Device for actuating a seat element and seat comprising it

• US 6,871,120 B1
• Filed: 11/13/2000
• Issued: 03/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/08/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Precilec Co.
• Original Assignee: Labinal (Safran SA)
• Inventors: Nivet, Laurent
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, RAMESH B
• Application Number:
  US09/709,421
• Time in Patent Office: 1,590 Days
• Field of Search: 700/56, 700/57, 700/58, 700/60, 700/64, 700/302, 318/652, 318/568.17, 318/568.19, 318/103, 318/467, 318/468, 297/115, 297/130, 297/154, 297/161, 297/162, 297/180.1, 297/180.15, 297/180.16
• US Class Current: 700/302
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0292 Multiple configuration seats, e.g. for spacious vehicles or mini-buses
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/995 Lower-leg-rests, e.g. calf-rests
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/06395 characterised by the arrangement of electric motors for adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/064 Adjustable inclination or position of seats
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0641 Seats convertible into beds
• CPC Class Codes: B64D 11/0643 Adjustable foot or leg rests

Abstract

A device (22, 24) for actuating a seat element comprises an actuator (26, 28) equipped with a transducer designed to supply a crude measurement value representing the current position of the actuator.

The actuator provides for calculation of a corrected value of the current position of the actuator, from each crude measurement value supplied by the transducer, and calculation of a refining correction function.

The device also provides for processing the corrected value of the current position of the actuator.

Claims

1. A device for actuating a seat element, said device comprising:

an actuator including a transducer for supplying a crude measurement value (P_lue) representing a current position of the actuator,

means calculating a corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator, from each crude measurement value (P_lue) supplied by the transducer, and calculating a refining correction function; and

processing means for processing said corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator.

2. A device according to claim 1, further comprising:

means for logging at least two crude reference measurement values (P_lue1, P_lue2) each representing a position of the actuator for an identified reference position of the actuator;

means for inputting a theoretical reference value (P_cal1, P_cal2) for each said identified reference position of the actuator; and

means for the establishing, from said at least two logged crude reference measurement values (P_lue1, P_lue2) and from corresponding theoretical reference values (P_cal1, P_cal2), said refining correction function for calculating the corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator, from each crude measurement value (P_lue) supplied by the transducer.

3. A device according to claim 2, wherein said means for establishing the refining correction function establishes said refining correction function from only two crude reference measurement values.

4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said processing means comprises means for continuously comparing said corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator with at least one predetermined threshold value, and pilot control means for generating a pilot control command as a function of said comparing.

5. A seat comprising at least one moveable seat element, and at least one actuating device comprising:

an actuator including a transducer for supplying a crude measurement value (P_lue) representing a current position of the actuator,

means for calculating a corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator, from each crude measurement value (P_lue) supplied by the transducer, and calculating a refining correction function; and

processing means for processing said corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator,

said at least one actuating device being associated mechanically with the at least one seat element for providing displacement of the at least one seat element.

6. A seat according to claim 5, wherein the processing means of said at least one actuating device comprises means for continuously comparing said corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator with at least one predetermined threshold value, and pilot control means for generating a pilot control command as a function of said comparing and the seat further comprises a device for bringing the seat into at least one predetermined configuration responsive to a single command supplied by a user, the at least one predetermined threshold value representing a position of the associated actuator in a predetermined configuration of the seat.

7. A set of seats comprising at least two seats of a similar structure each comprising at least one moveable seat element and at least one actuating device comprising:

an actuator including a transducer for supplying a crude measurement value (P_lue) representing a current position of the actuator,

means for calculating a corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator, from each crude measurement value (P_lue) supplied by the transducer, and calculating a refining correction function; and

processing means for processing said corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator,

said at least one actuating device being associated mechanically with the at least one seat element of each of said at least two seats for providing displacement of the at least one seat element, and said actuating device further comprising;

means for logging at least two crude reference measurement values (P_lue1, P_lue2) each representing a position of the actuator for an identified reference position of the actuator;

means for inputting a theoretical reference value (P_cal1, P_cal2) for each said identified reference position of the actuator; and

means for establishing, from said at least two logged crude reference measurement values (P_lue1, P_lue2) and from corresponding theoretical reference values (P_cal1, P_cal2), said refining correction function for calculating the corrected value (P_corr) of the current position of the actuator, from each crude measurement value (P_lue) supplied by the transducer,

the reference positions of each of the actuators of the respective actuating devices of each of the seats being identical.

8. A set of seats according to claim 7 , wherein said seats are arranged side by side.