Pre-crash seat actuator system and method

A pre-crash seat actuator system for moving a vehicle seat of a vehicle, comprising:

• a pre-collision sensor unit for sensing objects near the vehicle;
• an occupant protection control system including an occupant protection control processor, the occupant protection control processor configured to:
• receive inputs from an electronic stability control and the pre-collision sensor unit,
• use the inputs to determine that a collision is imminent, and
• when a collision is imminent, provide a collision signal and a trigger signal;
• a vehicle seat controller including a seat control processor, the seat control processor configured to:
• receive the collision signal over a wire connector,
• receive the trigger signal on a communication bus,
• determine a direction and a distance for moving the vehicle seat when a collision is imminent,
• in response to the trigger signal, provide a fast mode voltage on a power connector to a vehicle seat electric drive for moving the vehicle seat in a fast mode from a starting seat position to a desired seat position to mitigate the severity of a collision on an occupant of the vehicle seat, and
• in response to loss of the collision signal, providing a voltage on the power connector to the vehicle seat electric drive to return the vehicle seat to the starting position.