Apparatus for supplying power to the seat of a vehicle

• US 5,696,409 A
• Filed: 09/04/1996
• Issued: 12/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Incorporated (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Hamann, Russell E., Handman, Daniel F., Sparhawk, John B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elms, Richard T.
• Application Number:
  US08/708,408
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 307/104, 307/17, 307/9.1, 307/10.1, 455/41, 336/DIG. 2, 364/423.098, 364/424.045, 364/424.059, 439/950, 340/854.8
• US Class Current: 307/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0224 Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0264 characterised by the type of electrical connection, e.g. wiring, plugs or USB

Abstract

An apparatus (10) provides electrical power between a seat-mounted appliance (14) in a vehicle and a source of electrical energy in the vehicle without the use of electrical connectors. A vehicle seat (28) is mounted in a vehicle (26). A transformer (12) for transmitting electrical energy to the electrical appliance (14) includes a first portion (18) mounted to the vehicle (26) and a second portion (20) mounted to the vehicle seat (28). The second portion (20) is electrically connected to the electrical appliance (14). A drive circuit (32) for energizing the transformer (12) is electrically connected to the first portion (18) and has an oscillator. Preferably, the first portion (18) of the transformer (12) comprises a primary winding and the second portion (20) of the transformer (12) comprises a secondary winding.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a vehicle seat mounted in a vehicle;

an electrical appliance on said vehicle seat;

transformer means for transmitting electrical energy to said vehicle seat, said transformer means including a first portion mounted to said vehicle and a second portion mounted to said vehicle seat, said second portion being electrically connected to said electrical appliance; and

means for energizing said transformer means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said transformer means comprises a primary winding and said second portion of said transformer means comprises a secondary winding.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means for energizing said transformer means includes a drive circuit electrically connected to said primary winding and having sensing means for sensing the presence of said secondary winding and switching off said means for energizing when said secondary winding is not sensed as being present.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 further including means for removably mounting said vehicle seat to said vehicle.

5. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for energizing said transformer means includes a drive circuit electrically connected to said first portion of said transformer means and having an oscillator.

6. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said second portion of said transformer means is connected to said electrical appliance through a rectifying circuit.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further including a filter circuit connected between said rectifying circuit and said electrical appliance.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a communication circuit operatively coupled to said transformer means for providing electrical communication with said electrical appliance for control of said appliance.

9. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said primary winding provides electrical energy to said secondary winding without electrical leads connecting said primary and secondary windings.