Dura Global Technologies, Inc.

Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, Inc.

Dura Automotive Systems, Gmbh

Meritor Automotive Canada, Inc.

Meritor Light Vehicle Systems, Inc.

Dura Automtive Properties Inc.

Dura Automotive Proporties, Inc.

Pascal Emanuel Garrido

Hugh D Downey

Roger Freund

Gregory David Collins

Dennis A Kramer

Ira B Goldberg

Charles Berry Hopson

Enrico Fin

George Chene

Dan Rogovin

Stephen Chiu

David M Barry

Jerome Quere

Craig Rae Fowler

Nils O Olsson

Nills O Olsson

Joseph Allen Wilbanks, Ii

Richard Allen Lagerweij

Nathan Allen Clark

Christopher Clifford

Mark Volkmann

Jack P Pogodzinski

Darrell Frederick Greene

Thomas W Paisley

Brent A Hauck

Gregory James Andrigo

Keith C Horsfield

David C Willms

Andrew William Guthrie

Brian Moore

Richard Allen LAgereij

Bryan Jeffrey Conrod

Trajan Quinn

A system for controlling a displacement drive of a motor vehicle includes a manually operable actuator movable over a fixed stroke between a first end position and a second end position. The actuator is biased to a neutral position centrally located between the first and second end positions and provides a signal representative of position of the actuator. A controller receives the signal from the actuator and produces commands for a reversible DC electric motor of the displacement drive device. The commands vary speed of the drive motor based on the position of the actuator such that the speed of the drive motor is zero at the neutral position, increases in one direction as the actuator moves toward the first end position, and increases in the other direction as the actuator moves toward the second end position.

System and method for controlling motion of electromechanical devices such as seats and opening elements of motor vehicles

A seat assembly includes a seat cushion, an adjuster mechanism and a seat back. The seat cushion has opposite front and rear ends. The adjuster mechanism is operatively coupled between the floor of the motor vehicle and the seat cushion. The adjuster mechanism allows selective adjustment of the seat cushion relative to the floor among a plurality of vertical positions. The seat back has an outer frame. The outer frame has spaced apart side members. The seat back has an inner frame slidably engaged with the side members for movement along a path defined by the side members. The inner frame of seat back is connected to the rear end of the seat cushion for movement of the inner frame relative to the outer frame along the path in response to corresponding adjustment of the seat cushion among the plurality of vertical positions.

Seat assembly with movable inner seat back

A vehicle seat linkage assembly includes a rod. The linkage has a first link with an aperture and a second link adjacent but spaced from the first link and having a slot. Additionally, a drive nut is adjacent the rod. The drive nut has a body portion, one end, another end and an aperture engaging the rod. The one end is inserted into the slot and the another end is inserted into the aperture. When the nut is disposed into the slot and aperture, the nut is rotated to engage the slot and the aperture so that the nut cannot be disengaged from the first link and the second link.

Drive nut and screw for seat adjuster

A mounting arrangement and method for a drive motor for power seat slider rail assemblies, in which a bracket extends between a pair of right angle gear units secured to one end of a respective slider rail. The bracket has a longitudinal slot at one end engaging a headed pin on one of the gear units and a transverse slot at the other end snap fit to a headed pin on the other gear unit when the bracket is swung about the first pin and slot connection. The bracket has intermediate structure which engages the drive motor to align the same between the gear units when the bracket is swung into position and prevent rotation of the motor casing. Flexible drive shafts extend from each end of the motor to drive respective gear units.

Power seat drive motor mounting arrangement and assembly method

A flexible drive cable assembly for powered adjustable pedals includes an elongate flexible casing having a unitary connector which cooperates with an end fitting to secure the casing to the end fitting and hold the casing stationary relative to the end fitting. In one embodiment, the unitary connector and the end fitting form a snap-fit connection having both an interlock and an interference fit between the casing and the end fitting to reduce vibration. In another embodiment, the casing is heat staked to the end fitting such that casing material flows into grooves to form protrusions which interlock with the end fitting and an interference fit between the casing and the end fitting to reduce vibration. In another embodiment, the unitary connector includes an elongate portion press fit into an aperture of the end fitting and a flange engaging the end fitting adjacent the aperture.

Noise and vibration reducing flex-cable assembly

A system for controlling multiple vehicle includes a twelve volt (12V)/forty-two volt (42V) battery power distribution system that provides direct current. The system converts single phase alternating current to multiple phase alternating current to simultaneously power multiple vehicle systems. A single pulse width modulation generator converts the direct current from the 12V/42V battery power distribution system to alternating current. This provides one power supply path of alternating current, which has a first phase. A splitter device splits the one power supply path of alternating current into three power paths. A lead/lag circuit is used to shift the alternating current of the second path to a second phase different than the first phase of the first power supply path. A second lead/lag circuit for shifts the alternating current of the third path to a third phase different than the first phase or the second phase. This creates a three-phase alternating current power from a single direct current source. The three-phase alternating current is used to power a plurality of induction motors that operate multiple vehicle systems.

Conversion of single phase to multiple phase alternating current

A flexible drive cable assembly for a powered adjustable seat, powered adjustable pedals or the like of a motor vehicle. The flexible drive cable assembly includes an elongate flexible core for transmitting movement from a first end of the core to a second end of the core and an elongate flexible casing encircling a longitudinal length of the core and having a unitary connector. A driving or driven element is operably connected to the core for transmission of movement therebetween. An end fitting is stationary relative to the driving or driven element and has an aperture for passage of the core therethrough. The unitary connector of the casing cooperates with the end fitting to secure the casing to the end fitting and hold the casing stationary relative to the end fitting. In one embodiment, the casing connector and the end fitting form a snap-fit connection to form an interlock between the casing and the end fitting and an interference fit between the casing and the end fitting to reduce vibration. In another embodiment, the casing is heat staked to the end fitting such that casing material flows into grooves of the end fitting to form protrusions which interlock with the end fitting grooves and an interference fit between the casing and the end fitting to reduce vibration. In yet another embodiment, the unitary connector includes an elongate portion press fit in an aperture of the end fitting and a flange engaging the end fitting adjacent the aperture.

An AC motor is utilized to drive a closure on a vehicle. The use of the AC motor provides valuable benefits with regard to cost and size. Further, a three-phase AC motor may be utilized, and the pulses in its power supply monitored to determine an obstruction in the path of the closure. Frequency control may also be utilized to provide optimum control of the drive of the component at both start-up and stop.

AC motors for driving vehicle closures

A seat track assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first or lower track assembly comprising a lower track, a second or upper track assembly operably connected to the lower track assembly and comprising an upper track movable relative to the first track, and a latch selectively movable from a latching position wherein the upper track is secured with respect to the lower track and an unlatching position wherein the upper track is movable with respect to the lower track. The upper track has a generally vertical side wall and the latch extends laterally adjacent the side wall. The latch includes an attachment portion secured to the upper track, a latch portion adapted to cooperate with the lower track to form an interlock therebetween and substantially prevent movement of the upper track relative to the lower track, and an intermediate portion connecting the attachment portion and the latch portion. The latch is preferably a unitary member formed of spring steel. The attachment portion preferably forms a snap-fit connection with the upper track. The intermediate portion preferably includes a pair of longitudinally extending, parallel and vertically spaced apart legs which form a double leaf spring to bias the latch portion toward the latching position. The latch portion preferably has a plurality of windows which cooperate with locking teeth of the lower track to form the interlock or a plurality of locking teeth which cooperate with the windows of the lower track to form the interlock.

Single-piece spring-steel seat adjuster latch

An apparatus for controlling multiple vehicle systems includes a single power supply that provides a direct current source. The power supply is comprised of a thirty-six volt (36 V) battery power distribution system. A converter is electrically connected to the power supply to convert direct current to alternating current. A plurality of induction motors are used to operate various vehicle systems. The motors receive alternating current via electrical connections between the converter and the motors. A central processor is connected to relays sending power to each of the motors and provides control signals to the motors based on input from control members used to activate each of the various vehicle systems. At least one sensor is associated with each of the motors to monitor voltage or current of the respective motor and to generate a diagnostic signal that is sent to the processor. The processor generates a warning signal when any of the diagnostic signals indicates that voltage within the respective motor is outside a predetermined range. A piezoelectric material is associated with each of the motors to provide an internal control signal for the motor. The piezoelectric material can be used to control acceleration or deceleration of the motor based on the rotational force of a rotor within the motor or can be use to activate an auxiliary winding in the motor based on mechanical input to the respective controller.

Control system for an electric motor

A plurality of motors for use in driving accessories on a vehicle, are each powered by three-phase current. A single controller controls the supply three-phase current to the plurality of motors. In another aspect of the invention, pseudothree-phase current is created from a direct current voltage source. A chopping circuit chops the voltage into a plurality of pulses, and a phase shift circuit then creates phase-shifted power signals from those pulses. The present invention thus enables the use of three-phase alternating current motors on a vehicle to drive accessories. This reduces the cost and size of the required motors.

Controls to incorporate three-phase motors into vehicles

A load floor seat assembly for an adjustable seat is disclosed movable from a normal position to a load floor position. A seat base is adapted to be attached to a motor vehicle floor, at least one seat back arm is pivotably mounted to the seat base about a seat back pivot, and a seat back is pivotably attached to the seat back arm about a load floor pivot. A load floor assembly is attached to the seat back so that in the normal position the seat back is generally perpendicular to the seat base, and in the load floor position the seat back is generally parallel with the seat base and rotated about the load floor pivot, so that the load floor assembly covers the seat back and the seat base.

Load floor seat assembly

A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly is mounted to a vehicle structure and includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track with the seat bottom being supported on the second track for movement with the second track. A support member presents a bearing surface that rotatably engages a bearing surface on the second track. At least one adjustment link is used to interconnect the support member and the seat bottom. The adjustment link is mounted on the support member for rotation therewith to provide vertical seat adjustment. A torque tube engages the support member to provide rotational input to the adjustment link.

Snap-on torque tube for seat track assembly

A seat track assembly for an adjustable seat with positive engagement is disclosed and has a lower track assembly with at least one lower track having a plurality of spaced slots and an upper track assembly with at least one lower track. The upper track is slidable over the lower track. A latch is movable from a latching position securing the upper track with respect to the lower track to an unlatching position where the upper track is free to slide over the lower track. The latch comprises a plurality of locking pawls mounted on the upper track, with each locking pawl having a first tooth and a second tooth and each tooth has a front face and a rear face. In the latching position the first tooth of a first one of the locking pawls is received within a first slot and the second tooth of the first one of the locking pawls is received within a second slot. In accordance with certain preferred embodiments the width of each slot is twice the slot width, the pawls are separated from one another by a distance equivalent to the width of each tooth, the slots are separated by a distance generally equal to the width of each tooth.

Seat track assembly with positive lock mechanism

A vehicle seat assembly includes a seat bottom and a seat back supported for movement relative to the seat bottom such that seat position can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly with respect to the vehicle. The seat assembly is mounted a vehicle structure via inboard track and outboard track assemblies. Each track assembly includes a first track and a second track supported for movement relative to the first track. The seat bottom is supported on the second tracks for movement with the second tracks. A locking mechanism is installed on at least one of the track assemblies. The locking mechanism has a spring that is mounted between the first and second tracks. The spring is biased into engagement with the first and second tracks to frictionally retain the second track in a locked position. A handle is manually actuated to move the locking mechanism from the locked position to an unlocked position. The handle applies a force to the spring causing the spring to contract, allowing relative movement between the first and second tracks.

Growing community of inventors

Kilworthy, Canada

Pascal Emanuel Garrido