Regulating method for a motor vehicle seat

• US 7,430,467 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2006
• Issued: 09/30/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Original Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
• Inventors: Borke, Danny
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran; Khoi H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Marc; McDieunel
• Application Number:
  US11/525,894
• Publication Number:
  US 20070043493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 736 Days
• Field of Search: 701/36, 701/45, 701/49, 177/1, 177/25.13, 177/144, 180/273, 280/735, 340/5.53
• US Class Current: 701/49
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0248 with memory of positions
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• 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

Abstract

A regulating method is provided for a motor vehicle seat. According to the method, the ideal seat position data associated with a vehicle user is recorded in a seat data memory. The respective vehicle user is identified by use of an identification device, and the ideal seat position data of the user is associated therewith. The actual seat position is determined by use of a stereoscopic optical element with an associated image data computer. The seat adjustments are carried out in such a way that the actual seat position corresponds at least approximately to the ideal seat position.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a motor vehicle seat, the method comprising the acts of:

determining an ideal seat position associated with a vehicle user;

recording the ideal seat position in a seat data memory;

identifying the vehicle user via an identification device, and associating the ideal seat position of said user therewith;

determining a first actual seat position of said vehicle user via a stereoscopic optical element in conjunction with an associated image data computer;

adjusting the motor vehicle seat to a first motor vehicle seat position such that the first motor vehicle seat position corresponds at least approximately to the ideal seat position;

determining a second actual seat position of said vehicle user via the stereoscopic optical element in conjunction with the associated image data computer; and

adjusting the motor vehicle seat to a second motor vehicle seat position such that the second motor vehicle seat position corresponds at least approximately to the ideal seat position, wherein the first and second motor vehicle seat positions are different seat positions.

2. The adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic optical element and associated image data computer are used to identify said user.

3. The adjusting method according to claim 2, wherein the act of determining the ideal seat position data associated with the vehicle user occurs prior to performing the method.

4. The adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein the act of determining the ideal seat position data associated with the vehicle user occurs prior to performing the method.

5. The adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein the ideal seat position defines a spatial relationship between the vehicle user and a component of the vehicle.

6. The adjusting method according to claim 5, wherein the component of the vehicle is a steering wheel.

7. The adjusting method according to claim 6, wherein in the first and second motor vehicle seat positions the vehicle user'"'"'s arms are in a same position relative to the steering wheel.

8. The adjusting method according to claim 1, wherein when the second actual seat position is determined the vehicle user is sitting on a seat cushion, using a mobile back support, wearing heavy clothing or a shape of the seat has changed.

9. The adjusting method according to claim 8, wherein the second motor vehicle seat position has a lower seat surface, a moved-back seat or reclined backrest relative to the first motor vehicle seat position.

10. A method for adjusting a motor vehicle seat, the method comprising the acts of:

determining an ideal seat position associated with a vehicle user, wherein the ideal seating position defines a spatial relation between the vehicle user and a component of the vehicle;

identifying the vehicle user and associating the ideal seat position of said user therewith;

determining a first actual seat position of said vehicle user via a stereoscopic optical element in conjunction with an associated image data computer;

adjusting the motor vehicle seat to a first motor vehicle seat position such that the first motor vehicle seat position corresponds at least approximately to the ideal seat position;

determining a second actual seat position of said vehicle user via the stereoscopic optical element in conjunction with the associated image data computer; and

adjusting the motor vehicle seat to a second motor vehicle seat position such that the second motor vehicle seat position corresponds at least approximately to the ideal seat position, wherein the first and second motor vehicle seat positions are different seat positions.

11. The adjusting method according to claim 10, wherein the vehicle component is a steering wheel.

12. The adjusting method according to claim 11, wherein in the first and second motor vehicle seat positions the vehicle user'"'"'s arms are in a same position relative to the steering wheel.

13. The adjusting method according to claim 10, wherein when the second actual seat position is determined the vehicle user is sitting on a seat cushion, using a mobile back support, wearing heavy clothing or a shape of the seat has changed.

14. The adjusting method according to claim 13, wherein the second motor vehicle seat position has a lower seat surface, a moved-back seat or reclined backrest relative to the first motor vehicle seat position.