Memory seat and power walk-in control

• US 6,401,021 B1
• Filed: 10/31/2000
• Issued: 06/04/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha (Honda Motor Company)
• Inventors: Scally, John, Suda, Hirohide
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PIPALA, EDWARD J
• Application Number:
  US09/702,542
• Time in Patent Office: 581 Days
• Field of Search: 701/1, 701/33, 701/36, 701/49, 297/232, 296/64, 296/65.01, 296/65.05, 296/65.07, 296/65.08, 296/65.15, 296/65.17, 318/445, 318/452, 318/466, 318/568.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions

Abstract

A power seat control system that includes memory seat recall and power walk-in functions. When power walk-in is initiated while memory seat recall is being performed, the control system suspends memory seat recall until power walk-in is complete. Following power walk-in, memory seat recall is resumed to drive the seat into the desired final position. When a memory seat recall switch is actuated during power walk-in, the power walk-in function is aborted. Subsequent re-actuation of the memory seat recall switch will result in performance of the memory seat recall function to drive the seat to the desired final position.

Claims

1. An automobile power seat control method including a memory seat recall function and a power walk-in function, said memory seat recall function being user-activated to move the seat into a predetermined position, said power walk-in function being such that folding of the seat into a folded-up position causes the seat to move into a full forward position and returning the seat to a full-upright position causes the seat to return to an original position, the method comprising the steps of, when said power walk-in function and said memory seat recall functions are contemporaneously activated, controlling said seat in accordance with one of a first and second mode of operation, which of said first and second mode of operation being performed depends upon the sequence of activation of said memory seat recall and said power walk-in functions.

2. The automobile power seat control method according to claim 1, wherein, during said first mode of operation said power walk-in function is activated first and said memory seat recall function is activated during performance of said power walk-in function, activation of said memory seat recall suspending said power walk-in function.

3. The automobile power seat control method according to claim 2, wherein, following activation of said memory seat recall function, a subsequent movement of the seat back to the full-upright position will cause the seat to move to the original position.

4. The automobile power seat control method according to claim 1, wherein during said second mode of operation in which the power walk-in function is activated during performance of a memory seat recall function, said memory seat recall function being suspended in lieu of completion of said power walk-in function and, following completion of said power walk-in function, a remaining portion of said memory seat recall function is performed.

5. An automobile power seat control method, including a memory seat recall function and a power walk-in function, said memory seat recall function being user-activated to move the seat into a predetermined position, said power walk-in function being such that folding of the seat into a folded-up position causes the seat to move into a full forward position and returning the seat to a full-upright position causes the seat to return to an original position, the method comprising the steps of, when said memory recall function is being performed and said power walk-in function is activated, said method comprising the steps of:

suspending said memory seat recall function;

initiating a power walk-in function and thereby moving said seat toward the full forward position;

returning said seat to the full upright position; and

,

completing said memory seat recall function and thereby moving the seat to the predetermined position.

6. The automobile power seat control method according to claim 5, wherein, when said memory seat recall function is initiated during said power walk-in function, said method comprising the further step of suspending said power walk-in function.

7. The automobile power seat control method according to claim 6, wherein, following activation of said memory seat recall function, a subsequent movement of the seat back to the full-upright position will cause the seat to move to the original position.