Power seat
Encyclopedia
A power seat in an automobile
is a front seat
which can be adjusted by using a switch
or joystick
and a set of small electric motor
s. Most cars with this feature have controls for the driver's seat only, though almost all luxury cars also have power controls for the front passenger seat.
In addition to fore and aft adjustments, power seats can be raised or lowered and tilted to suit the comfort of the driver and/or passenger. Many power seats allow occupants to adjust the seat lumbar or seatback recline, all at the push of a button or flick of a switch.
Some cars also have memory
adjustment
s, which can recall (usually) two different adjustments of the seat by pressing a button, along with settings and adjustment for such conveniences as rearview mirror
s and the car's stereo system.
Cars which do not have this feature have a lever
or bar to provide fore and aft
adjustment
s.
Power seats began appearing in automobiles in the late 1940s. Most early seats were fore-aft only, which saved little work. A six-way power seat appeared in the late 1950s. Most power seats in newer cars are either six- or eight-way.
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
is a front seat
Car seat
A car seat is the chair used in automobiles. Most car seats are made from inexpensive but durable material in order to withstand as much use as possible.-Ergonomy: Lumbar and thigh support:...
which can be adjusted by using a switch
Switch
In electronics, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another....
or joystick
Joystick
A joystick is an input device consisting of a stick that pivots on a base and reports its angle or direction to the device it is controlling. Joysticks, also known as 'control columns', are the principal control in the cockpit of many civilian and military aircraft, either as a center stick or...
and a set of small electric motor
Electric motor
An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force...
s. Most cars with this feature have controls for the driver's seat only, though almost all luxury cars also have power controls for the front passenger seat.
In addition to fore and aft adjustments, power seats can be raised or lowered and tilted to suit the comfort of the driver and/or passenger. Many power seats allow occupants to adjust the seat lumbar or seatback recline, all at the push of a button or flick of a switch.
Some cars also have memory
Memory
In psychology, memory is an organism's ability to store, retain, and recall information and experiences. Traditional studies of memory began in the fields of philosophy, including techniques of artificially enhancing memory....
adjustment
Adjustment
Adjustment means regulating, adapting or settling in a variety of contexts:...
s, which can recall (usually) two different adjustments of the seat by pressing a button, along with settings and adjustment for such conveniences as rearview mirror
Mirror
A mirror is an object that reflects light or sound in a way that preserves much of its original quality prior to its contact with the mirror. Some mirrors also filter out some wavelengths, while preserving other wavelengths in the reflection...
s and the car's stereo system.
Cars which do not have this feature have a lever
Lever
In physics, a lever is a rigid object that is used with an appropriate fulcrum or pivot point to either multiply the mechanical force that can be applied to another object or resistance force , or multiply the distance and speed at which the opposite end of the rigid object travels.This leverage...
or bar to provide fore and aft
Aft
Aft, in naval terminology, is an adjective or adverb meaning, towards the stern of the ship, when the frame of reference is within the ship. Example: "Able Seaman Smith; lay aft!". Or; "What's happening aft?"...
adjustment
Adjustment
Adjustment means regulating, adapting or settling in a variety of contexts:...
s.
Power seats began appearing in automobiles in the late 1940s. Most early seats were fore-aft only, which saved little work. A six-way power seat appeared in the late 1950s. Most power seats in newer cars are either six- or eight-way.