Trigger mechanism for impact response devices in a seat
First Claim
1. An automotive actuation assembly for use in an automotive seat assembly having a seatback positionable in a plurality of seatback angles, said automotive actuation assembly comprising:
- a motion translation element pivotably mounted within said seatback, said motion translation element including a back engagement portion and a translation portion, said back engagement portion movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, said translation portion movable from a translation stable position to a translation actuated position, said motion translation element pivoting to move said translation portion into said translation actuated position in response to said back engagement portion moving into said back intrusion position;
a intermediary element rotatably attached to said translation portion, said intermediary element movable between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position, said intermediary element additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position, said intermediary element biased towards said disengagement position;
a momentum cam assembly in communication with said intermediary element, said momentum cam assembly moving said intermediary element into said engagement position during vehicle impact, said momentum cam assembly including a biasing weight in communication with a liquid damper element, said liquid damper allowing said momentum cam assembly to adapt to the plurality of seatback angles;
a trigger arm positioned within said seatback, said trigger arm engaging said intermediary element when said intermediary element is in said engagement position, said trigger arm moving into a trigger deployed position in response to said back engagement portion entering said back intrusion position only when said intermediary element is in said engagement position; and
a seatback impact response device, said trigger arm actuating said seatback impact response device when said trigger arm moves into said trigger deployed position.
10 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automotive seat assembly is provided including a seatback and a motion translation element pivotably mounted within. The motion translation element includes a back engagement portion, movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, and a translation portion, movable from a translation stable position to a translation actuated position in response to the back engagement portion movement. A intermediary element is rotatably attached to the translation portion, such that it is moved between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position. The intermediary element is additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position. A momentum cam is utilized to move the intermediary element into the engagement position during vehicle impact. A trigger arm is positioned within said seatback and engages the intermediary element when in said engagement position. The trigger arm moves into a trigger deployed position in response to the back engagement portion entering the back intrusion position only when in the engagement position. A seatback impact response device is actuated by the trigger arm when it moves into the trigger deployed position.
34 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automotive actuation assembly for use in an automotive seat assembly having a seatback positionable in a plurality of seatback angles, said automotive actuation assembly comprising:
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a motion translation element pivotably mounted within said seatback, said motion translation element including a back engagement portion and a translation portion, said back engagement portion movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, said translation portion movable from a translation stable position to a translation actuated position, said motion translation element pivoting to move said translation portion into said translation actuated position in response to said back engagement portion moving into said back intrusion position; a intermediary element rotatably attached to said translation portion, said intermediary element movable between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position, said intermediary element additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position, said intermediary element biased towards said disengagement position; a momentum cam assembly in communication with said intermediary element, said momentum cam assembly moving said intermediary element into said engagement position during vehicle impact, said momentum cam assembly including a biasing weight in communication with a liquid damper element, said liquid damper allowing said momentum cam assembly to adapt to the plurality of seatback angles; a trigger arm positioned within said seatback, said trigger arm engaging said intermediary element when said intermediary element is in said engagement position, said trigger arm moving into a trigger deployed position in response to said back engagement portion entering said back intrusion position only when said intermediary element is in said engagement position; and a seatback impact response device, said trigger arm actuating said seatback impact response device when said trigger arm moves into said trigger deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An automotive seat assembly for use in an automobile comprising:
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a seatback; a motion translation element pivotably mounted within said seatback, said motion translation element including a back engagement portion and a translation portion, said back engagement portion movable between a back engagement stable position and a back intrusion position, said translation portion movable from a translation stable position to a actuated position, said motion translation element translating said translation portion into said actuated position in response to said back engagement portion moving into said back intrusion position; a intermediary element rotatably attached to said translation portion, said intermediary element movable between an intermediary stable position and an intermediary actuated position, said intermediary element additionally movable between a disengagement position and a engagement position, said intermediary element biased towards said disengagement position; a momentum cam assembly in communication with said intermediary element, said momentum cam assembly moving said intermediary element into said engagement position during vehicle impact; a trigger arm positioned within said seatback, said trigger arm engaging said intermediary element when said intermediary element is in said engagement position, said trigger arm moving into a trigger position in response to said back engagement portion entering said back intrusion position only when said intermediary element is in said engagement position; and a seatback impact response device, said trigger arm actuating said seatback impact response device when said trigger arm moves into said trigger position. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of triggering an automotive seat impact response device comprising:
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rotating a motion translation element positioned within a seatback from a back engagement stable position to a back intrusion position in response to passenger intrusion into said seatback; moving a intermediary element from an intermediary stable position to an intermediary actuated position in response to said motion translation element moving into said back intrusion position; moving said intermediary element from a disengagement position to an engagement position only during vehicular impact using a momentum cam assembly in communication with the intermediary element; engaging a trigger arm with said intermediary element only when in said engagement position, said trigger arm moving into a trigger deployed position in response to said intermediary element moving into said intermediary actuated position; actuating a seatback impact response device in response to said trigger arm moving into said trigger deployed position. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification