Manual vehicle seat adjuster with quick release clutch

• US 5,878,859 A
• Filed: 05/09/1997
• Issued: 03/09/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Schlaps, Edgar Harry, Borlinghaus, Hans Juergen, Nini, James Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Lorence, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US08/854,265
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 192/45, 192/90, 192/84.1, 192/84.9, 192/30 R, 384/905, 74/523, 74/528, 74/545, 297/216.18, 297/337, 297/341, 297/344.1, 248/424, 248/429, 296/68.1, 310/328
• US Class Current: 192/90
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0705 omega-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0843 about a longitudinal axis
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 28/00 Electrically-actuated clutches arrangements for synchronisation F16D23/02; clutches actuated directly by means of an electromagnet F16D27/00; automatic clutches F16D43/00 - F16D45/00; external control F16D48/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20642 Hand crank
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20744 Hand crank

Abstract

A quick release clutch interposed between the handle and rod of a manual seat adjuster uses a piezoelectric element to create a rapid disconnect on the selective application of an electrical signal. A resilient bearing on one side of a shoulder interface maintains frictional contact between two clutch members, while an expandable piezoelectric stack on the other side pushes the shoulders apart.

Claims

1. A direct, quick release clutch releasably connecting the handle and axial rod of a manual vehicle seat adjuster, comprising,

a first clutch member fixed to one of said handle and rod, said first clutch member having a first annular shoulder arrayed about the axis of said rod,

a second clutch member fixed to the other of said handle and rod, said second clutch member having a second annular shoulder arrayed about the axis of said rod in abutted relation with said first annular shoulder,

an axially resilient bearing member interposed between said clutch members on one side of said shoulders to normally bias said shoulders tightly together and fix said clutch members in a one to one turning relation so that said handle may turn said rod one to one, and,

an elongated piezoelectric stack expandable in length by the application of a voltage and interposed between said clutch members on the other side of said shoulders so as to be capable of pushing said shoulders apart to axially compress said resilient bearing member and thereby disconnect said shoulders to allow said clutch members to turn freely relative to one another on said bearing member.

2. A direct, quick release clutch releasably connecting the handle and axial rod of a manual vehicle seat adjuster, comprising,

a first clutch member fixed to one of said handle and rod, said first clutch member having an external cylindrical sleeve and an internal annular shoulder arrayed about the axis of said rod,

a second clutch member fixed to the other of said handle and rod, said second clutch member having an internal cylindrical sleeve and an external annular shoulder arrayed about the axis of said rod, said internal sleeve being journaled within said external sleeve with said shoulders in abutted relation,

an axially resilient bearing member interposed between said clutch members on one side of said shoulders to normally bias said shoulders tightly together and fix said clutch members in a one to one turning relation so that said handle may turn said rod one to one, and,

an elongated piezoelectric stack expandable in length by the application of a voltage and interposed between said clutch members on the other side of said shoulders so as to be capable of pushing said shoulders apart to axially compress said resilient bearing member and thereby disconnect said shoulders to allow said clutch members to turn freely relative to one another on said journaled sleeves and bearing member.

3. A direct, quick release clutch releasably connecting the handle and axial rod of a manual vehicle seat adjuster, comprising,

a first clutch member fixed to one of said handle and rod, said first clutch member having an external cylindrical sleeve and an internal annular shoulder arrayed about the axis of said rod,

a second clutch member fixed to the other of said handle and rod, said second clutch member having an internal cylindrical sleeve and an external annular shoulder arrayed about the axis of said rod, said internal sleeve being journaled within said external sleeve with said shoulders in abutted relation,

an axially resilient bearing member interposed between said external sleeve and one side of said external shoulder to normally bias said shoulders tightly together and fix said clutch members in a one to one turning relation so that said handle may turn said rod one to one, and,

an elongated piezoelectric stack expandable in length by the application of a voltage and located within said internal sleeve and interposed between said external sleeve and the other side of said external shoulder so as to be capable of pushing said shoulders apart to axially compress said resilient bearing member and thereby disconnect said shoulders to allow said clutch members to turn freely relative to one another on said journaled sleeves and bearing member.