Abstract: A seat support system for supporting a seat in a manner that ameliorates or eliminates load applied to a driving mechanism. The system may be configured to support a seat back when the seat back in pivoted upwardly and downwardly relative to a seat bottom. The support system may create a load-bearing link between a non-driven component on the seat back and an anchor.

Abstract: A seat support system for supporting a seat in a manner that ameliorates or eliminates load applied to a driving mechanism. The system may be configured to support a seat back when the seat back in pivoted upwardly and downwardly relative to a seat bottom. The support system may create a load-bearing link between a non-driven component on the seat back and an anchor.

Abstract: An actuator configured to actuate a member. The actuator optionally including capabilities for storing and releasing kinetic energy. The actuator being suitable for use in any number of environments, including but not limited to facilitating seat folding operations.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seating surface, wherein the seating surface defines a plurality of temperature controlled zones. At least one electrically actuated heating/cooling source provides one of heating and cooling to the plurality of zones. A controller individually controls electrical power supplied from the source to each zone and is operative to reduce power consumption in one zone relative to another zone in accordance with a predetermined profile designed to limit the overall power consumption of the assembly.

Abstract: An actuator configured to actuate a member. The actuator optionally including capabilities for storing and releasing kinetic energy. The actuator being suitable for use in any number of environments, including but not limited to facilitating seat folding operations.

Abstract: A method of directing and/or alert vehicles during an emergency or other event. The method may include providing messages and other information to the vehicles through wireless communications. The message may detail the emergency and/or an evacuation strategy for avoiding the emergency. Different vehicles may receive different messages and instructions depending on vehicle location and other parameters.

Abstract: An indication system (10) for a vehicle (11) includes a radio frequency circuit (12) with a transponder (84) and an in-vehicle RF tagged element (18). The transponder (84) transmits a status request signal. A first radio frequency identification tag (84) is coupled to the in-vehicle RF tagged element (18). The tag (84) inductively generates a current status signal associated with the in-vehicle element (18) and in response to the status request signal. A method of tracking, identifying, and determining the presence and status of an in-vehicle RF tagged element (18) includes transmitting a status request signal. The status request signal is inductively received via multiple radio frequency identification tags (84, 86) that are associated with the in-vehicle RF tagged element (18). A current status signal is transmitted from the radio frequency identification tags (84, 86). An in-vehicle task is performed in response to the current status signal.

Abstract: A clear plastic member is formed to provide channels to contain service cords and utilities. The center channel most generally will contain the power cord. The channels on each side of the center channel are of smaller cross section and may include data, communication, and utility applications in any combination. Central and part of the extruded member is a cavity that transverses the entire top area of the member. The application of this cavity is to encapsulate a pattern representative of the floor, wall, veiling, or desk that the device is being mounted to, or this cavity could also contain graphical details including the logo of the company, legends, and other customized details to provide complimentary graphical details with the power, communication, data, or utility services.

Abstract: Method and system to alert drivers to driving related information thought controlling information displayed on one or more roadside displays. The displayed information may related to traffic flow, road conditions, emergencies, and any other type of information. Optionally, the displayed information may be determined at least in part of data collected from onboard the vehicles.

Abstract: An electronic trigger assembly for triggering an actuator, the electronic trigger assembly having a trigger member capable of connection to the actuator. The trigger member may be configured for rotation between a first position and a second position and the trigger member may be able to trigger the actuator as the trigger member rotates between the first position and the second position. The trigger member may also include a guide. A shape memory alloy member may be connected to the trigger member and may be received by the guide such that a substantial portion of the shape memory alloy member is disposed in a curvilinear arrangement. The shape memory alloy member may contract when electrified. The shape memory alloy member may be confined by the guide to contract along a path such that the shape memory alloy member exerts torque on the trigger member and causes the trigger member to rotate from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat back that is pivotally connected to a seat bottom, a lock mechanism that is configured to inhibit the seat back from pivoting when locked and to permit the seat back to pivot when unlocked, and a release and drive mechanism. The release and drive mechanism includes a mounting member, a drive gear that is rotatable with respect to the mounting member and that is connected to the lock mechanism, and a motor that is connected to the drive gear. The drive gear is rotationally limited to a defined angular range. The motor rotates the drive gear through the defined angular range which moves the lock mechanism to an unlocked state and thereafter causes the seat back to pivot.

Abstract: A linear motion actuator is disclosed in which an actuator shaft is held in a ready position by a latching ring. A spring is attached to the actuator shaft to exert a biasing force on the actuator shaft biasing it toward its actuated position. The latching ring receives one end of the actuator shaft and has locking elements that hold the actuator shaft in the ready position. A latching ring is rotated to selectively release the locking element. A shape memory alloy link extends partially around the latching ring and is secured to the latching ring. The link is shortened when current is applied to the link causing the link to rotate and release the locking element.

Abstract: A rotational based actuator configured to impart linear movement. The actuator may be suitable for use in any number of applications where a disk or other feature may be rotated over a wedge to impart linear movement. The forces used to generate the rotation movement may be imparted by the wedge against an element, causing the element to move linearly with the disk.

Abstract: A haptic seat and system for use in imparting sensations to an occupant thereof. The haptic seat may be used to alert passengers of various operating conditions with some sort of tactile sensation, such as a vibration, pulse, shake, or other inducement that involves the occupant's sense of touch.

Abstract: A stall protection circuit is provided for bidirectional motor operation that is controlled by a half bridge switch that has forward, reverse and off positions. A method of protecting a motor is also disclosed. A Hall effect current sensor may be provided in a stall current protection circuit that engages a latching circuit. The latching circuit is operative to interrupt current flowing to the motor by disabling MOSFETs on opposite sides of the motor. Alternatively, FET voltage from drain to source may be used to measure the current supplied to the motor that is used to engage the latching circuit.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy (SMA) system suitable for use in any number of environments, including but not limited to latching and unlatching vehicle seat tracks. The system including any number of configurations to support any number of operations, including but not limited to push-push, pull-pull, push-pull, and pull-push operations.

Abstract: A linear motion actuator is disclosed in which an actuator shaft is held in a ready position by a latching ring. A spring is attached to the actuator shaft to exert a biasing force on the actuator shaft biasing it toward its actuated position. The latching ring receives one end of the actuator shaft and has locking elements that hold the actuator shaft in the ready position. A latching ring is rotated to selectively release the locking element. A shape memory alloy link extends partially around the latching ring and is secured to the latching ring. The link is shortened when current is applied to the link causing the link to rotate and release the locking element.

Abstract: An actuator configured to actuate a member. The actuator optionally including capabilities for storing and releasing kinetic energy. The actuator being suitable for use in any number of environments, including but not limited to facilitating seat folding operations.

Abstract: An actuator for a latch assembly for securing a latched member that is linked to a trigger. The trigger may be a shape memory alloy actuating element that is actuated in response to receiving an electrical signal. The trigger may be mechanically reset to a locked state by the latched member. A method of operating the latch is also disclosed wherein the trigger is actuated in response to an electrical signal resulting in a force being applied in a first direction to a cable that connects the trigger to release the latch. The trigger is reset by exerting mechanical force on the trigger in the opposite direction. The latch system may be applied to a vehicle seat having a seat back that pivots relative to a seat base to allow the seat back to pivot over the seat base.

Abstract: A non-contact seat position system is provided. The system includes a lower seat track, an upper seat track, a target and a sensor. The upper seat track is positionably connected to the lower seat track, whereby the upper seat track may be positioned into a desirable location. The target is connected either to the lower seat track or the upper seat track, and the sensor is connected to the other of the lower seat track and the upper seat track. The sensor has a line of sight with the target, wherein the sensor when powered, outputs a sensor signal determined from a reflected signal coming from the target. In a first embodiment of the system, the sensor is an infrared sensor. In a second embodiment of the system the sensor is an optical sensor. A method of non-contact seat position system determination is also provided.