Latch mechanism

• US 20060082204A1
• Filed: 10/14/2004
• Published: 04/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adient US, LLC (Adient plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Zhang, Xinhui
• Granted Patent: US 7,325,874 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/366
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/01583 locking on transversal elements on the vehicle floor or rail, e.g. transversal rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/366 characterised by the locking device
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/20 Measures for elimination or compensation of play or backlash

Abstract

A latch mechanism includes a latch hook and an anti-chuck latch, the latch mechanism being connected to a removable seat assembly having a seat back movable between an upright and a folded position. When the seat back is in a folded position, the anti-chuck hook of the latch rotates such that the seat may be removed from a striker in the floor of the vehicle. When the seat back is moved from the folded position, a cam is driven to engage a pawl to lock the anti-chuck hook in a position such that the seat may not be removed from the striker bar even when the latch hook is released.

Claims

1. A latch mechanism for use in a removable seat assembly engageable with a striker, the latch mechanism comprising:

a first latch plate and a second latch plate spaced from the first latch plate;

a latch hook between the first latch plate and the second latch plate and rotatably coupled for rotational movement about a first pivot axis between a first position and a second position;

an anti-chuck hook having a locked position and an unlocked position, the anti-chuck hook being disposed between the latch hook and the second latch plate and coupled for rotational movement about a second pivot axis;

a pawl operatively in communication with the anti-chuck hook wherein the pawl selectively prevents rotation of the anti-chuck hook; and

a cam release lever selectively operating the pawl;

wherein operating the cam release lever operates the anti-chuck hook.

2. The latching system of claim 1, wherein the cam release lever pivots on the second pivot axis and the pawl pivots on the first pivot axis.

3. The latching system of claim 1 further comprising a release lever pivotable about the second pivot axis and a transfer gear pivotable about a third pivot axis and the release lever moving in response to movement of the release lever.

4. The latching system of claim 3, wherein the transfer gear comprises a first gear portion in communication with the release lever and a second gear portion in communication with the latch hook wherein the latch hook is disengaged from the striker when the release lever is actuated.

5. The latching mechanism of claim 1 further comprising a latch hook biasing member connected to the latch hook and biasing the latch hook in a first direction of rotation about the first pivot axis.

6. The latching mechanism of claim 1 further comprising an anti-chuck hook biasing member connected to the anti-chuck hook and biasing the anti-chuck hook in a first direction of rotation about the second pivot axis.

12. The latching system of claim 11, wherein the anti-chuck release cable is driven by the movement of the seat back of the seat assembly.

7. A latching system for a removable seat assembly, the latching system adapted for engagement with a striker rod in a vehicle floor, the latching system comprising:

a first latch plate adapted to be coupled to the seat assembly;

a latch hook rotatably coupled with respect to the first latch plate about a first axis of rotation and having an end for engagement with the striker rod;

an anti-chuck hook rotatably coupled to the first latch plate about a second axis of rotation and having a first position and a second position;

the anti-chuck hook having a first end for engagement with the striker rod when in the first position;

a cam release lever rotatable about the second axis of rotation; and

a pawl rotatable about a first axis of rotation and in communication with the cam release lever;

wherein the cam release lever and the pawl are in communication with the anti-chuck hook to prevent rotation of the anti-chuck hook when the seat assembly is in an upright position.

8. The latching system of claim 7 further comprising a latch hook biasing member having a first end engaging the first latch plate and a second end engaging the latch hook.

9. The latching system of claim 7 further comprising an anti-chuck hook biasing member having a first end engaging the first latch plate and a second end engaging the anti-chuck hook.

10. The latching system of claim 7 further comprising:

a release lever pivotable about the second axis of rotation;

a transfer gear pivotable about a third axis of rotation and in communication with the release lever; and

the transfer gear comprising a first gear portion in communication with the release lever and a second gear portion in communication with the latch hook;

wherein the latch hook is disengaged from the striker when the release lever is actuated.

11. The latching system of claim 7 further comprising an anti-chuck release cable coupled to the cam release lever and allowing selective movement of the anti-chuck hook between the first position and the second position.

13. The latching system of claim 7 further comprising a second latch plate wherein the latch hook is disposed between the first latch plate and the second latch plate and the anti-chuck hook is disposed between the first latch plate and the latch hook.

14. The latching system of claim 13 further comprising a first pivot member extending between the first latch plate and the second latch plate and defining the first axis of rotation and a second pivot member extending between the first latch plate and the second latch plate and defining the second axis of rotation.

15. A method for operating a latching assembly for a seat assembly including a seat back, the seat assembly being engageable with a striker, the method of operating the latching assembly comprising:

providing a latch mechanism in the seat assembly wherein the latch mechanism includes a latch hook and an anti-chuck hook;

engaging the latch hook with the striker; and

engaging the anti-chuck hook with the striker when the seat back is in a first position such that when the latch hook is released in response to the movement of the seat back, the anti-chuck hook remains engaged with the striker.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of removing the seat assembly from the striker.

17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of moving the seat back of the seat assembly to a second position allowing the anti-chuck hook to disengage from the striker.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of providing an anti-chuck release cable having a first end coupled to the seat assembly and a second end operatively coupled to the anti-chuck hook.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of activating a release mechanism for the latch hook to position the latch hook in the disengaged position wherein the seat assembly remains latched to the striker via the anti-chuck hook.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of positioning the seat back of the seat assembly in a second position, disengaging the anti-chuck hook from the striker, and disengaging the seat assembly from the striker.