Lumbar Support Description and Operation (with Massaging Lumbar-AM3)

Lumbar Support Description and Operation (with Massaging Lumbar-AM3)

Lumbar Massage Components

The massaging lumbar system consists of the following components:

* Lumbar Switch
* Memory seat module
* Lumbar vertical motor
* Lumbar vertical position sensor



Massage Operation

With the ignition in the ON position, battery positive voltage is supplied to the driver and front passenger lumbar massage switches from the memory seat module (MSM). When the switch is momentarily pressed to initiate massage operation, battery voltage is applied through the switch contacts and the lumbar massage switch signal circuit to the MSM. In response to this signal, the MSM then cycles battery positive voltage and ground through the lumbar motor up and down control circuits to the lumbar vertical motor. The motor will then continuously move the lumbar support 50 mm in both the up and down directions for 10 minutes or until the lumbar switch is momentarily pressed to cancel the operation. When massage operation has ceased, the MSM will return the lumbar support to the position from which massage was initiated.


During massage operation, the lumbar horizontal support can be adjusted without interruptions to the massage cycle by operating the lumbar switch in either the forward or rearward directions. However, manually moving the lumbar vertical switch in either the up or down directions will cancel the massage operation and move the lumbar support in the desired direction.


Lumbar Vertical Motor

The lumbar vertical motor is reversible. When commanded, it will move the lumbar support in the up and down directions. To protect itself, the motor contains an electronic circuit breaker (PTC) that opens in the event of a circuit overload and will reset only after voltage has been removed from the circuit. The lumbar vertical motor is controlled by the memory seat module during manual movement and massage operation.


Position Sensor

The lumbar vertical position sensor is a potentiometer, which is attached directly to the lumbar vertical motor. The memory seat module (MSM) supplies a 5 volt reference voltage through the 5 volt reference circuit and ground through the low reference circuit to the sensor. When the motor rotates, the resistance of the potentiometer varies, changing the feed back voltage of the sensor signal to the MSM. This voltage varies from 0.25 volts to 4.75 volts. The MSM monitors this voltage to determine the vertical position of the lumbar support. When the massage function is turned OFF or canceled, the MSM will stop massage movement at the original starting position.