Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Diane K McQueen

Jennifer P Lawall

Nancy L Johnson

Alan L Browne

Raymond J Kiefer

Mark A Stebbins

Paul W Alexander

Steven Morris

Nilesh D Mankame

Charles A Green

Alexander N Ballios

Scott David Thomas

Gary Lee Jones

William A Biondo

Kenneth A Strom

Nancy C Evans

A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The assembly includes a bottom seat member and a haptic alert assembly. The haptic alert assembly includes a first actuator incorporated into the bottom seat member. The first actuator is configured to generate at least a first portion of a haptic alert.

Alert systems and methods for a vehicle with improved actuator placement

Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes determining at least one of interior conditions and exterior conditions of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a plurality of haptic actuators disposed in a seat. The method further includes calculating at least one of a pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern and an on/off compensation pattern based on the determined interior conditions and exterior conditions. The method further includes generating a signal with active periods that include at least one of the calculated patterns to command the plurality of haptic actuators to produce haptic pulses.

Alert systems and methods for a vehicle

A vehicle seat assembly is provided. The vehicle seat assembly includes a bottom seat member with a seat pan with a first side and a second side, a first bolster positioned on the first side of the seat pan, and a second bolster positioned on the second side of the seat pan. The first bolster defines a first depression. The vehicle seat assembly further includes a haptic alert assembly with a first actuator having a first housing and a first motor within the first housing. The first housing is mounted within the first depression.

Alert systems and methods for a vehicle with improved actuator installation

Haptic feedback systems, vehicle seat assemblies, and vehicles are provided. The haptic feedback system includes a bottom seat member, a first motor, and a second motor. The bottom seat member includes a seat pan with a first side, a second side, a first bolster, and a second bolster. The first bolster is positioned on the first side of the seat pan and the second bolster is positioned on the second side of the seat pan, wherein the first bolster and the second bolster include a resilient material. The first motor supported by the resilient material of the first bolster and the second motor is supported by the resilient material of the second bolster.

Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes selecting a pattern of active haptic periods during which a controller will command a plurality of haptic actuators disposed in a seat of a vehicle to generate haptic pulses, determining a desired voltage of a signal supplied to the haptic actuators that indicates the active haptic periods to generate a desired intensity of haptic pulses, determining an actual voltage of an energy storage device of the vehicle, calculating a pulse width modulation (PWM) pattern that simulates the desired voltage when applied to the signal using the actual voltage, and generating a signal that indicates the active haptic periods based on the PWM pattern to command the haptic actuators to generate the desired intensity of haptic pulses.

Methods and vehicles are provided for providing haptic feedback to a vehicle occupant. In one embodiment, the method includes evaluating conditions related to a vehicle, selecting a type of haptic alert based on the evaluated conditions, selecting a pattern of haptic actuators to command based on the type of haptic alert and a location of the haptic actuators in a seat of the vehicle, selecting a number of active haptic periods to command based on the type of haptic alert, selecting a duration of the active haptic periods and a duration of inactive haptic periods based on the type of haptic alert, and generating a signal indicating the active haptic periods based on the selected pattern of haptic actuators, the selected number of active haptic periods, and the selected duration of the active and inactive haptic periods.

An adjustable seat ramp adapted for use with a seat base and defining a first angle of inclination, includes a structure translatably disposed within or integrally formed with the base and presenting a first position, and further includes an actuator employing a shape memory material element and configured to cause the structure to translate to a second position, wherein a second angle of inclination is defined.

Adjustable seat ramp utilizing active material actuation

A fore-aft positioning adjuster adapted for use with an object, such as a seat, includes a locking mechanism, and an actuator employing an active material element operable to undergo a reversible change when exposed to or occluded from an activation signal, and configured to selectively cause the mechanism to release, so that the object can be repositioned, as a result of the change.

Fore-aft position adjuster utilizing active material actuation

A recliner adjustment system and method utilizing active material based actuation is adapted for use with a recliner defining an engaging surface and operable to adjust the angle of inclination of the surface, and includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively prevent the surface from pivoting, an unlocking actuator including at least one active material element configured to release the mechanism when activated or deactivated, a signal source operable to generate and deliver to the element an activation signal, and more preferably, a second adjusting actuator including a second active material element configured to rotationally displace the surface, so as to adjust the angle, when activated or deactivated and the mechanism has been released.

Recliner release actuation through active materials

A manipulable seat bolster including an active material actuator configured to selectively cause or enable a condition, such as the geometric configuration, or position of the bolster to be modified, when the active material is activated.

Manipulable seat bolster utilizing active material actuation

A manipulable lumbar support adapted for use with a seat upright defining a first surface condition, includes a structure disposed within the upright and presenting a first configuration, and an actuator employing an active material element configured to cause the structure to achieve a second configuration when activated.

Manipulable lumbar support utilizing active material actuation

An embodiment of an airbag system includes a cavity configured to store an airbag, wherein the cavity has an aperture that provides an outlet for the airbag during deployment. The embodiment also includes a cover releasably attached over the aperture via an attachment mechanism having an initial attachment strength. The initial attachment strength is configured to reduce to a release attachment strength in response to receipt of a release signal at the attachment mechanism.

Airbag system

A vehicle seat includes a seat back frame, a foam cushion mounted on the frame, and an air bag assembly mounted upon the frame within a hollow provided in the cushion. A trim cover covers the cushion and conceals the air bag assembly, and includes a side panel facing the side of the vehicle and a front panel facing forwardly. The side panel and front panel are joined together at a vertical extending separable seam. The side panel has a lower portion and an upper portion joined together at a horizontal extending separable seam located adjacent to the lower edge of the air bag assembly. Upon inflation of the air bag, the inflating air bag forces the side panel outwardly causing separation of the separable seams and enabling the air bag to inflate both forwardly through the vertical extending separable seam and downwardly through the horizontal extending separable seam.

Vehicle seat side air bag

A vehicle includes a seat assembly and a floor. The seat assembly includes a lower seat member operatively connected to the floor, a seatback member operatively connected to the lower seat member, and a head restraint operatively connected to the seatback member. The seat assembly is characterized by an occupiable configuration and a stowed configuration. The seat assembly is configured such that movement of the seat assembly from its occupiable configuration to its stowed configuration causes the head restraint to rotate in a first direction and then a second direction.

Vehicle seat assembly

A method is disclosed for stowing a bench seat or a segment of a bench seat into the floor of a vehicle. The steps include folding the backrest onto the seat base. The seat is then tilted upwards about an axis aligned with one side end of the seat to place the seat in a raised position. The raised seat is then rotated about a vertical axis until the seat is aligned for pivoting into the seat stowage compartment. The seat is then pivoted downwards into the stowage compartment.

Growing community of inventors

Leonard, MI, United States of America

Diane K McQueen