Seat assemblies including a seat stroking device and methods of use
First Claim
1. A seat assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
- a seat adjustment mechanism comprising a stationary rail fixedly attached to a vehicle floor and a movable rail slidably engaged with the stationary rail, wherein the seat adjustment mechanism is adapted to position a seat;
an active material based stroking device having one end fixedly attached to a non-movable portion and an other end in operative communication with the movable rail; and
a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A seat assembly including a seat stroking device for a vehicle and methods of use include a seat adjustment mechanism comprising a stationary rail fixedly attached to a vehicle floor and a movable rail slidably engaged with the stationary rail, wherein the seat adjustment mechanism is adapted to position a seat; an active material based stroking device having one end fixedly attached to a non-movable portion and an other end in operative communication with the movable rail; and a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A seat assembly for a vehicle, comprising:
-
a seat adjustment mechanism comprising a stationary rail fixedly attached to a vehicle floor and a movable rail slidably engaged with the stationary rail, wherein the seat adjustment mechanism is adapted to position a seat;
an active material based stroking device having one end fixedly attached to a non-movable portion and an other end in operative communication with the movable rail; and
a controller in operative communication with the active material, wherein the controller is operable to selectively apply an activation signal to the active material and effect a change in an attribute of the active material, wherein the change in the attribute results in force and acceleration adjusting energy absorption. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A process for limiting/reducing deceleration levels experienced by a belted seated occupant of a vehicle, the process comprising:
-
detecting a deceleration event with a sensor, wherein the sensor is in operative communication with an active material based stroking device coupled to a movable rail of a seat assembly and a non-movable surface of the vehicle;
releasing the seat assembly to provide translation of a seat within the seat assembly by the active material based stroking device;
variably applying an activation signal to the active material to alter a stroking force of the active material based stroking device; and
limiting and/or reducing the deceleration levels experienced by the belted seated occupant with the controlled force level stroke of the active material based stroking device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification