Simplified linear recliner having a fixed pawl

Abstract

A linear recliner assembly is provided having a recliner rod slidably supported within a housing. The recliner rod is selectively engageable with a pawl which is fixed within the housing. The recliner rod is in contact with a cam which is operable to force the recliner rod into engagement with the pawl or enable the recliner rod to fall out of engagement with he pawl. The cam is biased in a first position by a biasing mechanism, such that the recliner rod is engaged with the pawl. The linear recliner assembly is implemented into a seat assembly for enabling an operator to select a plurality of recline positions of a seat back relative to a seat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 614,541 filed on Jul. 7, 2003, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 748,482 filed on Dec. 27, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,741). The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to linear recliner assemblies and more particularly to a linear recliner assembly having a fixed pawl. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Occupant safety and comfort are paramount concerns for automobile manufacturers. In particular, vehicle seating systems are a significant focus for improved comfort and safety. Conventional vehicle seating systems include reclining seats that enable comfort adjustment by a vehicle occupant. [0004] In reclining seats, a recliner assembly is mounted to a long lever arm, namely the seat back, against which various forces are applied. The recliner ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] A further advantage of the present invention is a simple, compact construction that reduces tolerance stack-up that would otherwise result in significant seat back chucking.

[0012] Additionally, packaging and trim of the overall seat assembly is more easily achieved because the recliner assembly's moving parts are internal to the compact housing.

Problems solved by technology

The recliner assembly in a vehicle seat is quite small when compared with the length of a seatback, and vehicle vibration or movement of an occupant may impose various forces upon that lever arm during use.

Because these forces are applied along such a lengthy lever arm, they can impose a large moment about the recliner assembly's pivot point potentially overcoming the capability of the assembly to anchor the seatback.

In addition, any imperfections in the components of the recliner assembly, such as play or backlash between the engaging teeth or tolerances in the assembly components, may allow the seatback to move a miniscule amount even when the assembly is locked.

For example, the seatback of an unoccupied seat may tend to oscillate when the vehicle encounters rough road conditions.

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