Smart multi-contoured seat support system

• US 10,464,446 B2
• Filed: 10/23/2017
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/23/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group), Kia Motors Corporation (Kia Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai Motor Group)
• Inventors: Ziolek, Scott, Christiana, Amanda
• Primary Examiner(s): Allred, David E
• Application Number:
  US15/790,667
• Publication Number:
  US 20190118674A1
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0268 using sensors or detectors for adapting the seat or seat part, e.g. to the position of an occupant
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/665 using inflatable bladders
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape

Abstract

A method of adjusting a vehicle seat support system is provided. In particular, the method includes receiving a user selection at an input device and detecting a mode type associated with the user selection. A plurality of seat support features disposed within a vehicle seat are then adjusted toward a support characteristic that corresponds to the detected mode type.

Claims

1. A method of adjusting a vehicle seat support system, comprising:

receiving, by a controller, a user selection at an input device;

detecting, by the controller, a mode indicated by the user selection from a plurality of modes;

adjusting, by the controller, seat support features within a vehicle seat toward a support characteristic defined by the detected mode;

for each of the support features within the vehicle seat, setting, by the controller, a target intensity as the support characteristic based on the detected mode;

increasing, by the controller, the target intensity level for a selected mode by one level when the user selection is an adjustment mode from among the plurality of modes; and

decreasing, by the controller, the target intensity level for a last selected mode by one level when the user selection is an off mode from among the plurality of modes.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat support features are adjusted until the target intensity is reached or until an engagement of the input device is released.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

receiving, by the controller, feedback from a sensor that detects pressure exerted onto the vehicle seat; and

determining, by the controller, which of the seat support features to adjust based on the feedback.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

in response to the release of the input device engagement, storing, by the controller, a last selected mode,

wherein the vehicle seat support system restarts based on a last intensity level.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein a plurality of modes are stored in a database, wherein an activation order of each seat support feature is defined in the database for each of the modes.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the database further defines weighting rank factors used to calculate an effective system state, a number of intervals to reach a maximum intensity level, and target support levels for each seat support feature at each intensity interval.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the seat support features are adjusted pneumatically or mechanically.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the modes comprise at least one adjustment mode and an off mode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the adjustment mode includes at least a sport mode, a touring mode, and a back health mode.

10. A method of adjusting a vehicle seat support system, comprising:

receiving, by a controller, a user selection at an input device;

detecting, by the controller, a mode indicated by the user selection from a plurality of modes;

calculating, by the controller, a weighted rank of each of a plurality of seat support features within a vehicle seat by comparing a current intensity level of each seat support feature and an intensity level of a respective seat support feature for the detected mode;

calculating, by the controller, an effective system state based on the detected mode and the weighted rank of each seat support feature;

setting, by the controller, a target intensity level based on the user selection; and

adjusting, by the controller, the intensity of each seat support feature to meet the target intensity level for each seat support feature;

wherein the calculation of the effective system state includes;

increasing, by the controller, the target intensity level for a selected mode by one level when the user selection is an adjustment mode from among the plurality of modes; and

decreasing, by the controller, the target intensity level for a last selected mode by one level when the user selection is an off mode from among the plurality of modes.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the intensity of each seat support feature is adjusted until an engagement of the input device is released.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein a support profile is generated for a plurality of mode types to provide an intensity level for each seat support feature corresponding to each mode type.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

storing, by the controller, the current intensity level in response to the release of the input device engagement; and

restarting, by the controller, the vehicle seat support system at the stored intensity level.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the adjustment mode includes at least a sport mode, a touring mode, and a back health mode.