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US 8,998,320 B2Granted
Using resting load to augment active material actuator demand in power seats
AssigneeGM Global Technology Operations LLC
InventorsNilesh D. Mankame, Jennifer P. Lawall, Richard J. Skurkis
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A power seat adjustment assembly comprising an active material actuator, adapted for use when a resting load is present within the seat, and configured to reduce actuator demand, and therefore actuator size and/or rating, by modifying the load to augment performance.
Claims11
A power adjusted seat assembly for use when a resting load is present within the seat, said seat assembly comprising:
- a seat base structure extendable and retractable between a first seat base length and a second seat base length wherein:
- the seat base structure includes a base frame and an angled flap pivotally connected to the base frame at a pivot axis defined laterally by the seat base structure;
- the angled flap defines a first panel and a second panel;
- and
- a rotation of the first panel downward corresponds with an outward rotation of the second panel to extend the seat base to the second seat base length;
- and
- an active material actuator drivenly coupled to the angled flap wherein:
- the angled flap is drivenly coupled to the seat base structure to selectably rotate about the pivot axis in response to at least a portion of the resting load acting upon the first panel;
- and
- the active material actuator and the angled flap are cooperatively configured to cause the seat base structure to extend between the first seat base length and the second seat base length when the resting load is present and the active material actuator is activated.
7 more elements
A power adjusted seat assembly for use when a resting load is present within the seat assembly, said seat assembly comprising:
- a seat base structure includes a base frame;
- a lever pivotally connected to the base frame at a pivot axis defined laterally by the seat base structure;
- a seat upright structure rotatable between a first upright angle of inclination and a second upright angle of inclination wherein:
- the lever has a first lever arm connected to the seat base structure and a second lever arm connected to the seat upright structure
- a rotation of the first lever arm downward corresponds with an upward rotation of the second lever arm to rotate the seat upright structure to the second upright angle of inclination;
- and
- an active material actuator drivenly coupled to the lever wherein:
- the lever is drivenly coupled to the seat base structure to selectably rotate about the pivot axis in response to at least a portion of the resting load acting upon the first lever arm;
- and
- the active material actuator and the lever are cooperatively configured to cause the seat upright structure to rotate between the first upright angle of inclination and the second upright angle of inclination when the resting load is present and the active material actuator is activated.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.