Movement management system for one or more vehicle seats

• US 6,814,410 B2
• Filed: 09/20/2002
• Issued: 11/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: PGA Electronic SA (Astronics Corporation)
• Original Assignee: PGA Electronic SA (Astronics Corporation)
• Inventors: Moulin, Pascal, Piaulet, Jen-François, Groussin, Laurent, Berthouloux, Alain, Legras, Hugues
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Edell, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US10/148,697
• Publication Number:
  US 20030075964A1
• Time in Patent Office: 781 Days
• Field of Search: 297/330, 297/361.1, 318/53, 318/652, 318/626
• US Class Current: 297/361.1
• 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 system for managing movements between different parts of at least one vehicle seat, which at each connection (l1, l2, l3) positioned between a first seat part and a second seat part, comprises actuators (A1, A2, A3) of the first seat part relative to the second seat part that are associated with memorization and control systems (R1; F1, R2, F2; R3, F3) of the end positions of each part and of the limit transmission forces of the actuators. 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. A system for managing relative movements between different parts of a vehicle seat, said parts being interconnected by connections and each part having modifiable end positions, wherein the vehicle seat comprises, at each of said connections, actuation means for controlling said relative movements, first memorization and control means of the end positions of each part, second memorization and control means of limit transmission forces of the actuation means and wherein a command unit is connected to all the memorization and control means of the seat, the command unit being integrated in one of said actuation means.

2. System for managing relative movements according to claim 1, wherein each first memorization and control means comprise a potentiometric system for position copying.

3. System for managing relative movements according to claim 1, wherein each first memorization and control means comprise an impulsive system with retiming.

4. System for managing relative movements according to claim 1, wherein each second memorization and control means comprise a system for copying forces by current measurement.

5. System for managing relative movements according to claim 1, wherein each second memorization and control means comprise a system for copying forces using stress gauges.

6. System for managing relative movements according to claim 1, wherein each second memorization and control means comprise a potentiometric system for copying forces.

7. System for managing relative movements according to claim 1, wherein the command unit is adapted to modify the values of the end positions and the values of the limit transmission forces.

8. System according to claim 1 for managing relative movements between the parts of several seats, wherein the command unit of each seat is connected by means of a bus, to the command units of the other seats and to at least one central unit.

9. System according to claim 8, wherein said central unit is adapted to modify the values of the end positions and the values of the limit transmission forces.