Seat assembly with override condition

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12221016-B2
Application number	US-202118003328-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 25, 2021
Priority date	Jun 25, 2020
Publication date	Feb 11, 2025
Grant date	Feb 11, 2025

Abstract

A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion and at least one link pivotally coupled between the seat cushion and a seat base. A detent assembly is rotatably coupled to the seat base, the detent assembly actuatable between a use condition for operatively coupling the at least one link and the detent assembly, and an override condition for decoupling the at least one link and the detent assembly. A linkage motor is operatively engaged with the detent assembly for pivoting the at least one link to move the seat assembly between a plurality of positions. Actuation of the detent assembly from the use condition to the override condition allows for manual pivoting of the at least one link to move the seat assembly between the plurality of positions in situations where the linkage motor is unable to be actuated.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle, the seat assembly comprising:
a seat cushion for supporting an occupant in the automotive vehicle and a seat back pivotally coupled to the seat cushion;
a seat base adapted for mounting the seat assembly within the automotive vehicle;
at least one link pivotally coupled between the seat cushion and the seat base, wherein pivoting of the at least one link moves the seat assembly between at least a design position, in which the seat assembly is positioned to support an occupant, and a pitch position, in which the seat assembly is tilted toward a floor of the automotive vehicle;
a detent assembly rotatably coupled to the seat base, the detent assembly actuatable between a use condition in which the at least one link and the detent assembly are operatively coupled, and an override condition for decoupling the at least one link and the detent assembly; and
a linkage motor operatively engaged with the detent assembly for pivoting the at least one link to move the seat assembly between the design position and the pitch position,
wherein the override condition of the detent assembly allows for manual pivoting of the at least one link to move the seat assembly between the design position and the pitch position independently of the detent assembly and without use of the linkage motor.

2. The seat assembly of claim 1 wherein the detent assembly includes a sector gear rotatably coupled to the seat base and operatively engaged with the linkage motor.

3. The seat assembly of claim 2 wherein the detent assembly further includes a hook element pivotally coupled to the sector gear, the hook element operable between an engaged position with the at least one link for actuating the detent assembly to the use condition, and a disengaged position with the at least one link for actuating the detent assembly to the override condition.

4. The seat assembly of claim 3 further comprising at least one latching mechanism extending from the seat cushion for removably coupling to the seat base to selectively lock and unlock the seat assembly, thereby selectively preventing and allowing movement of the seat assembly from the design position to the pitch position.

5. The seat assembly of claim 4 further comprising a cable assembly operatively coupled to the at least one latching mechanism, wherein actuation of the cable assembly actuates the at least one latching mechanism to unlock the seat assembly, thereby allowing movement of the seat assembly from the design position to the pitch position.

6. The seat assembly of claim 5 wherein pushing forwardly on the seat assembly when the seat assembly is unlocked pivots the hook element from the engaged position to the disengaged position for actuating the detent assembly from the use condition to the override condition.

7. The seat assembly of claim 5 wherein the cable assembly is further operatively coupled to the hook element, and actuation of the cable assembly also pivots the hook element from the engaged position to the disengaged position for actuating the detent assembly from the use condition to the override condition.

8. The seat assembly of claim 6 wherein the detent assembly further includes a biasing element operatively coupled between the hook element and the sector gear for biasing the hook element to the engaged position to retain the detent assembly in the use condition.

9. The seat assembly of claim 8 wherein the at least one link includes a pin extending laterally therefrom, the hook element of the detent assembly engaged with the pin when in the engaged position and the hook element of the detent assembly disengaged with the pin when in the disengaged position.

10. The seat assembly of claim 9 further comprising a pull strap operatively coupled to the cable assembly, wherein pulling the pull strap actuates the cable assembly to unlock the seat assembly and allow movement of the seat assembly from the design position to the pitch position.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10 wherein the linkage motor further includes a pinion gear operatively coupled with the sector gear of the detent assembly, the linkage motor selectively driving the pinion gear for rotating the sector gear to pivot the at least one link.

12. The seat assembly of claim 11 wherein the sector gear further includes a post for receiving the hook element to pivotally couple the hook element to the sector gear.

13. The seat assembly of claim 12 wherein the sector gear further includes a projection extending adjacent to the hook element and arranged for selectively engaging and pushing the at least one link during rotation of the sector gear.

14. The seat assembly of claim 13 further comprising a seat track assembly fixedly coupled to the seat base for providing fore and aft movement of the seat assembly within the automotive vehicle.

15. The seat assembly of claim 14 wherein the at least one link includes a front link, an intermediate link, and a rear link, the front, rear, and intermediate links each pivotally coupled between the seat cushion and the seat base to move the seat assembly between the design position and the pitch position.

16. The seat assembly of claim 15 wherein the detent assembly is rotatably coupled to the seat base for selectively engaging the intermediate link.

17. The seat assembly of claim 15 wherein the at least one link includes a front link and a rear link to form a four-bar linkage, the front and rear links each pivotally coupled between the seat cushion and the seat base to move the seat assembly between the design position and the pitch position.

Assignees

• Magna Seating Inc

Inventors

• Ploch Steven

Classifications

• B60N2/12

  slidable and tiltable · CPC title

• B60N2/045

  Longitudinal adjustment by means of articulated rods supporting the seat, e.g. parallelogram mechanisms (B60N2/38 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2/02253

  characterised by the transmission between the electric motor and the seat or seat parts · CPC title

• B60N2/02246 Primary

  Electric motors therefor · CPC title

• B60N2/2213

  Gear wheel driven mechanism (B60N2/2231, B60N2/225 take precedence) · CPC title