Patent Application
20200307477
The present disclosure generally relates to a vehicle seating adjustment system. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a vehicle seating adjustment system operable via voice command.
Folding and unfolding vehicle seats may be desired to allow for more storage space or more passenger seats, respectively, within a vehicle. Conventional seating systems may require a remote transmitter for operating the seating system. Other conventional seating systems may require the occupant to step out of the vehicle to access the seats to be folded.
According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a vehicle control module and restraint control module operably coupled to the vehicle control module. A seating assembly is operable between a folded position and an unfolded position. A user-interface includes a microphone. The microphone receives a user command to adjust a seating position and sends a request signal to the vehicle control module. The vehicle control module starts a seating position adjustment based on a start signal from the restraint control module.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle includes a plurality of seating assemblies each operable between a folded position and an unfolded position. A user-interface includes a microphone and a speaker. The microphone is configured to receive a command to adjust a seating position and the speaker is configured to present predefined seating configuration options.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a vehicle seating adjustment system includes a seating assembly operable between a folded position and an unfolded position. A user-interface includes a microphone for receiving commands. A vehicle control module is operably coupled to the seating assembly and configured to adjust a seating position of the seating assembly. A restraint control module is operably coupled to the seating assembly. The restraint control module senses if the seating assembly is occupied and sends a corresponding signal to the vehicle control module.
These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present disclosure will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
The following is a description of the figures in the accompanying drawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale, and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic in the interest of clarity and conciseness.
In the drawings:
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the detailed description which follows and will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description, or recognized by practicing the invention as described in the following description, together with the claims and appended drawings.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the concepts as oriented in
As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items, can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.
As used herein, the term “about” means that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. When the term “about” is used in describing a value or an end-point of a range, the disclosure should be understood to include the specific value or end-point referred to. Whether or not a numerical value or end-point of a range in the specification recites “about,” the numerical value or end-point of a range is intended to include two embodiments: one modified by “about,” and one not modified by “about.” It will be further understood that the end-points of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other end-point, and independently of the other end-point.
The terms “substantial,” “substantially,” and variations thereof as used herein are intended to note that a described feature is equal or approximately equal to a value or description. For example, a “substantially planar” surface is intended to denote a surface that is planar or approximately planar. Moreover, “substantially” is intended to denote that two values are equal or approximately equal. In some embodiments, “substantially” may denote values within about 10% of each other, such as within about 5% of each other, or within about 2% of each other.
As used herein the terms “the,” “a,” or “an,” mean “at least one,” and should not be limited to “only one” unless explicitly indicated to the contrary. Thus, for example, reference to “a component” includes embodiments having two or more such components unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
In this document, relational terms, such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Referring to
Referring now to
The second and third seating rows 50, 54 may each include a left seating assembly 58, a middle seating assembly 62, and a right seating assembly 66. It is also contemplated that the second and third seating rows 50, 54 include the left and right seating assemblies 58, 66 (e.g., no middle seating assembly 62). In various examples, each of the left, middle, and right seating assemblies 58, 62, 66 may be configured to move independently. In other examples, the left seating assembly 58 may be coupled to the middle seating assembly 62, such that the left and middle seating assemblies 58, 62 move together. It is also contemplated that the middle seating assembly 62 may be coupled to the right seating assembly 66. The second and third seating rows 50, 54 may have similarly structured seating assemblies 18. For example, the second and third seating rows 50, 54 may both have the left seating assembly 58 coupled to the middle seating assembly 62, the middle seating assembly 62 coupled to the right seating assembly 66, or each seating assembly 18 moving independently. Alternatively, the second and third seating rows 50, 54 may have different seating assembly structures.
Each of the seating assemblies 18 are operable between the folded position 30 and the unfolded position 34. In the folded position 30, a seat back 70 of each seating assembly 18 is positioned on and parallel to a seat base 74 of the respective seating assembly 18. The folded position 30 may be advantageous to provide more storage space within a passenger compartment 78 of the vehicle 10. In examples where each of the seating assemblies 18 of the second and third seating rows 50, 54 are in the folded position 30, the vehicle 10 may provide storage space (e.g., in a vehicle-rearward direction) behind the first seating row 46. In other words, the vehicle 10 may provide seating assemblies 18 for two passengers within the first seating row 46. In examples where the seating assemblies 18 of the third seating row 54 are in the folded position 30, the vehicle 10 may provide storage space behind the second seating row 50 and also provides seating assemblies 18 for up to five passengers. In examples where the seating assemblies 18 of the second and third seating rows 50, 54 are in the unfolded position 34, the vehicle 10 may provide storage space behind the third seating row 54 and seating assemblies 18 for up to eight passengers. In contrast, when in the unfolded position 34, the seatback 70 extends vertically upwards from the seat base 74 to provide a seating space 80 for a passenger.
Referring still to
The restraint control module 26 may be configured as an electronic control unit positioned within the seating assemblies 18, or in another location within the vehicle 10. The restraint control module 26 may be operably coupled to an airbag and/or seatbelt pretensioner. The restraint control module 26 may also include sensors, such as, for example, a seat sensor 86 and a seatbelt buckle sensor 90. The seat sensor 86 may sense the presence of an occupant or other item on a respective seating assembly 18 when in the unfolded position 34. The seat sensor 86 may include, but is not limited to, any type of proximity sensor, seat airbag sensor, pressure sensor, ultrasonic sensor, capacitive sensor, or force sensor. In various examples, the seat sensor 86 may be positioned within the seat base 74 or the seat back 70 of the seating assembly 18. Additionally or alternatively, the restraint control module 26 may include a seatbelt buckle sensor 90. The seatbelt buckle sensor 90 may be positioned within a seatbelt assembly 94 coupled to the seating assembly 18 and configured to sense whether or not a seatbelt tongue 98 is positioned in a seatbelt buckle 102. In other words, the seatbelt buckle sensor 90 may also sense whether a specified seating assembly 18 is occupied with a passenger. It is also contemplated the sensors of the restraint control module 26 may be positioned in another location within the vehicle 10. The restraint control module 26 may include a plurality of restraint control modules 26 positioned in each of the seating assemblies 18. Alternatively, there may be a single restraint control module 26 operably coupled to the sensors positioned within or proximate to the seating assemblies 18. The restraint control module 26 may also be configured to sense if an object is positioned on a back surface 110 of the seat back 70 when the seating assembly 18 is in the folded position 30.
Referring now to
The seating assemblies 18 of the second and third rows 50, 54 may provide for a plurality of seating configurations, which may be predefined by a user. The desired seating configuration may be selected by an occupant of the vehicle 10. Based on the seating configuration selected by the occupant, different seating assemblies 18 may be moved to the folded position 30 or the unfolded position 34, respectively. In various examples, the seating configurations may include moving all the seating assemblies 18 within the second and third seating rows 50, 54 into the folded or unfolded position 30, 34; the left seating assembly 58 of the second seating row 50 to the folded or unfolded position 30, 34; the right seating assembly 66 of the second seating row 50 to the folded or unfolded position 30, 34; the middle seating assembly 62 of the second seating row 50 to the folded or unfolded position 30, 34; all seating assemblies 18 within the second seating row 50 to the folded or unfolded position 30, 34; the left seating assembly 58 within the third seating row 54 to the folded or unfolded position 30, 34; the right seating assembly 66 within the third seating row 54 to the folded or unfolded position 30, 34; the middle seating assembly 62 within the third seating row 54 to the folded or unfolded position 30, 34; all seating assemblies 18 within the third seating row 54 to the folded or unfolded position 30, 34; and/or combinations thereof. In other words, the predefined seating configurations may result in individual seating assemblies 18 moving and/or entire seating rows moving between the folded and unfolded positions 30, 34.
Referring still to
Referring now to
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In response, at a step 208, the user-interface 38 may present to the user the seating configuration options available. The seating configuration options may be stored within the user-interface 38 or within the vehicle control module 22. The seating configuration options may be predefined by the user and/or may be determined by the model of the vehicle 10. The user-interface 38 includes the speaker 126 for presenting the various seating configuration options to the user.
Next, at a step 212, the user may request a seating configuration option via a command.
In various examples, the command is a voice command given via the microphone 42 of the user-interface 38. It is also contemplated that the command may be given in additional or alternative methods, such as, for example, via the touch screen 114. The voice command may specify the desired seating assemblies 18 and whether the seating assemblies 18 should be moved to the folded position 30 or the unfolded position 34. The voice command may also operate to select one of the predefined seating configuration options. In other words, the microphone 42 is configured to receive a command to adjust the seating position of various seating assemblies 18 within the vehicle 10. In various examples, a specified number may relate to each of the predefined seating configuration options. For example, the number “1” spoken by the user may relate to moving the desired seating assembly 18 to the folded position 30, and the number “2” spoken by the user may relate to moving the desired seating assembly 18 to the unfolded position 34. In such examples, each of the seating configurations may have a specified number that represents the seating configuration. In additional or alternative examples, a voice command of “1.1” may correspond to moving the entire second and third seating rows 50, 54 to the folded position 30, “1.2” may correspond to moving the entire second seating row 50 to the folded position 30, “1.3” may correspond to moving the left seating assembly 58 of the second seating row 50 to the folded position 30, “1.4” may correspond to moving the right seating assembly 66 of the second seating row 50 to the folded position 30, “1.5” may correspond to moving the entire third seating row 54 to the folded position, “1.6” may correspond to moving the left seating assembly 58 of the third seating row 54 to the folded position 30, “1.7” may correspond to moving the right seating assembly 66 of the third seating row 54 to the folded position 30, and/or combinations thereof. It is also contemplated that predetermined specified numbers may correspond to moving various seating assemblies 18 to the unfolded position 34. It is further contemplated that predetermined specified numbers may correspond to moving various seating assemblies 18 in the fore-aft direction of the vehicle 10 separately or in combination with the seating assemblies 18 being moved between the folded and unfolded positions 30, 34. Additionally, it is contemplated that other numbers, words, and/or phrases may correspond to the various seating operations and/or configurations.
In a step 216, the user-interface 38 communicates the selection of the seating configuration to the vehicle control module 22. The user-interface 38 transforms the voice command into an electrical signal to send to the vehicle control module 22. In other words, the user-interface 38 sends a request signal to the vehicle control module 22 corresponding to the seating configurations requested and/or selected by the user. In response, at a next step 220, the vehicle control module 22 communicates the request signal to the restraint control module 26. In various examples, the vehicle control module 22 may wait to adjust the seating position of the specified seating assemblies 18, and/or implement the selected seating configuration until the vehicle control module 22 receives a start signal from the restraint control module 26. Additionally or alternatively, the request signal sent from the vehicle control module 22 to the restraint control module 26 may specify each seating assembly 18 to be adjusted.
The method 200 may include a step 224 where the restraint control module 26 senses if each of the seating assemblies 18 specified by the user are occupied. In such examples, the restraint control module 26 may be coupled to each of the seating assemblies 18. The restraint control module 26 may use the seat sensor 86 and/or the seatbelt buckle sensor 90 (
Next, in a step 228, the restraint control module 26 communicates the determination of whether or not the specified seating assemblies 18 are occupied, or otherwise have objects positioned on the seating assemblies 18, to the vehicle control module 22. If the selected seating assemblies 18 are sensed as being unoccupied or otherwise unobstructed, the restraint control module 26 may communicate a start signal to the vehicle control module 22. Alternatively, if the selected seating assemblies 18 are sensed as being occupied or otherwise obstructed, the restraint control module 26 may send a stop signal to the vehicle control module 22. In various examples, the restraint control module 26 may send the start signal corresponding to some of the seating assemblies 18 and the stop signal corresponding to other seating assemblies 18. In other words, the restraint control module 26 senses if the specified seating assemblies 18 are occupied or otherwise obstructed and sends a corresponding signal to the vehicle control module 22.
Next, in a decision step 232, based on the signal received from the restraint control module 26, the vehicle control module 22 determines whether the request and/or command of the user can be performed. In other words, the vehicle control module 22 may determine whether to adjust the seating position of the seating assemblies 18 based on the signal received from the restraint control module 26. The vehicle control module 22 may include at least one instruction 138 (
In a step 240, the user-interface 38 communicates the decision of the vehicle control module 22 to proceed with the request to the user and/or the vehicle occupants. In other words, the user-interface 38 may convey the decision of the vehicle control module 22 via the speaker 126. The user-interface 38 may also inform the user that the seating position adjustment will start. The seating position adjustment may correspond with moving the seating assemblies 18 to the folded position 30 or the unfolded position 34. The specified adjustment (e.g., to the folded or unfolded positions 30, 34) may also be repeated by the user-interface 38 via the speaker 126 as a confirmation of the voice command.
Next, in a step 244, the vehicle control module 22 activates signals to adjust the seating positions of the specified seating assemblies 18. The vehicle control module 22 may send an electrical signal to the positioning devices 82 of the seating assemblies 18 to be folded, unfolded, or otherwise adjusted. In various examples, the vehicle control module 22 may perform multiple seating configuration options simultaneously. For example, the left seating assembly 58 of the second seating row 50 may be moved to the folded position 30 while the right seating assembly 66 of the third seating row 54 is moved to the unfolded position 34 (
After the completion of the seating position adjustment, in a step 248 the user-interface 38 may inform the user that the adjustment is completed. The user may be informed via the speaker 126 or otherwise notified, for example, by the touch screen 114.
Returning to the decision step 232, if the restraint control module 26 senses the seating assemblies 18 are occupied or otherwise obstructed, the method 200 proceeds to a step 252 where the vehicle control module 22 communicates the decision not to proceed with the seating position adjustment to the user-interface 38. In such examples, the method 200 then proceeds to a step 256 where the user-interface 38 informs the user that the seat configuration may not be performed. In various examples, the user may be informed via the speaker 126 of the user-interface 38. The user may be informed that all of the seating configurations may not be performed, or that some of the seating configurations may not be performed.
Use of the present disclosure may provide a variety of advantages. In a first example, the use of voice commands to adjust the seating positions of the seating assemblies 18 within the vehicle 10 may limit driver distraction. In a second example, the presently disclosed system 14 for adjusting the seating position of the seating assemblies 18 may reduce manufacturing and production costs. In a third example, the presently disclosed system 14 may provide for additional storage space within the vehicle 10. In a fourth example, the storage space may be increased or decreased while the vehicle 10 is in motion, thereby allowing the user to save time adjusting the seating configuration of the vehicle 10.
According to various examples, a vehicle includes a vehicle control module and restraint control module operably coupled to the vehicle control module. A seating assembly is operable between a folded position and an unfolded position. A user-interface includes a microphone. The microphone receives a user command to adjust a seating position of the seating assembly and sends a request signal to the vehicle control module. The vehicle control module controls a seating position adjustment based on a start signal from the restraint control module. Embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or a combination of the following features:
Modifications of the disclosure will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the disclosure. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the following claims, as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the doctrine of equivalents.
It is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present disclosure, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
