Patent ID: 6312049
Filing Date: 2001-11-06
Classification: B60N

Abstract:
A seat assembly for a motor vehicle comprising:a seat cushion portion adapted to be operatively connected to a vehicle structure;a seat back portion operatively connected to said seat cushion portion;a recliner operatively connected to said seat back portion and said seat cushion portion;a damper operatively connected to one of said seat back portion, said recliner, and said seat cushion portion and having a magneto-rheological (MR) fluid therein; anda controller electrically connected to said damper and being programmable based on predetermined factors to send a signal thereto to generate a magnetic field to increase and apparent viscosity of said MR fluid to increase damping of said damper during an impact collision condition based on the predetermined factors, wherein in an impact on the motor vehicle said damper dissipates energy as said seat back portion rotates relative to said seat cushion portion.