Vehicle seat with linear reclining mechanism and an easy entry latch with memory

• US 6,231,123 B1
• Filed: 02/11/1999
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Lomason, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Magna Lomason, Inc.
• Inventors: Tame, Omar D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cranmer, Laurie K.
• Application Number:
  US09/248,478
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 297/378.1, 297/378.12, 297/375, 297/362.14, 297/341, 297/344.1
• US Class Current: 297/378.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0705 omega-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0715 C or U-shaped
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0825 outside the rail
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/085 about a transversal axis
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0868 in a transversal direction
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0887 with synchronised movements
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/123 and provided with memory locks
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/232 provided with memory locks

Abstract

A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes a seat track assembly for securing the seat in the vehicle. A seat cushion is supported by the seat track assembly and a seat back is pivotally secured to the seat track assembly and pivotal between one of a plurality of reclining positions and a forward dumping position. A linear actuator selectively adjusts the seat back between the plurality of reclining positions. A locking member intercoupled between the linear actuator and the seat back operatively locks the seat back in one of the plurality of reclining positions and a seat back releasing member is coupled to the locking member for releasing the locking member from the seat back and allowing the seat back to pivot from the reclining position to the dumping position while the linear actuator retains the previously adjusted reclining position of the seat back. A track locking member selectively locks the seat track assembly and seat in one of a plurality of fore and aft seat adjustment positions. A transmission member interconnects the seat back and the track locking member for automatically unlocking the seat track in response to pivotal movement of the seat back from the reclining position to the dumping position to allow access to the area behind the seat.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat assembly including:

a seat mounting assembly for securing said seat assembly in a vehicle;

a seat cushion supported by said seat mounting assembly;

a seat back pivotally secured to said seat mounting assembly and pivotal between one of a plurality of reclining positions and a forward dumping position;

a linear actuator for selectively adjusting said seat back between said plurality of reclining positions and defining an adjusted reclining position said linear actuator including an elongated extension member terminating in an abutting structure for engaging and pivoting said seat back between said reclining positions;

a locking member intercoupled between said linear actuator and said seat back for operatively locking said seat back in said adjusted reclining position, said locking member pivotally mounted to said abutting structure for selective rotation between an open position and a closed position; and

a seat back releasing member coupled to said locking member for rotating said locking member from said closed position, engaging and retaining said seat back in said adjusted reclining position, to said open position, disengaged from said seat back to allow said seat back to pivot to said dumping position whereby said adjusted reclining position of said seat back is maintained by said linear actuator.

2. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said releasing member has a slot and said locking member is coupled to said slot for providing a lost motion connection between said locking member and said releasing member whereby said releasing member and said seat cushion maintain a substantially constant position relative to each other.

3. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 2 further including a linear actuator support structure having a first end pivotally connected to said seat back and a second end pivotally connected to said linear actuator for supporting and guiding said seat back between said plurality of reclining positions and said dumping position.

4. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 3 further including a seat back support member for pivotally connecting said seat back and said first end of said linear actuator support structure to said seat mounting assembly.

5. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said seat back releasing member includes a first end pivotally connected to said seat mounting assembly, a second distal end for actuating said releasing member and a middle portion therebetween coupled to said seat back locking member for pivoting said locking member between a locked position engaging and retaining said seat back in said reclining position and an unlocked position releasing said seat back for movement to said dumping position.

6. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 5 wherein said slot has a substantially arcuate configuration and is integrally disposed within said middle portion of said releasing member.

7. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said locking member includes a contact structure engaging said arcuate slot of said release member for interconnecting said locking member to said release member.

8. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein said linear actuator further includes a linear actuator releasing member and an elongated extension member extending between said releasing member and said abutting structure for linearly translating said abutting structure to adjust said seat back to one of said plurality of reclining positions.

9. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 8 wherein said seat mounting assembly includes a track assembly for providing fore and aft sliding movement of said seat.

10. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein said track assembly includes a pair of fixed track members for securing said seat assembly to the vehicle and a pair of moveable track members slidably coupled to said respective fixed track members for providing said fore and aft seat movement.

11. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said track assembly further includes a track locking member for interlocking said fixed and said moveable track members in one of a plurality of fore and aft adjusted positions.

12. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein said track assembly further. includes a track lock release member for selectively locking and unlocking said fixed and moveable track members in said fore and aft adjusted position.

13. A vehicle seat assembly as set forth in claim 11 further including a transmission member extending between said seat back and said track locking member for unlocking said track locking member in response to pivotal movement of said seat back from said adjusted reclining position to said dumping position.

14. A linear reclining mechanism adapted for use with a vehicle seat including:

a linear actuator for selectively adjusting the seat between a plurality of reclining positions and defining an adjusted reclining position, said linear actuator including an elongated extension member terminating in an abutting structure for engaging and pivoting the seat between said reclining positions;

a locking member intercoupled with the linear actuator and the seat for operatively locking the seat in said adjusted reclining position, said locking member pivotally mounted to said abutting structure for selective rotation between an open position and a closed position; and

a releasing member coupled to said locking member for rotating said locking member from said closed position, engaging and retaining said seat back in said adjusted reclining position, to said open position, disengaged from said seat back, to allow the seat to pivot to a dumping position whereby said adjusted reclining position of the seat is maintained by said linear actuator.

15. A linear reclining mechanism as set forth in claim 14 wherein said releasing member has a slot and said locking member is coupled to said slot for providing a lost motion connection between said locking member and said releasing member whereby said releasing member and said seat cushion maintain a substantially constant position relative to each other.

16. A linear reclining mechanism as set forth in claim 15 wherein said releasing member includes a first end, a second distal end for actuating said releasing member and a middle portion therebetween coupled to said locking member for pivoting said locking member between a lock position when the seat is in said reclining position and an unlocked position releasing said locking member for movement of the seat to said dumping position.

17. A linear reclining mechanism as set forth in claim 16 wherein said slot has a substantially arcuate configuration and is integrally disposed within said middle portion of said releasing member.

18. A linear reclining mechanism as set forth in claim 17 wherein said locking member includes a contact structure engaging said arcuate slot of said release member for interconnecting said locking member to said release member.

19. A linear reclining mechanism as set forth in claim 18 wherein said linear actuator further includes a linear actuator releasing member and an elongated extension member extending between said releasing member and said abutting structure for linearly translating said abutting structure to one of said reclining positions.

20. A mounting assembly adapted for securing and adjusting a seat in a vehicle, said mounting assembly including:

a track assembly having a pair of fixed track members for securing the seat to the vehicle and a pair of moveable track members slidably coupled to said respective fixed track members for providing for and aft movement to selectively adjust the seat between a plurality of reclining positions and a dumping position;

a linear actuator secured to said track assembly for selectively adjusting the seat between said plurality of reclining positions and defining an adjusted reclining position, said linear actuator including an elongated extension member terminating in an abutting structure for engaging and pivoting the seat between said reclining positions;

a locking member intercoupled between said linear actuator and the seat for operatively locking the seat in said adjusted reclining position, said locking member pivotally mounted to said abutting structure for selective rotation between an open position and a closed position; and

a releasing member coupled to said locking member for rotating said locking member from said closed position, engaging and retaining the seat in said adjusted reclining position, to said open position, disengaged from the seat, to allow the seat to pivot to said dumping position whereby said adjusted reclining position of the seat is maintained by said linear actuator.

21. A mounting assembly as set forth in claim 20 further including a track locking member for interlocking said fixed and moveable track members in one of a pivotally of fore and aft adjusted positions.

22. A mounting assembly as set forth in claim 21 further including a linear actuator support structure having a first end for attachment to the seat and a second end pivotally connected to said linear actuator for supporting and guiding the seat between said plurality of reclining positions and said dumping positions.

23. A mounting assembly as set forth in claim 22 further including a transmission member extending between said support structure and said track locking member for unlocking said track locking member in response to pivotal movement of the seat from said adjusted reclining position to said dumping position.

24. A mounting assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said releasing member has a slot and said locking member is coupled to said slot for providing a lost motion connection between said locking member and said releasing member whereby said releasing member and the seat maintain a substantially constant position relative to each other.