Vehicle seat alert system
First Claim
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1. A vehicle system for alerting an occupant within a vehicle seat, the system comprising:
- a vehicle alert element for generating an alert signal in response to a triggering event;
a striker configured to strike a structural component of the vehicle seat upon receipt of the alert signal, the striker having a striking element slidable along a support, the striking element sliding from a first to a second position while in contact with the structural component; and
wherein the striking element is attached to a rotary actuated armature and the striking element is spring-loaded to progressively ride up an inclined face of the structural component to the second position as the armature rotates, the second position being defined as a compressed position proximate at top of the inclined face, when struck against the face and to reflex to the first position, the first position being defined as an uncompressed position when removed from the face by the rotary action of the armature.
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Abstract
An alerting element for use with occupant seating to alert a seat occupant with a haptic and/or audible sensation. The alerting element being suitable for use with any type of seat, including vehicle seats. The alerting element optionally including a striking element for striking a structural component of the seat, and thereby, generating an alerting sensation.
26 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A vehicle system for alerting an occupant within a vehicle seat, the system comprising:
- a vehicle alert element for generating an alert signal in response to a triggering event;
a striker configured to strike a structural component of the vehicle seat upon receipt of the alert signal, the striker having a striking element slidable along a support, the striking element sliding from a first to a second position while in contact with the structural component; and
wherein the striking element is attached to a rotary actuated armature and the striking element is spring-loaded to progressively ride up an inclined face of the structural component to the second position as the armature rotates, the second position being defined as a compressed position proximate at top of the inclined face, when struck against the face and to reflex to the first position, the first position being defined as an uncompressed position when removed from the face by the rotary action of the armature. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 16)
- a vehicle alert element for generating an alert signal in response to a triggering event;
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12. A vehicle system for alerting an occupant within a vehicle seat, the system comprising:
- a striker controllable in response to an alert signal and mounted to the vehicle seat, the striker configured to strike a striking element against a structural component of the vehicle seat in order to generate audible and haptic sensation for use in alerting the occupant, the haptic sensation being caused by contact of the striking element inducing a vibration in the structural element and the audible sensation being caused by a chime within the striking element vibrating in response to the striking element contacting the structural component; and
wherein the striking element is spring-loaded and configured to ride up a face of the structural component to a compressed position when struck against the face and to reflex to an uncompressed position when removed from the face by the rotary action of the armature. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
- a striker controllable in response to an alert signal and mounted to the vehicle seat, the striker configured to strike a striking element against a structural component of the vehicle seat in order to generate audible and haptic sensation for use in alerting the occupant, the haptic sensation being caused by contact of the striking element inducing a vibration in the structural element and the audible sensation being caused by a chime within the striking element vibrating in response to the striking element contacting the structural component; and
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17. A striker for use in alerting a seat occupant, the striker comprising:
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a motor configured for rotating an armature as a function of an alert signal received from an alert element, the alert signal associated with alerting the seat occupant; a striking element connected to the armature and configured to strike against a structural component of a seat in order to simultaneously generate an audible and haptic sensation for use in alerting the seat occupant; and wherein the striking element is spring-loaded and configured to ride up a face of the structural component to a compressed spring position when struck against the face and to reflex to a less compressed spring position when removed from the face by the rotary action of the armature. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification