Gentherm Gmbh

Lear Corporation

Lear Automotive Dearborn, Inc.

Michael Maass

Dusko Petrovski

John E McConnell

Tim Normand

Jack Barfuss

Ricardo Edmundo Flores Gonzalez

Gerardo Edel De La Garza Fernandez

Peter Marton

Daniel Wei Li Cheah

Robert Lakatos

Sihai Zheng

Alan Matthew Finn

Christos T Kyrtsos

H Winston Maue

Ernesto E Blanco

James Jason Dattolo

Samir A Nayfeh

Mark W Davis

Eric J Krupp

Scott Wolas

Silviu Pala

Vladimir Jovovic

Pawel W Sleboda

John R Sims

Philip LeMay

Ronald K Reich

Jerome Go Ng

William M Jarocha

Scott D Shields

Ioannis Androulakis

Stephen James Learman

Saligrama R Venkatesh

Chad Westerman

Ankit Tiwari

Ozer M N Teitelbaum

Joseph Stevens

Terence Duncan

Phil LeMay

Justin W Raade

Amy W Cai

Jeehan S Faiz

Erick Rios

Mario Montoya

Pablo Tribin

A method of controlling occupant thermal comfort includes the steps of driving a temperature in a seating zone to a temperature set point (), holding the temperature set point in the seating zone for a predetermined time (), and regulating the temperature in the seating zone to a corrected temperature set point based upon an equivalent homogenous temperature relating to vehicle cabin conditions and occupant gender ().

Automatic seat thermal comfort control system and method

A system including an assembly arranged in at least one of a seat and a steering wheel of a vehicle and a measurement circuit. The assembly includes a sensor and a heater arranged adjacent to the sensor. The measurement circuit is configured to output an excitation signal to the measurement circuit and the assembly and measure a resonant frequency of the measurement circuit and the assembly in response to the excitation signal. The measurement circuit is configured to determine a capacitance value based on the resonant frequency and determine whether a body part is in proximity to the sensor based on the capacitance value.

Capacitive sensing and heating system for steering wheels or seats to sense presence of hand of occupant on steering wheel or occupant in seat

A capacitance measuring system detecting an occupant of a vehicle. A sensor/heater assembly is arranged in at least one of a seat or a steering wheel of a vehicle and includes a sensor and a heater arranged adjacent to the sensor. A measurement circuit is configured to output an excitation signal to the measurement circuit and the sensor/heater assembly, measure a resonant frequency of the measurement circuit and the sensor/heater assembly in response to the excitation signal; determine at least one capacitance value based on the resonant frequency; and determine whether a body part is in proximity to the sensor based on the at least one capacitance value.

A method for thermally conditioning a space adjacent a seat assembly includes activating a heating element positioned within the seat assembly beneath a seat covering. A fluid module that includes a fluid supply device and a thermoelectric element is activated to direct heated air from the fluid module to a space adjacent the seat assembly through a distribution system formed at least partially in the seat cushion. After a period of time, the heating element is deactivated.

Systems and methods for climate controlled seats

According to some embodiments, a thermoelectric system includes a thermoelectric device having a first surface and a second surface and a power source configured to deliver a voltage across the thermoelectric device to selectively activate or deactivate the thermoelectric device, wherein the first surface is configured to heat and the second surface is configured to cool when the thermoelectric device is activated. The system further includes a processor configured to determine a potential between the first surface and the second surface when the thermoelectric device is deactivated, correlate the potential to a temperature of the first surface and adjust the correlated temperature of the first surface based on an ambient temperature.

Thermoelectric device controls and methods

Method and system for controlling an operation of a thermoelectric device

An improved user interface is installed in the cabin of a vehicle incorporating a cabin communication system using acoustic echo cancellation for improving the ease and flexibility of the cabin communication. Separate controls at each seat location enable the person occupying that seat to selectively converse with other occupants in the vehicle, create a recorded message and/or place a telephone call.

User interface for communication system

A vehicle seat assembly includes a motor coupled to an output shaft. At least two driven shafts are each operable between three operating modes. The three operating modes are a stationary mode, a first rotational direction, and a second rotational direction. A transmission assembly connects the driven shafts to the output shaft. The transmission assembly is operable to control each of the driven shafts in any one of the three operating modes when the output shaft rotates in the first rotational direction.

Single motor module for a vehicle seat

A smart, universal vehicle docking station is provided for receiving one or more plug-in feature modules. The docking station includes a personality module arranged to receive the feature modules. The feature modules are of uniform dimensions and include a standardized docking station coupler. Some of the feature modules can be operated separately from the docking station, and are completely interchangeable within the docking station. The personality module is removable so that an entire personality module can be removed from a vehicle for security reasons, as well as to transplanted from one vehicle to another to provide immediate vehicle customization. A gateway located in the docking station allows integration and appropriate signal translation of signals between the modules and a vehicle irrespective of make or model of the vehicle. The present invention allows different features to be easily added or upgraded in a vehicle.

Vehicle universal docking station and electronic feature modules

A vehicle display system includes a display which is selectively movable between a first position in which it is viewable by a driver and a second position in which it is viewable by the rear passengers but not the driver. In the first position, the display provides a rear view from a camera mounted at the rear of the vehicle. In the second position, the display provides entertainment to the passengers in the rear seats.

Rear view and multi-media system for vehicles

An apparatus for testing the exterior lights on a vehicle includes a controller supported by the vehicle and adapted to turn on the exterior lights in response to an actuation signal. A remote control device is adapted to provide the actuation signal from outside the vehicle. A method is also provided for testing the exterior lights including using the remote control device from outside the vehicle to direct the controller to turn on some or all of the exterior lights.

External light tester

Growing community of inventors

Ypsilanti, MI, United States of America

Michael Maass