METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING MASSAGE FUNCTIONS OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT

• US 20140025258A1
• Filed: 07/23/2013
• Published: 01/23/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Lem, Jeroen, Michell, Steve, Wolter, Stefan, Line, Johnathan Andrew, Golm, Florian
• Granted Patent: US 10,300,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/914 Hydro-pneumatic adjustments of the shape
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/976 massaging systems

Abstract

A method for controlling and selecting massage functions of a motor vehicle seat and include the steps of: switching the system to a selection mode and starting the selection mode; scrolling through massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner, wherein the massage functions that are organized in a block-by-block manner include a specific massage zone per block; confirming a selection of the massage block by way of a user selection; and terminating the selection mode.

Claims

1. A method for controlling and selecting massage functions of a motor vehicle seat having a plurality of massage zones disposed on at least one of a seat and a seat back, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a selection mode;

starting the selection mode;

scrolling through a plurality of massage functions organized in a block-by-block manner,

wherein the massage functions include a specific massage zone per block;

confirming a selection of the massage block by way of a user selection; and

terminating the selection mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the massage functions organized in a block-by-block manner include at least one specific massage option for the massage zone, which massage option is selected from the group comprising:

massage intensity, massage shape, massage duration, and massage pattern.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the massage functions organized in a block-by-block manner are scrolled through in a recursive manner.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the massage functions are scrolled through cyclically and can be briefly previewed before being selected.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective massage block can be edited by way of a user selection.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the massage functions organized in a block-by-block manner are scrolled through in a recursive manner.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein the massage functions are scrolled through cyclically and can be briefly previewed before being selected.

8. A method for controlling and selecting massage functions of a motor vehicle seat comprising the steps of:

providing a selection mode;

starting the selection mode;

scrolling through a plurality of massage functions organized in a block-by-block manner,

wherein the massage functions include a specific massage zone per block;

confirming a selection of the massage block by way of a user selection; and

terminating the selection mode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the massage functions organized in a block-by-block manner include at least one specific massage option for the massage zone, which massage option is selected from the group comprising:

massage intensity, massage shape, massage duration, and massage pattern.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the massage functions organized in a block-by-block manner are scrolled through in a recursive manner.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the massage functions are scrolled through cyclically and can be briefly previewed before being selected.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the respective massage block can be edited by way of a user selection.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the massage functions are scrolled through cyclically and can be briefly previewed before being selected.

14. A massage assembly for a vehicle seat comprising:

a seat;

a seatback;

a plurality of massage zones disposed on at least one of the seat and seatback;

a control operably coupled to the seat and seatback, the control including a selection mode that provides a block list of organized massage functions that include a specific massage zone per block; and

an interface configured to receive input from a user pertaining to a selected massage function.

15. The massage assembly of claim 14, wherein the control briefly previews massage functions prior to selection by the user.

16. The massage assembly of claim 15, wherein the respective massage block can be edited by way of a user selection.

17. The massage assembly of claim 14, wherein the control displays the block list in a format that can be scrolled through in a recursive manner.

18. The massage assembly of claim 14, wherein the control provides at least one specific massage option for each massage zone, which massage option is selected from the group comprising:

massage intensity, massage shape, massage duration, and massage pattern.