Seat device for vehicle

• US 20050071053A1
• Filed: 09/21/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Yamada, Yukifumi, Nihonmatsu, Hideo, Ito, Sadao
• Application Number:
  US10/944,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20050071053A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0278 using sensors external to the seat for measurements in relation to the seat adjustment, e.g. for identifying the presence of obstacles or the appropriateness of the occupants position
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/42727 involving substantially rigid displacement
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/20 Radar

Abstract

A seat device for a vehicle includes a seat body having a base portion adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and a moving portion movable relative to the base portion and an actuator configured to operate at a first operational speed and at a second operational speed faster than the first operational speed. The actuator moves the moving portion relative to the base portion. The seat device for the vehicle further includes a control device for controlling the actuator to operate at the second operational speed upon detection of approach of an obstacle relative to the vehicle.

Claims

1. A seat device for a vehicle comprising:

a seat body having a base portion adapted to be mounted on the vehicle and a moving portion movable relative to the base portion;

an actuator configured to operate at a first operational speed and at a second operational speed faster than the first operational speed, the actuator moving the moving portion relative to the base portion; and

a control means for controlling the actuator to operate at the second operational speed upon detection of approach of an obstacle relative to the vehicle.

2. The seat device for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the actuator to operate at the second operational speed until a state of the seat body assumes a predetermined safe state.

3. The seat device for the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

an operation means operated by an occupant of the vehicle;

wherein

the control means controls the actuator to operate at the first operational speed based on a signal from the operation means.

4. The seat device for the vehicle according to claim 1, further comprising:

a detection means for detecting the approach of the obstacle relative to the vehicle, the detection means including a laser radar sensor.

5. The seat device for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the actuator includes a plurality of driving members;

the operational speed of the actuator is switched to the first operational speed and to the second operational speed in accordance with number of the simultaneously actuated driving members; and

the control means controls the actuator to operate the actuator at the second operational speed by simultaneously driving the plural driving members of the actuator upon the detection of the approach.

6. The seat device for the vehicle according to claim 5, wherein

the plural driving members includes a first direct current motor and a second direct current motor;

rotational shafts of the first direct current motor and the second direct current motor are connected in series; and

wherein

the control means controls the actuator to simultaneously drive the first and the second direct current motors until a state of the seat body assumes a predetermined safe state.

7. The seat device for the vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising:

an operation means operated by an occupant of the vehicle;

wherein

the control means controls the actuator to independently drive the first direct current motor based on a signal from the operation means.

8. The seat device for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein

the seat body includes a seat cushion adapted to be supported at a floor of the vehicle and a seatback rotatably supported relative to the seat cushion;

the base portion includes the seat cushion and the moving portion includes the seatback; and

the control means controls the actuator to operate at the second operational speed until an angle of gradient of the seatback relative to the seat cushion assumes a predetermined safe angle.