Recliner with dual functions

• US 8,348,346 B2
• Filed: 04/22/2010
• Issued: 01/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Original Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC (Ford Motor Company)
• Inventors: Li, Yuenian Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): CRANMER, LAURIE K
• Application Number:
  US12/765,055
• Publication Number:
  US 20110260516A1
• Time in Patent Office: 992 Days
• Field of Search: 297/354.12, 297/301.3, 297/301.4, 297/364, 297/367.R, 297/378.1, 297/378.12
• US Class Current: 297/378.12
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/20 the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/04, B60N2/22 , B60N2/3002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A vehicle seat spring assembly having an engagement post connected to one of a seat and a seat back. A coil spring includes an internal end and an external end. The external end is operably connected with the engagement post. An arcuate engagement bracket is connected to the other of the seat and the seat back. The engagement bracket includes an elongate slot adapted to operably engage the internal end of the coil spring. The internal end moves between a compression position in contact with a first end of the elongate slot corresponding to a first predetermined position of the seat back relative to the seat. A tension position is in contact with a second end of the elongate slot corresponding to a second predetermined position of the seat back relative to the seat.

Claims

1. A vehicle seat spring assembly, comprising:

an engagement post connected to one of a seat and a seat back;

a coil spring including an internal end and an external end, wherein the external end is operably connected with the engagement post; and

an arcuate engagement bracket connected to the other of the seat and the seat back, wherein the engagement bracket includes an elongate slot adapted to operably engage the internal end of the coil spring and wherein the internal end moves between;

a compression position in contact with a first end of the elongate slot corresponding to a first predetermined position of the seat back relative to the seat; and

a tension position in contact with a second end of the elongate slot corresponding to a second predetermined position of the seat back relative to the seat.

2. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat back is in a forward pivoted position relative to the seat when the coil spring is in the compression position.

3. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 1, wherein the seat back is in a rearward pivoted position relative to the seat when the coil spring is in the tension position.

4. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement bracket includes a body portion and a base that is distinct from the body portion.

5. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 1, wherein the engagement post includes an elongate slot adapted to receive the external end of the coil spring.

6. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 1, wherein the external end of the coil spring wraps around the engagement post.

7. A vehicle seat spring assembly, comprising:

an engagement post connected to one of a seat and a seat back;

a spring assembly including a first end and a second end, wherein the second end is operably connected with the engagement post; and

an engagement bracket connected to the other of the seat and the seat back, wherein the engagement bracket includes an elongate slot that loosely engages the first end of the spring assembly.

8. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein the engagement bracket has an arcuate shape.

9. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein the engagement bracket includes an opening proximate to the elongate slot.

10. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein the spring assembly includes a coil spring, and wherein the first end is disposed at an interior portion of the coil spring.

11. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein the engagement bracket includes an arcuate flange that extends orthogonally outward from the engagement bracket.

12. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein the engagement post includes a receiving slot for receiving the second end of the spring assembly.

13. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein the second end of the spring assembly wraps around the engagement post.

14. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein forward pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the seat causes the spring assembly to enter a state of compression and rearward pivotal movement of the seat back relative to the seat causes the spring assembly to enter a state of tension.

15. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein the external end of the coil spring wraps around the engagement post.

16. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein the engagement post extends from a lower arm operably coupled to the seat.

17. The vehicle seat spring assembly of claim 7, wherein the engagement bracket extends from an upper arm operably coupled to the seat back.

18. A method of making a seat spring assembly, comprising:

connecting a post to one of a seat and a seat back;

operably connecting a first end of a spring with the post;

connecting a bracket to the other of the seat and the seat back;

forming an elongate slot in the bracket; and

slidably connecting a second end of the spring with the elongate slot.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of forming an elongate slot in a bracket further comprises:

forming an arcuate flange in the bracket.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

providing a neutral seat back range, wherein the spring does not bias the seat back.