WO2000032441A1

WO2000032441A1 - Integrated power recliner for a vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: WO2000032441A1
Application number: PCT/CA1999/001077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pascal Garrido; Roger Freund
Original assignee: Meritor Automotive Canada Inc; Dura Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Meritor Automotive Canada Inc; Dura Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 1998-11-30
Filing date: 1999-11-16
Publication date: 2000-06-08
Anticipated expiration: 2001-05-30
Also published as: AU1143900A; DE19952339A1; JP2000166678A

Abstract

A power seat positioning device for automatically adjusting the recline position of a seat back (14) within a vehicle using a single electric motor (34). An actuator assembly (26) is pivotally supported to an upper seat assembly (20) and a lower seat assembly (22) to provide the motive force for selectively reclining the upper seat assembly relative to the lower seat assembly. The actuator assembly is attached in a substantially linear relationship with the upper seat assembly and preferably includes a single ended reversible electric drive motor and gearbox arrangement. The gearbox allows an arrangement for mounting the drive motor perpendicular to the upper seat assembly to provide a stable, reliable and secure recliner system that is not overly bulky or complicated.

Description

INTEGRATED POWER RECLINER FOR A VEHICLE SEAT

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to a motorized system for adjusting the recline position of a vehicle seat using a linear actuator.

A variety of vehicle seats are commercially available. In many instances, it is desirable to provide a seat occupant with the ability to adjust the position of the seat back relative to the seat base. A variety of powered seat adjustment mechanisms are available for use on the driver's seat and on the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Known power seat adjusters typically include a seat support frame which supports the seat bottom and the seat back of a vehicle seat. The seat support frame is mounted on an upper track which is connected to the seat support frame and which is slidably mounted on a lower track anchored to the vehicle floor. In one known arrangement, a recliner assembly employs a first and a second straight toothed rack. Rotation of a horizontal lead screw actuates the first straight rack which is in meshing engagement with the second straight tooth rack. Adjustment of the seat recliner position is accomplished by changing the meshed position of the first rack with respect to the second.

One challenge associated with the currentiy available automated seat adjustment mechanisms is the arrangement of components that allow the seat to be reclined.

Typical recliner mechanisms include relatively expensive components which actuate a complex gear arrangement to translate horizontal motion to angular recliner motion.

As there is limited space available beneath a seat in a typical vehicle, the challenge is to provide a stable, reliable and secure recliner mechanism that is not overly bulky or complicated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms, the present invention is a power seat positioning device for automatically adjusting the reclined angle of an upper seat assembly in relation to a lower seat assembly of a vehicle seat. Further, the present invention provides a direct drive actuator arrangement that maintains the structural integrity of the vehicle seat while reducing the quantity of components.

The upper and lower seat assembly is typically a frame like structure which provides a rigid support for the cushions which define the seat back and bottom. The recliner apparatus generally includes the upper seat assembly which is pivotally attached to the lower seat assembly and an actuator assembly. The actuator assembly is preferably attached between the lower seat assembly and the upper seat assembly at a first pivot point and a second pivot point respectively.

To provide the motive force to recline the upper seat assembly a single ended reversible electric drive motor is preferably provided. To provide a more direct application of force, the actuator assembly is attached in a substantially linear relationship with the upper seat assembly. A link member is preferably attached to the- upper seat assembly at the first pivot point. Selective activation of the motor will cause corresponding movement of the link member. The actuator assembly therefore ■ applies a force directly between the first and second pivot points, which results in adjusting the reclined angle of the upper seat assembly.

The present invention further provides a gearbox arrangement for mounting the drive motor perpendicular to the link member. The electric motor can therefore be mounted along the lower seat assembly while the link member directly actuates the reclined angle of the upper seat assembly. The recliner apparatus of the present invention thus fits within the limited space available beneath a seat in a typical vehicle while providing a stable, reliable and secure recliner system that is not overly bulky or complicated. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective illustration of a vehicle seat including the recliner apparatus designed according to this invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded side view of the novel recliner apparatus according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is an exploded, perspective view of a motor assembly designed according to this invention;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the recliner apparatus according to the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a perspective illustration of a horizontal drive mechanism of Figure 4 shown from the opposite direction.

DF.T ATT .FT) DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A vehicle seat assembly 10, generally shown in Figure 1, includes a seat bottom 12 and a seat back 14 supported with respect to the seat bottom 12 for reclining motion (shown in phantom). A switch assembly 16 is used to adjust the position of the seat 10. The adjustment can be controlled by a mechanical actuator, an electrical actuator, or an electro-mechanical actuator. The switch assembly 16 is preferably an electrical switch assembly that actuates a reclining apparatus 18 to move the seat back 14 and seat bottom 12 between a variety of angular seat positions. As illustrated on Figure 2, the switch assembly 16 is used by a seat occupant for selectively providing input to the recliner apparatus 18 to control the movement of the upper seat assembly 20 with respect to the lower seat assembly 22. The upper and lower 20,22 seat assembly is typically a frame like structure which provides a rigid support for the cushions which define the seat back and bottom 14,12 (Figure 1). The recliner apparatus 18 generally includes the upper seat assembly 20 pivotally attached to the lower seat assembly 22 at a pivot 24 and an actuator assembly 26. The actuator assembly 26 is pivotally attached between the lower seat assembly 22 and the upper seat assembly 20 at a first pivot point 28 and a second pivot point 30 respectively. To provide a more direct application of force, the actuator assembly 26 is preferably attached in a substantially linear relationship with the upper seat assembly 20. Further, one skilled in the art will realize that the actuator assembly 26 can be attached directly to the seat assembly 10, such as illustrated by the second pivot point 26 or can be attached through the use of a mounting bracket 32, such as illustrated by the first pivot point 30. Referring to the exploded view of Figure 3, more details regarding the actuator assembly 26 are provided. To provide the motive force to recline the upper seat assembly 20, a single ended reversible electric drive motor 34 is preferably provided. The motor 34 includes a motor shaft 36 that rotates about its longitudinal axis. A lamination and wire arrangement 38 and a collector 40 are supported for rotation with the shaft 36. A magnet 42 and a stator 44, which also serves as a cover for the motor 34, effectively complete the electric motor portion.

Opposite ends of the shaft 36 are received within an end cap 46 and a gearbox 48, respectively. The cover 44 is preferably crimped onto the gear housing 48 and the ^• end cap 46 to maintain the assembly in a completed confi uration. A bushing member 50 is press fitted within an appropriate recess in the end cap 46 to receive the motor shaft 36. The bushing 50 maintains the corresponding end of the shaft 36 in a desired alignment for true rotation about its central longitudinal axis. The opposite end of the motor shaft 36 is maintained in position by an appropriately configured recess within the gearbox 48. A spindle member 52 includes a threaded elongated body portion and a gear member 54 at one end. The gear member 54 interacts with a worm gear portion 56 at one end of the motor shaft 36. The spindle member 52 and its associated gear member 54 are supported in the gearbox 48 and maintained in place by a clevis attaching member 58. The interaction between the portion 56 on the motor shaft 36 and the gear member 54 provides for rotation along generally perpendicular axes. Specifically, as the motor shaft 36 rotates about its central axis, the spindle member 52 rotates about its central longitudinal axis. Accordingly, motor 34 activation causes selected rotation of the spindle member 52. This perpendicular arrangement provides the ability to more easily fit the motor assembly in place beneath a seat within a vehicle. A link member 60 preferably has a threaded interior surface that cooperates with the external threads on the spindle member 52. As the motor 34 is activated, the link member 60 is driven along the longitudinal axis of the spindle member 52 by the interaction between the external threads on the spindle member and the internal threads on the link member 60. A spring washer 62 and a stop washer 64 preferably are positioned along the length of the spindle member 52 to provide an axial stop distal from the gear member 54. The link member 60 is limited in its movement along the surface of the spindle 52 by the washer combination 62,64 at one end and by the interplay between the link member 60 and the gear housing 48 at the other end. The spring washer 62 is included to provide a soft stop at the furthest position of the link member 60.

The pivotal connection between the link member 60 and the first pivot point 30, such as illustrated by the mounting bracket 32 (Figure 1), is shown somewhat schematically. Ideally, this pivot structure is a "zero looseness joint", as disclosed in • copending application Serial No. 09/151569 entitled "zero looseness joint". The preferred embodiment therefore allows for smoother seat position adjustments while reducing strain or wear on the moving parts of the device.

As further illustrated in Figure 4, and as can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, selective activation of the motor 34 will cause corresponding movement of the link member 60, respectively. The link member 60 is attached to the first pivot point 30, and the gearbox 48 is attached to the second pivot point 28. As the spindle member 52 is rotated, it axially extends the link member 60. The actuator assembly 26 therefore applies a force directly between the two pivot points 28, 30, which results in adjusting the reclined angle of the upper seat assembly 20.

An important feature of this inventive arrangement is best illustrated in Figure 5. The gearbox 48 of the present invention provides an arrangement for mounting the drive motor 34 perpendicular to the link member 60. The link member 60 is preferably in a substantially linear relationship with the upper seat assembly 20 when attached to the first pivot point 30. The motor 34 can therefore be mounted along the lower seat assembly 22 while the link member directly actuates the reclined angle of the upper seat assembly 20.

The foregoing description is to be exemplary rather than defined by the limitations within. Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A recliner apparatus for a power seat comprising: a lower seat assembly; an upper seat assembly pivotally attached to said lower seat assembly; and an actuator assembly pivotally attached between said lower seat assembly and said upper seat assembly for selectively reclining said upper seat assembly relative to said lower seat assembly.

2. The recliner apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said actuator assembly is attached in a substantially linear relationship with said upper seat assembly.

3. The recliner apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said lower seat assembly defines a first pivot point and said upper seat assembly defines a second pivot point, said actuator assembly mounted therebetween.

4. The recliner apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said actuator assembly includes a single ended reversible electric drive motor.

5. The recliner apparatus according to claim 4, further comprises a gearbox having an arrangement for mounting said drive motor perpendicular to said upper seat assembly.

6. A power seat for a vehicle comprising: a lower seat assembly defining a first pivot point; an upper seat assembly defining a second pivot point, said upper seat assembly pivotally attached to said lower seat assembly at a third pivot point; and an actuator assembly pivotally attached between said first pivot point and said second pivot point for selectively reclining said upper seat assembly relative to said lower seat assembly.

7. The recliner apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said actuator assembly includes a link member in a substantially linear relationship with said upper seat assembly, said link member pivotally attached to said first pivot point.

8. The recliner apparatus according to claim 7, further comprises a gearbox having an arrangement for mounting said drive motor perpendicular to said link member.

9. The recliner apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said link member is axially extendable and retractable from said gearbox.

10. The recliner apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said actuator assembly includes a threaded spindle member having a gear on one end that is received within a gearbox such that said threaded spindle member extends outward from said gearbox in a direction that is generally perpendicular to a motor shaft, said gear member- being engaged with said motor shaft such that rotation of said motor shaft causes rotation of said gear.

11. The recliner apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a moving member received on said threaded spindle member such that said moving member moves axially along said threaded spindle member as said motor causes said shaft to rotate, thereby moving said gear and rotating said threaded spindle member.

12. The recliner apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a link member coupled to said upper seat assembly such that movement of said moving member causes said upper seat assembly to selectively recline said upper seat assembly relative to said lower seat assembly.

13. A power seat for a vehicle comprising: a lower seat assembly defining a first pivot point; an upper seat assembly defining a second pivot point, said upper seat assembly pivotally attached to said lower seat assembly at a third pivot point for reclinable motion; a link member in a substantially linear relationship with said upper seat assembly, said link member pivotally attached to one of said first and second pivot points; and a gearbox having an arrangement for mounting a drive motor perpendicular to said link member; said gearbox mounted to one of said first and second pivot points; said link member axially extendable and retractable from said gearbox for selectively reclining said upper seat assembly relative to said lower seat assembly.