Power actuated seat

• US 6,949,904 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2002
• Issued: 09/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Muirhead Aerospace Ltd. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Muirhead Aerospace Ltd. (Ametek Incorporated)
• Inventors: Rumney, Timothy John
• Primary Examiner(s): Ro, Bentsu
• Application Number:
  US10/205,086
• Publication Number:
  US 20030080699A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,161 Days
• Field of Search: 318/565, 318/256, 318263-266, 318/286, 318466-469, 388/903, 388/904, 388/909
• US Class Current: 318/565
• 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 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• 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: Y10S 388/904 Stored velocity profile
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 388/909 Monitoring means

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatus for controlling seats and for monitoring behavior of power-actuated seats. Certain embodiments permit seat occupancy data, e.g., whether the seat is occupied or a weight-dependent characteristic of the occupant of the seat, to be collected by moving a part of the seat with an actuator. This seat occupancy data may then be used to control other aspects of the seat operation, e.g., set an operational limit of the actuator or reduce auxiliary power to other systems associated with the seat if the seat is unoccupied. For example, part of the seat may be moved with a first actuator, including detecting a control parameter at which the part of the seat begins moving. This control parameter may be correlated to an actuator limit.

Claims

1. A seat control system for a seat including a seat member, comprising a controller adapted to initiate movement of the seat member with a first actuator, including detecting a control parameter at which the seat member begins moving, and determine that the seat is unoccupied if the control parameter falls outside an occupancy range.

2. A method of controlling a seat, comprising:

moving a seat member of the seat with a first actuator, including detecting a control parameter at which the seat member begins moving; and

determining that the seat is unoccupied if the control parameter falls outside an occupancy range.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising reducing auxiliary power to the seat if the seat is determined to be unoccupied.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of moving the seat member is initiated at expiration of a check interval.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein detecting the control parameter comprises detecting a discontinuity in activation power for the first actuator.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein detecting the control parameter comprises detecting movement of an element of the actuator.

7. The method of claim 2 wherein moving the seat comprises increasing activation power supplied to the first actuator from an initial power level in accordance with a ramp profile.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein detecting the control parameter comprises detecting a deviation of the activation power from the ramp profile.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein detecting the control parameter comprises detecting movement of an element of the actuator.

10. A method of controlling a seat, comprising:

moving a seat member of the seat with a first actuator, including detecting a control parameter at which the seat member begins moving;

correlating the control parameter to an actuator limit; and

determining that the seat is unoccupied if the control parameter falls outside an occupancy range.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising reducing auxiliary power to the seat if the seat is determined to be unoccupied.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the step of moving the seat member is initiated at expiration of a check interval.

13. A method of controlling a seat, comprising:

increasing activation power supplied to a first actuator from an initial power level in accordance with a ramp profile;

while increasing the activation power, detecting a motion indicator correlated to motion of the first actuator;

correlating the motion indicator to a maximum activation power for the first actuator; and

determining that the seat is unoccupied if the maximum activation power is below an occupancy threshold.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising reducing auxiliary power to the seat if the seat is determined to be unoccupied.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the step of moving the seat member is initiated at expiration of a check interval.