Powered remote release actuator for a seat assembly

• US 20050248302A1
• Filed: 06/22/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: Fisher Dynamics Corporation
• Inventors: Garland, Nathan L.
• Granted Patent: US 7,152,922 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 318/280
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/01583 locking on transversal elements on the vehicle floor or rail, e.g. transversal rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0296 Central command actuator to selectively switch on or engage one of several special purpose circuits or mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2352 with external pawls
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3011 the back-rest being hinged on the cushion, e.g. "portefeuille movement"
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/305 the cushion being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/366 characterised by the locking device
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2002/924 using electric or hydraulic energy
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/40 Dual or redundant actuating means, e.g. backrest tilting can be actuated alternatively by a lever at the backrest or a lever in the luggage compartment

Abstract

A mechanism for a vehicle seat is includes a seat bottom supported by the vehicle and a seatback coupled to the seat bottom. The mechanism includes a first adjustment mechanism connected to the vehicle seat and operable between a locked position and an unlocked position and a first powered remote activation device coupled to the first adjustment mechanism. The first powered remote actuation device includes a motor and a transmission element operable to toggle the first adjustment mechanism into the unlocked position.

Claims

1. A mechanism for a vehicle seat including a seat bottom supported by the vehicle and a seatback coupled to the seat bottom, said mechanism comprising:

a first adjustment mechanism connected to the vehicle seat, said first adjustment mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position; and

a first powered remote activation device coupled to said first adjustment mechanism, said first powered remote actuation device including a motor and a transmission element operable to toggle said first adjustment mechanism into said unlocked position.

2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a latch mechanism.

3. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a recliner mechanism.

4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a combination floor-latch and recliner mechanism.

5. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a kneel mechanism.

6. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a combination recliner and kneel mechanism.

7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a combination floor-latch and kneel mechanism.

8. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said transmission element is a cable.

9. The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said cable is attached to said motor at a first end and to said first adjustment mechanism at a second end.

10. The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising a second adjustment mechanism, said second adjustment mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

11. The mechanism of claim 10, wherein said second adjustment mechanism is in mechanical communication with said first powered remote activation device, said first powered remote actuation device operable to toggle said second adjustment mechanism into said unlocked position.

12. The mechanism of claim 10, further comprising a second powered remote activation device, said second powered activation device operable to toggle said second adjustment mechanism into said unlocked position.

13. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said powered activation device includes a double relay, said double relay operable to toggle said motor between a forward and a reverse direction.

14. A seat assembly comprising:

a seat bottom;

a seatback pivotally supported by said seat bottom;

a first adjustment mechanism connected to the seat assembly, said first adjustment mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position to selectively permit adjustment of said seat bottom and said seatback; and

a first powered remote activation device coupled to said first adjustment mechanism, said first powered remote actuation device including a motor and a transmission element operable to toggle said first adjustment mechanism into said unlocked position.

15. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a latch mechanism.

16. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a recliner mechanism.

17. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a combination floor-latch and recliner mechanism.

18. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a kneel mechanism.

19. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a combination recliner and kneel mechanism.

20. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said first adjustment mechanism is a combination floor-latch and kneel mechanism.

21. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said transmission element is a cable.

22. The seat assembly of claim 21, wherein said cable is attached to said motor at a first end and to said first adjustment mechanism at a second end.

23. The seat assembly of claim 14, further comprising a second adjustment mechanism, said second adjustment mechanism operable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

24. The mechanism of claim 23, wherein said second adjustment mechanism is in mechanical communication with said first powered remote activation device, said first powered remote actuation device operable to toggle said second adjustment mechanism into said unlocked position.

25. The seat assembly of claim 23, further comprising a second powered remote activation device, said second powered activation device operable to toggle said second adjustment mechanism into said unlocked position.

26. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said powered activation device includes a double relay, said double relay operable to toggle said motor between a forward and a reverse direction.

27. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said powered activation device includes a potentiometer operable to determine a position of said transmission element.

28. The seat assembly of claim 27, wherein said powered activation device further includes a control module operable to receive a signal from said potentiometer and selectively position the seat assembly based on said signal.

29. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein said powered activation device includes a hall-effect sensor operable to determine a position of said transmission element.

30. The seat assembly of claim 29, wherein said powered activation device further includes a control module operable to receive a signal from said hall-effect sensor and selectively position the seat assembly based on said signal.

31. The seat assembly of claim 14, further including at least one biasing element operable to assist articulation of the seat assembly.

32. The seat assembly of claim 31, wherein said biasing element is a gas strut.

33. The seat assembly of claim 31, wherein said biasing element is a spring.

34. The seat assembly of claim 14, further including a spring and a strut operable to assist articulation of the seat assembly.

35. A seat adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat including a seat bottom supported by the vehicle and a seatback coupled to the seat bottom, said mechanism comprising:

a first latch mechanism connected to the vehicle seat, said first latch mechanism operable to allow the seat bottom to pivot relative the vehicle when said latch mechanism is in an unlatched position;

a first recliner mechanism coupled to the seat bottom and seatback, said first recliner mechanism operable to allow rotation of the seatback relative to the seat bottom when said first recliner mechanism is in an unlatched position; and

a first powered remote activation device coupled to at least one of said first latch mechanism and said first recliner mechanism, said first powered remote actuation device including a motor and a transmission element operable to toggle at least one of said first latch mechanism and said first recliner mechanism into said unlatched position.

36. The seat adjustment mechanism of claim 35, wherein said powered activation device includes a double relay, said double relay operable to toggle said motor between a forward and a reverse direction.

37. The seat adjustment mechanism of claim 35, wherein said powered activation device includes a potentiometer operable to determine a position of said transmission element.

38. The seat adjustment mechanism of claim 37, wherein said powered activation device further includes a control module operable to receive a signal from said potentiometer and selectively position the vehicle seat based on said signal.

39. The seat adjustment mechanism of claim 35, wherein said powered activation device includes a hall-effect sensor operable to determine a position of said transmission element.

40. The seat adjustment mechanism of claim 39, wherein said powered activation device further includes a control module operable to receive a signal from said hall-effect sensor and selectively position the vehicle seat based on said signal.

41. The seat adjustment mechanism of claim 35, further including at least one biasing element operable to assist in pivoting the seat bottom relative to the vehicle.

42. The seat adjustment mechanism of claim 41, wherein said biasing element is a gas strut.

43. The seat adjustment mechanism of claim 41, wherein said biasing element is a spring.

44. The seat adjustment mechanism of claim 35, further including a spring and a strut operable to assist articulation of the seat assembly.