US 12,257,973 B2
Haptic cues to help locate seat controls and belt buckles
Kamran Ali, Troy, MI (US); Donald K. Grimm, Utica, MI (US); Anna M. Lusk, Lake Orion, MI (US); and Maria del Mar Davila, Clawson, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 25, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/822,170.
Prior Publication US 2024/0067122 A1, Feb. 29, 2024
Int. Cl. B60R 22/48 (2006.01)
CPC B60R 22/48 (2013.01) [B60R 2022/4816 (2013.01); B60R 2022/4825 (2013.01); B60R 2022/485 (2013.01); B60R 2022/4858 (2013.01); B60R 2022/4866 (2013.01)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A haptic system to locate seat components, comprising:
a vehicle having at least one seat;
a seat belt system provided with the at least one seat having a seat belt, a belt latch and a seat belt buckle; and
a haptic device provided with the seat belt system, the haptic device generating a haptic signal, wherein the haptic device includes a body having or in communication with an electrical circuit which communicates an electrical control signal to a mechanical device including a motor or a rotating device having an off-balanced member to generate a vibrational energy, and wherein the vibrational energy increases with an increasing signal strength generated by the mechanical device, induced by an object approaching within a predetermined threshold distance of the haptic device.