Abstract: A folding seat apparatus for a vehicle comprising a slide mechanism for slidably moving a seat in a front-and-rear direction, and a pop-up mechanism for popping up a seat cushion. The slide mechanism and pop-up mechanism are connected to the control lever. The controller controls the actuator so that the control lever rotates in the forward or reverse direction. The pop-up mechanism is unlocked by rotating the control lever in a first direction, and the slide mechanism is unlocked by rotating the control lever in a second direction.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a control device for a vehicle seat that has a function enabling the accurate detection and immediate countermeasures even when a foreign object is sandwiched between the soft portions of the seats. According to a method of the present invention for detecting the insertion of a foreign object in a vehicle seat having a power slide mechanism, the foreign object insertion detection is performed by measuring a fluctuation AF of a seat drive force for each predetermined movement distance ?x and comparing the fluctuation quantity with a threshold Z. The threshold Z in this case is a fluctuation region value determined by subtracting, from a set threshold width h, a value [?Ki(?F/?x)i] obtained by successively adding up the products of the fluctuation quantity of the seat drive force for each predetermined movement distance and a coefficient Ki.

Abstract: A capacitance sensor of the present invention is equipped with a sensor unit that comprises a pair of detection electrodes, which are connected to respective reference capacitors, are provided with being oppositely separated, and can contact each other; and an insulation member having flexibility by holding at least one detection electrode. And a capacitance type object detection method thereof is an object detection method for detecting an object's nearing: when the object nears, a non-contact sensor detects it with non contact according to a change of a capacitance; and when the object makes contact, a contact sensor, which deforms by the contact of the object, detects it with contact.

Abstract: A folding seat apparatus for a vehicle comprising a slide mechanism for slidably moving a seat in a front-and-rear direction, and a pop-up mechanism for popping up a seat cushion. The slide mechanism and pop-up mechanism are connected to the control lever. The controller controls the actuator so that the control lever rotates in the forward or reverse direction. The pop-up mechanism is unlocked by rotating the control lever in a first direction, and the slide mechanism is unlocked by rotating the control lever in a second direction.

Abstract: A simply structured and inexpensive seat slide apparatus, which, in an ordinary front/rear position adjustment of a seat, allows a passenger to operate manually without using a power drive unit; and in walk-in operation only, enables the seat to slide swiftly using the power drive unit.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes: a first sensing electrode connected to a first reference capacitor in which is stored reference electric charge; a second sensing electrode connected to a second reference capacitor in which is stored reference electric charge; and a shield electrode to which is applied electric potential equal to that of the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode. The first sensing electrode positions adjacent to a detecting surface of the capacitive sensor, and the second sensing electrode positions opposite to the detecting surface in such a manner that the first and second sensing electrodes are spaced apart and facing to each other. The shield electrode is configured to partly expose the first and second sensing electrodes on the side of the detecting surface, and the shield electrode extends toward the detecting surface beyond the first sensing electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides a seat stowing system for stowing in a floor recess (16) a seat (15) with a seat back (22, 23) tipped forward to fold it against a seat cushion (21). The stowing system (20) includes a seat back forward-tipping mechanism for automatically tipping the seat back forward and a swinging mechanism (30) for automatically swinging the folded seat back and the seat cushion as one. The seat back forward-tipping mechanism and the swinging mechanism are drive-controlled by a control unit, and the operation of stowing the seat in the floor recess is thus made electric.

Abstract: The invention provides a seat stowing system for stowing in a floor recess (16) a seat (15) with a seat back (22, 23) tipped forward to fold it against a seat cushion (21). The stowing system (20) includes a seat back forward-tipping mechanism for automatically tipping the seat back forward and a swinging mechanism (30) for automatically swinging the folded seat back and the seat cushion as one. The seat back forward-tipping mechanism and the swinging mechanism are drive-controlled by a control unit, and the operation of stowing the seat in the floor recess is thus made electric.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor includes: a first sensing electrode connected to a first reference capacitor in which is stored reference electric charge; a second sensing electrode connected to a second reference capacitor in which is stored reference electric charge; and a shield electrode to which is applied electric potential equal to that of the first sensing electrode and the second sensing electrode. The first sensing electrode positions adjacent to a detecting surface of the capacitive sensor, and the second sensing electrode positions opposite to the detecting surface in such a manner that the first and second sensing electrodes are spaced apart and facing to each other. The shield electrode is configured to partly expose the first and second sensing electrodes on the side of the detecting surface, and the shield electrode extends toward the detecting surface beyond the first sensing electrode.

Abstract: A capacitance sensor of the present invention is equipped with a sensor unit that comprises a pair of detection electrodes, which are connected to respective reference capacitors, are provided with being oppositely separated, and can contact each other; and an insulation member having flexibility by holding at least one detection electrode. And a capacitance type object detection method thereof is an object detection method for detecting an object's nearing: when the object nears, a non-contact sensor detects it with non contact according to a change of a capacitance; and when the object makes contact, a contact sensor, which deforms by the contact of the object, detects it with contact.

Abstract: A system and method for managing user preference settings in a vehicle includes an electronic control unit having a microcontroller and memory. The electronic control unit controls vehicle accessory devices. A data controller is in communication with the microcontroller of the electronic control unit for receiving the user preference data to control the accessory devices. The keyless receiver is in communication with the microcontroller of the electronic control unit for receiving a control signal from a key fob. A PDA including a processor, memory, and transceiver in electrical communication can be used to transmit the user preference data to the data controller. The preference data is transmitted to the memory of the electronic control unit, which executes an algorithm to control the accessory devices according to the user preference data.

Abstract: A remote keyless entry system and method is described, in which a keyless entry vehicle key fob can be toggled between a guest mode and a driver-specific mode. When the key fob is in the guest mode, the key fob transmits no driver-specific identification to a receiver located in the vehicle, so that customizable vehicle settings are changed to predetermined default or guest mode settings. When the key fob is in the driver-specific mode, the key fob transmits a driver-specific identification to the receiver, so that customizable vehicle settings are reset to driver-specific customized vehicle settings.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automobile exterior temperature display during a first period of time following starting the automobile includes comparing an ambient temperature to a display temperature and comparing a speed of the automobile to a threshold speed. If the speed is above the threshold speed and the sensed ambient temperature is more than a predetermined amount above the displayed temperature, the displayed temperature is adjusted at a first rate. The comparisons are continued for a predetermined period of time and, following the predetermined period of time, the displayed temperature is permitted to increase at a second rate. The second rate of increase is slower than the first rate of increase.

Abstract: A system and method for managing user preference settings in a vehicle includes an electronic control unit having a microcontroller and memory. The electronic control unit controls vehicle accessory devices. A data controller is in communication with the microcontroller of the electronic control unit for receiving the user preference data to control the accessory devices. The keyless receiver is in communication with the microcontroller of the electronic control unit for receiving a control signal from a key fob. A PDA including a processor, memory, and transceiver in electrical communication can be used to transmit the user preference data to the data controller. The preference data is transmitted to the memory of the electronic control unit, which executes an algorithm to control the accessory devices according to the user preference data.

Abstract: A method for controlling an automobile exterior temperature display during a first period of time following starting the automobile includes comparing an ambient temperature to a display temperature and comparing a speed of the automobile to a threshold speed. If the speed is above the threshold speed and the sensed ambient temperature is more than a predetermined amount above the displayed temperature, the displayed temperature is adjusted at a first rate. The comparisons are continued for a predetermined period of time and, following the predetermined period of time, the displayed temperature is permitted to increase at a second rate. The second rate of increase is slower than the first rate of increase.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle passenger side view mirror for tilting the mirror to permit the driver to see the curb upon shifting of the automobile into reverse. When the passenger side mirror is at an extreme inboard or extreme outboard position, and the vehicle is shifted into reverse, the mirror is tilted horizontally to be within predetermined limits, and then is tilted vertically to permit visualization of the ground adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A power seat control system that includes memory seat recall and power walk-in functions. When power walk-in is initiated while memory seat recall is being performed, the control system suspends memory seat recall until power walk-in is complete. Following power walk-in, memory seat recall is resumed to drive the seat into the desired final position. When a memory seat recall switch is actuated during power walk-in, the power walk-in function is aborted. Subsequent re-actuation of the memory seat recall switch will result in performance of the memory seat recall function to drive the seat to the desired final position.

Abstract: A control system for a vehicle passenger side view mirror for tilting the mirror to permit the driver to see the curb upon shifting of the automobile into reverse. When the passenger side mirror is at an extreme inboard or extreme outboard position, and the vehicle is shifted into reverse, the mirror is tilted horizontally to be within predetermined limits, and then is tilted vertically to permit visualization of the ground adjacent the vehicle.

Abstract: A communication network for vehicle control and a method of diagnosing the same in which the self-diagnosis functions attributed to some of control units in the communication network are combined with a manual diagnosis operation, whereby the diagnosis can be carried out by a relatively simple arrangement without sacrificing readiness and correctness, thus ensuring higher cost performance and reliability. The communication network includes control units, each coupled to at least one of auxiliary input and output devices, connected with communication lines to one another for transmitting and receiving unique signals. Each of at least two of the control units includes a transmitter, a receiver, a controller, and an indicating means, and has a diagnosis function.