric channel for retaining lubricant and reducing rotational friction between the tooth plate and the guide plate.

Abstract: A ventilated molded seat trim cover for a vehicle seat and a ventilated vehicle seat having a ventilated molded seat trim cover, comprising a stacked assembly of an upper textile layer, a first adhesive layer, an air permeable polyurethane cellular foam interlayer thermo-moldable at temperatures between about 104° C. and about 127° C., a second adhesive layer, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) film, a third adhesive layer, and a scrim backing layer. The stacked assembly is compression molded in a 3-dimensional mold while at least a portion of the foam interlayer is heated to a temperature between about 104° C. and about 127° C. to form the ventilated molded seat trim cover. The TPU film prevents airflow passing through a bottom surface of the seat trim cover. Airflow in the foam interlayer can pass through the upper textile layer.

Abstract: An occupant classification system for a seat assembly (20) includes a plurality of sensors (32), a posture classifier and a weight classification system. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion (22) and a seat back (24). Each of the plurality of sensors (32) measures a force applied to the seat cushion (22) by an occupant of the seat assembly. The posture classifier identifies a posture of the occupant based on the distribution of forces applied to each of the plurality of sensors (32). The weight classification system identifies a weight class of the occupant based on the posture and the magnitude of forces applied to each of the plurality of sensors (32).

Abstract: A rail drive assembly having a loop latch and a loop latch release system is assembled with a fixed long rail for transposing a vehicle seat along the fixed long rail. The loop latch has spaced apart trigger releases and is repositionable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The loop latch release system includes a dual plunger, a rotatable actuator cam, and a return spring. The dual plunger has spaced apart plungers configured to engage with respective release triggers and is repositionable between a retracted position spaced apart from the loop latch and an extended position wherein the plungers engage with the release triggers and reposition the loop latch to the unlocked position. Rotation of the actuator cam repositions the dual plunger towards the extended position. The return spring biases the dual plunger towards the retracted position and towards an engaged position with the actuator cam.

Abstract: A seat trim cover for a vehicle seat comprises a molded foam backing formed on a cover material blank that has been vacuum-formed into a 3-dimensional shape. The cover material blank has been pre-cut into a predefined shape having a predefined selvage extending around an outer periphery of the cover material blank. The molded foam backing is spaced apart from the predefined selvage of the cover material blank forming a foam-free selvage. The molded foam backing includes a stepped edge profile having a first surface defining a first sewing alignment feature and a second surface defining a second alignment feature. The first sewing alignment feature is spaced apart from the second sewing alignment feature.