TRANSMISSION DEVICE FOR SEAT ADJUSTER

• US 20100013285A1
• Filed: 03/26/2007
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S..R.L.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Craciun, Eugen F., Stanz, Kannan S., Ramaseshadri, Ganesh T., Brewer, William S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,146,991 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/344.130
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/067 by linear actuators, e.g. linear screw mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2025/209 using worm gears
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 25/20 Screw mechanisms with automatic reversal F16H25/12
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/18664 Shaft moves through rotary drive means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/1868 Deflection related
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19633 Yieldability in gear trains
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/19702 Screw and nut

Abstract

A transmission device for a vehicle component adjuster, such as a seat adjuster, may include a drive screw, a drive member and a load transfer member. The drive member engages the drive screw and has a first end with an outer periphery and an end surface. The load transfer member has a first portion disposed at least partially around the periphery of the drive member and a second portion configured to be positioned between the end surface and a support structure supporting the seat adjuster relative to a track arrangement or system. The load transfer member is configured to transfer an axial load applied to the drive member to the support structure.

Claims

1. A transmission device for a vehicle component adjuster and configured to be supported by a support structure, the transmission device comprising:

a drive screw;

a drive member engaging the drive screw, the drive member having a first end with an outer periphery and an end surface;

a load transfer member having a first portion disposed at least partially around the periphery of the drive member and a second portion configured to be positioned between the end surface and the support structure, and

wherein the load transfer member is configured to transfer an axial load applied to the drive member to the support structure.

2. The transmission device of claim 1, wherein the drive member is an cylindrical member having a shaft portion defining the periphery and the end surface.

3. The transmission device of claim 2, wherein the periphery of the shaft portion is substantially perpendicular to the end surface.

4. The transmission device of claim 2, wherein the drive member further includes a first gear portion outwardly extending from the shaft portion in a radial direction.

5. The transmission device of claim 4, wherein the drive member is in the form of a drive nut having a second gear portion at an inner periphery, the first gear portion being configured to be in meshing engagement with a source of rotational mechanical energy, the second gear portion being configured to be in meshing engagement with the drive screw.

6. The transmission device of claim 5, wherein the drive screw is configured to move relative to the drive nut.

7. The transmission device of claim 4, wherein the load transfer member further includes a third portion, the third portion being supported adjacent to the first gear portion.

8. The transmission device of claim 7, wherein the third portion is in the form of a flange outwardly extending relative to the first portion in a radial direction.

9. The transmission device of claim 8, wherein the second portion is in the form of an end wall inwardly extending relative to the first portion in the radial direction.

10. The transmission device of claim 9, wherein the load transfer member is a substantially annular cup washer.

11. A vehicle seat assembly comprising:

a seat having a back portion and seat base;

a track arrangement supporting the seat base and back portion;

a support structure coupled to the track arrangement;

an adjuster having a drive screw, the adjuster being supported by the support structure and configured to move the seat relative to the track arrangement, the adjuster having a transmission device comprising;

a drive member engaging the drive screw, the drive member having a first end with an outer periphery and an end surface, the end surface positioned adjacent to the support structure; and

a load transfer member having a first portion disposed at least partially around the periphery of the drive member and a second portion separating the end surface from the support structure.

12. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 11, wherein the adjuster provides for a vertical adjustment of the seat base.

13. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 11, wherein the drive mechanism is an electric motor.

14. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 11, wherein the drive member further includes an outwardly extending gear portion that is in meshing engagement with an output of the drive mechanism.

15. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 14, wherein the load transfer member further includes a third portion, the third portion being supported adjacent to the gear portion and extending outward from the first portion.

16. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 15, wherein the third portion is in the form of a flange that is substantially perpendicular to the first portion.

17. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 16, wherein the second portion is in the form of an end wall extending inward from the first portion at an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the first portion.

22. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 14, wherein the load transfer member further includes a third portion, the third portion being supported adjacent to the gear portion and extending outward from the first portion.

18. A vehicle seat having a seat base and a back portion arranged with respect to the seat base a track arrangement having a drive screw, the track arrangement for supporting the seat base and the back portion, and an adjuster supported by the support structure and configured to move the seat relative to the track arrangement, the adjuster having a transmission device comprising:

a drive member engaging the drive screw, the drive member having a first end with an outer periphery and an end surface, the end surface positioned adjacent to the support structure; and

a load transfer member having a first portion disposed at least partially around the drive member and a second portion separating the end surface of the drive member from the support structure.

19. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 18, wherein the adjuster provides for a vertical adjustment of the seat base.

20. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 18, wherein the drive member further includes a drive mechanism for driving the member, the drive mechanism comprising an electric motor.

21. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 20, wherein the drive member further includes an outwardly extending gear portion that is in meshing engagement with an output of the drive mechanism.