System for controlling the movements of one or several vehicle seats

• US 20030075964A1
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Published: 04/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: PGA Electronic SA (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: PGA Electronic SA (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Moulin, Pascal, Groussin, Laurent, Piaulet, Jen-Francois, Berthouloux, Alain, Legras, Hugues
• Granted Patent: US 6,814,410 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/362.11
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• 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

The invention concerns a management system for the movements of the parts of at least one vehicle seat, which at each connection (11, 12, 13) positioned between a first and a second seat part, comprises an actuating means (A1, A2, A3) of the first part relative to the second part, associated with memorisation and control means (R1, F1; R2, F2; R3, F3) of the end positions of each part and of the limit transmission forces of the actuating means.

In the event that the movements of several seats need to be managed, this system comprises a link bus (6) ensuring the connection between the seats and one or more central units.

Claims

1. System for the management of modifiable end movements of the parts of at least one vehicle seat which, at each connection (11, 12, 13) positioned between a first and a second part of the seat, comprises actuation means (A1, A2, A3) of the first part relative to the second part, associated with memorisation and control means (R1, R2, R3) of the end positions of each part, characterized in that it comprises memorisation and control means (F1, F2, F3), of the limit transmission forces of the actuation means and a command unit (5) connected to each of the memorisation and control means, the command unit being integrated in an actuation means (A1, A2, A3).

2. System for the management of end movements according to claim 1, characterized in that the memorisation and control means comprise a potentiometric system for position copying.

3. System for the management of end movements according to claim 1, characterized in that the memorisation and control means comprise an impulse copying system of positions with re-locking.

4. System for the management of end movements according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the memorisation and control means comprise a system for copying forces by current measurement.

5. System for the management of end movements according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the memorisation and control means comprise a system for copying forces using stress gauges.

6. System for the management of end movements according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the memorisation and control means comprise a potentiometric system for copying forces.

7. System for the management of end movements according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the values of the end positions and the values of the limit transmission forces are modifiable from a command unit.

8. System according to any of claims 1 to 7 for the management of modifiable end movements of the parts of several seats (S, S′

), characterized in that the command unit of each seat is connected, by means of a bus (6), to the command units of the other seats and/or to at least one central unit (UC).

9. System according to claim 8, characterized in that the values of the end positions and the values of the limit transmission forces are modifiable from a central unit.