FR2668619A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROL OF AN ELECTRIC MOTOR FROM A SEAT, IN PARTICULAR FROM A VEHICLE, ACTUATED BY MOTOR. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling an electric motor of a seat, in particular of a vehicle, controlled by a motor, according to which the seat (28) can be adjusted to a stored position, a retracted position and a relaxation position, and moved. freely, by actuating a switch, from one of these three positions to any of the other two positions. In this way, a driver seated on the seat can therefore easily adjust the latter in the relaxation position from any sitting position, in order to be able to rest comfortably on said seat. The invention also relates to a device for implementing this method.

Description

/ l Method and device for controlling an electric motor of a seat,

The present invention relates to the control of an electric motor for a vehicle seat, in particular of a motor vehicle, actuated by a motor, and relates more particularly to a method and to a device for controlling the electric motor , in order to move the seat between a driving position and a rearward position thanks to

a memory system.

A motor-operated vehicle seat is known comprising in its microcomputer a memory in which a driver can store his optimum driving position on the seat. This type of seat is generally designed so that the initial position which has been set by a first particular driver remains in memory, while allowing other drivers to set a driving position for the seat, so that a memory call operation ensures automatic movement of the seat to that memorized initial position, without

require complicated adjustment operation.

In most cases, the vehicle seat can be moved between a driving position in which the driver is seated on the seat to drive the vehicle, and a rearward position in which the seat is moved backward from the seat. driving position, which allows the driver to get into or out of the seat easily without being obstructed by other surrounding components, such as the steering wheel, actuation of a memory call switch provided in this conventional device, returning the seat automatically from the retracted position to the driving position

(that is, the memorized position).

With this type of motor-operated seat based on memory, the driver has the satisfaction of driving his vehicle in a suitable driving position, while having the possibility of automatically adjusting the seat to a relaxed position, when 'he

needs to rest after a long time of driving.

Normally, when the driver wishes to rest during a long journey, he stops his vehicle and adjusts the vertical and longitudinal position of the seat or, if necessary, the angle of inclination of the seat back, thanks to a manual operation, in order to to adjust the seat

in a relaxed position.

However, this manual operation to adjust the relaxation position has to be done through a multiple number of manual switches, resulting in a waste of time and effort.

boring steps that will spoil a relatively short rest time.

The driver therefore prefers to simply tilt the seatback backwards and set an unsatisfactory relaxation position for this short rest.This has the consequence that the driver cannot free himself from his fatigue and may not

drive his vehicle in good physical condition.

Given the above drawbacks, the first object of the present invention is to provide a method and a device for controlling an electric motor of a seat, in particular of a vehicle, actuated by a motor, which makes it possible to easily move the seat into a position relaxation area in which a seat occupant can rest in

good conditions.

To do this, in accordance with the present invention, the relaxed position must be stored in advance in a memory, the actuation of a corresponding switch causing the seat to automatically move into this relaxed position, without any

complicated switching operation.

A second object of the present invention is to allow rapid and easy movement of the seat from a first position to a

second position.

To this end, in accordance with the present invention, the seat can be adjusted to a memorized position in which a driver seated on the seat to drive the vehicle, in a retracted position.

allowing the driver to sit in or out of the seat

easily, and on the relaxation position mentioned above.

Each of the three positions can of course be stored in a memory with a view to being reproduced in a repetitive manner, easy access thereto being provided by the actuation of a single corresponding switch, and the device being, in further, designed in such a way that the seat can be moved freely from any of these memorized, recoiled and relaxed positions into any

of the other two positions.

Consequently, the seat can at any time be moved in a short time to a desired position between these three positions, by a simple actuation of the corresponding switch, without requiring

other complicated switching installations or devices.

The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantages and features of the present invention, will emerge more clearly from

the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of

this, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the

accompanying drawings in which.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric motor controller according to the present invention, in which a central processing unit constitutes a main control element; Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an interconnection between the electric motor controller and movable parts of the seat; Figure 3 is a schematic view of the seat incorporating the present invention, for explaining the movements of the seat; Figure 4 is a functional table showing specific movements of the seat sliding device, the seat lifting device and the tilting device corresponding to different displacements of the seat; and Figure 5 is a step correlation pie chart summarizing the flow of operations of the controllers intended for

allow the procedures shown in Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, one can see an electric motor controller 10 provided in a motor operated seat, the device 10 comprising a manual switch 12, a memory switch 14, an automatic switch 16, a unit. central processing unit 18, an electric sliding motor 20 for operating a seat sliding device 32, first and second electric lift motors 22, 24 for operating a seat lifting device 23, and an electric tilt motor 26 for operating a tilting device 36 These electric motors are,

preferably, direct current motors.

The seat sliding device 32 is disposed between a seat 28 and a floor 38 of a motor vehicle, and actuated by the sliding motor 20 to cause a longitudinal displacement of the seat in a sliding manner; more precisely, with reference to Figure 2, the seat 28 is thus moved between a driving position indicated in solid lines, in which a driver is seated to drive the vehicle, and a rearward position indicated in phantom, in which the seat 28 is retracted rearward at a rear extreme limit. The seat lift device 34 is disposed between the seat 28 and the seat slider 32, and actuated by the first and second lift motors 22, 24, such that the front part of the seat 28 is raised or lowered by means of the drive of the first lift motor 22, while the rear part of the seat 28 is raised or lowered thanks to the drive of the second lift motor 24 In other words, the first motor 22 is intended to cause a vertical displacement of the front part of the seat relative to the rear part thereof, while the second motor 24 is intended to cause the same vertical displacement of the rear part of the seat relative to the front part thereof Thus, a drive of the two motors 22 , 24 causes the seat 28 to be raised or lowered while

integer, as it is.

The reclining device 36 is operated by the reclining motor 26 to adjustably recline the backrest 30 of the.

seat 28, at a desired angle.

These devices, namely, the seat sliding device 32, the seat lifting device 34, and the device

tilt 36 are known, and will not be described

particular.

The electric motors 20, 22, 24, 26 are respectively provided with position detectors 42, 44, 46, 48 each of which consists of a rotation detector having a disk-shaped magnet 50 attached to a motor output shaft (not shown) and a conductive switch 52 provided near the magnet 50 Thanks to these rotation detectors, several pulses are emitted for each rotation of the electric motor, from the switch 52 in the central processing unit 18 called "CPU" , the conductive switch 52 being connected to the CPU 18 Camme it will be indicated later, the CPU 18 counts and stores the pulses coming from the rotation detectors 42, 44, 46, 48, and detects the vertical and longitudinal positions of the seat 28 as well an angle of inclination of the seat back from the number of pulses counted A progressive counting of the pulses is carried out, when the motors 20, 22, 24, 26 are driven in a normal direction, while a count is regre if these are done,

when the motors are driven in reverse.

The CPU 18 includes a microcomputer 66 which processes input data according to a predetermined program, and outputs a

appropriate control signal.

The manual switch 12 shown in Figure 1, comprises a slide switch 54 for controlling the slide motor 20, a first step-up switch 56 for the first step-up motor 22, a second step-up switch 58 for the second step-up motor 24, and a tilt switch 60 for the tilt motor 26 The manual switch 12 is, as in Figure 2, provided on an armrest 64 integral with the inner wall of a door

before 62.

Each of the switches 54, 56, 58, 60 provided in the manual switch 12 is a toggle type self-closing switch, having a non-contact central zone and two contact points for switching the drive between normal and on. rear of the respective motors 20, 22, 24, 26 These four co-switches 54, 56, 58, 60 are connected to the CPU 18 and respectively to a first relay RL 1 comprising two elements forming relays 70, 71 and two relay contacts O 70 a, 71 a, to a second relay RL 2 comprising two relay elements 72, 73 and two relay contacts 72 a, 73 a, to a third relay RL 3 comprising two relay elements 74, 75 and two relay contacts 74 a, 75 a, and to a fourth relay RL 4 comprising

two relay elements 76, 77 and two relay contacts 76 a, 77 a.

Between the CPU 18 and these four relays, a control circuit is provided.

relay 68.

Reference numeral 78 denotes a battery, i.e. a power source which is connected to the motors 20, 22, 24, 26 and to the

relay control circuit 68.

When actuating the sliding switch 54, the seat 28 being placed in an arbitrary position, the CPU 18 then activates the series of relays 58, RL 1 associated, to drive the sliding motor 20 in a chosen direction, so to cause the longitudinal displacement of the seat 28 by means of the seat sliding device 54 By virtue of this operation, the seat 28 is moved between the driving position and the retracted position, or can

be finely adjusted for a desired riding position.

When the seat 28 is in an arbitrary position, the actuation of the first step-up switch 56 causes the CPU 18 to activate the associated series of relays 68, RL 2, to drive the first step-up motor 22 in a chosen direction, while the Actuation of the second step-up switch 58 causes the CPU 18 to activate the associated series of relays 68, RL 3, to drive the second step-up motor 24 in a selected direction, whereby the seat 28 is moved, in an adjustable manner, to a desired height, or can be tilted according to a

desired angle to the vehicle floor.

When the tilt switch 60 is actuated, with the seat back 30 tilted at an angle, the CPU 18 then activates the associated series of relays 68, RL 4, to drive the tilt motor 26 in such a manner. forcing the seat back 30 to tilt at a desired angle by means of the device

tilt 36.

The memory switch 14 is a spring loaded push-button switch which is linked to the CPU 18 This switch 14 is designed to, when activated, allow data corresponding to the vertical and longitudinal positions of the seat 28 to be stored in memory. so

only at an angle of inclination of the seat back 30.

When the seat 28 has been adjusted to a certain position in its vertical and longitudinal directions, with the seat back 30 tilted at a certain angle, an actuation of the aforementioned memory switch 14 allows the memory to be stored inside. the CPU 18, in the form of a stored position, data relating to the number of pulses detected from the rotation detectors 42, 44, 46, 48, namely, the details relating to these pulses.

seating positions and seat back angle.

In this context, an actuation of a memory call switch 80 of the automatic coamntateur 16 causes an automatic displacement of the seat 28 in the driving position (memorized position).

The aforementioned memory call switch 80 is a switch-

self-closing pushbutton which is connected to the CPU 18.

When the memory call switch 80 is actuated, a position of the mromeent of each of the motors 20, 22, 24, 26 is first detected by a memory (not shown) provided in the CPU 18, which identifies it. then it is a counted number of pulses, and, secondly, the memory compares the detected value (that is, the number of pulses corresponding to the position of the moment) with a value of driven line (c (i.e., the number of pulses corresponding to the driving position or memorized position) If a difference is detected between the detected value and the memorized driving value, the motors 20, 22, 24, 26 continue to be trained, until the difference becomes zero or zero, in which case seat 28

is moved to the memorized position.

The automatic switch 16 includes a seat recoil switch 82 intended to automatically force the seat 28 to move from a certain position into a retracted position. It should be noted here that the numbers of pulses campted during this recoil of the seat, from motors 20, 22, 24, 26, are stored in the memory

of the CPU 18 in the form of a stored rollback value.

When the seat recoil switch 82 is actuated with the seat 28 placed in a driving position (i.e., in the memorized position), the motors 20, 22, 24, 26 are driven on the basis of the comparison function of the CPU 18, until the detected value for the driving position becomes equal to the stored recoil value, defined above In this process of seat recoil, it is desirable, in order to simplify the operation, that the angle of inclination of the seat back 30 is not changed, and that the seat 28 is therefore moved, as it is, into the retracted position. In this regard, there is provided a neutral position detector 84 which serves to adjust the seat 28 to a neutral position, in this retracted position, the neutral position being defined here as a position in which the seat 28 is not in contact. with a passenger seated on a

rear seat located behind the seat 28.

The neutral position detector 84 is provided on a movable member of the seat back 30, and adapted to detect whether the seat back 30 is tilted rearward beyond a predetermined tilt angle as shown in Figure 1, the sensor 84 is preferably a push-to-stop type self-resetting switch connected to the CPU 18 Thus, if the seat back 30 is tilted too far back, beyond the angle of predetermined tilt, the pushed-type switch 84 is pushed to the "off" position, in response to which, the CPU 18 causes the tilt motor 26 to operate immediately to tilt the seat back 30 towards. the rear so as to reduce its angle of inclination to the value of the predetermined angle This device therefore makes it possible to prevent the seat back 30 from coming into contact

with a passenger in the back seat.

In addition to this neutral position detector 84, a rear seat occupancy detector (not shown) may be provided which detects the presence of a passenger seated in the rear seat and causes the CPU 18 to force the seat back. 30 to go back to a tilt

within the predetermined range of tilt angles.

The automatic switch 16 also includes a relaxation switch 86 intended to cause the seat 28 to be adjusted to a relaxed position in which the driver can rest in a good position. The relaxation switch 86 is, as can be seen in FIG. 1, a push-button type switch

automatic connected to the CPU 18.

The expression "relaxation position" is defined here cane corresponding to a position of the seat 28 adapted to give the driver a feeling of comfort, when he is resting, and also to an inclined state of the seat 28 as well as to an angle. inclination of the seat back 30, which decreases the curvature of the driver's spine and the internal pressure exerted on his intervertebral discs With reference to Figure 3, it is known in the field of ergonomics that the relaxation position is that in which the cushion 90 of the seat 28 is inclined backwards at an angle of 5 to 20 degrees with respect to a horizontal line 88, and in which the backrest 30 thereof adopts an angle of tilt back

around 115 to 130 degrees from horizontal line 88.

In the present embodiment, the relaxation position is determined as corresponding to a state that the seat cushion is tilted backward at an angle of 20 degrees, while the seat back 30 assumes an angle of tilt. backward 124 degrees For this purpose, a number of pulses are counted and stored in the memory of the CPU 18, with respect to the first and second lift motors 22, 24 and the tilt motor 26, in the form of a memorized retraction value This is of course not restrictive, and can be determined within the range shown below.

above the relaxation position.

In addition, for this relaxation position, the seat 28 must also be adjusted to be further advanced a distance "a", from the retracted position (rear limit position), and a number of pulses are therefore counted and stored in the

memory of the CPU 18 with respect to the slide motor 20.

In the proposed embodiment, the distance "a" is approximately equal to 80 mm, although this value is not limiting in the present invention, which leaves a play allowing a certain inclination of the seat 28 backwards in this. relaxation position, while always keeping the seat back 30 out of contact with a passenger seated in the rear seat This forward adjustment in the rearward position provides optimum safety space for the seated driver on seat 28 and for the passenger in the rear seat, the driver not having to worry about the steering wheel, while the passenger in the rear seat is protected

against the backrest 30 of the front seat 28.

Now suppose that the seat 28 is placed in the driving position (i.e. in the memorized position), and that the relaxation switch 86 is turned on.The CPU 18 then activates the series of relays 68, 70 to 77 and 70 a to 77 a to force the motors 20, 22, 24, 26 to run, until the moment position (detected value) of each of the motors becomes equal to the memorized relaxation value which has been preset in memory for the relaxed position, whereby the seat 28 is moved to the relaxed position to allow the driver to rest in a position

ideal seat.

In this regard and for safety purposes, in order to prevent the reversing switch 82 and the relaxation switch 86 of the automatic switch 16 from being actuated by mistake, it is preferable that a brake detector be provided on the handbrake 100. hand brake (not shown) which detects a locked state of the hand brake 100 and only authorizes actuation of these switches 82, 86 when the

vehicle is stopped.

In Figure 1, the reference numerals 92, 94, 96, 98 respectively denote an overcurrent sensing resistor which acts to detect an overcurrent at the respective motors 20, 22, 24, 26 and causes the CPU 18 to ascertain a state. overloading of the motors and to immediately stop said motors, thereby avoiding

overheating or deterioration thereof.

Referring to Figures 3 and 4, Figure 3 provides a diagram of the movements and Figure 4 shows in summary a mode of actuation of the seat The steps of actuation of the seat 28 through the control device motor 10 now go

be described using these explanatory diagrams.

First, suppose that the seat 28 is placed in the memorized position (current position) and the driver intends to move it from the memorized position to a retracted position (selected position) He then operates the seat reverse switch 82 of the automatic switch 16 and, in response to this, the seat lifting device 34 is operated to lower its front and rear sides at the same time, in order to cause a simultaneous lowering of the seat 28 in the direction of the lower limit level (which corresponds to a first aspect of the retracted position, or at a first mimored recoil value), indicated by the double circular mark at M 3 in the DOWN part of the seat lifting device column of Figure 4, then, the device slide 32 is actuated to cause the seat 28 thus lowered to move rearward to the retracted position or the memorized final retraction value, indicated by the circulating mark. area at M 3 in the REAR portion of the seat slider column of Figure 4 Seat 28 is, therefore, set in the retracted position, best seen from the phantom double line point of the

Figure 3.

Secondly, if the driver wishes to move the seat 28 from the memorized position (current position) to the relaxation position (selected position), he must actuate the relaxation switch 86 of the automatic switch 16 If the coammtateur 86 is in the on position , the seat lift device 34 is operated to lower its front and rear sides simultaneously, as indicated by the double circular mark at M 2 in the DOWN portion of the seat lift column of Figure 4, then, the seat slider 32 is actuated to cause the seat 28 thus lowered to move rearward to the first step towards the relaxation position or to a first stored relaxation value, indicated by the circular mark in M 2 in the VERS section

THE TOP of the Seat Lift Column in Figure 4.

The seat lifting device is then actuated to raise its front side, to tilt the seat 28 at a 20 degree angle rearward to the second step towards the relaxation position, or to a second stored relaxation value, indicated by the black circular mark at M 2 in the UP portion of the seat lifting device column Then, the reclining device 36 is actuated to recline the seat back 30 at an angle of 124 degrees rearward, as the third step of the relaxation position, indicated by the cicular mark at M 2 in the REAR TILT portion of the recliner column, thereby completing the movements of the seat 28 in the

relaxation position.

Thirdly, if it is desired to move the seat 28 placed in the retracted position (monent position), in the direction of the memorized position (selected position), then the memory call switch 80 must be actuated, in which case the seat slide device 32 is actuated to cause seat 28 to move forward to the first stored drive value, indicated by the circular mark in M1 in the FORWARD section of the device column. seat slide of Figure 4, then the seat lifting device 34 is actuated to raise its front and rear sides so as to cause the seat 28 to be raised simultaneously to the second stored driving value, indicated by the double circular mark in Ml in the UP section of the lifting device column

seat, whereby the seat 28 is set to the memorized position.

Fourth, if it is desired to move the seat 28 from the retracted position (lever position) to the relaxation position (selected position), then the relaxation switch 86 must be actuated, in which case the seat slider 32 is actuated to cause the seat 28 to move to the retracted position indicated by the circular mark at M 2 in the FORWARD portion of the seat slider column of Figure 4, then the seat lift device 34 is actuated to raise its front side so as to tilt the seat 28 backward at an angle of 20 degrees, as the first step of the relaxation position, indicated by the black circular mark at M 2 in the UPWARD section of the column of the seat lift device Next, the recliner 36 is actuated to recline the seat back rearward at an angle of 124 degrees, coan final step of the relaxation position, ind indicated by the circular mark in M 2 in the REAR TILT part of the tilting device column,

whereby, the seat 28 is adjusted to the relaxed position.

Fifth, if it is desired to move the seat 28 from the relaxed position to the stored position, an actuation of the memory call switch 80 will then activate the seat lifting device 34 to lower its front side, in order to cause a lowering of the front part of the seat 28 to the lower limit point, indicated by the black circular mark at M 3 in the DOWN part of the seat lifting device column of Figure 4, then the seat sliding device 32 for moving the seat 28 to the memorized position indicated by the circular mark in M1 in the FORWARD portion of the seat sliding device column, after which the seat lifting device 34 will be operated to raise its front and rear sides at the same time, as a first step from the memorized position, indicated by the double circular mark in Ml in the UP section of the seat lifting device column, to thus raise the entire seat 28, canoe second step from the memorized position and finally, the seat back 30 will be inclined forward by the tilting device 36 in its memorized position indicated by the circular mark at M1 in the part TILTS FORWARD column tilt device, so

complete the movements of seat 28 in the memorized position.

Sixth, if it is desired to move the seat 28 from the relaxed position to the retracted position, an actuation of the seat recoil switch 86 will then activate the seat lifting device 34 to lower its front side, thereby activating the seat lifting device 34. which will lower the front part of the seat 28 to the lower limit point (i.e. corresponding to a memorized driving value), indicated by the black circular mark in M 3 in the DOWN part of the control column. the seat lifting device of Figure 4, then the seat sliding device 32 to move the seat 28 backwards to the rear limit position (corresponding to a memorized retraction value) visible from the circular mark in M 3 in the REAR portion of the seat slider column At this time, since the seat back 30 is tilted rearward beyond the given neutral position, described above, the tilting device 36 is then actuated to cause a

inclination of the seat back 30 forwards in order to adjust it

ci to the neutral position, after which seat 28 is set to the

retracted position.

From the above description, we realize that a

Once the memorized position, the retracted position and the relaxation position have been memorized, the actuation of the corresponding switches operates an automatic displacement of the seat from one of these three positions to any of the other two positions This can be clearly understood from the summary circular diagram of steps in Figure 5 It can be seen, for example, that if the seat is placed in the memorized position, the driver seated in the seat will be able to operate the switch automatic, move the seat selectively, in a simple way and in a short time, into one of the retracted and relaxed positions The diagram in Figure 5 is sufficiently self-explanatory to provide the summary diagram of this ability to move freely and easily of

seat in any of the desired positions.

Although the above description has focused on a mode of

preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is obvious that this

This is not limited to the example described and illustrated here and that other modifications, replacements and additions may be made to the

structure thereof, without departing from the scope of the invention.

The electric motor controller (10) can, for example, be applied to any other position adjustment device

seat, such as a lateral support device or a movable headrest.

In addition, the foregoing description has been devoted to a certain

sequence of movements of the seat sliding device, of the

seat lifting device and reclining device, but this

this is not limiting and various other steps for actuating these seating position adjustment devices can also be provided to effect a different displacement of the seat in the positions

memorized, retreated and relaxation.

Claims (6)

1 Method for controlling an electric motor of a seat, in particular of a vehicle, powered by a motor, according to which the seat (28) can be adjusted to a desired position which is stored in a memory in the form of a memorized position, in order to that in this way it is possible to reproduce in a repetitive manner a displacement of the seat from a certain position in the memorized position, a method characterized in that it includes the steps which consist of storing in advance in memory, in the form of 'a relaxation position, a datum corresponding to a longitudinal position, to a vertical position and to an angle of inclination of the seat as well as a datum corresponding to an angle of inclination of a backrest (30) of said seat (28 ) allowing an occupant of the seat to rest optimally on said seat; counting a distance traveled by the seat between a current position and the relaxation position, thanks to the actuation of a switch; and causing the electric motor to be driven with a displacement amplitude equal to the distance counted, so that the seat is moved under the effect of the drive of said electric motor. from said current position to said relaxed position. 2 Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises the steps of adjusting for the seat a retracted position which corresponds to a position allowing an occupant of the seat to settle on said seat or to leave it. easily; and to allow automatic movement of the seat in the retracted position, thanks to the actuation of a switch. Method for controlling an electric motor of a seat, in particular of a vehicle, powered by a motor, according to which the seat (28) can be adjusted to a desired position which is stored in a memory in the form of a memorized position, in order to that in this way it is possible to reproduce in a repetitive manner a displacement of the seat from a certain position in the memorized position, a method characterized in that it comprises the steps of storing in advance in memory, in the form of a relaxation position, a datum corresponding to a longitudinal position, to a vertical position and to an angle of inclination of the seat as well as a datum corresponding to an angle of inclination of a backrest (30) of said seat ( 28) allowing an occupant of the seat to rest optimally on said seat; to allow movement of the seat between a current position and the relaxed position; adjusting a retracted position in which the seat is positioned to allow an occupant of the seat to settle on or leave said seat easily without being obstructed by an organ surrounding the vehicle; to allow a counting of a distance along which the seat is moved from the current position to the relaxation position, by causing the electric motor to be driven in an amplitude of displacement equal to the counted distance, by virtue of the actuation of a corresponding switch; enabling a counting of a distance along which the seat is moved from the current position to the retracted position, and causing the motor to be driven through a displacement amplitude equal to the counted distance, by virtue of the actuation an appropriate canmmutator; and also to allow a displacement of the seat from one of the memorized, relaxed and retracted positions into any of the other two positions, so that said seat can be moved. freely between these three positions. 4 Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the seat (28) is moved into the retracted position without change of the angle of inclination of the seat back (30). A method according to claim 3, characterized in that the seat (28) is moved into the retracted position without change of the angle of inclination of the seat back (30). 6 Device for controlling an electric motor of a seat, in particular of a vehicle, actuated by a motor, in which a movable element of a seating position adjustment device associated with the seat (28) is moved by the electric motor, device ( 10) characterized in that it comprises a manual switch (12) for causing a drive of the electric motor so as to perform a position adjustment of said movable element; a memory switch (14) for storing in memory, in the form of a memorized position, a position of the movable member adjusted by the manual switch; an automatic switch (16) for causing automatic displacement of the movable member from a current position to the stored position, the automatic switch (16) including: (a) second means (82) for setting a retracted position in wherein the movable member is placed in a position allowing an occupant of the seat to settle on said seat or to leave it easily without being obstructed by an organ surrounding the vehicle; (b) third means (86) for adjusting a relaxation position in which the occupant can rest comfortably in the seat; a central processing unit (18) which processes input data according to a predetermined program and controls a drive of the electric motor; and position sensing means (84) for sensing a position of the movable member, whereby by actuation of said automatic switch (16) the seat (28) can be automatically moved from one of the stored positions, remote and relaxation in any of the other two positions. 7 Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the automatic switch (16) comprises a memory call switch (80) intended to cause an automatic displacement of the movable element in the stored position, the second means of the automatic switch comprising a reverse switch (82) for, in addition to adjusting the retracted position, causing movement of the movable member to said retracted position, while the third means of the automatic switch includes a relaxation switch (86) to, in addition to adjusting the relaxation position, cause a displacement of the movable element in said relaxed position.