Patent ID: 12194932

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the present disclosure will be described in conjunction with embodiments and/or examples, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the present disclosure to these embodiments and/or examples. On the contrary, the present disclosure is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.

In embodiments, such as generally illustrated inFIGS.1and2, an electrical assembly20may include a switch assembly30, a first/primary controller40, and/or a second/secondary controller50. The switch assembly30may be connected to one or more of a variety of outputs or loads. For example and without limitation, the switch assembly30may be configured for controlling operation of a vehicle seat22, such as one or more motors28that may be connected to move/fold the seat22. The switch assembly30may be disposed on and/or connected to an outer portion of the vehicle seat22. The switch assembly30may be configured to effect movement (e.g., rotation, translation, folding, etc.) of a seat in a first direction (e.g., forward) and/or a second direction (e.g., rearward). The primary controller40may be connected to the secondary controller50and/or the switch assembly30. For example and without limitation, a first switch32of the switch assembly30may be connected to a first input42of the primary controller40and/or a second switch34of the switch assembly30may be connected to a second input44of the primary controller40. The secondary controller50may be connected to the switch assembly30. For example and without limitation, a first input52and a first output56of the secondary controller50may be connected to an output32A and an input32B, respectively, of the first switch32. A second input54and a second output58of the secondary controller50may be connected to an output34A and an input34B, respectively, of the second switch34. The secondary controller50may be configured to selectively activate/deactivate the primary controller40.

With embodiments, such as generally illustrated inFIG.2, the electrical assembly20may include a primary controller40. The primary controller40may be configured to carry out various functions associated with a vehicle and/or a vehicle seat22. For example and without limitation, the primary controller40may be configured to actuate a vehicle seat22(e.g., according to inputs32B,34B from the switch assembly30). The primary controller40may be configured to provide one or more additional functions, such as controlling one or more vehicle systems and/or components. The primary controller40may include a first state and/or a second state. In the first state, the primary controller40may be off and/or may be in a low power mode. The primary controller40may be in the first state (e.g., off) when full functionality of the primary controller40is not desired/required. The primary controller40may be in the first state to save energy and/or power until operation/functionality of the primary controller40is requested and/or required. The primary controller40may be in a second state (e.g., on) when operation of the primary controller40is required and/or requested. In the second state, the primary controller40may be configured to control movement of the seat22, such as if requested via the switch assembly30. In the second state, the primary controller40may use more power than the secondary controller50. If the primary controller40is in the first state, the primary controller40may not be configured to control movement of the seat22and/or input32B,34B from the switch assembly30may not, at least initially, be received by the primary controller40(e.g., inputs42,44of the primary controller40corresponding to the switch assembly30may not be active when the primary controller40is in the first state). The primary controller40may be configured to communicate with the secondary controller50, and/or may be electrically connected with and/or to the secondary controller50.

In embodiments, such as generally shown inFIG.2, the electrical assembly20may include a secondary controller50. The secondary controller50may include one or more of a variety of chips, controllers, and/or electrical components. For example and without limitation, the secondary controller50may be configured as a system basis chip. The secondary controller50may be electrically connected to the switch assembly30and/or the primary controller40. The secondary controller50may be configured to communicate with the primary controller40. The secondary controller50may be connected to a power source38, such as a vehicle battery and/or may not be powered via the primary controller40. The secondary controller50may be connected to the primary controller40such as to selectively provide power from the power source38to the primary controller40. For example and without limitation, the secondary controller50may provide a 5-volt supply to the primary controller40.

With embodiments, the secondary controller50may be configured to control the state of the primary controller40, such as via selectively providing power to the primary controller40according to instructions received from the primary controller40. The secondary controller50may receive instructions from the primary controller40to change the state of the primary controller40from the second state to the first state. For example and without limitation, the primary controller40may determine that the primary controller40should switch to a low power mode (e.g., the first state) and may provide an instruction/indication (e.g., information, data, a signal, etc.) to the secondary controller50to switch the primary controller40to the first state. The secondary controller50may then stop providing power to the primary controller40and/or provide less power to the primary controller40, which may result in the primary controller40changing to the first state.

In embodiments, the secondary controller50may be configured to cause the first controller40to change from the first state to the second state (e.g., “wake up” the primary controller40), such as if functionality provided via the primary controller40is requested. For example and without limitation, if a user wants to move a seat22, the user may actuate the switch assembly30. If the primary controller40is in the first state, the primary controller40may not receive information from the switch assembly30and/or may not be able to control the seat22. The secondary controller50may receive information from the switch assembly30(e.g., that seat movement is desired) and may change the primary controller40from the first state to the second state. With some configurations, the primary controller40may instruct the secondary controller50to set the primary controller40to a low power mode, and/or the secondary controller50may determine when to wake up/turn on the primary controller40(e.g., to a full power mode).

With embodiments, the secondary controller50may be configured monitor the switch assembly30to determine if the switch assembly30has been actuated. For example and without limitation, the secondary controller50may be configured to provide one or more monitoring signals (e.g., a cyclic and/or non-cyclic power outputs) to the switch assembly30. The secondary controller50may be configured to provide a first monitoring signal from the first output56to the input32B of the first switch32and/or may provide a second monitoring signal from the second output58to the input34B of the second switch34. The switch assembly30may provide a response (e.g., a return signal or resistance) that may correspond to the position of the switch32,34. For example and without limitation, the first switch32may provide a first return signal or resistance from the output32A of the first switch32to the first input52of the secondary controller50, and/or the second switch34may provide a second return signal or resistance from the output34A of the second switch34to the second input54of the secondary controller50.

In embodiments, the secondary controller50may provide the one or more monitoring signals continuously or may provide the monitoring signal periodically. Providing the monitoring signals periodically may reduce power consumption. For example and without limitation, the secondary controller50may provide the monitoring signals about every 50 ms to check the status of the switch assembly30.

With embodiments, such as generally shown inFIGS.2,3A,3B, and3C, the switch assembly30may include one or more switches, such as a first switch32and/or a second switch34. The electrical assembly20may include a single switch, two switches, or more than two switches. The first switch32and/or the second switch34may be connected to a vehicle seat22. For example and without limitation, the first switch32and/or the second switch34may be disposed at the side of a seat22for an occupant to move the seat22. Moving the seat22may include movement in the X-direction, the Z-direction, tilting/folding the seat back24, and/or tilting the seat base26, among other movements. The first switch32may correspond to a first direction of seat movement, and/or the second switch34may correspond to a second direction of seat movement. The first switch32may not be connected to the second switch34, and/or each of the first switch32and/or the second switch34may be connected to the primary controller40and the secondary controller50. The first switch32and/or the second switch34may be configured to send information to the primary controller40and/or the secondary controller50. When the first switch32and/or the second switch34is not engaged/actuated, the primary controller40may be in the first state. For example, when movement of the seat22is not requested, the primary controller40may be off and/or in low power mode. When the first switch32and/or the second switch34is actuated to a second position or third position, the secondary controller50may change the primary controller40from the first state to the second state. The primary controller40may be connected to a motor28to move the seat22corresponding to return signals from the first switch32and/or the second switch34.

In embodiments, the first switch32and/or second switch34may have a first position (see, e.g.,FIG.3A), a second position (see, e.g.,FIG.3B), and/or a third position (see, e.g.,FIG.3C). The first switch32and/or the second switch34may include an input32B,34B, an output32A,34A, a first resistor R2, a second resistor R3, and/or a third resistor R4. The first resistor R2, the second resistor R3, and/or the third resistor R4may be connected in series. The switch32,34may be open when the switch32,34is in the first position such that the input32B,34B is connected to the output32A,34A via the first resistor R2, the second resistor R3, and the third resistor R4connected in series. When the switch32,34is in the second position, the switch32,34may effectively short the third resistor R4, such that the input32B,34B may be connected to the output32A,34A via (i) the first resistor R2and the second resistor R3connected in series (e.g., with the second resistor R3connected directly to the output32A,34A), and (ii) the first resistor R2, the second resistor R3, and the third resistor R4connected in series. In the second position, the switch32,34may provide a lower total resistance than when the switch32,34is in the first position. When the switch32,34is in the third position, the switch32,34may effectively short the second resistor R3and the third resistor R4such that the input32B,34B may be connected to the output32A,34A via (i) the first resistor R2(e.g., with the first resistor R2connected directly to the output32A,34A), and (ii) the first resistor R2, the second resistor R3, and the third resistor R4connected in series. In the third position, the switch32,34may provide a lower total resistance than when the switch32,34is in the second position. The resistance of the switch32,34may be the greatest when the switch32,34is in the first position, and/or the resistance of the switch32,34may be the least when the switch32,34is in the third position.

In embodiments, the first switch32and/or the second switch34may be electrically connected to both of the primary controller40and the secondary controller50. The first switch32and/or the second switch34may provide analog signals/data (e.g., return signals) to the primary controller40and/or the secondary controller50. The first switch32and/or the second switch34may be connected to a first analog to digital (A/D) converter60and/or a second A/D converter62, respectively. The first A/D converter60and/or the second A/D converter62may be disposed in and/or outside of the primary controller40. When the primary controller40is in the second state, the primary controller40may receive analog data from the first switch32and/or the second switch34. The A/D converters60,62may convert the analog data into digital data, and/or the digital data may be used by the primary controller40to command the one or motors28(e.g., speed, direction, etc.).

With embodiments, such as generally illustrated inFIGS.2,3A,3B, and3C, the secondary controller50may determine whether to activate/turn on the primary controller40(e.g., the second state) based on a return signal from the switch assembly30. A first input52and/or a second input54of the secondary controller50may be digital inputs and/or may include thresholds to which received signals (e.g., return signals from the switch assembly30) may be compared and/or at which received signals may be recognized. For example and without limitation, the first input52and/or the second input54of the secondary controller50may include a first/high threshold of about 60% of the monitoring signal and/or a second/low threshold of about 40% of the monitoring signal. The monitoring signals may include a voltage of about 1 V, which may correspond to the first threshold equaling about 0.6 V and the second threshold equaling about 0.4 V. If a signal received at the secondary controller inputs52,54are at or above the first/high threshold, the inputs52,54may recognize the signal as in a high state, which may correspond to a value of 1. If a signal received at the secondary controller inputs52,54are at or below the second/low threshold, the inputs52,54may recognize the signal as in a lower state, which correspond to a value of 0.

In embodiments, if a switch32,34is in a first position, the return signal may be at or above the first threshold (e.g., at least 60% of the monitoring signal), the secondary controller50may recognize the return signal as a high signal, and/or may store the first value as the current status/state of the switch32,34. If a switch32,34is in a second position or a third position, the return signal may be at or below the second threshold (e.g., 40% of the monitoring signal of less), the secondary controller50may recognize the return signal as a low signal, and/or may store the second value as the current status/state of the switch32,34.

With embodiments, the secondary controller50may continue to monitor the switch assembly30, which may include continuing to provide one or more monitoring signals (e.g., cyclic/periodic signals and/or non-cyclic signals) to the switch assembly30and storing the status/state of one or more switches32,34. If the return signal from a switch32,34corresponds to a different status/state than the previously stored status/state, the secondary controller50may determine that the corresponding switch32,34has changed states. The secondary controller50may provide an indication of the change to the primary controller40and/or, if the change was from a first position to a second position or third position, the secondary controller50may activate the primary controller40. Once activated, the primary controller40may control movement of a seat22according to the position of the switch32,34. If the primary controller40receives an indication from the secondary controller50that some or all switches32,34are in the first position, the primary controller40may instruct the secondary controller50to turn of the primary controller40.

With embodiments, the first switch32and/or the second switch34may include resistors R2, R3, R4. The resistances of the resistors R2, R3, R4may correspond to the return signal provided by the switch32,34. The electrical assembly20may include a first output resistor R1A, a second output resistor R5B, a first input resistor R5A, and/or a second input resistor R5B. The first output resistor R1Aand/or the second output resistor R1Bmay be referred to generally as R1. The first input resistor R5Aand/or the second input resistor R5Bmay be referred to generally as R5. The first output resistor R1may be connected to the first output56of the secondary controller50and the input32B of the first switch32. The first input resistor R5may be connected to the output32A of the first switch32and the first input52of the secondary controller50. The second output resistor R1may be connected to the second output58of the secondary controller50and the input34B of the second switch34. The second input resistor R5may be connected to the second input54of the secondary controller50and the output34A of the second switch34.

In embodiments, the digital inputs52,54of the secondary controller50may be sensitive to current and/or voltage. If the first input52and/or the second input54of the secondary controller50are current sensitive, the first input resistor R5and the second input resistor R5may be configured to make the return signal compatible with and/or recognizable by the first input52and the second input54, respectively. For example and without limitation, the first input resistor R5and/or the second input resistor R5may each have a resistance of about 5.9 kΩ or more or less.

With embodiments, the output resistors R1, which may be referred to as match resistors R1, may be configured to provide respective resistances for the electrical assembly20to facilitate recognition of analog return signals by digital inputs52,54of the secondary controller50. For example and without limitation, an output resistor R1may provide a resistance such when a switch32,34is in the first position, the return signal is at or above the first threshold and such that when the switch32,34is in the second position or the third position, the return signal is at or below the second threshold. For example and without limitation, the first output resistor R1and/or the second output resistor R1may be about 6.34 kΩ or more or less.

In embodiments, such as generally illustrated inFIGS.4A,4B, and4Cthe position of the first switch32and/or the second switch34may change the overall resistance, current, and/or voltage of the electrical assembly20. When the switch32,34is in the first position, an example of a resulting circuit is generally illustrated inFIG.4A. When the switch32,34is in the second position, an example of a resulting circuit is generally illustrated inFIG.4B. When the switch32,34is in the third position, an example of a resulting circuit is generally illustrated inFIG.4C. Exemplary values of the resistors R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6are provided, for illustrative purposes only, in Table 1. Resistor R6may be configured as a pull down resistor and/or may be included with the secondary controller50. The resulting voltage percentages V1, V2, V3of the return signal when the switch32,34is in the first position, the second position, and the third position of the switch may be represented by Equations 1, 2, and 3, respectively, with embodiments.

V1=VV⁢R⁢1⁡(R⁢S⁢1⁢R⁢5R⁢1+R⁢S⁢1⁢R⁢5×R⁢6R⁢5+R⁢6)Eq.⁢1V2=VV⁢R⁢1⁡(R⁢S⁢2⁢R⁢5R⁢1+R⁢S⁢2⁢R⁢5×R⁢6R⁢5+R⁢6)Eq.⁢2V3=VV⁢R⁢1⁡(R⁢2⁢R⁢5R⁢1+R⁢2⁢R⁢5×R⁢6R⁢5+R⁢6)Eq.⁢3

In embodiments, the resistances be selected such that Equation 1 results in a value greater than or equal to the first threshold (e.g., 0.6), and Equation 2 and Equation 3 result in values less than or equal to the second threshold (e.g., 0.4).

TABLE 1SymbolNameMin.Typ.Max.UnitV_VR1111VR1R16149.863406530.2OhmsR2R21231.912701308.1OhmsR3R32851.829403028.2OhmsR4R48196.584508703.5OhmsR5R5 --- SBC572359006077OhmsCurrent LimitR6R6 --- SBC100000270000450000OhmsPull DownRS1R2 + R3 + R412280.21266013039.8OhmsRS2R2 + R34083.742104336.3OhmsR5 +R5 + R6105723275900456077OhmsR6RS1R5(1/((1/R5 + R6) +110021210512677Ohms(1/(R2 + R3 + R4))))RS2R5(1/((1/R5 + R6) +393241474295Ohms(1/(R2 + R3))))R2R5(1/((1/R5 + R6) +121812641304Ohms(1/(R2))))

In embodiments, the switch assembly30may be connected to the secondary controller50without an analog-to-digital converter. For example and without limitation, the resistors R2, R3, R4of the switch assembly30, the output resistors R1, and/or the input resistors R2may be configured to be used instead of or to replace such converters.

With embodiments, a method of operating an electrical assembly20may include providing a primary controller40, a secondary controller50, and/or a switch assembly30. The method may include sending a monitoring signal (e.g., cyclic output) to a first switch32of the switch assembly30, and/or receiving, at a digital input52,54of the secondary controller50, a return signal from the switch32. The method may include the secondary controller50determining whether the position of the first switch32has changed (e.g., between a first position, a second position, and/or a third position). Determining whether the position of the first switch32changed may include storing a first value corresponding to a first return signal, storing a second value corresponding to a second return signal, and determining that the position has changed if the first value and the second value are different. The method may include the secondary controller50controlling the primary controller40. Controlling the primary controller40may include activating/turning on the primary controller40, such as by connecting a power source38of the secondary controller50to the primary controller40if the first switch32changes from the first position to the second position or the third position. Controlling the primary controller40may include the secondary controller50receiving a signal from the primary controller40to disconnect the power source38from the primary controller40(or activate a low power mode of the primary controller40). The secondary controller50may disconnect the power source38from the primary controller40when the first switch32is in the first position. The method may include the primary controller40receiving an analog signal from the first switch32and/or converting the analog signal into a digital signal/value. The digital value may correspond to a direction and/or amount of seat movement.

With embodiments, a primary controller40of an electrical assembly20may include both an analog input and a digital input, and/or an input that may be switched between analog and digital modes. With such embodiments, the primary controller40may be configured to perform the same or similar functions as a secondary controller50, and/or an electrical assembly20may not include a secondary controller50.

It should be understood that while embodiments of electrical assemblies20may be described herein in connection with a vehicle seat22for illustrative purposes, electrical assemblies20may be utilized in connection with other applications, including applications that do not involve vehicles or seats.

In embodiments, a controller (e.g., the primary controller40and/or the secondary controller50) may include an electronic controller and/or include an electronic processor, such as a programmable microprocessor and/or microcontroller. In embodiments, a controller may include, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). A controller may include a central processing unit (CPU), a memory (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium), and/or an input/output (I/O) interface. A controller may be configured to perform various functions, including those described in greater detail herein, with appropriate programming instructions and/or code embodied in software, hardware, and/or other medium. In embodiments, a controller may include a plurality of controllers. In embodiments, a controller may be connected to a display, such as a touchscreen display.

Various embodiments are described herein for various apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “with embodiments,” “in embodiments,” or “an embodiment,” or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment/example may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features, structures, functions, and/or characteristics of one or more other embodiments/examples without limitation given that such combination is not illogical or non-functional. Moreover, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof.

It should be understood that references to a single element are not necessarily so limited and may include one or more of such element. Any directional references (e.g., plus, minus, upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present disclosure, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of embodiments.

Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily imply that two elements are directly connected/coupled and in fixed relation to each other. The use of “e.g.” in the specification is to be construed broadly and is used to provide non-limiting examples of embodiments of the disclosure, and the disclosure is not limited to such examples. Uses of “and” and “or” are to be construed broadly (e.g., to be treated as “and/or”). For example and without limitation, uses of “and” do not necessarily require all elements or features listed, and uses of “or” are intended to be inclusive unless such a construction would be illogical.

While processes, systems, and methods may be described herein in connection with one or more steps in a particular sequence, it should be understood that such methods may be practiced with the steps in a different order, with certain steps performed simultaneously, with additional steps, and/or with certain described steps omitted.

It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the present disclosure.

It should be understood that a controller, a system, and/or a processor as described herein may include a conventional processing apparatus known in the art, which may be capable of executing preprogrammed instructions stored in an associated memory, all performing in accordance with the functionality described herein. To the extent that the methods described herein are embodied in software, the resulting software can be stored in an associated memory and can also constitute means for performing such methods. Such a system or processor may further be of the type having both ROM, RAM, a combination of non-volatile and volatile memory so that any software may be stored and yet allow storage and processing of dynamically produced data and/or signals.

It should be further understood that an article of manufacture in accordance with this disclosure may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having a computer program encoded thereon for implementing logic and other functionality described herein. The computer program may include code to perform one or more of the methods disclosed herein. Such embodiments may be configured to execute one or more processors, multiple processors that are integrated into a single system or are distributed over and connected together through a communications network, and/or where the network may be wired or wireless. Code for implementing one or more of the features described in connection with one or more embodiments may, when executed by a processor, cause a plurality of transistors to change from a first state to a second state. A specific pattern of change (e.g., which transistors change state and which transistors do not), may be dictated, at least partially, by the logic and/or code.