Seat control system
First Claim
1. An ergonomic seat control panel, comprising:
- a substrate defining a base portion and a first protruding portion protruding from said base portion, said first protruding portion corresponding to a first movable portion of a seat and said first protruding portion defining a first touch surface in a first location corresponding to a first direction of movement of said first movable portion and a second touch surface in a second location corresponding to a second direction of movement of said first movable portion;
a first touch sensor comprising a first sensing electrode in the form of a thin conductive pad and an outer sensing electrode substantially surrounding said first sensing electrode, said first sensing electrode and said outer sensing electrode in operable association with said first touch surface; and
a second touch sensor comprising a second sensing electrode in operable association with said second touch surface;
wherein at least one of said first and second electrodes comprises a stamped electrode that is insert-molded into said corresponding protruding portion,wherein introduction of a stimulus proximate said first touch surface causes movement of said first movable portion of said seat in said first direction, andwherein introduction of a stimulus proximate said second touch surface causes movement of said first movable portion of said seat in said second direction.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a seat control system for a vehicle. The system includes a substrate with a plurality of touch zones disposed on one surface of the substrate, and a plurality of electrode patterns disposed on the opposite surface. An inner electrode of each pattern is aligned with one of the touch zones. Each pattern is electrically coupled to an active electrical component, which energizes the electrodes of the pattern such that electric fields emanate therefrom. The pattern may be capacitively coupled to the component. When the electric field of the inner electrode is disturbed by a stimulus proximate the corresponding touch zone, the component is activated. Upon activation of one of the components, a controller causes the seat to move in a desired direction.
31 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An ergonomic seat control panel, comprising:
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a substrate defining a base portion and a first protruding portion protruding from said base portion, said first protruding portion corresponding to a first movable portion of a seat and said first protruding portion defining a first touch surface in a first location corresponding to a first direction of movement of said first movable portion and a second touch surface in a second location corresponding to a second direction of movement of said first movable portion; a first touch sensor comprising a first sensing electrode in the form of a thin conductive pad and an outer sensing electrode substantially surrounding said first sensing electrode, said first sensing electrode and said outer sensing electrode in operable association with said first touch surface; and a second touch sensor comprising a second sensing electrode in operable association with said second touch surface; wherein at least one of said first and second electrodes comprises a stamped electrode that is insert-molded into said corresponding protruding portion, wherein introduction of a stimulus proximate said first touch surface causes movement of said first movable portion of said seat in said first direction, and wherein introduction of a stimulus proximate said second touch surface causes movement of said first movable portion of said seat in said second direction. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An ergonomic seat control panel, comprising:
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a substrate defining a base portion and a first protruding portion protruding from said base portion, said first protruding portion corresponding to a first movable portion of a seat and said first protruding portion defining a first touch surface in a first location corresponding to a first direction of movement of said first movable portion and a second touch surface in a second location corresponding to a second direction of movement of said first movable portion; a first touch sensor comprising a first sensing electrode in operable association with said first touch surface; a capacitive plate capacitively coupled to said first sensing electrode; and a second touch sensor comprising a second sensing electrode in operable association with said second touch surface; wherein at least one of said first and second electrodes comprises a stamped electrode that is insert-molded into said corresponding protruding portion, wherein introduction of a stimulus proximate said first touch surface causes movement of said first movable portion of said seat in said first direction, and wherein introduction of a stimulus proximate said second touch surface causes movement of said first movable portion of said seat in said second direction. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification