Automatic seat position adjusting assembly

• US 4,728,873 A
• Filed: 05/22/1987
• Issued: 03/01/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/1986
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Inventors: Inoue, Masataka, Mutoh, Masahito, Katayama, Tomoaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoop, Jr., William M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): IP, SHIK LUEN PAUL
• Application Number:
  US07/053,125
• Time in Patent Office: 284 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9, 307/10 R, 340/52 R, 318/344, 318/345, 318/346, 318/599, 318/601, 318/603, 318/608, 318/565, 318/566, 318/567, 318/568 R, 318/466, 318/467
• US Class Current: 318/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/10 using a database
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2220/20 using a deterministic algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/23 for point-to-point control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/42 Recording and playback systems, i.e. in which the programme is recorded from a cycle of operations, e.g. the cycle of operations being manually controlled, after which this record is played back on the same machine
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/42229 Shut off control, system, power on detection of zero or neutral position
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/45022 Auto seat, dentist chair, roll wheel chair

Abstract

A seat assembly for automatically adjusting a seat position of a seat mounted, for example, in a vehicle, includes an actuator, an electric source, a controller, a non-operation maintainer, a stop lamp switch and a cancellation switch. The actuator adjusts the seat, and the electric source supplies electricity to the actuator.

The controller controls the actuator and outputs a controlling signal to the actuator.

The non-operation maintainer maintains a non-operation condition of the actuator and the non-operation maintainer is electrically connected between the actuator and the electric source. The non-operation maintainer selectively supplies the electricity to the actuator.

The stop lamp switch outputs a stop signal to the non-operation maintainer, and the non-operation maintainer starts maintaining the non-operation condition of the controller in accordance with the receipt of the stop signal.

The cancellation switch outputs a cancellation signal to the non-operation maintainer, and the non-operation maintainer cancels the non-operation condition of the actuator in accordance with the receipt of the cancellation signal.

Claims

1. A seat assembly for automatically adjusting a seat position of a mounted seat comprising:

an actuator means for adjusting the seat;

an electric source for supplying electricity to said actuator means;

a controller means for controlling said actuator means, said controller means outputting a controlling signal to said actuator means;

a non-operation maintaining means for maintaining a non-operation condition of said actuator means, said non-operation maintaining means being electrically connected between said actuator means and said electric source, said non-operation maintaining means selectively supplying electricity with said actuator means;

a stop signal generating means for outputting a stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation for maintaining means begins a maintaining of the non-operation condition of said actuator means in accordance with the receipt of the stop signal, whereby once said stop signal generating means outputs the stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means maintains the non-operation condition of said actuator means; and

a cancellation signal generating means for outputting a cancellation signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means cancelling the non-operation condition of said actuator means in accordance with the receipt of the cancellation signal, whereby when said cancellation signal generating means outputs the cancellation signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means cancels the non-operation condition of said actuator means, so that said electric source supplies the electricity to said actuator means and said actuator means adjusts the seat in accordance with the controlling signal of said controller means.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1, wherein said actuator means further comprises first through fourth sub-actuator means, said first sub-actuator means for adjusting the seat selectively forwardly and backwardly in a longitudinal direction, said second sub-actuator means for reclining a seat back of the seat selectively forwardly and backwardly, said third sub-actuator means for displacing a front portion of a seat cushion of the seat selectively upwardly and downwardly, said fourth sub-actuator means for displacing a rear portion of the seat cushion selectively upwardly and downwardly.

3. The seat assembly of claim 1, further comprising a selecting means for selecting a suitable seat position of the seat, said selection means being connected to said controller means, whereby when said selection means selects the suitable seat position, said controller means outputs the controlling signal to said actuator means, so that said actuator means adjusts the seat to the selected suitable position.

4. The seat assembly of claim 3, further comprising a reproduction means for memorizing the suitable position selected by said selection means and said reproduction means outputs a reproduction signal corresponding to the selected suitable position, said reproduction means being connected to said controller means, whereby when said reproduction means is operated, said reproduction means outputs the reproduction signal to said controller means, so that said controller means outputs the controlling signal to said actuator means, as a result, said actuator means adjusts the seat to the selected suitable position.

5. A seat assembly of claim 1, wherein said stop signal generating means includes a stop lamp switch.

6. A seat assembly of claim 1, wherein said non-operation maintaining means cancels the non-operation condition of said actuator means in accordance with the receipt of the cancellation signal, even when said stop signal generating means outputs the stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means.

7. A seat assembly for automatically adjusting a seat position of a mounted seat comprising:

an actuator means for adjusting the seat;

a controller means for controlling said actuator means, said controller means outputting a controlling signal to said actuator means;

a non-operation maintaining means for maintaining a non-operation condition of said controller means, said non-operation maintaining means selectively outputting a non-operation signal to said controller means;

a stop signal generating means for outputting a stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means begins outputting the non-operation signal to said controller means in accordance with the receipt of the stop signal, whereby once said stop signal generating means outputs the stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means maintains the non-operation condition of said controller means; and

a cancellation signal generating means for outputting a cancellation signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means cancelling the non-operation condition of said controller means in accordance with the receipt of the cancellation signal, whereby when said cancellation signal generating means outputs the cancellation signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means cancels the non-operation condition of said actuator means, so that said actuator means adjusts the seat in accordance with the controlling signal of said controller means.

8. The seat assembly of claim 7, further comprising a selection means for selecting a suitable seat position of the seat, said selection means being connected to said controller means, whereby when said selection means selects the suitable seat position, said controller means outputs the controlling signal to said actuator means, so that said actuator means adjusts the seat to the selected suitable position.

9. A seat assembly of claim 7, wherein said non-operation maintaining means cancels the non-operation condition of said actuator means in accordance with the receipt of the cancellation signal, even when said stop signal generating means outputs the stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means.

10. A seat assembly for automatically adjusting a seat position of a mounted seat comprising:

an actuator means for selectively adjusting the seat;

a controller means for controlling said actuator means, said controller means outputting a controlling signal to said actuator means;

a non-operation maintaining means for maintaining a non-operation condition of said actuator means, said non-operation maintaining means being electrically connected to said actuator means, whereby even when said controller means outputs the controlling signal to said actuator means, said actuator means does not adjust the seat, unless said non-operation maintaining means cancels the non-operation condition of said actuator means;

a stop signal generating means for outputting a stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means begins a maintaining of the non-operation condition of said actuator means in accordance with the receipt of the stop signal, whereby once said stop signal generating means outputs the stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means maintains the non-operation condition of said actuator means; and

a cancellation signal generating means for outputting a cancellation signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means cancelling the non-operation condition of said actuator means in accordance with the receipt of the cancellation signal, whereby when said cancellation signal generating means outputs the canellation signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means cancels the non-operation condition of said actuator means, so that said actuator means adjusts the seat in accordance with the controlling signal of said controller means.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10, wherein said actuator means further comprises first through fourth sub-actuator means, said first sub-actuator means for adjusting the seat selectively forwardly and backwardly in a longitudinal direction, said second sub-actuator means for reclining a seat back of the seat selectively forwardly and backwardly, said third sub-actuator means for displacing a front portion of a seat cushion of the seat selectively upwardly and downwardly, said fourth sub-actuator means for displacing a rear portion of the seat cushion selectively upwardly and downwardly.

12. The seat assembly of claim 10, further comprising a selection means for selecting a suitable seat position of the seat, said selection means being connected to said controller means, whereby when said selection means selects the suitable seat position, said controller means outputs the controlling signal to said actuator means, so that said actuator means adjusts the seat to the selected suitable position.

13. The seat assembly of claim 12, further comprising a reproduction means for memorizing the suitable position selected by said selection means and said reproduction means outputting a reproduction signal corresponding to the selected suitable position, said reproduction means being connected to said controller means, whereby when said reproduction means is operated, said reproduction means outputs the reproduction signal to said controller means, so that said controller means outputs the controlling signal to said actuator means, as a result, said actuator means adjusts the seat to the selected suitable position.

14. A seat assembly of claim 13, wherein said non-operation maintaining means cancels the non-operation condition of said actuator means in accordance with the receipt of the cancellation signal, even when said stop signal generating means outputs the stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means.

15. A seat assembly for automatically adjusting a seat position of a mounted seat comprising:

an actuator means for selectively adjusting the seat;

a controller means for controlling said actuator means, said controller means outputting a controlling signal to said actuator means;

a non-operation maintaining means for maintaining a non-operation condition of said controller means, said non-operation maintaining means being electrically connected to said controller means;

a stop signal generating means for outputting a stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means begins a maintaining of the non-operation condition of said controller means in accordance with the receipt of the stop signal, whereby once said stop signal generating means outputs the stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means maintains the non-operation condition of said controller means; and

a cancellation signal generating means for outputting a cancellation signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means cancelling the non-operation condition of said controller means in accordance with the receipt of the cancellation signal, whereby when said cancellation signal generating means outputs the cancellation signal to said non-operation maintaining means, said non-operation maintaining means cancels the non-operation condition of said controller means, so that said actuator means adjusts the seat in accordance with the controlling signal of said controller means.

16. The seat assembly of claim 15, further comprising an electric source for supplying electricity to said non-operation maintaining means and said actuator means.

17. The seat assembly of claim 16, further comprising a selection means for selecting a suitable seat position of the seat, said selection means being connected to said controller means, whereby when said selection means selects the suitable seat position, said controller means outputs the controlling signal to said actuator means, so that said actuator means adjusts the seat to the selected suitable position.

18. A seat assembly of claim 17, wherein said stop signal generating means includes a stop lamp switch.

19. A seat assembly of claim 18, wherein said non-operation maintaining means cancels the non-operation condition of said actuator means in accordance with the receipt of the cancellation signal, even when said stop signal generating means outputs the stop signal to said non-operation maintaining means.

20. The seat assembly of claim 19, wherein said actuator means further comprises first through fourth sub-actuator means, said first sub-actuator means for adjusting the seat selectively forwardly and backwardly in the longitudinal direction, said second sub-actuator means reclining a seat back of the seat selectively forwardly and backwardly, said third sub-actuator means for displacing a front portion of a seat cushion of the seat selectively upwardly and downwardly, said fourth sub-actuator means for displacing a rear portion of the seat cushion selectively upwardly and downwardly.