Track assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11040653-B2
Application number	US-201916284524-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 25, 2019
Priority date	Feb 25, 2019
Publication date	Jun 22, 2021
Grant date	Jun 22, 2021

Abstract

A track assembly includes a track, a transmitter unit, a support member, and a receiver unit. The transmitter unit may be connected to the track, and/or the support member may be configured for connection with the track. The receiver unit may be connected to the support member and/or may be configured to receive light from the transmitter unit. The track assembly may include a first electronic control unit that may be connected to the transmitter unit. The first electronic control unit may be configured to control the transmitter unit. The transmitter unit may include a light source, and/or the transmitter unit may be configured to transmit light from the light source into the track. The transmitter unit may be configured to transmit visible light and/or non-visible light. The track assembly may include a second electronic control unit.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A track assembly, comprising:
a track configured to be fixed to a mounting surface;
a support member configured for connection with and movement along the track;
a transmitter unit configured to provide light to one or both of the track and the support member;
a receiver unit connected to move with the support member relative to the track and configured to receive light from the transmitter unit; and
a light guide connected to the track;
wherein the track includes bottom side, a second side, and a third side; and the light guide is disposed at least partially in the second side.

2. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter unit is configured to transmit visible light for aesthetics; and the transmitter unit is configured to transmit non-visible light to communicate with the receiver unit.

3. The track assembly of claim 2 , including a first electronic control unit connected to the transmitter unit;
wherein the first electronic control unit is configured to control the transmitter unit; the transmitter unit includes a light source;
the receiver unit includes a sensor; and
the transmitter unit is configured to transmit light from the light source into the track, along the track, or into and along the track.

4. The track assembly of claim 2 , wherein the transmitter unit is configured to transmit visible light and non-visible light.

5. The track assembly of claim 2 , including a first electronic control unit connected to the transmitter unit, and a second electronic control unit connected to the receiver unit;
wherein the first electronic control unit is configured to transmit information to the second electronic control unit via non-visible light transmitted by the transmitter unit and received by the receiver unit.

6. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light guide is connected to the transmitter unit and configured to guide light from the transmitter unit along the track.

7. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light guide extends along substantially an entire length of the track.

8. The track assembly of claim 1 , including a reflecting element connected to the track.

9. The track assembly of claim 8 , wherein the reflecting element is configured to reflect light from the transmitter unit.

10. The track assembly of claim 8 , wherein the reflecting element is disposed at least partially in the light guide.

11. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second side and the third side extend in a longitudinal direction of the track;
the second side includes a first portion;
the third side includes a second portion;
the first portion and the second portion extend in a lateral direction of the track from the second side and the third side; and
the light guide disposed in the first portion.

12. The track assembly of claim 1 , wherein the light guide is substantially cylindrical and is disposed in a channel in a top surface of the track.

13. The track assembly of claim 12 , wherein the track includes a plurality of apertures connected to the channel and disposed substantially perpendicular to the channel.

14. The track assembly of claim 1 , including a second light guide connected to the track;
wherein the track includes bottom wall, a second wall, and a third wall;
the light guide is disposed at least partially in the second wall; and
the second light guide is disposed at least partially in the third wall.

15. The track assembly of claim 14 , wherein the light guide is connected to a ramped portion of the track.

16. The track assembly of claim 14 , wherein the light guide and the second light guide are disposed opposite from each other.

17. A track assembly, comprising:
a track configured to be fixed to a mounting surface;
a support member configured for connection with and movement along the track;
a transmitter unit configured to provide light to one or both of the track and the support member; and
a receiver unit connected to move with the support member relative to the track and configured to receive light from the transmitter unit;
wherein the transmitter unit is configured to transmit visible light for aesthetics and to provide a status indicator to a user; and
the transmitter unit is configured to transmit non-visible light to communicate with the receiver unit.

18. A track assembly, comprising:
a track configured to be fixed to a mounting surface;
a support member configured for connection with and movement along the track; and
a transmitter unit configured to provide light to one or both of the track and the support member;
wherein the transmitter unit is configured to transmit light to a portable electronic device having a receiver unit.

19. The track assembly of claim 18 , including a light guide connected to the track.

20. The track assembly of claim 18 , including a light guide connected to the track; wherein the track includes bottom side, a second side, and a third side; and the light guide is disposed at least partially in the second side.

Assignees

• Lear Corp

Inventors

• Ricart Raúl
• Ferré Fàbregas Antoni

Classifications

• B60N2210/22

  Optical; Photoelectric; Lidar [Light Detection and Ranging] · CPC title

• B60N2220/20

  using a deterministic algorithm · CPC title

• B60N2/0224

  Non-manual adjustments, e.g. with electrical operation · CPC title

• B60N2/0244

  with logic circuits · CPC title

• B60Q3/233 Primary

  Seats; Arm rests; Head rests · CPC title