Mechanical seat recline lock mechanism with integrated damping

Abstract

A mechanical seat recline lock mechanism that employs a lead screw device to backdrive a nut and disk. The disk is held in place by a spring-loaded friction pin when motion needs to be constrained. The rotating disk can be oiled or greased to provide damping action.

1 . A mechanical seat recline lock mechanism for a reclining seat, comprising: 
 motion-transforming means for transforming linear motion to rotational motion, the motion-transforming means including an interface to the reclining seat;    at least one brake disk rotationally driven by the motion-transforming means;    damping means for providing a damping action to the at least one brake disk; and    holding means for selectively applying normal forces and friction adequate to hold the at least one brake disk and thereby preventing the motion-transforming means from rotating.    
   
   
       2 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the motion-transforming means comprises a back-drivable, externally-threaded lead screw and an internally-threaded lead screw nut threadably engaging the lead screw.  
   
   
       3 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one brake disk is an annular brake disk concentric with and matingly engaging the perimeter of the lead screw.  
   
   
       4 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 1 , further comprising a housing configured with a housing inner cavity encasing the at least one brake disk, the housing inner cavity being sized to provide a clearance between the brake disk and the housing, and wherein the damping means comprises oil within the cavity.  
   
   
       5 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 1 , wherein the holding means comprises: 
 a pivotable actuation lever having an effort arm and a resistance arm;    a resistance pin positioned between the resistance arm and the at least one brake disk so as to contact the at least one brake disk at the outer circumference thereof; and    means for biasing the resistance arm towards the at least one brake disk.    
   
   
       6 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 5 , further comprising a housing configured with a housing inner cavity encasing the at least one brake disk and an aperture therein for receiving the resistance pin, and wherein the actuation lever is pivotably mounted on an outer face of the housing.  
   
   
       7 . A mechanical seat recline lock mechanism for a reclining seat, comprising: 
 an externally-threaded lead screw and a back-drivable, internally-threaded lead screw nut threadably engaging the lead screw for transforming linear motion to rotational motion, the lead screw including an interface to the reclining seat;    at least one brake disk rotationally driven by the lead screw nut;    damping means for providing a damping action to the at least one brake disk; and    holding means for selectively applying normal forces and friction adequate to hold the at least one brake disk and thereby prevent rotation of the lead screw nut.    
   
   
       8 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one brake disk is an annular brake disk concentric with and matingly engaging the perimeter of the lead screw.  
   
   
       9 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 7 , further comprising a housing configured with a housing inner cavity encasing the at least one brake disk, the housing inner cavity being sized to provide a clearance between the brake disk and the housing, and wherein the damping means comprises oil within the cavity.  
   
   
       10 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 7 , wherein the holding means comprises: 
 a pivotable actuation lever having an effort arm and a resistance arm;    a resistance pin positioned between the resistance arm and the at least one brake disk so as to contact the at least one brake disk at the outer circumference thereof; and    means for biasing the resistance arm towards the at least one brake disk.    
   
   
       11 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 10 , further comprising a housing configured with a housing inner cavity encasing the at least one brake disk and an aperture therein for receiving the resistance pin, and wherein the actuation lever is pivotably mounted on an outer face of the housing.  
   
   
       12 . A mechanical seat recline lock mechanism for a reclining seat, comprising: 
 an externally-threaded lead screw and a back-drivable, internally-threaded lead screw nut threadably engaging the lead screw for transforming linear motion to rotational motion, the lead screw including an interface to the reclining seat;    at least one brake disk rotationally driven by the lead screw nut;    a housing configured with a housing inner cavity encasing the at least one brake disk, the housing inner cavity being sized to provide a clearance between the brake disk and the housing;    oil within the cavity for providing a damping action to the at least one brake disk;    a pivotable actuation lever pivotably mounted on an outer face of the housing, the actuation lever having an effort arm and a resistance arm;    a resistance pin positioned between the resistance arm and the at least one brake disk so as to contact the at least one brake disk at the outer circumference thereof; and    means for biasing the resistance arm towards the at least one brake disk holding means for selectively applying normal forces and friction adequate to hold the at least one brake disk and thereby prevent rotation of the lead screw nut.    
   
   
       13 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one brake disk is an annular brake disk concentric with and matingly engaging the perimeter of the lead screw.  
   
   
       14 . The mechanical seat recline lock mechanism of  claim 12 , wherein the housing includes an aperture therein and the resistance pin extends through the aperture.