PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11214180-B1
Application Number: US-202016914711-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Vehicle seat with reclining mechanism

Abstract:
A vehicle seat includes a seat back, a seat base, a base structure that is connected to the seat base, a guide structure, and a primary pivot joint that connects the guide structure to the base structure so that the guide structure is able to rotate with respect to the base structure to change a recline angle of the seat back with respect to the seat base. The vehicle seat also includes a slide structure that is connected to the seat back and has a sliding connection to the guide structure, and a link that connects the seat back to the seat base so that the slide structure slides with respect to the guide structure during rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A vehicle seat, comprising:
 a seat back; 
 a seat base; 
 a base structure that is fixed to the seat base; 
 a guide structure; 
 a primary pivot joint that is directly connected to the base structure and is directly connected to the guide structure to connect the guide structure to the base structure so that the guide structure is able to rotate with respect to the base structure to change a recline angle of the seat back with respect to the seat base; 
 a slide structure that is connected to the seat back and has a sliding connection to the guide structure; and 
 a link that connects the seat back to the seat base so that the slide structure slides with respect to the guide structure during rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The vehicle seat of  claim 1 , wherein the base structure is fixed to the seat base. 
     
     
       3. The vehicle seat of  claim 1 , wherein the slide structure is fixed to the seat back. 
     
     
       4. The vehicle seat of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an electric actuator that is operable to change the recline angle of the seat back with respect to the seat base. 
 
     
     
       5. The vehicle seat of  claim 4 , wherein the electric actuator is a rotational electric actuator that is able to cause rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure. 
     
     
       6. The vehicle seat of  claim 4 , wherein the actuator is a linear electric actuator that is able to cause sliding of the slide structure with respect to the guide structure. 
     
     
       7. The vehicle seat of  claim 1 , wherein the link is pivotally connected to the seat base and the link is pivotally connected to the seat back. 
     
     
       8. The vehicle seat of  claim 7 , wherein the pivotal connection of the link to the seat base includes a first pivot link joint that directly connects the link to the base structure and the pivotal connection of the link to the seat back includes a second pivot link joint that directly connects the link to the slide structure. 
     
     
       9. The vehicle seat of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a slide adjuster, wherein the pivotal connection of the link to the seat base includes a first pivot link joint that is directly connected to the slide adjuster and is connected to the base structure by the slide adjuster so that the slide adjuster is operable to change a position of the first pivot link joint with respect to the base structure, and the pivotal connection of the link to the seat back includes a second pivot link joint that directly connects the link to the slide structure. 
 
     
     
       10. The vehicle seat of  claim 1 , wherein the guide structure includes a slot and the slide structure includes a rail that is disposed in the slot. 
     
     
       11. The vehicle seat of  claim 1 , wherein the slide structure includes a slot and the guide structure includes a rail that is disposed in the slot. 
     
     
       12. A vehicle seat, comprising:
 a seat back; 
 a seat base; 
 a base structure that is fixed to the seat base; 
 a guide structure; 
 a primary pivot joint that connects the guide structure to the base structure so that the guide structure is able to rotate with respect to the base structure to change a recline angle of the seat back with respect to the seat base; 
 a slide structure that is fixed to the seat back and has a sliding connection to the guide structure; 
 an actuator that is connected to the base structure and is operable to cause rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure; and 
 a link that is pivotally connected to the base structure by a first pivot link joint at a first location that is fixed with respect to the base structure and the link and is pivotally connected to the slide structure by a second pivot link joint at a second location that is fixed with respect to the slide structure and the link so that the slide structure slides with respect to the guide structure in response to rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure. 
 
     
     
       13. The vehicle seat of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 a slide adjuster that is operable to change a position of the first pivot link joint with respect to the base structure. 
 
     
     
       14. The vehicle seat of  claim 12 , wherein the guide structure includes a slot and the slide structure includes a rail that is disposed in the slot. 
     
     
       15. The vehicle seat of  claim 12 , wherein the slide structure includes a slot and the guide structure includes a rail that is disposed in the slot. 
     
     
       16. A vehicle seat, comprising:
 a seat back; 
 a seat base; 
 a base structure that is fixed to the seat base; 
 a guide structure; 
 a primary pivot joint that connects the guide structure to the base structure so that the guide structure is able to rotate with respect to the base structure to change a recline angle of the seat back with respect to the seat base; 
 a slide structure that is fixed to the seat back and has a sliding connection to the guide structure; 
 a first electric actuator that is operable to cause rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure; and 
 a second electric actuator that is operable to cause sliding of the slide structure with respect to the guide structure. 
 
     
     
       17. The vehicle seat of  claim 16 , wherein the first electric actuator is a rotational electric actuator and the second electric actuator is a linear electric actuator. 
     
     
       18. The vehicle seat of  claim 16 , wherein the guide structure includes a slot and the slide structure includes a rail that is disposed in the slot. 
     
     
       19. The vehicle seat of  claim 16 , wherein the slide structure includes a slot and the guide structure includes a rail that is disposed in the slot. 
     
     
       20. The vehicle seat of  claim 16 , wherein the first electric actuator is fixed to the base structure and the second electric actuator is fixed to the guide structure. 
     
     
       21. The vehicle seat of  claim 16 , wherein the second electric actuator is a rotational electric actuator that is fixed to the guide structure. 
     
     
       22. The vehicle seat of  claim 16 , wherein the first electric actuator and the second electric actuator are independently controlled.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/904,261, filed on Sep. 23, 2019, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The application relates generally to seats for vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Vehicle seats are often two-part structures that include a seat base and a seat back that extends upward from the seat base. The seat back is often connected to the seat base by a reclining mechanism that allows the seat back to pivot with respect to the seat base. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle seat includes a seat back, a seat base, a base structure that is connected to the seat base, a guide structure, and a primary pivot joint that connects the guide structure to the base structure so that the guide structure is able to rotate with respect to the base structure to change a recline angle of the seat back with respect to the seat base. The vehicle seat also includes a slide structure that is connected to the seat back and has a sliding connection to the guide structure, and a link that connects the seat back to the seat base so that the slide structure slides with respect to the guide structure during rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle seat that includes a seat back, a seat base, a base structure that is fixed to the seat base, a guide structure, and a primary pivot joint that connects the guide structure to the base structure so that the guide structure is able to rotate with respect to the base structure to change a recline angle of the seat back with respect to the seat base. The vehicle seat also includes a slide structure that is fixed to the seat back and has a sliding connection to the guide structure, an actuator that is connected to the base structure and is operable to cause rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure, and a link. The link is pivotally connected to the base structure by a first pivot link joint and is pivotally connected to the slide structure by a second pivot link joint so that the slide structure slides with respect to the guide structure in response to rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle seat that includes a seat back, a seat base, a base structure that is fixed to the seat base, a guide structure, a primary pivot joint that connects the guide structure to the base structure so that the guide structure is able to rotate with respect to the base structure to change a recline angle of the seat back with respect to the seat base, a slide structure that is fixed to the seat back and has a sliding connection to the guide structure, a first actuator that is operable to cause rotation of the guide structure with respect to the base structure, and a second actuator that is operable to cause sliding of the slide structure with respect to the guide structure. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure is a vehicle seat that includes a seat back, a seat base, a first link that is connected to the seat back and to the seat base, and a second link that is connected to the seat back and to the seat base wherein the first link and the second link cooperate to allow rotation of the seat back with respect to the seat base. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration that shows a vehicle seat according to a first implementation that includes a seat base, a seat back, and a reclining mechanism that includes a left joint assembly and a right joint assembly. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view illustration of the left joint assembly of the reclining mechanism of the vehicle seat. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-section illustration showing connection of a guide structure of the reclining mechanism to a slide structure of the reclining mechanism and to the seat back of the vehicle seat. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-section illustration showing connection of a guide structure of the reclining mechanism to a slide structure of the reclining mechanism and to the seat back of the vehicle seat according to an alternative implementation. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view illustration that shows the vehicle seat in an upright position. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view illustration that shows the vehicle seat in a reclined position. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view illustration that shows a slide adjuster that is operable to change the amount of sliding that occurs during rotation of the seat back relative to the seat base. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view illustration that shows the vehicle seat with an actuator according to a first alternative actuation implementation. 
         FIG. 9  is a side view illustration that shows the vehicle seat with an actuator according to a second alternative actuation implementation. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view illustration of a vehicle seat according to a second implementation that includes a left joint assembly of a reclining mechanism of the vehicle seat in an upright position. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view illustration of a vehicle seat according to a second implementation that includes a left joint assembly of a reclining mechanism of the vehicle seat in a reclined position. 
         FIG. 12  is a block diagram of a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reclining mechanisms in vehicle seats typically allow the seat back to pivot with respect to the seat base around a pivot joint at which a frame member of the seat back is pivotally connected to a frame member of the seat base. The recline angle of the seat back relative to the seat base may be adjusted using the reclining mechanism while a person, referred to herein as a passenger or a seat occupant, is sitting in the seat. During adjustment of the recline angle, the passenger&#39;s upper body rotates with respect to their lower body, typically around a point near the passenger&#39;s pelvis. Because this point is not aligned with the pivot point around which the seat back rotates, the passenger&#39;s back will slide with respect to the seat back. 
     The description herein relates to vehicle seats that include reclining mechanisms that include pivoting motion and sliding motion of the seat back with respect to the seat base. The vehicle seats that are described herein are configured to reduce the distance by which the passenger&#39;s back slides with respect to the seat back during adjustment of the recline angle of the seat back relative to the seat base. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration that shows a vehicle seat  100 . The vehicle seat  100  includes a seat base  102 , a seat back  104 , and a reclining mechanism  106  that includes a left joint assembly  108   a  and a right joint assembly  108   b . The vehicle seat  100  is supported with respect to a vehicle floor  110  of a vehicle (not shown in  FIG. 1 ) by support structures  111 , such as a one or more frame members that connect the seat base  102  to the vehicle floor  110  and may include adjustment mechanisms that allow adjustment of, as examples, a longitudinal (front-to-rear) position of the seat base  102  with respect to the vehicle floor  110  and a pitch angle of the seat base  102  with respect to the vehicle floor  110 . 
     The vehicle seat  100  is intended to be used by a passenger who is travelling in the vehicle. The passenger may sit in the vehicle seat  100  and may adjust portions of the vehicle seat  100  to a comfortable seating position, which will be dependent on the size and proportions of the passenger&#39;s body, as well as personal preferences. As an example, the passenger may adjust a recline angle of the vehicle seat  100 . With respect to the vehicle seat  100 , the recline angle is defined as the angle of the seat back  104  with respect to the seat base  102  relative to an axis that extends laterally in a side-to-side direction relative to the vehicle seat  100 ). 
     The vehicle that the vehicle seat  100  is installed in may be a vehicle of any type. As one example, the vehicle that the vehicle seat  100  is installed in may be a road-going passenger vehicle, such as a car, a truck or a bus. As another example, the vehicle that the vehicle seat  100  is installed in may be a train. As another example, the vehicle that the vehicle seat  100  is installed in may be a passenger aircraft. 
     The seat base  102  is a lower portion of the vehicle seat  100  that is intended to and configured to support the passenger&#39;s lower body. The seat base  102  may be of any type and materials. As an example, the seat base  102  may be of a conventional construction that includes a frame, cushions that are supported by the frame, and a cover (e.g., one or more flexible and or rigid cover parts) that extends over the frame and the cushions. 
     The seat back  104  is an upper portion of the vehicle seat  100  that is intended to and configured to support the passenger&#39;s upper body. The seat back  104  may be of any type and materials. As an example, the seat back  104  may be of a conventional construction that includes a frame, cushions that are supported by the frame, and a cover (e.g., one or more flexible and or rigid cover parts) that extends over the frame and the cushions. 
     The reclining mechanism  106  allows the seat back  104  to be pivoted to the seat base  102  to define various recline angles of the seat back  104  relative to the seat base  102 . In the description herein, a recline angle of zero degrees is defined as a fully upright position of the seat back  104  relative to the seat base  102  in which the seat back  104  extends perpendicular to the surface of the seat base  102 . Thus, the recline angle of zero degrees is a position in which the seat back  104  is not reclined relative to the seat base  102 . In the description herein, a recline angle of 90 degrees corresponds to the seat back  104  extending approximately parallel to the seat base  102 . 
     The reclining mechanism  106  is configured to allow the recline angle to be varied between a minimum recline angle and a maximum recline angle. As an example, the minimum recline angle may be between zero degrees and fifteen. The maximum recline angle may be at least sixty degrees. In an example of an implementation of the reclining mechanism  106 , the minimum recline angle may be ten degrees and the maximum recline angle may be eighty degrees. 
     Although not shown, the reclining mechanism  106  may include a locking structure that moves between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the reclining mechanism  106  restrains adjustment of the recline angle and the seat back  104  cannot be pivoted with respect to the seat base. In the unlocked position, the reclining mechanism  106  does not restrain adjustment of the recline angle and the seat back  104  may be pivoted with respect to the seat base  102 . 
     In the illustrated example, the reclining mechanism includes the left joint assembly  108   a  and the right joint assembly  108   b . The left joint assembly  108   a  and the right joint assembly  108   b  may be configured similarly (e.g., as mirror images with equivalent components) and any description made herein with respect to one or the left joint assembly  108   a  or the right joint assembly  108   b  is applicable to the other. 
     The left joint assembly  108   a  is connected to the left side of the seat base  102  and is connected to the left side of the seat back  104 . The right joint assembly  108   b  is connected to the right side of the seat base  102  and is connected to right left side of the seat back  104 . As will be explained herein, the left joint assembly  108   a  and the right joint assembly  108   b  each include a pivot joint to allow pivoting of the seat back  104  with respect to the seat base  102 . By allowing pivoting of the seat back  104  with respect to the seat base  102 , the left joint assembly  108   a  and the right joint assembly  108   b  cause the recline angle of the vehicle seat  100  to change and therefore allow the recline angle of the vehicle seat  100  to be adjusted between the minimum recline angle and the maximum recline angle. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view illustration the left joint assembly  108   a  of the reclining mechanism  106  of the vehicle seat  100 . The right joint assembly  108   b  is equivalent to the left joint assembly  108   a  and may be implemented using the same structural configuration and so that it functions in the same manner as the left joint assembly  108   a , as will be described herein. 
     The left joint assembly  108   a  includes a base structure  212 , a guide structure  214 , a primary pivot joint  216 , a slide structure  218 , a link  220 , and an actuator  222 . 
     The base structure  212  is connected to the seat base  102 . The base structure  212  may be connected to the seat base in a fixed positional relationship so that the base structure  212  is not able to move with respect to the seat base  102 , as in the illustrated example. The base structure  212  may be a bracket, a portion of the seat frame of the seat base  102 , or any other rigid structure that is connected to the seat base  102  and is connectable to other components of the left joint assembly  108   a  as will be described. 
     The guide structure  214  is a rigid structure that is connected to the base structure  212  and is connected to the slide structure  218 . The guide structure  214  is an intermediate component between the seat base  102  and the seat back  104  that, along with other components, defines a pivoting and sliding relationship of the seat back  104  relative to the seat base  102 . The guide structure  214  has a pivoting connection with respect to the seat base  102  and the base structure  212 . The guide structure  214  is connected to seat back  104  by the slide structure  218  so that the slide structure  218  and the seat back  104  pivot with the guide structure  214 . At the same time, the guide structure has a sliding connection to the slide structure and the seat back  104  that allows the seat back  104  to slide with respect to the guide structure  214  during pivoting of the seat back  104  with respect to the seat base  102 . 
     The guide structure  214  is connected to the base structure  212  by a primary pivot joint  216 . The primary pivot joint  216  is oriented to allow rotation of the guide structure  214  with respect to the base structure  212 . Rotation of the guide structure  214  with respect to the base structure  212  occurs with respect to an axis that is defined by the primary pivot joint  216  and extends laterally in a side-to-side direction with respect to the vehicle seat  100 . The rotation axis that is defined by the primary pivot joint  216  is further defined by the equivalent pivot joint of the right joint assembly  108   b , and thus the axis may extend through the pivot joints of the left joint assembly  108   a  and the right joint assembly  108   b.    
     The slide structure  218  is connected to the seat back  104  in a fixed manner. Because of the fixed connection of the slide structure  218  to the seat back  104 , the slide structure  218  and the seat back  104  slide in unison with respect to the guide structure  214 , and the slide structure  218 , the seat back  104 , and the guide structure  214  pivot in unison with respect to the base structure  212  and the seat base  102 . 
     The link  220  of the left joint assembly  108   a  is connected to the seat back  104  and is connected to the seat base  102  in order to cause sliding motion of the seat back  104  with respect to the guide structure  214  in response to pivoting of the seat back  104  with respect to the seat base  102 . In the illustrated example, the link  220  is a rigid member that is connected to a lower end of the slide structure  218  by a first pivot link joint  224  and is connected to the base structure  212  by a second pivot link joint  226 . During rotation of the seat back  104  relative to the seat base  102 , the link  220  constrains motion of the seat back  104 , which causes sliding of the seat back  104  at the sliding joint between the slide structure  218  (which is fixed to the seat back  104 ) and the guide structure  214  (which is pivotally connected to the seat base  102  by the primary pivot joint  216  and the base structure  212 ). 
     The actuator  222  is configured to cause pivoting motion of the seat back  104  with respect to the seat base  102 . The actuator  222  may be connected to the primary pivot joint  216  in order to cause pivoting motion of the seat back  104  with respect to the seat base  102 . As an example, the actuator  222  may be a rotational actuator that includes a rotary electric motor and associated components (e.g., a gear box and/or a position encoder), with the rotary electric motor having a housing that is fixedly connected to one of the base structure  212  or the guide structure  214  and a rotational output shaft that is connected to the other of the base structure  212  and the guide structure  214  through the primary pivot joint  216  or through another operative connection to cause the guide structure  214  to rotate with respect to the base structure. 
     It should be understood that the actuator  222  is an example of actuation that is operable to cause movement of the seat back  104  of the vehicle seat  100  with respect to the seat base  102  of the vehicle seat  100  in order to change the recline angle. Other types of actuators may be used as the actuator  222  and/or the location and mode of operation of the actuator  222  may be changed. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-section illustration showing connection of the guide structure  214  to the slide structure  218  and the seat back  104 . In the illustrated example, the guide structure  214  includes a slot  328  and the slide structure  218  includes a rail  330 . The rail  330  is disposed in the slot  328  that is formed in the guide structure  214 . The guide structure  214  also includes bearings  332  (e.g., roller bearings) that are engageable with the rail  330  to allow for smooth movement of the rail  330  with respect to the slot  328 . The slot  328  of the guide structure  214  is elongate and extends generally in the same direction as the rail  330  of the slide structure  218 . The slot  328  of the guide structure  214  has a cross-section that is complementary to the cross-section of the rail  330  of the slide structure  218 . In the illustrated example, the slot  328  of the guide structure  214  and the rail  330  of the slide structure  218  have complementary T-shaped cross-sections. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-section illustration showing connection of the guide structure  214  to the slide structure  218  and the seat back  104  according to an alternative implementation. In the illustrated example, the guide structure  214  includes a rail  428  and the slide structure  218  includes a slot  430 . The rail  428  of the guide structure  214  is disposed in the slot  430  of the slide structure  218 , which is formed in the seat back  104  or in a separate component. The guide structure  214  also includes bearings  432  (e.g., roller bearings) that are engageable with the slot  430  to allow for smooth movement of the rail  428  with respect to the slot  430 . The rail  428  of the guide structure  214  is elongate and extends generally in the same direction as the slot  430  of the slide structure  218 . The rail  428  of the guide structure  214  has a cross-section that is complementary to the cross-section of the slot  430  of the slide structure  218 . In the illustrated example, the rail  428  of the guide structure  214  and the slot  430  of the slide structure  218  have complementary T-shaped cross-sections. 
       FIG. 5  is a side view illustration that shows the vehicle seat  100  in an upright position.  FIG. 6  is a side view illustration that shows the vehicle seat  100  in a reclined position. In the illustrated example of the upright position ( FIG. 5 ) of the vehicle seat  100  and in the illustrated example of the reclined position ( FIG. 6 ) of the vehicle seat  100 , the seat base  102  has an inclination angle or approximately ten degrees relative to horizontal. In the illustrated example of the upright position ( FIG. 5 ) of the vehicle seat  100 , the seat back  104  has a recline angle of approximately ten degrees relative to the seat base  102 . In the illustrated example of the reclined position ( FIG. 6 ) of the vehicle seat  100 , the seat back  104  has a recline angle of approximately sixty degrees relative to the seat base  102 . 
     The actuator  222  can be activated to change the recline angle of the seat back  104  with respect to the seat base  102 . In this example, the actuator  222  is fixed with respect to the base structure  212  and is connected to the primary pivot joint  216  so that the actuator is able to cause rotation of the guide structure  214 . 
     As the guide structure  214  rotates toward the maximum recline angle (i.e., as the recline angle increases) in response to rotational force applied by the actuator  222 , the guide structure  214  pivots in a clockwise direction. The connection of the guide structure  214  to the slide structure  218  causes the slide structure  218  and the seat back to rotate with the guide structure  214  as the guide structure  214  pivots in the clockwise direction. As the guide structure  214  rotates toward the maximum recline position, the guide structure  214  constrains the rotational angle of the slide structure  218 . Since the slide structure  218  is fixed to the seat back  104 , the seat back  104  also rotates with the guide structure  214 . At the same time, the guide structure  214  allows sliding of the slide structure  218 . Because the link  220  connects the slide structure  218  (directly or through the seat back  104 ) to the base structure  212  (directly or through the seat base  102 ) motion of the slide structure  218  is constrained in a manner that induces sliding of the slide structure  218  and the seat back  104  downward relative to the guide structure  214 . The link  220  does not constrain rotation of the guide structure  214  with respect to the base structure  212  between the minimum recline angle and the maximum recline angle because of the pivotal connections of the link  220  to the base structure  212  at the first pivot link joint  224  and to the slide structure  218  at the second pivot link joint  226 . 
     As the guide structure  214  rotates toward the minimum recline angle (i.e., as the recline angle increases) in response to rotational force applied by the actuator  222 , the guide structure  214  pivots in a counterclockwise direction. The connection of the guide structure  214  to the slide structure  218  causes the slide structure  218  and the seat back to rotate with the guide structure  214  as the guide structure  214  pivots in the counterclockwise direction. As the guide structure  214  rotates from the upright position to the reclined position, the guide structure  214  constrains the rotational angle of the slide structure  218 . Since the slide structure  218  is fixed to the seat back  104 , the seat back  104  also rotates with the guide structure  214 . At the same time, the guide structure  214  allows sliding of the slide structure  218 . Because the link  220  connects the slide structure  218  (directly or through the seat back  104 ) to the base structure  212  (directly or through the seat base  102 ) motion of the slide structure  218  is constrained in a manner that induces sliding of the slide structure  218  and the seat back  104  upward relative to the guide structure  214 . The link  220  does not constrain rotation of the guide structure  214  with respect to the base structure  212  between the minimum recline angle and the maximum recline angle because of the pivotal connections of the link  220  to the base structure  212  at the first pivot link joint  224  and to the slide structure  218  at the second pivot link joint  226 . 
       FIG. 7  is a side view illustration that shows a slide adjuster  734  that is operable to change the amount of sliding that occurs during rotation of the seat back  104  relative to the seat base  102 . The slide adjuster  734  is connected to the base structure  212  and is operable to change the location of the first pivot link joint  224  with respect to the base structure  212 . Since the first pivot link joint  224  connects the link  220  to the base structure  212 , moving the location of the first pivot link joint  224  changes the amount of sliding that occurs in response to rotation. In the illustrated example, the slide adjuster includes an adjustment motor  735  having an output shaft  736  that rotates a crank  737 . The first pivot link joint  224  is connected to the crank  737  and is eccentrically mounted with respect to the output shaft  736 . Thus, when the adjustment motor  735  rotates the output shaft  736 , the position of the first pivot link joint  224  changes (e.g., at least between a first position and a second position or continuously between a first end limit and a second end limit). 
       FIG. 8  is a side view illustration that shows the vehicle seat  100  with an actuator  822  according to a first alternative actuation implementation. The vehicle seat  100  is consistent with the previous description except as stated herein, and like-numbered parts are implemented in accordance with the previous description. The actuator  222  of the vehicle seat  100  is omitted in lieu of the actuator  822 . The actuator  822  is connected to the guide structure  214  and is operable to cause sliding of the slide structure  218  with respect to the guide structure  214 . Sliding of the slide structure  218  with respect to the guide structure  214  drives rotation of the guide structure  214  with respect to the base structure  212  through the link  220 . As one example, the actuator  822  may be a linear actuator that includes a linear electric motor that causes sliding motion of the slide structure  218  with respect to the guide structure  214  by interaction of electromagnets located in the guide structure  214  with magnets located in the slide structure  218 . As another example, the actuator  822  may be a rotational electric motor that is fixed to the guide structure  214  and is operable to drive sliding of the slide structure  218  with respect to the guide structure  214 , such as by a gear wheel connected to the electric rotational motor and a gear track that is connected to the slide structure  218 . 
       FIG. 9  is a side view illustration that shows the vehicle seat  100  with an actuator  922  according to a second alternative actuation implementation. The vehicle seat  100  is consistent with the previous description except as stated herein, and like-numbered parts are implemented in accordance with the previous description. The link  220  of the vehicle seat  100  is omitted. The actuator  922  is connected to the guide structure  214  and is operable to cause sliding of the slide structure  218  with respect to the guide structure  214  in the manner described with respect to the actuator  822 . The actuator  222  causes rotation of the guide structure  214  with respect to the base structure  212 . The actuator  922  and the actuator  222  are independently controlled. Sliding and rotation are not dependent on one another due to the omission of the link  220 . 
       FIG. 10  is a side view illustration of a left joint assembly  1008   a  of a reclining mechanism  1006  of a vehicle seat  1000  in an upright position.  FIG. 11  is a side view illustration of a left joint assembly  1008   a  of a reclining mechanism  1006  of a vehicle seat  1000  in a reclined position. The right joint assembly (not shown) is equivalent to the left joint assembly  1008   a  and may be implemented using the same structural configuration and so that it functions in the same manner as the left joint assembly  1008   a , as will be described herein. 
     The vehicle seat  1000  includes a seat base  1002  and a seat back  1004 , which are implemented in the manner described with respect to the seat base  102  and the seat back  104 . 
     The left joint assembly  1008   a  includes a base structure  1012 , which is similar to the base structure  212  of the vehicle seat  100 . The left joint assembly  1008   a  also includes a back structure  1014 , which is a structure that is fixed to the seat back  1004 . The left joint assembly  1008   a  also includes an actuator  1022 , which in this example is fixed to the back structure  1014 . The base structure  1012  is connected to the back structure  1014  by a first link  1020  and a second link  1021 . The first link  1020  is pivotally connected to the base structure  1012  and to the back structure  1014 . The second link  1021  is pivotally connected to the base structure  1012  and to the back structure  1014 . The pivotal connections of the first link  1020  and the second link  1021  to the base structure  1012  and the back structure  1014  may be implemented in the manner described with respect to the first pivot link joint  224  and the second pivot link joint  226  of the vehicle seat  100 . The actuator  1022  may be connected to the back structure  1014  so that it is able to drive rotation of one of the first link  1020  or the second link  1021 . The first link  1020  and the second link  1021  define a four bar linkage. When the first link  1020  or the second link  1021  are rotated, the back structure  1014  moves along an arc-shaped path with respect to the base structure  1012  to adjust the recline angle of the back structure  1014  and the seat back  1004  with respect to the base structure  1012  and the seat base  1002  ( FIG. 11 ). Thus, the first link  1020  is connected to the seat back  1004  and to the seat base  1002 , the second link  1021  is connected to the seat back  1004  and to the seat base  1002 , and the first link  1020  and the second link  1021  cooperate to allow rotation of the seat back  1004  with respect to the seat base  1002 . 
       FIG. 12  is a block diagram that shows a vehicle  1250  that the vehicle seat  100  may be included in. In addition to the vehicle seat  100 , the vehicle  1250  may include a controller  1252 , sensors  1254 , and actuators  1256 . Other components may be included in the vehicle  1250 . 
     The controller  1252  may be a conventional computing device (e.g., having components such as a processor and a memory) that is provided with computer program instructions that allow the controller  1252  to generate commands that regulate operation of the vehicle  1250 . As an example, the controller  1252  may generate commands to regulate operation of components of the vehicle seat  100 . 
     The commands generated by the controller  1252  may be generated using sensor signals that are generated by the sensors  1254  and are provided to the controller  1252  as inputs. The sensors  1254  may include, as examples, one or more accelerometers that measure motion of the vehicle  1250  and/or various parts of the vehicle  1250 , one or more cameras that monitor conditions around the vehicle  1250 , and/or one or more three-dimensional sensors (e.g., LIDAR, structured light, etc.) that monitor conditions around the vehicle  1250 . 
     The actuators  1256  are conventional. As examples, the actuators  1256  may include a propulsion system, a braking system, a suspension system, and a steering system. 
     The vehicle  1250  may be configured as a conventional road-going vehicle. As examples, the vehicle  1250  may be configured as a passenger car, a utility vehicle, a sport utility vehicle, a truck, a bus, or a trailer. 
     As described above, one aspect of the present technology controlling operation of a vehicle seat, which may include automatic adjustment based on an identity of a passenger. Systems that implement automatic adjustment of the vehicle seat based on the identity of the passenger may gather and use data that is available from various sources to adjust the vehicle seat based on the preferences of the passenger. The present disclosure contemplates that in some instances, this gathered data may include personal information data that uniquely identifies or can be used to contact or locate a specific person. Such personal information data can include demographic data, location-based data, telephone numbers, email addresses, twitter ID&#39;s, home addresses, data or records relating to a user&#39;s health or level of fitness (e.g., vital signs measurements, medication information, exercise information), date of birth, or any other identifying or personal information. As one example, information describing a passenger may be collected and stored in a profile that can be accessed and used to determine seat settings according to a determination of the identity of the person that is sitting in the vehicle seat. As another example, the vehicle may include sensors that are used to control operation of the seat adjustment system, and these sensors may obtain information (e.g., still pictures or video images) that can be used to identify persons that are present in the vehicle or near the vehicle. 
     The present disclosure recognizes that the use of such personal information data, in the present technology, can be used to the benefit of users. For example, the personal information data can be used to develop a user profile that describes seating adjustment preferences under various conditions and at different times of day. 
     The present disclosure contemplates that the entities responsible for the collection, analysis, disclosure, transfer, storage, or other use of such personal information data will comply with well-established privacy policies and/or privacy practices. In particular, such entities should implement and consistently use privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining personal information data private and secure. Such policies should be easily accessible by users and should be updated as the collection and/or use of data changes. Personal information from users should be collected for legitimate and reasonable uses of the entity and not shared or sold outside of those legitimate uses. Further, such collection/sharing should occur after receiving the informed consent of the users. Additionally, such entities should consider taking any needed steps for safeguarding and securing access to such personal information data and ensuring that others with access to the personal information data adhere to their privacy policies and procedures. Further, such entities can subject themselves to evaluation by third parties to certify their adherence to widely accepted privacy policies and practices. In addition, policies and practices should be adapted for the particular types of personal information data being collected and/or accessed and adapted to applicable laws and standards, including jurisdiction-specific considerations. For instance, in the US, collection of or access to certain health data may be governed by federal and/or state laws, such as the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA); whereas health data in other countries may be subject to other regulations and policies and should be handled accordingly. Hence different privacy practices should be maintained for different personal data types in each country. 
     Despite the foregoing, the present disclosure also contemplates embodiments in which users selectively block the use of, or access to, personal information data. That is, the present disclosure contemplates that hardware and/or software elements can be provided to prevent or block access to such personal information data. For example, the present technology can be configured to allow users to select to “opt in” or “opt out” of participation in the collection of personal information data during registration for services or anytime thereafter. In another example, users can select not to provide personal data for use in seat adjustment. In yet another example, users can select to limit the length of time personal data is maintained or entirely prohibit the use and storage of personal data. In addition to providing “opt in” and “opt out” options, the present disclosure contemplates providing notifications relating to the access or use of personal information. For instance, a user may be notified upon downloading an app that their personal information data will be accessed and then reminded again just before personal information data is accessed by the app. 
     Moreover, it is the intent of the present disclosure that personal information data should be managed and handled in a way to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use. Risk can be minimized by limiting the collection of data and deleting data once it is no longer needed. In addition, and when applicable, including in certain health related applications, data de-identification can be used to protect a user&#39;s privacy. De-identification may be facilitated, when appropriate, by removing specific identifiers (e.g., date of birth, etc.), controlling the amount or specificity of data stored (e.g., collecting location data a city level rather than at an address level), controlling how data is stored (e.g., aggregating data across users), and/or other methods. 
     Therefore, although the present disclosure broadly covers use of personal information data to implement one or more various disclosed embodiments, the present disclosure also contemplates that the various embodiments can also be implemented without the need for accessing such personal information data. That is, the various embodiments of the present technology are not rendered inoperable due to the lack of all or a portion of such personal information data.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20200629
Publication Date: 20220104
Grant Date: 20220104
Priority Date: 20190923
Inventors: TARGHI, ALI TAVAKOLI
SATAS, LUKAS
ISAKSSON, PER G.
MONROE, DONALD R.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "B60N2210/22", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2210/24", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0279", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2210/50", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0024", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2210/24", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0273", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/34", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/23", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/2236", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/2236", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2002/0272", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0244", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/02246", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0272", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0272", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0273", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0279", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2/0024", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "B60N2210/50", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 79169640