Vehicle seat drive control device

A drive control device for a driver's seat in a vehicle comprising:

• entry detection means for detecting an entry of a driver into said vehicle;
• battery capacity detection means for detecting a capacity of an electric power source battery in said vehicle;
• engine start detection means for detecting a start of rotation of an engine in said vehicle;
• first decision means for deciding whether the battery capacity detected by said battery capacity detection means is lower than a predetermined capacity when an entry of a driver is detected by said entry detection means;
• first drive means for driving the seat to a predetermined first state when the decision of said first decision means is negative, said first state being a state suitable for the driver to sit down;
• second drive means for driving the seat to a preliminary stored second state after said first driving by said first driving means, said second state being a state suitable for the driver to drive the vehicle;
• second decision means for deciding whether the start of the rotation of the engine is detected by said engine start detection means when the decision of said first decision means is affirmative;
• and
• means for by-passing said first driving means and carrying out the driving by said second drive means when the decision of said second decision means is affirmative.

A method for controlling a seat in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• detecting an entry of a driver into said vehicle;
• detecting a capacity of an electric power source battery in said vehicle;
• detecting a start of an engine of said vehicle;
• receiving, with a control circuit, signals depicting driver entry detection, battery capacity, and engine start;
• deciding whether the capacity of said battery is lower than a predetermined reference value when a driver entry is detected;
• prohibiting movement of said seat when the battery capacity is below said predetermined reference value and when said engine is detected as not having been started;
• and
• moving said seat when said battery capacity is above said predetermined reference value.

A method for controlling a driver's seat in a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

• detecting an entry of a driver into said vehicle;
• detecting a capacity of a battery in said vehicle;
• detecting a start of rotation of an engine in said vehicle;
• deciding whether or not the battery capacity is lower than a predetermined reference value when a driver entry has been detected;
• driving the seat to a first position when the above deciding step is negative;
• driving said seat to a preliminarily stored second position after said seat has been driven to said first position;
• deciding whether or not the start of rotation of said engine has been detected when the decision in the previous decisions step is positive;
• and
• driving said seat to said second state when the decision of the second decision step is positive.