Method and Device for Controlling a Vehicle Seat

• US 20190232822A1
• Filed: 04/09/2019
• Published: 08/01/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/25/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: HINTERMAIER, Wolfgang
• Granted Patent: US 11,358,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0272 using sensors or detectors for detecting the position of seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0276 reaction to emergency situations, e.g. crash
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/14 rotatable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/10 , B60N2/2869 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/22 the back-rest being adjustable B60N2/2878 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/62 Thigh-rests B60N2/914 takes precedence

Abstract

A method controls drive units for adjusting vehicle seat components. According to the method, a vehicle speed-dependent and crash-related nominal position or a vehicle speed-dependent and crash-related nominal position range are defined for at least one component. Starting from an actual position that is the same as the nominal position or from an actual position within the nominal position range, the actual position cannot be manually or automatically adjusted in the first instance or can only be adjusted in the nominal position range in the second instance, independently from the identification of a crash situation. Starting from an actual position that is different from the nominal position or outside the nominal position range, the actual position is automatically adjusted towards the nominal position or the nominal position range, preferably according to the identified defined situations, independently from the identification of a crash situation.

Claims

1. A method of controlling drive units that adjust vehicle-seat components, the method comprising the steps of:

predefining, for at least one component, a vehicle speed-dependent crash-related set-position or a vehicle speed-dependent crash-related set position range;

starting from an actual position equal to the set-position as a first case or starting from an actual position within the set-position range as a second case, preventing the actual position from being manually or automatically adjustable regardless of a detection of a crash situation in the first case or allowing the actual position to be adjustable only within the set-position range regardless of the detection of a crash situation in the second case.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

automatic adjustment of a component or prevention of the adjustability of a component is undertaken in a manner depending on at least one defined situation.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the defined situation is a presence of a certain speed range.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the defined situation is a leaving of a parking situation or a traffic-congestion situation.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the defined situation is a leaving of a freeway.

6. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein

the defined situation is an occurrence of a certain comparatively high traffic density.

7. A method of controlling drive units that adjust vehicle-seat components, the method comprising the steps of:

predefining for at least one component a vehicle speed-dependent crash-related set position or a vehicle speed-dependent crash-related set-position range; and

starting from an actual position different from the set position or outside of the set-position range, automatically adjusting the actual position in a direction of the set position or in a direction of the set-position range regardless of a detection of a crash situation.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein

automatic adjustment of a component or prevention of the adjustability of a component is undertaken in a manner depending on at least one defined situation.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein

the defined situation is a presence of a certain speed range.

10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein

the defined situation is a leaving of a parking situation or a traffic-congestion situation.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein

the defined situation is a leaving of a freeway.

12. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein

the defined situation is an occurrence of a certain comparatively high traffic density.

13. An electronic control unit comprising a processor that executes a software functional module in order to carry out a process of:

predefining, for at least one component, a vehicle speed-dependent crash-related set-position or a vehicle speed-dependent crash-related set position range;

starting from an actual position equal to the set-position as a first case or starting from an actual position within the set-position range as a second case, preventing the actual position from being manually or automatically adjustable regardless of a detection of a crash situation in the first case or allowing the actual position to be adjustable only within the set-position range regardless of the detection of a crash situation in the second case.

14. A vehicle-seat system comprising an electronic control unit as claimed in claim 13.

15. A vehicle comprising a vehicle-seat system as claimed in claim 14.

16. An electronic control unit comprising a processor that executes a software functional module in order to carry out a process of:

predefining for at least one component a vehicle speed-dependent crash-related set position or a vehicle speed-dependent crash-related set-position range; and

starting from an actual position different from the set position or outside of the set-position range, automatically adjusting the actual position in a direction of the set position or in a direction of the set-position range regardless of a detection of a crash situation.

17. A vehicle-seat system comprising an electronic control unit as claimed in claim 16.

18. A vehicle comprising a vehicle-seat system as claimed in claim 17.