Abstract: Haptic alert waveform generation method and system for use with haptic actuators that impart haptic sensations according to a waveform of an input signal used to control the haptic actuator. The shape and/or amplitude of the waveform may be controlled according to information collected from various vehicle systems, allowing virtually any type of waveform to generate and used to impart virtually any type of haptic sensations.

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: A seat assembly and a method of controlling temperature of a seat assembly. The seat assembly may include a seat bottom configured to move between a first position and a second position. A flexible duct provides air to the seat bottom. The flexible duct has a housing defining an air passage and a plurality of support members disposed in the air passage. The flexible duct moves when the seat bottom moves from the first position to the second position.

Abstract: Supervised and unsupervised seat folding of the type wherein supervised or unsupervised seating folding is permitted as function of whether a user is within a particular proximity to a seat being folded. The proximity being determined according to any number of parameters, such as but not limited whether the user is able to view the folding seat.

Abstract: Haptic alert waveform generation method and system for use with haptic actuators that impart haptic sensations according to a waveform of an input signal used to control the haptic actuator. The shape and/or amplitude of the waveform may be controlled according to information collected from various vehicle systems, allowing virtually any type of waveform to generate and used to impart virtually any type of haptic sensations.

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 climate controlling system including an HVAC system and a climate modification subsystem. The HVAC system adds conditioned air into a passenger compartment of an electric vehicle. The HVAC system transmits a signal indicative of its power consumption state. The climate modification subsystem is configured to alter the perceived temperature of a vehicle occupant. The climate modification subsystem transmits a signal indicative of its power consumption state. A controller is connected to the HVAC system and to the subsystem. The controller monitors the signals transmitted by the HVAC system and the subsystem. The controller apportions power between the HVAC system and the subsystem to achieve a minimum combined power consumption state while maintaining a predetermined occupant perceived temperature.

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: 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 seat heating and occupant sensing assembly including a mat having a plurality of heat sources disposed therein. A power supply supplies power to the heat sources. The assembly further includes a controller in communication with a signal generator. The signal generator provides electric signals to the heat sources to form an electric field. The controller monitors one of the signals and electric field for recognizable characteristics for determining the presence of an occupant on the seat.

Abstract: An occupant environment conditioning system for a vehicle includes a controller that selectively operates at least one device for altering an environment of a vehicle occupant based a power cost analysis.

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: 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 vehicle restraint occupant sensing system is provided for detecting a presence of an unrestrained vehicle occupant in a vehicle seat. A seat belt restraint sensing circuit senses whether a seat belt is in an unlatched condition. An occupant sensing system includes at least one sensor assembly in spaced relation to a vehicle seat for sensing a presence of the occupant in the vehicle seat. The occupant sensing system includes a comparator circuit coupled to the at least one sensor assembly and the seat belt restraint sensing circuit for producing an output signal indicative of the presence of the occupant. A logic circuit is disposed within the vehicle seat coupled to an output of the comparator circuit and the seat belt restraint sensing circuit for providing an alert output signal when the seat belt is in the unlatched condition and the output signal indicates that the occupant is present.

Abstract: Supervised and unsupervised seat folding of the type wherein supervised or unsupervised seating folding is permitted as function of whether a user is within a particular proximity to a seat being folded. The proximity being determined according to any number of parameters, such as but not limited whether the user is able to view the folding seat.

Abstract: A vehicle seat sensing system is provided for detecting a presence of an unrestrained vehicle occupant on a vehicle seat cushion. A plurality of sensor assemblies are in spaced relation to one another and disposed adjacent a lower surface of said vehicle seat cushion. Each of the plurality of sensor assemblies variably sense a displacement of the vehicle seat cushion. A summing circuit disposed in proximity to the plurality of sensor assemblies is provided for summing sensed signals from the plurality of sensor assemblies. The summing circuit provides a summed output signal indicative of a presence of a vehicle occupant. The summed output signal is output exterior of the vehicle seat for determining whether the vehicle occupant is seated on the vehicle seat cushion.

Abstract: A method for discriminating input to a sensing algorithm used with an occupancy classification system includes generating a series of sensor signals from a sensor array. The method further includes generating a sensor signal from a belt tension sensor and generating a pattern recognition algorithm as a function of: the series of sensor signals from the sensor array and the sensor signal from the belt tension sensor.

Abstract: A method of recognizing and classifying the occupancy in a vehicle seat having an occupancy sensing system, including the steps of sensing the output of an array of sensors that detect a physical presence in a seat and applying the sensor array output as a vector representation to a neural net that was trained using a learning vector quantization algorithm. The method also includes the step of recognizing the sensor array output as falling within one of a group of predetermined classification patterns that represent a physical presence in the seat defined by size, weight, and physical orientation.