CRANK AND ROD ACTUATOR FOR MOVING A SEAT BACK

• US 20100038948A1
• Filed: 08/18/2008
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Pigeon, Philippe
• Granted Patent: US 7,901,006 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/362
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02253 characterised by the transmission between the electric motor and the seat or seat parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/2245 provided with a lock mechanism on the upper part of the back-rest
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/366 characterised by the locking device

Abstract

A reclining actuator for moving a seat back relative to a seat bottom includes a mounting plate and a crank supported on the mounting plate for movement relative thereto. A rod is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to the crank and the second end is adapted to engage a seat back. A driver is provided for moving the crank relative to the mounting plate. A seat assembly includes a seat having a seat back and a seat bottom. The seat back is moveable relative to the seat bottom. A crank is connected to a driver for movement. A rod is connected between the crank and the seat back such that movement of the rod causes movement of the seat back.

Claims

1. An actuator for moving a seat back relative to a seat bottom comprising:

a mounting plate;

a crank supported on the mounting plate for movement relative thereto;

a rod having a first end connected to the crank for movement therewith and a second end adapted to engage a seat back; and

a driver for moving the crank relative to the mounting plate.

2. The actuator of claim 1 wherein at least one stop is fixed to the mounting plate for limiting the movement of the crank and the rod in a first direction.

3. The actuator of claim 2 wherein the crank contacts the stop to limit the movement of the crank and the rod.

4. The actuator of claim 1 wherein the crank moves between a first stop and a second stop that are fixed to the mounting plate, the first stop defining a seat back reclining position and the second stop defining a seat back upright position.

5. The actuator of claim 1 wherein the rod contacts the stop to limit movement of the crank and rod.

6. The actuator of claim 1 wherein the driver is an electric motor.

7. The actuator of claim 6 wherein the driver further includes a gear set engaged to the electric motor, the gear set having an output shaft oriented at an angle relative to the electric motor.

8. The actuator of claim 1 wherein the crank is a compound offset crank having a crank pin connected to a pivot offset.

9. The actuator of claim 1 wherein the rod includes a latch striker that is selectively engaged with the seat back.

10. A seat assembly comprising:

a seat having a seat back and a seat bottom, the seat back moveable relative to the seat bottom;

a driver;

a crank connected to the driver; and

a rod connected between the crank and the seat back such that movement of the crank causes movement of the seat back.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the driver includes an electric motor.

12. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the rod pivotally engages the crank and the seat back and is releasable from the seat back.

13. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the driver is supported on a mounting plate.

14. The seat assembly of claim 13 wherein at least one stop is fixed to the mounting plate for engaging and limiting the movement of the crank.

15. The seat assembly of claim 14 wherein the crank contacts the stop such that the seat back is in a reclined position relative to the seat bottom.

16. The seat assembly of claim 14 wherein first and second stops are fixed to the mounting plate for limiting movement of the crank in first and second directions.

17. The seat assembly of claim 16 wherein the crank moves between the first stop and the second stop.

18. The seat assembly of claim 13 wherein at least one stop is fixed to the mounting plate for engaging and limiting the of movement of the rod.

19. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the crank is a compound offset crank having a pivot offset and a crank pin connected to the pivot offset.

20. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the driver is manually operated.