US 4,706,194 AGranted

Multiplex control system for memory seat or the like load

AssigneeUnited Technologies Automotive, Inc.

InventorsNathaniel Webb, David L. Juzswik

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Abstract

An improved control system is provided for controlling the variable characteristic associated with automotive peripheral devices, such as seats, mirrors, seat bladders or the like, having a "memory" capability. The control system avoids overloading a central controller and/or a data link between the central controller and the device being controlled, by approximating the "run" interval required to vary the relevant characteristic, i.e. seat position, from its present value to a target value recalled from memory. Pulses are generated by variations in the seat position and accumulated in a counter which may be separate from the central controller. At the completion of a "run" for the approximated interval, the accumulated count is used to update a count representative of the "present" seat position. The updated position is again compared to the target position and, if it differs by more than some acceptable tolerance, a new interval is determined and is "run". Provision may be made to compensate the determination of the interval for changes in the rate at which the seat responds.

Claims22

Dependent claims

In a control system having a central controller, a plurality of peripheral devices operatively connected in communication with said central controller and input and output signals being provided between said central controller and various ones of said plurality of peripheral devices, a first one of said peripheral devices including a motor for varying a characteristic of said device in a time-dependent manner in response to an output signal from said central controller, means for providing signals indicative of variations in said characteristic of said first one of said peripheral devices, the central controller including memory means for storing a target value and an actual value of said variable characteristic of said first one of said peripheral devices, an other one of the peripheral devices being manually actuable to provide a recall input command signal and said central controller including means responsive to said recall input command signal for providing said output signal to said motor of said first one of said peripheral devices for varying said characteristic thereof in a manner to attain said target value stored in said memory means, the improvement wherein the control system further comprises:

one or more remote controllers connected to the central controller by a serial multiplex data link, each of said plurality of peripheral devices being connected to said central controller via said remote controllers, and
said central controller means being responsive to said recall input command signal for comparing said actual value with said target value of said variable characteristic to determine a difference value, for determining an interval which approximates the time required for said motor to vary said device variable characteristic by said difference value, and for applying said output signal to said motor for the duration of said interval by latching said output signal at said remote controller.

In a control system having a master controller, a plurality of peripheral devices operatively connected in communication with said master controller and input and output signals being provided between said master controller and various ones of said plurality of peripheral devices, a first one of said peripheral devices including a motor for varying a characteristic of said device in a time-dependent manner in response to an output signal from said master controller, means for providing signals indicative of variations in said characteristic of said first one of said peripheral devices, the master controller including memory means for storing a target value and an actual value of said variable characteristic of said first peripheral device, an other one of the peripheral devices being manually actuable to provide a recall input command signal and said master controller including means responsive to said recall input command signal for providing said output signal to said motor of said first one of said peripheral devices for varying said characteristic thereof in a manner to attain said target value stored in said memory means, the improvement comprises:

said master controller being responsive to said recall input comand signal for comparing said actual value with said target value of said variable characteristic to determine a difference value, for determining an interval which approximates the time required for said motor to vary said device variable characteristic based on said difference value, and for causing said output signal to be applied to said motor during said interval.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.