Abstract:
An apparatus for reducing rattle in an automotive seat release mechanism includes a torsion spring applying both a rotational force and a linear force to a cross member operatively connecting a first release and a second release. The spring force biases the cross member toward the second release linearly, and biases the cross member in a first rotational direction to reduce rattle between the cross member and components connecting the cross member to the first and second releases.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to the field of automotive seats and more particularly to a seat release mechanism having an anti-rattle torsion spring and cross bar.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Seat release mechanisms for reclining the back portion of an automotive seat assembly, or for rotating or removing the automobile seat structure from the automobile floor pan are well known. An activator such as a lever or knob is located on the outside portion of the seat and is operatively connected to a release mechanism on both sides of the seat. The two release mechanisms are attached by a cable mechanism or a cross member that translates the movement of the activator from one side of the seat to the other. As a result of design clearances between the cross bar and associated components attaching the cross bar to the first and second release mechanisms there is a certain amount of play or clearance in the system. While, the clearance allows for ease of assembly, the clearance in the system also may permit the cross bar to vibrate or rattle in response to movement of the automobile. Accordingly, it would be desirable for a release mechanism to permit ease of manufacture and assembly while also eliminating any vibration or rattle in the system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    One embodiment relates to an apparatus for adjusting an automotive seat assembly. A first release is located on a first side of the seat assembly, and a second release is located on a second side of the seat assembly. A cross member operatively connects the first release and the second release. A spring applies a rotational force to the cross member about a longitudinal axis of the cross member in a first direction. The spring further applies a linear force along the longitudinal axis of the cross member and biases the cross member toward the second release.  
           [0004]    Another embodiment relates to a method for connecting a pair of release mechanisms for a seat assembly. A first release is provided on a first side of the seat assembly and a second release is provided on a second side of the seat assembly. The first and second releases are coupled with a cross member. A spring is coupled to the cross member and provides a rotational force to the cross member about a longitudinal axis of the cross member and provides a linear force to the cross member. The cross member is biased by the spring away from the first release toward the second release.  
           [0005]    In a further embodiment, an anti-rattle mechanism for an automotive seat release includes a cross member connecting a first and second release. A torsion spring is operatively coupled to the cross member and applies a rotational force to the cross member in a first direction, and applies a linear force to the cross member in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the cross member. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    [0006]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the release mechanism.  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of the release mechanism taken generally along lines  2 - 2  of FIG. 1.  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of the release mechanism taken generally along lines  3 - 3  of FIG. 2.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the release mechanism taken generally along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 1.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the release mechanism in the activated position, taken generally along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 1. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0011]    Referring to FIG. 1, release mechanism  10  includes a first and second base plate or support  12 ,  14  secured to a respective side of a seat (not shown). A first release or activator  16  and a second release or activator  18  are releasably secured to a respective latch member  20 ,  22  attached to the car floor panel  24 . The first and second releases  16 ,  18  are pivotally attached to the first and second base plates  12 ,  14  by a cross member  11  having a respective first and second stud, or plug or connector  26 ,  28 . The first release  16  is operatively connected to the second release  18  by a cross tube  30 . A torsion spring  32  includes a first end  34  operatively connected to the first base plate  12 , and a second end  36  operatively connected to the first stud  26 . As will be described below, torsion spring  32  imparts both a torsional force to the first stud and compressive force against the cross tube  30 .  
         [0012]    Referring to FIG. 2, first stud  26  extends through an opening in the first base plate  12 . The opening provides a bearing surface upon which first stud  26  may rotate. First stud  26  includes a first free end  38  extending outward of the first base plate  12 , and a second end  40  having a beveled portion  42  that is located within a first end  44  of cross tube  30 . Second end  40  of first stud  26  includes a slot  46  for receiving the second end  36  of the spring  30 .  
         [0013]    As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and  5  first release  16  includes a lever handle  48  extending in a frontward direction away from the first base plate  12  in a plane parallel to the plane of the first base plate  12 . Release  16  further includes an aperture  50  through which first stud  26  extends. The aperture  50  is “D” shaped to receive the “D” shaped first stud  26 . An exterior surface  52  of bearing journal  50  is in contact with a portion of spring  32 . Release  16 ,  18  also includes a hook portion  62 ,  64  releasably engaging latch  20 ,  22  respectively. First release  16  is positively located with respect to first stud  26 .  
         [0014]    Referring to FIG. 2, second stud  28  includes a first end  54  extending through an aperture in the second base plate  14  and a second end  56  located within a second end  58  of cross tube  30 . Second stud  28  may be formed as a unitary part of part of the cross tube  30  or may be a separate component that is either press fit within the opening of the cross tube  30  or may be further fit within the cross tube  30  with a clearance fit. Second release  18  includes a bearing  60  having a “D” shaped opening through which the “D” shaped second stud  28  extends. Second release  18  includes a hook portion  64  releasably engaging the latch  22 . Second release  18  is positively located with respect to second stud  28 .  
         [0015]    The assembly of the release mechanism  10  will now be described. To aid in the description of the assembly, the release mechanism will be described as a drivers seat mechanism, such that the first base plate  12  will be referred to as the left or drivers side of the release mechanism and the second base plate  14  will be referred to as the right or passenger side of the release mechanism. Of course the release mechanism may be used on a passenger seat such that the lever  48  is located on the right or passenger side for convenience. The front direction will be defined by the direction that the lever  48  points in FIG. 1.  
         [0016]    The first and second base plates  12 ,  14  are secured to the seat frame or are integral with the seat frame. Torsion spring  32  is placed over first stud  26  with the first leg or end  36  located within slot  46  of the first stud. The first end  38  of first stud  26  is passed through the D shaped opening in release  16 , and through the opening in plate  12 . The first end  44  of cross tube  30  is then slid on to the beveled portion  42  of first stud  26 . The cross tube  30  is pressed toward plate  12  thereby compressing torsion spring  32 , until there is sufficient clearance to insert second stud  28  through release  18  and plate  14 . After the second stud  28  has been positioned, the cross tube  30  is permitted to receive the beveled portion  57  of second stud  28 . The torsion spring  32  will then exert a force against end  44  of cross tube  30  until second end  58  of cross tube  30  is flush against the base portion of the stud  28 . Alternatively, the second end  58  of cross tube  30  may be pressed against another member such as release  18 . Finally, second end or leg  34  of torsion spring  32  is attached to an opening in plate  12 .  
         [0017]    The operation of the release mechanism will now be described. FIGS.  1 - 4  illustrate the release mechanism in the engaged position with hook portions  62 ,  64  engaged with latches  20 ,  22 .  
         [0018]    Rotation of release  16  is caused by an upward movement of handle  48  as illustrated in FIG. 5. Since aperture  50  of release  16  is “D” shaped, the first stud  16  which is also “D” shaped is also rotated about its axis. Rotation of the first stud  16  will be translated to rotation of cross tube  30  which in turn will rotate release  18 . The rotation of releases  16 ,  18  disengages hook portions  62 ,  64  from latches  20 ,  22 .  
         [0019]    Rotation of release  16  will cause torsion spring  32  to tighten about first stud  26 , such that upon release of handle  48  by a user, the release  16 , cross tube  30  and second release  18  will be biased back to the engaged position. During both the engaged position in which both release  16  and  18  are engaged with latches  20 ,  22  respectively, and the non-engaged position illustrated in FIG. 5, the torsion spring  32  exerts a rotational force to first plug  26  and a translational force along the cross car axis extending from left to right biasing cross tube  30  toward second plate  24 . In this manner rattle and noise is substantially eliminated by the compressive nature of the torsion spring  32 .  
         [0020]    The compressive element of the spring should provide a force greater than the frictional force created by the coils as the torsion spring is wound about the stud. In this manner the friction opposing linear movement of the spring in the cross car direction will not prevent the spring from biasing the cross tube against the second release mechanism.  
         [0021]    While the detailed drawings, specific examples and particular formulations given describe exemplary embodiments, they serve the purpose of illustration only. The systems shown and described are not limited to the precise details and conditions disclosed. For example, the system described is applied to a latch release mechanism to release the seat from a latch on the floor of the vehicle, however the release mechanism may also be employed in a seat reclining mechanism or any other dual release mechanism in which rotational movement is translated from a first and second release mechanism in which a translational force is also required. In the preferred embodiment the translational force is in the axial direction of the cross member. Additionally, the torsion spring may have additional configurations that provide both a rotational and linear force to the cross bar. The spring may also be attached to the cross bar in various ways such as internally within the cross bar. Furthermore, other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.