Method for setting at least one end position in a control unit

Abstract

A method is described for setting at least one end position in a control unit (20) configured to control an actuator (M1, M2) for adjusting a use position of a seat (2), or a part (2A, 2B, 2C) of a seat, of a vehicle; wherein said seat (2), or said part of the seat, is in a given end position (P1) defined by a mechanical abutment (5A). The method comprises: - through a position sensor (S1), detecting said given end position and transmitting to said control unit (20) a signal indicative of said given end position; - through said control unit (20), determining a first end position (P') based on said given end position (P1); - storing in said control unit (20) said determined first end position (P'); - transmitting to said control unit (20) a signal indicative of a work run (L) of said actuator (M1), and through said control unit (20) determining a second end position (P'') based on said work run (L); - storing in said control unit (20) said determined second end position (P'').

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION of the industrial invention titled:

[0002] "Method for setting at least one end position in a control unit" by: Stellantis Europe S.p.A., Italian nationality, corso Giovanni Agnelli, 200 - 10135 Turin TO.

[0003] Designated inventor: POGGI Alessandro.

[0004] Filed on:

[0005] ★ ★★★

[0006] TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

[0007] Field of the invention

[0008] The present invention generally relates to a method for setting at least one end position in a control unit configured to control an actuator for adjusting a use position of a seat, or a part of a seat, of a vehicle.

[0009] As is known, in some categories of motor vehicles, the use positions of the seat and some of its parts can be adjusted through an electromechanical system comprising a series of actuators for moving the seat, or parts of the seat, along a series of adjustment directions and / or according to one or more rotational movements around one or more axes of adjustment.

[0010] Typically, the following can be adjusted:

[0011] - the horizontal position of the seat;

[0012] - the vertical position of the seat;

[0013] - the angle of inclination of the seatback;

[0014] - the angle of inclination of the seat cushion;

[0015] - the length of the seat cushion;

[0016] - the vertical position of the headrest of the seat; and

[0017] - the horizontal position of the headrest of the seat.

[0018] The aforementioned electromechanical system also includes a control unit configured to control the aforementioned actuators and one or more buttons through which the user can command the operation of the same actuators. As part of the vehicle assembly process, it is necessary to set the aforementioned control unit with the end positions provided for the various adjustments of the seat and its parts.

[0019] In known solutions, for each adjustment, the setting of the two end positions is achieved through a method that involves a first movement of the seat (or a part of it), through the actuator, in a first direction and until such movement is stopped by a mechanical abutment configured to define a first end position; subsequently, the method involves a second movement of the seat (or its part), again through the actuator, in the opposite direction and until the seat is stopped by a second mechanical abutment configured to define a second end position.

[0020] The control unit uses the position signals detected at the two stops of the two movements of the seat to identify the two end positions, which are finally stored in the same control unit.

[0021] However, the above-mentioned method suffers from the drawback of requiring long execution times, since, for each adjustment, the seat or a part of it must perform one or more times the entire run provided for the adjustment of its use position.

[0022] In this context, the present invention proposes an improved method compared to the one discussed above, which is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawback.

[0023] In general, the present invention relates to a method according to claim 1 .

[0024] The claims form an integral part of the teaching provided herein.

[0025] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the attached drawings, provided purely by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0026] - Figure 1 schematically represents an example of the method described herein;

[0027] - Figure 2 schematically represents a seat assembly of a vehicle.

[0028] In the following description, various specific details are illustrated aimed at a thorough understanding of the embodiments. The embodiments can be realized without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, or materials, etc. In other cases, known material structures or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring various aspects of the embodiment.

[0029] The references used herein are for convenience only and therefore do not define the scope of protection or the extent of the embodiments.

[0030] Referring to Figure 2, this schematically illustrates a generic seat assembly of a vehicle, comprising a seat 2, formed by a seat cushion 2A, a backrest 2B, and a headrest 2C.

[0031] In a manner known per se, the seat assembly 10 is configured to allow the following adjustment movements:

[0032] - a translational movement of the seat 2 along a horizontal adjustment direction A1 ;

[0033] - a translational movement of the seat 2 along a vertical adjustment direction A2;

[0034] - rotational movement of the backrest 2B around an axis of adjustment A3;

[0035] - rotational movement of the seat cushion 2A around an axis of adjustment A4;

[0036] - a translational movement of the headrest 2C along a horizontal adjustment direction A5;

[0037] - a translational movement of the headrest 2C along a vertical adjustment direction A6.

[0038] In some applications, the seat assembly 10 may also include a part (not shown) of the seat cushion 2A that is horizontally movable to vary the overall length of the same seat cushion.

[0039] The seat assembly 10 further includes a series of actuators M1 -M6 configured to actuate the aforementioned adjustment movements and a corresponding series of position sensors S1 -S6 configured to detect the position of the seat or its parts, along the aforementioned adjustment directions A1 , A2, A5, A6 or around the aforementioned axes of adjustment A3, A4.

[0040] The seat assembly 10 also includes a control unit 20 configured to control the actuators M1 -M6.

[0041] It should be noted that the control unit 20 may be shared with other control systems of which the vehicle is equipped, and therefore it may possibly be located elsewhere in the vehicle relative to the support structure on which the seat 2 is mounted.

[0042] For each adjustment movement, the seat assembly 10 includes two mechanical abutments 5A, 5B, configured to stop the movement of the seat 2 or its part in two opposite end positions R1 , P2 along the respective adjustment direction or around the respective axis of adjustment; for simplicity of representation, in Figure 2 the two mechanical abutments 5A, 5B are illustrated only for the movement of the seat 2 along the adjustment direction A1 .

[0043] The seat assembly 10 can clearly be of any type known in the art and therefore further details with reference to this group will not be provided here, for example in relation to the motion transmission system that operatively connects the actuators M1 -M6 to the seat 2 or its parts 2A, 2B, and 2C, since such aspects are beyond the teachings of the present invention.

[0044] Referring to the example of Figure 2, the method described herein can be used to set in the control unit 20 the two end positions of each adjustment movement indicated above.

[0045] The implementation of the method described herein for setting the two end positions of the translational movement of the seat 2 along the adjustment direction A1 will be described below.

[0046] Firstly, the method provides that the seat 2 is in position P1 , which corresponds to the position where the movement of the seat 2 along the adjustment direction A1 is stopped by the mechanical abutment 5A.

[0047] The method then provides that, through the position sensor S1 , the position P1 where the seat 2 is located is detected and a signal indicative of position P1 is transmitted to the control unit 20 (phase 1 , see Figure 1 ).

[0048] Subsequently, the control unit 20 determines a first end position P’ based on position P1 (phase 2, see Figure 1 ).

[0049] In particular, the first end position P’ may correspond exactly to position P1 or may be derived from it by applying a correction coefficient such that a first end position P’ is determined at a given minimum distance from position P1 , in the direction towards position P2. For example, the aforementioned correction coefficient may correspond to a displacement value (offset) to be added (or subtracted) to position P1 .

[0050] The use of the correction coefficient allows setting a first end position P’ such that the seat 2 is stopped in the absence of a collision between the structure rigidly connected to the seat 2 and the mechanical abutment 5A.

[0051] Preferably, the control unit 20 is configured to determine the first end position P’, only after the actuator M1 is actuated to move the seat 2 against the mechanical abutment 5A and after having received from the position sensor S1 a plurality of signals all indicative of position P1 , during the aforementioned actuation of the actuator M1 .

[0052] In other words, the control unit 20 determines the first end position P’ only after verifying that the seat 2 is actually in position P1 defined by the mechanical abutment 5A.

[0053] The first end position P’ is stored in the same control unit 20 (phase 3, see Figure 1 ).

[0054] Subsequently, the method described herein provides for transmitting to the control unit 20 a signal indicative of a work run L of the actuator M1 , and for determining, through the same control unit 20, a second end position P” based on the work run L (phase 4, see Figure 1 ) and the first end position P’ already determined. For example, the second end position P” may be determined algebraically by adding (or subtracting, depending on the position of the reference system) the work run L to the first end position P’.

[0055] The work run L can be an operational parameter selected based on the specific needs of the various applications.

[0056] The method described herein thus provides for a theoretical determination, through calculation, of the second end position P”.

[0057] The second end position P” is stored in the control unit 20 (phase 5, see Figure 1 ).

[0058] In light of the above, it can be observed that the method described herein is capable of identifying the two end positions P’ and P”, while always keeping the seat 2 in position P1 , and thus without the need to actuate the movement of the seat 2 along the adjustment direction A1 . It is therefore clear that the setting of the two end positions P’ and P” is substantially immediate and that the method described herein overcomes, therefore, the drawback of long execution times discussed at the beginning with respect to the known technical solutions.

[0059] Preferably, the method described herein also provides that, following a first use of the actuator M1 to bring the seat 2 to the second end position P”, the control unit 20 determines a new second end position Pn”, if the movement of the seat 2 is stopped by the mechanical abutment 5B (which is opposite to the mechanical abutment 5A) before or after the seat 2 has actually reached the second end position P”.

[0060] This can occur outside the vehicle assembly line, even during normal use of the vehicle by a driver.

[0061] In particular, for the determination of the new second end position Pn”, the method described herein provides that, through the position sensor S1 , the position P2 where the movement of the seat 2 has been stopped by the mechanical abutment 5B is detected and a signal indicative of the detected position P2 is transmitted to the control unit 20.

[0062] Subsequently, the control unit 20 determines the new second end position Pn” based on the detected position P2.

[0063] In particular, the new second end position Pn” may correspond exactly to position P2 or may be derived from it by applying a correction coefficient which, similarly to what was described above with reference to the first end position P’, is such that a new second end position Pn” is determined at a given minimum distance from position P2, in the direction towards position P1 .

[0064] Also in this case, the advantage of using the aforementioned correction coefficient consists in determining a stop of the seat 2 in the absence of a collision between the structure rigidly connected to the seat 2 and the mechanical abutment 5B.

[0065] In light of the above, the method described herein therefore provides for re-evaluating the second end position P” determined theoretically as described above in cases where, due to mechanical tolerances, the second end position P” cannot correspond to the calculated one. In a completely analogous manner, the method described herein can be implemented for setting the two end positions of all the other adjustment movements indicated above.

[0066] For example, the same method can be implemented for setting the two end positions of the movement of seat 2 along the vertical adjustment direction A2.

[0067] In this case, as well as for some of the other adjustment movements mentioned above, it may be preferable to place seat 2 in a given intermediate position distanced from the end position R1 defined by the mechanical abutment 5A, for example for reasons of space, so that the seat does not obstruct the conduct of other operations that are carried out inside the vehicle, on the assembly line.

[0068] Therefore, in such an application of the method described herein, the actuation of the actuator M1 will actually result in a movement of seat 2 along the adjustment direction A2 until it is stopped by the mechanical abutment 5A.

[0069] At the moment when the seat is then in position R1 determined by the mechanical abutment 5A, the method will proceed as already described above.

[0070] In such a type of application, the method described herein may therefore provide, in addition to what has been described above, the movement of seat 2 from the given intermediate position to the end position defined by the mechanical abutment 5A, and possibly the respective return movement to the given intermediate position.

[0071] The operations for setting the end positions for the various planned adjustment movements can possibly be organized by dividing such adjustment movements into two or more groups, so that the setting of the end positions for an adjustment movement of one of the two groups is carried out simultaneously with the setting of the end positions for an adjustment movement of the other group, and so on until the settings of the end positions for all the planned adjustment movements are executed.

[0072] For example, in a possible application, a first group may include the adjustment of the horizontal position of seat 2, the inclination of the seat cushion 2A, and if present, the adjustment of the movable part designed to determine the overall length of the seat cushion; another group may instead include the adjustment of the vertical position of seat 2, the inclination of the backrest 2B, and the two adjustment movements of the headrest 2C.

[0073] The method may therefore provide, for example, that the setting of the end positions for the adjustment of the vertical position of the seat is conducted simultaneously with the setting of the end positions for the adjustment of the horizontal position of the seat; as soon as the individual setting is completed, the setting for another adjustment of the same group can be immediately started.

[0074] The operations for setting the end positions are thus carried forward for the two groups of adjustment movements, simultaneously.

[0075] Of course, while the principle of the invention remains unchanged, the details of realization and the forms of implementation may vary, even significantly, with respect to what is illustrated here purely by way of non-limiting example, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention, as defined by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Method for setting at least one end position in a control unit (20) configured to control an actuator (M1 , M2; M3, M4, M5, M6) for adjusting a use position of a seat (2), or a part (2A, 2B, 2C) of a seat (2), of a vehicle; wherein said seat (2) is in a given end position (P1 ) defined by a mechanical abutment (5A), said method comprising:- through a position sensor (S1 ), detecting said given end position and transmitting to said control unit (20) a signal indicative of said given end position;- through said control unit (20), determining a first end position (P’) based on said given end position (P1 );- storing in said control unit (20) said determined first end position (P’);- transmitting to said control unit (20) a signal indicative of a work run (L) of said actuator (M1 ), and through said control unit (20) determining a second end position (P”) based on said work run (L);- storing in said control unit (20) said determined second end position (P”).

2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein said seat (2), or said part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, is maintained in said given end position (P1 ) both when said first end position (P’) is determined and when said second end position (P”) is determined.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein determining said first end position (P’) includes identifying said first end position with said given end position (P1 ) or deriving said first end position (P’) by applying a corrective coefficient to said given end position (P1 ), so that a first end position (P’) is determined that results in a stop of the seat (2), or the part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, in the absence of a collision between the structure rigidly connected to the seat (2), or the part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, and the mechanical abutment (5A).

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein determining said first end position (P’) includes: - while said seat (2), or said part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, is in said given end position, actuating said actuator (M1 ) in a direction of movement of said seat, or said part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, towards said mechanical abutment (5A), and- identifying said first end position with said given end position (P1 ) or deriving said first end position (P’) by applying a corrective coefficient after said control unit (20) has received a plurality of signals all indicative of said given end position (P1 ), during the actuation of said actuator (M1 ).

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising, following a first use of said actuator (M1 ) to bring said seat (2), or said part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, to said second end position (P”), through said control unit (20) determining a new second end position (Pn”) in place of said second end position (P”), if the movement of said seat (2), or said part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, is stopped by a mechanical abutment (5B) before or after the seat (2), or the part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, has actually reached said second end position (P”), and storing said new second end position (Pn”) in said control unit (20), wherein determining said new second end position includes:- through said position sensor, detecting the position (P2) where said seat (2), or said part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, has been stopped by said mechanical abutment (5B) and transmitting to said control unit (20) a signal indicative of said position;- identifying said new second end position (Pn”) with said detected position (P2) or deriving said new second end position (Pn”) by applying a corrective coefficient to said detected position (P2), so that a new second end position (Pn”) is determined that results in a stop of the seat (2), or the part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, in the absence of a collision between the structure rigidly connected to the steering wheel (2) and the mechanical abutment (5A).

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said actuator (M1 ) is configured to move said seat (2), or said part (2A, 2B, 2C) of the seat, along an adjustment direction (A1 ).

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said actuator (M2) is configured to rotate said part (2A, 2B) of the seat (2) around an axis of adjustment (A3, A4).

8. Vehicle comprising a control unit configured to control an actuator (M1 , M2) for adjusting a use position of a seat, or a part of a seat, of said vehicle, wherein on said control unit are set a first end position (P’) and a second endposition (P”) through the implementation of a method according to any of the preceding claims.

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