REAR PASSENGER INGRESS/EGRESS AND METHODS

• US 20160332538A1
• Filed: 05/15/2015
• Published: 11/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 05/15/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Rocha, Arlindo, Szawarski, Hubert, Cuddihy, Mark A.
• Application Number:
  US14/713,607
• Publication Number:
  US 20160332538A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/002 Seats provided with an occupancy detection means mounted therein or thereon detection means responsive to presence or absence of children B60N2/266
• 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 2/0256 Arrangements for facilitating the occupant to get in or out of the vehicle, e.g. stowing a seat forward
• 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 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence

Abstract

A seat repositioning system for improving rear passenger ease of entry/exit to and from vehicle includes at least a seat position controller and associated logic for controlling movement of a front seat of the vehicle. The position controller is configured to cause at least a portion of a displaceable front seat of the vehicle to move forwardly when the system is enabled. The position controller may also prevent or limit rearward movement of one or more displaceable front seats of the vehicle. An actuator is provided for enabling/disabling the described system.

Claims

1. A seat repositioning system for a vehicle, comprising an actuable position controller configured to automatically cause at least a portion of a displaceable front seat to move forwardly when a front seat occupant sensor associated with the front seat does not detect a front seat occupant.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the position controller is further configured to, when enabled, prevent or limit a rearward movement of the displaceable front seat.

3. The system of claim 1, further including a rear door state sensor which outputs a signal to the position controller indicative of an open or unlocked state of a rear door of the vehicle.

4. The system of claim 1, further including an actuator configured for enabling or disabling the position controller.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the actuator is one or more of a switch, a display console or instrument cluster menu button, and a key fob.

6. A vehicle including the system of claim 1.

7. A method for improving ease of entry to and/or exit from a rear seat of a vehicle, comprising:

providing an actuable position controller configured to automatically cause at least a portion of a displaceable front seat to move forwardly when at least one front seat occupant sensor does not detect a front seat occupant; and

by the position controller, causing the displaceable front seat to move forwardly.

8. The method of claim 7, further including configuring the position controller to, when enabled, prevent or limit rearward movement of the displaceable front seat;

and

by the position controller, preventing or limiting rearward movement of the displaceable front seat.

9. The method of claim 7, further including providing a rear door state sensor which outputs a signal indicative of an open or unlocked state of a rear door of the vehicle.

10. The method of claim 9, further including providing an actuator configured for enabling or disabling the position controller.

11. The method of claim 10, including selecting an actuator from one or more of a switch, a display console or instrument cluster menu button, and a key fob.

12. A seat repositioning system for a vehicle, comprising:

at least one front seat occupant sensor;

a position controller configured to automatically cause at least a portion of a displaceable front seat to move forwardly when the at least one front seat occupant sensor does not detect a front seat occupant; and

an actuator configured for enabling or disabling the position controller.

13. The system of claim 12, further wherein the position controller causes at least a portion of a front seat of the vehicle to prevent or limit rearward movement of the displaceable front seat.

14. The system of claim 12, further including a rear door state sensor which outputs a signal indicative of an open or unlocked state of a rear door of the vehicle.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the actuator is one or more of a switch, a display console or instrument cluster menu button, and a key fob.

16. A vehicle including the system of claim 12.