Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND AND ~L~$~RY OF I INVENTION
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This invention relates Jo a seat recliner mechanism and, mQre
particularly, Jo a tor vehicle seat recliner mechanism which permits
the seat Jack angle relative Jo the seat bottom to be varied in
accordance with the desires of the motor vehicle occupant.
Many motor vehicles are now being provided, as standard or
optional equipment, with seat recliner mechanisms which provide added
comfort and convenience for the vehicle occupantsO Numerous types of
seat recliner mechanisms are known to the prior art. For example, ~.S.
Patent No. 4,372,610, issued to A. I. Fisher, III et al on February 8,
1983, describes a recliner employing a pair of meshing straight toothed
racks. Cne of the racks is connected to the seat upper recliner
structure through a qukadrant ccmponent. Adjustment of the seat reclined
angle is accomplishod by changing the meshed position of one rack with
respect to the other witch is accomplished by operating an actuator.
~lthcugh suck devices perform satisac~orily, it is desirable to provide
a seat recliner mechanism which is lighter in weight, less costly, and
which prcvides smaller graduations between adjusted positions of seat
back angle. It is further desirable to provide a seat recliner
mechanism which provides a positive change in operating mode between
engaged and disengag~ent t~reby avoiding cbjectionable ratche~ing as
the recliner actuator is moved between positions. Additionally, it is
necessary to secureky ix the seat back position to prevent inadvertent
changes I seat back position.
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A seat recliner mechanism in accordance with
this invention employs a curved toothed rack on a com-
ponen-t which rotates with the upper recliner mechanism
and which meshes with a gear that is rotatable within
the lower recliner mechanism. Locking of the seat back
is achieved by causing teeth of a pawl to engage the
gear. Adjustments of seat back angle are provided when
the toothed pawl is withdrawn from engagement with the
gear, thereby permitting gear rotation as the upper
recliner mechanism and the seat back rotate about their
pivot point. This invention further discloses the
addition of components which provides a quick release
feature enabling the recliner locking mechanism to rapidly
change rom an engaged to a disengaged position.
The recliner mechanism according to this inven-
tion is usable for motor vehicle seats which are instal-
led in two or your door type cars. In four door models,
the front seat back does not need to be olded orward
to permit access to the rear seat occupant area. How-
ever, in two door designs having a rear seat occupant
area, such provisions are necessary. Thereore, this
invention is described in conjunction with an inertia
sensitive seat back locking device according to prior
art designs which normally permit seat back folding but
act to prevent folding when the vehicle is subjected
to deceleration above a predetermined threshold level.
The inertia sensitive seat back locking system shown in
conjunction with this invention is also detailed by the
previously mentioned issued U.S. patent.
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Generally speaking -the present invention provides
a seat recliner mechanism supporting a seat back and seat
bottom which permits the angle therebetween to be control-
lably varied comprising:
a lower recliner structure,
an upper recliner structure,
first pivot means rotatably attaching t'ne lower rec-
liner structure to the upper recliner structure, a toothed
rack operatively connected to one of the upper or lower
recliner structures
second pivot means carried b~v the other of the upper
or lower recliner strucutres,
gear means mounted to the second pivot means for
rotation thereabout, the toothed rack meshing with the
gear means,
pawl means for engaging the gear means to control
rotation of the gear means,
third pivot means connected to the other oE the
upper or lower recliner structures,
a recliner actuator rotatable about the third pivot
means between a normal position and a released position,
quick release cam means rotatable about the third
; pivot means, the quick release cam means coupled to the
recliner actuator,
lost motion means coupling the recliner actuator to
the quick release cam means such that the quick release
cam is caused to rate once the rotation of the recliner
. actuator prom the normal position toward the released
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position exceeds a predetermined angular displacement,
the quick release cam means having an engagement portion
which cooperates with the pawl means such that when the
recliner actuator is in the normal position, the engage-
ment portion engages the pawl means to maintain the pawl
means in a position to engaqe the gear means and when the
recliner actuator is moved toward the released position,
the quick release cam means is rotated such that the
engagement portion disengages the pawl means, the quick
release cam means permitting the pawl means to move from
an engaged to a disengaged position quickly, and
a camplate rotatable with the recliner actuator, the
camplet having a cam surface which cooperates with the
pawl means to urge the pawl means into engagement with
the gear means when the recliner actuator is rotated :Erom
the released positlon to the normal position.
Additional benefits and advantages of the pre-
sent invention will become apparent to those skilled in
the art to which this invention relates from the subsequent
description of the preferred embodiments and
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the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accc~panying
drawings .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of the quick release gear
operated seat recliner according to the teachings of the present
invention;
Figure 2 is a bottom view of the seat recliner mechanism show.n
by Figure l;
Figure 3 is a front elevational view of the seat recliner
mechanism shown by Figure l;
Fig,ure 4 i5 a partial side view of the recliner components
shcwn m a position wherein the seat back is locking at a particular
seat back angle; and
Figure 5 is a partial side view of the recliner components
shown l a position permitting the seat back angle to be adjusted.
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D~rLED DESCælPTICN OF IRE INVENTION
! A motor ve~cle seat recliner mec~.anism according to this
I invention is shown assemhled in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and is generally
! designated there by referenoe character 10. The embodiment of recliner
, mechanism 10 described herein by the accompanying Figures is intended to
i, be positioned at the righthand side of a motor vehicle's passenger's
seat. A recliner structNre useful for a front driver's seat w3uld
preferably emplcy components which are mirror image replications of
toe described herein. Recliner 10 includes lower recliner structure
12 which is attached to a seat bottcm frame (not shown). Upper recliner
- structure 14 is attached to the seat back frame (not shcwn3 and is
adapted to pivot with respect to lower structure 12 about pivot pin 16.
I` Iower recliner structure 12 is fabricated by attaching two plates, inner
lcwer recliner plate 18 and outer lcwer recliner plate 20. mese plates
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are attached tcgether by rivets and define a space therebetween withln
which additional com~onelts, which will hereinafter be described, are
installed. Pecliner upper structure 14 is similarly fabricated by
attaching twc plates, inner upper recliner plate 22 and cuter upper
recliner plate 24. These plates are also formed to define a space
therebetwee~.
Journaled to pivot pin 16 is qyadrant 26. The position of
quadrant 26 establishes the angular position of upper recliner structure
14 with respect bo lower recliner structure 12, and thereore, between
the seat back and bottom. As shown by the Figures, quadrant 26 includes
arc~l~te slot 28. Pin 30 i5 attached to upper recliner structure 14 and
travels with slot 28. m e angular extent of slot 28 therefore defines
the n~uul~n extent of anguLar foldLng of the per reclLner structure.
Eor four door ~cdels where a seat back fold mg nechanism is unne oe ssary,
quadrant 26, or its functional equivalent, is fastened directly to upper
recliner structure 14 or is made integral therewith.
In accordance with a principal feature of this invention,
q~kadrant 26 includes curved toothed rack 32 along its lower edge.
Toothed rack 32 is formed along a circular path having a center about
pivot pin 16. Gear 34 is rotatable about pivot pin 36 which is attached
to lower rec~ner structure 12 and meshes with toothed rack 32.
Preferably, Lear 34 includes a steFped external surfaoe forming first
diameter gear sec*ion 38 and second diameter gear section 40. As shown
by Figure l first diameter gear section 38 has a diameter less than
that of second diameter section 40. Pivot pin 36 cocperates with bore
42 of gear 38 to permit free rotation of the gear. Gear 34 is
positioned s3 that toothed rack 32 meshes with first diameter gear
section 38, theIeby causing rotation of the gear as the angular position
of quadrant 26 is changed with resFect to pivot p m 16.
Fixing of the position of quadrant 26 is achieved my causing
toothed surface 46 of pawl 44 to engage second diameter gear section 40~
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Pawl 44 is restl-ained from roving when engaged with gear 34 since it is
pivotably mounted about pivot pin 48. Pawl 44 is caused to move between
a position of engagement with gear 34 shun by Figures 1 and 4 to a
disengaged position shown by Figure 5 by providLng recliner actuator 50
which includes handle 52 and which is rotatable about pivot pin 54.
Pivot pin 54 is journalled onto campla~e 55 such that the camplate
rotates with rotation of the pivot pin. Camplate 55 includes notch 56
forming a cam surfaceO Pivot pin 54 is further journalled onto quick
release cam 57 which includes a protruding resilient arm 58 and a
notched engaging portion 59. The internal bore 61 of quick nele~se cam
57 is configured such that the cam is not caused to rotate until a
predetermined degree of counterclockwise rotation of handle 52 and cam
plate 55 cccurs. On oe this predetf~nmined amount of rotation occurs,
continued lifting of handle S2 causes counterclockwise rotation of quick
release cam 57. Such rotation occurs until notched engaging portion 59
of quick release cam 57 clears tab 47 of pawl 44 thereby permitting
rotation of the pawl about pivot 48. Rotation of pawl 44 results from
the clockwise biasing force applied by spring 62. Once pawl 44 rotates
awry frnn engagement, -the seat back reclined position cay be adjusted
since quadrant 26 is then free to rotate. the predetermined degree of
angular moticn of handle 52 with respect to quick release cam 57 is
chosen such that, once this degree of rotation is achieved, camplate 55
has been rotated a sufficient degree to permit clockwise rotation of
pawl 44. Due to the employment of quick release cam 57 and the bias
force of spring 62, pawl 44 releases rapidly from contact with gear 34,
thereby preventing any ratcheting which might occur if the pawl were
gradually released from engagement with the gear.
When handle 52 is returned to its normal position, the
interaction of notch 56 and pin 60 which is fixed to panel g4 forces
re-engagenent between the pawl and gear 34. Resilient art 58 ox quick
release cam 57 provides a constant clockwise rotational urgin~force on
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the cam. Inten~al bore 61 of quick release cam 57 is relieved such that
a certain degree of "lost motion" is permitted, enabling actuator pivot
pin 54 to be rotated without rotating quick release cam 57. Therefore,
once pawl 44 is positioned into engagement with gear 34, quick release
cam 57 notched engaging portion 59 returns into engagement with pawl tab
57. Once engaging portion 59 engages pawl tab 47, the pawl is securely
positioned into engagement with gear 34, thereby preventing inadvertent
changes in seat back reclined position unless recliner act-uator 50 is
moved. Recliner actuator 50 is normally positioned to cause engagement
between pawl 44 and gear 34 by providing spring 65 which biases recliner
handle 52 in a clockwise direction. In the event of fastening of quick
release cam 57 or spring 62, the recliner mechanism remains operable
since notch 56 of camplate 55 will continue to guise pawl 44 into and
out of engagement with go 34 as actuator 50 is rotated.
` adjustment of the position of the seat back is simplified by
providing pivot pin spring 64 which engages pivot pin 16 and lower
recliner structure 12 thereby resiliently biasing the seat back in a
clockw.iæ for~rd position, with respect to the orientati~ shown by
Figure 1, Such biasing permits thy occupant eas.ily adjust the seat
back position while seated simply by raising recliner handle 52 and
pushing against the seat back until the desired angular position is
obtained, whereupon the recliner handle is released to its normal
position. Fine adjustment of the angular position of upper recl m er
structure 14 is provided by using very fine pitch teeth on second
diameter gear section 40 and pail toothed section 46. Such components
provide smaller steps between adjusted positions as toothed surface 46
engages with successive teeth along second diameter gear section 40.
e prcvision of an ~nlarg~d seoond diameter gear section 40 enables
smaller pitch teeth to be used sin oe the enlarged diameter results in a
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lowered requirement of for oe restra~t between toothed surface 46 and
second diameter gear section 40.
Since it is desirable to limit the max~mlm range of recliner
angular positions, slot 66 is provided within quadrant 26. Pin 68,
which is attached to lower recliner structure 12, travels within slot 66
and limits toe maximum degree of angular reclined position between upper
recliner stnlcture 14 and lGwer recliner structure 12.
Fur use in two door car yodels, motor vehicle seat recliner 10
according to this invention further features inertia sensitive actuator
72 which preuents forward rotation ox the seat back during conditions of
sudden deceleration of the associated rotor vehicle. Inertia sensitive
actuator 72 of vehicle recliner 10 interacts with quadrant 26 and
responds bD vehicle deceleration to prevent forward displacement of the
seat b~ck~ ~ctNator 72 includes upper weighted section 74, lower
engaging p~r~ion 76 with bore 78 therebetween. Upper weighted section
74 includes ixed weight 80 and rolling weight 82, which is permitted to
roil within slot 8~ .in response to vehicle deceleration. Pivot pin 86
is attached` bo upper recliner structure 14 and passes through bore 78
end co~pera~e o form a low friction bearing permitting free rotabiGn ox
actuator 72~ e actuator is configured such that its centroid of mass
center of gravity) lies abcve pivot pin 86 so that, upon vehicle
deceleration, rolling weight 82 noves forward within slot 84 and the
acbuator is caused to rotate in a clockwise direction, with respect to
the orientation shcwn by Figure 1. Engaging portion 76 of actuator 72
supports engaging pin 88. Engaging pin 88 is retained in association
with engaginq section 76 since it is trapped between locally deformed
portions 90 and 92 which fonm slots 94 and 96 respectively, within upper
recliner plats 22 and 24. quadrant 26 includes a notched upper portion
defining stop surface 98. Ihere~ore, when a predete ed level of
vehicle deceleraticn is sensed my ac~ator 72, the forward movement ox
upper recliner structure 14 is l~mi~ed due to engagement between
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engaging pin B8 and stop surface 98. Forward m~venent of upper recliner
structure 14 in this situation is prevented due to engagement of
engaging pin 88 with stop surfa oe 98 of quadrant 26, and the edges of
slots 94 and 96. Under normal circumstances, tlle seat back may be
freely rotated forward, since engaging pin 88 is permitted to escape
engagement with surface 98. Such escapement is prcvided by placement of
the centroid of mass (center of gravity) of actuator 72 such that the
actuator is normally biased by gravity in a counterclockwise direction.
In order to provide enhanced reliability of engagement between
actuator 72 and stop surface 98, curved quadrant surface 112 is prcvided
which contacts -the actuator such that it is biased clockwise when the
seat back is in its rearm~st positionO Slight forward rotation of the
seat back relieves this bias and enables actuator 72 to either cause the
engaging pin 88 to escape engagement with stop surface 98, or engage
with the stop surfaoe in response to vehicle deceleration.
An emergency releasing mechanism is provided to enable rear
seat occupants to extract themselves from the vehicle in the event of
failure of the mertia sensiti.ve ccmponents of the seat recliner or m
the event that vehicle inclination causes the hinge mechanism to latch.
erefore, releas3 actuator 114 i5 provided having a rearwardly
projecting portion 116 which may be rotated about pivot pin 118 by the
rear seat occupants so that thy release acbuator is caused to rotate in
a counterclockwise position about pivot pin 86, thereby withdrawing
engaging pin 88 from engagement with stop surface 98 and permitting the
seat back to be folded forwarded.
While the above description constitutes the preferred
embodlments of the present invention, it will be appreciated that the
invention is susoeptible to modification, variation and change withcut
departing from the proper scope and fair meaning of the acccmpanying
claims.
