Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly is movable between a use position, a stadium position, a recline/slouch position, and a stow to floor position. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion, a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion, a fore/aft adjuster having a lower channel fixed to the vehicle floor and an upper channel slidably coupled to the lower channel, a pivot support bracket fixedly coupled to the upper channel, a stow to floor bracket having a lower end pivotally coupled to the pivot support bracket by a stow pivot and an upper end pivotally coupled to the seat cushion by a stadium pivot. The stow pivot is spaced vertically below the upper channel of the fore/aft adjuster. The seat cushion and the seat back fold and articulate to the stow to floor position by rotating about the stow pivot and stadium pivot.

Abstract: A seat assembly in an automotive vehicle has a base structure, a swivel mechanism fixedly coupled to the base structure, and a seat cushion pivotally coupled to the swivel mechanism. The seat cushion is pivotable between a seating position and a stadium position. The swivel mechanism is configured to selectively rotate the seat cushion between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position. The seat assembly includes a plurality of strikers projecting from the base structure and a kickstand mechanism having a kickstand and a latch mechanism. The kickstand is pivotally coupled to the seat cushion and operatively coupled to the latch mechanism. The latch mechanism is configured to releasably latch to an adjacent one of the strikers when the seat cushion is in the seating position. The kickstand mechanism minimizes fore-aft movement of the swivel mechanism when the latch mechanism is latched to the adjacent one of the strikers.

Abstract: A remote handle assembly for selectively unlocking a component in a seat assembly for an automotive vehicle comprises a handle bracket having a hole extending laterally through the handle bracket, a pulley having a pivot hole extending axially through the pulley, a handle spline having a passageway extending axially through the handle spline, and a pin extending through the passageway in the handle spline, the pivot hole in the pulley, and the hole in the handle bracket. The pulley is pivotably coupled to the pin between an unactuated position and an actuated position and the handle spline is pivotably coupled to the pin between an unactuated position and an actuated position and the pin is fixedly coupled to the handle bracket and is configured to retain the handle bracket, the pulley, and the handle spline together.

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 precut 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 seat assembly (10) for use in an automotive vehicle comprises a seat cushion (14) adapted to be coupled to a floor of the vehicle, a seat back (12) pivotably coupled to the seat cushion, a striker bar (28) adapted to be fixedly secured to a support wall in the vehicle, a recliner bracket (42) pivotally coupled to the seat back (12), and a latch assembly (66) pivotally coupled to the recliner bracket (42) and slidably coupled to the striker bar (28). Pivotal movement of the recliner bracket (42) relative to the seat back (12) causes the latch assembly (66) to slide along the striker bar (28) and the seat back (12) to pivot relative to the seat cushion (14) between a full recline position and a forward comfort position.

Abstract: An electronic control unit configured to control at least one motor used to reposition a seat assembly within an automotive vehicle. The electronic control unit comprises a mode manager configured to reposition the seat assembly from a first position to a second position and a performance evaluation module configured to monitor the repositioning of the seat assembly. The performance evaluation module detects and compensates for abrupt stops in the at least one motor.

Abstract: A pitch assembly for a vehicle seat includes a drive pinion having a slot, a pinion actuator having a key positioned within the slot, a cam fixedly coupled to the pinion actuator by a drive shaft, a drive motor operatively coupled to the drive shaft and configured to rotate the drive shaft, and an actuator lever operatively coupled to the cam and operatively coupled to a disc mechanism. The drive motor rotates the drive shaft causing the cam to move the actuator lever to an actuated position causing the disc mechanism to be unlocked prior to the key engaging with the slot. Additional rotation of the drive shaft after the key is engaged with the slot rotates the drive pinion causing the vehicle seat to be pivoted between a first and second position.

Abstract: A method is provided for detecting a fault in a gear system for repositioning a seat assembly in an automotive vehicle. The gear system includes a gear train operatively coupled to a motor. The method includes the steps of measuring a current drawn by the motor to reposition the seat assembly, recording the current over time as a current waveform, converting the current waveform into a frequency domain, determining a base frequency of the current waveform based on the converted current waveform, calculating a power spectrum density at the base frequency, calculating a total band power of the power spectrum density, and determining whether the total band power is greater than a predetermined total band power threshold.

Abstract: A recliner handle with an overload protection device is provided for a vehicle seat having a recliner attached to a recliner B-bracket. The recliner handle is attached to a handle spline having a disc shaft aperture configured to engage with a disc shaft of the recliner. A stop flange attached to the handle spline is configured to frictionally engage with an overload stop attached to the recliner B-bracket. The handle spline is rotatable in a first rotational direction between a first position wherein the stop flange is frictionally engaged with the overload stop and the disc shaft aperture is disengaged from the disc shaft and a second position wherein the disc shaft aperture engages the disc shaft. Rotation of the handle spline in a second rotational direction from the first position is restricted by the stop flange frictionally engaged with the overload stop.

Abstract: A transmission system for providing sliding movement of a vehicle seat within a vehicle includes a dual output motor having a left-hand and right-hand motor output shafts, a left-hand bevel gearbox and a right-hand bevel gearbox operatively coupled to a respective one of the left-hand and right-hand output motor shafts, a left-hand long rail assembly comprising a left-hand power rail drive assembly slidably coupled to a left-hand fixed long rail and operatively coupled to the left-hand bevel gearbox and a right-hand long rail assembly comprising a right-hand power rail drive assembly slidably coupled to a right-hand fixed long rail and operatively coupled to the right-hand bevel gearbox. The dual output motor rotates the left-hand and right-hand motor output shafts resulting in each of the left-hand and right-hand power rail drive assemblies being transposed along the respective left-hand and right-hand fixed long rails.

Abstract: A long rail assembly for repositioning a vehicle seat in a vehicle includes a fixed long rail and a rail drive assembly configured to be repositionable along the fixed long rail. The rail drive assembly includes an upper channel and a flexible stability roller assembly. The flexible stability roller assembly has first and second stability rollers rotationally coupled to respective first and second wing portions of a flexible wing bracket. The flexible wing bracket has a generally W-shaped cross-section in profile with the first and second wing portions extending at a first angle from adjacent first and second side portions, respectively, and the first and second side portions extending at a second angle from a center portion. The center portion of the flexible wing bracket is fixedly coupled to the upper channel.

Abstract: A seat assembly for use by an occupant in an automotive vehicle includes a seat cushion pivotally coupled to a seat base at a cushion pivot. The seat assembly further includes a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion at a lower recline pivot. A tilt mechanism is further coupled between the seat cushion and the seat base for pivoting of the seat cushion at the cushion pivot to move the seat assembly to and from a zero-gravity position. A first line extends vertically through an H-point of the occupant when the seat assembly is disposed in a design position. The lower recline pivot is positioned under the H-point approximately on the first line and the cushion pivot is positioned forward of the first line to facilitate optimal comfort for the occupant when the seat assembly is disposed in the zero-gravity position.

Abstract: A remote handle assembly for selectively unlocking a component in a seat assembly for an automotive vehicle comprises a rear housing having a boss, a spline shaft pivotally coupled to the boss around an axis of rotation, and a pulley pivotally coupled to the boss around the axis of rotation. The spline shaft includes a cam surface and a pulley channel extending circumferentially around the axis of rotation. The spline shaft is pivotable between an unactuated position and an actuated position. The pulley includes an engagement surface and an upper pulley channel extending circumferentially around the axis of rotation. The pulley is pivotable between a second unactuated position and a second actuated position. The pulley is spaced between the spline shaft and the rear housing. The upper pulley channel in the pulley axially aligns with the pulley channel in the spline shaft.

Abstract: A seat assembly for movement between a plurality of positions within an automotive vehicle includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion and a seat track assembly with a sliding track repositionable along a fixed track for movement of the seat assembly between a forward position and a rearward position. A linkage assembly extends between the seat cushion and the sliding track for movement of the seat cushion between an easy entry position and a design position. An interlock element is pivotally coupled to the sliding track. Movement of the seat assembly from the forward position to the rearward position pivots the interlock element from a locked condition engaged with the linkage assembly for holding the seat cushion in the easy entry position, to an unlocked condition disengaged from the linkage assembly for allowing movement of the seat cushion to the design position.

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.