Abstract: A drive shaft assembly (8) for automotive applications for transmitting a rotary drive. The drive shaft assembly (8) comprising a central flexible rotatable core shaft (14), an outer sleeve (12) surrounding the central flexible core shaft (14) and spaced from the core shaft (14), and at least one elastomeric damper (20) positioned at a location (42) along the length (l1) of the drive shaft assembly (8). The damper (20) extending to and lightly abutting against an outer cylindrical surface of the core shaft (14).

Abstract: A folding vehicle seat assembly for an automotive vehicle (1) comprising at least one movable seat portion (10,12,14,16,18,20), and at least one fluid powered actuator (45-52). The actuators (45-52) are connected to an operating system (56) which is selectively activatable by a vehicle occupant. The movable seat portion (10,12,14,16,18,20) is movably mountable within the vehicle (1) and connected to an actuator (45-52). The actuator, when activated, is arranged to move the movable seat portion (10,12,14,16,18,20) between a seating position for supporting a seat occupant and a stowed position.

Abstract: A vehicle seat adjustment system for adjusting the position of a portion of a vehicle seat. The system comprises a hydraulic actuator, a primary activation system for operating the hydraulic actuator and adjusting the seat position, and a secondary activation system for the hydraulic actuator. The secondary activation system is arranged to be activated in the event of a detected crash, to provide for movement of the hydraulic actuator to automatically adjust the position of a portion of the seat towards a predetermined position. The secondary activation system comprises a chamber to allow fluid to be displaced from the hydraulic actuator into the chamber. The secondary activation system may additionally comprise a fluid injection unit which supplies a quantity of fluid, preferably gas, to the actuator.

Abstract: A vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat (2), and a seat track mounting (7) adapted to slidingly mount the seat (2) to a vehicle floor (8). The seat track mounting (7) comprising an elongate slidingly engaged seat track member (18) including a pair of spaced apart side flanges (20,22) which define a channel section (25). The vehicle seat assembly further comprising a hydraulic actuator (50) arranged in use to extend and retract as the seat (2) is slidingly moved (F, A) on the seat track mounting (7). This hydraulic actuator (50) is located longitudinally within seat track member (18) within the channel section (25) and between the pair of side flanges (20,22).

Abstract: A control valve, and a control module including such a control valve, for selectively controlling a flow of pressurised hydraulic fluid from a pump in a hydraulically powered vehicle seat adjustment system. The control valve including a duct for pressurised fluid delivered from the pump, and a moveable valve member which selectively closes off the duct. The control valve also includes an integral set of contacts which are arranged to activate the pump to provide a supply of pressurised hydraulic fluid to the duct when the valve member is in the second operative position in which hydraulic fluid is permitted to flow though the duct. The control valves are preferably mounted within the control module which defines an internal chamber forming a reservoir of the hydraulically powered vehicle seat adjustment system. The control module is mounted upon a side valance of the seat as a single integrated unit.

Abstract: A fluid powered vehicle seat adjustment system comprising a fluid actuator a source of pressurised hydraulic fluid and a controller. The fluid actuator including first and second inlet/outlet conduits, and the controller selectively controlling and directing pressurised fluid selectively to either the first or second inlet/outlets of the actuator. The actuator further comprising actuator isolation valves associated with each of the first and second inlet/outlets of the actuator. Each actuator isolation valve allowing a flow of fluid from the actuator only when pressurised fluid is supplied to the actuator and other isolation valve in order to prevent movement of the actuator except when pressurised fluid is supplied to the actuator.

Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle seat adjustment system (10) providing powered adjustment of the position of a seat (2) or seat portion (6, 4). The system (10) comprises a pump (18), flow controller (20), and hydraulic actuator (12, 14) arranged in a hydraulic circuit. The actuator (12, 14) includes a first and second system protection valves (54, 56) for the respective inlet (50) and outlet (52) of the actuator (12, 14). The system protection valves (54, 56) are adapted to be activated in response to pressure within the actuator (12, 14) exceeding a predetermined threshold level. When activated the system protection valves (54, 56) close off the respective inlet and outlets (50, 52) to hydraulically isolate the actuator (12, 14) and hydraulic fluid within the actuator (12, 14) from the remainder of the hydraulic circuit and adjustment system (10). This protects the remainder of the circuit and system (10) from excessive pressures which may be generated within an by the actuators (12, 14) under crash loading.

Abstract: A hydraulic vehicle seat adjustment system (10) for providing positional adjustment of at least two seat adjustments of a vehicle seat (2). The system (10) comprises a common source (18,22) of hydraulic fluid, and a control unit (20) which selectively controls and directs hydraulic fluid from the common source (18,22) of hydraulic fluid to respective first and second actuators (12,14) to adjust the respective different seat adjustments, for example fore and aft position of the seat (2), and seat back (4) angle. The system (10) may further also comprise a seat position determining unit (ECU 24) connected to the control unit (20) and to a common fluid flow sensor (26) to determine the flow of hydraulic fluid from the common source (18,22) of hydraulic fluid to the respective first and second actuators (12,14) and to thereby determine the adjusted position of the respective actuators (12,14) and so of the respective seat (2) adjustment.

Abstract: A drive shaft assembly (8) for automotive applications for transmitting a rotary drive. The drive shaft assembly (8) comprising a central flexible rotatable core shaft (14), an outer sleeve (12) surrounding the central flexible core shaft (14) and spaced from the core shaft (14), and at least one elastomeric damper (20) positioned at a location (42) along the length (l1) of the drive shaft assembly (8). The damper (20) extending to and lightly abutting against an outer cylindrical surface of the core shaft (14).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adjusting an automotive seat mechanism or adjusting other mechanisms comprising a magneto rheological and/or electro rheological fluid provided in the chamber of a positive fluid displacement device and interconnecting said relatively movable parts whereby changing the status of said fluid enables control of the mechanism, and/or take up of any backlash between movable parts of the mechanism, by virtue of resistance to fluid flow in the activated status of the fluid.

Abstract: A selective drive mechanism comprises a driven drive shaft (2), a drive nut (4), locking means (6) and an operable control arm (10). The drive nut (4) is disposed about the drive shaft (2) and is adapted to be selectively driven by the drive shaft (2). The locking means (6) is associated with the drive nut (4) and drive shaft (2) and comprises a helical coil spring mounted about said drive shaft (2). The operable control arm (10) is arranged to selectively engage with and operate the locking means (6). The mechanism (3) is arranged such that with the control arm (10) in a first position the locking means (6) is arranged to lock the drive nut (4) to the drive shaft (2) so that the relative positions of the drive nut (4) and drive shaft (2) are fixed. With the control arm (10) however in a second position the locking means (6), drive nut (4) and drive shaft (2) are arranged so that the drive nut (4) can move relative to the drive shaft (2).

Abstract: An automotive seat mounting (3) comprising relatively slidable members for mounting a seat (4) within a vehicle such that the seat (4) can be slidably positioned and moved in a forward (F) and rearward (R) longitudinal direction. The slidable members slidably interconnected at at least two laterally spaced locations. The slidable members are accurately and positively laterally located and interconnected relative to each other in a lateral direction, at only one of said laterally spaced locations. The slidable members may comprise first and second seat track sections (8a,10a) of an individual seat track assembly (6a). Alternatively the slidable members may comprise first (6a) and second (6b) laterally spaced seat track assemblies.

Abstract: A selective drive mechanism comprises a driven drive shaft (2), a drive nut (4), locking means (6) and an operable control arm (10). The drive nut (4) is disposed about the drive shaft (2) and is adapted to be selectively driven by the drive shaft (2). The locking means (6) is associated with the drive nut (4) and drive shaft (2) and comprises a helical coil spring mounted about said drive shaft (2). The operable control arm (10) is arranged to selectively engage with and operate the locking means (6). The mechanism (3) is arranged such that with the control arm (10) in a first position the locking means (6) is arranged to lock the drive nut (4) to the drive shaft (2) so that the relative positions of the drive nut (4) and drive shaft (2) are fixed. With the control arm (10) however in a second position the locking means (6), drive nut (4) and drive shaft (2) are arranged so that the drive nut (4) can move relative to the drive shaft (2).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for adjusting an automotive seat mechanism or adjusting other mechanisms comprising a magneto rheological and/or electro rheological fluid provided in the chamber of a positive fluid displacement device and interconnecting said relatively movable parts whereby changing the status of said fluid enables control of the mechanism, and/or take up of any backlash between movable parts of the mechanism, by virtue of resistance to fluid flow in the activated status of the fluid.