Seat lifter device for a vehicle

Details Seat lifter device for a vehicle Seat lifter device for a vehicle

1999-09-16

2001-09-18

Ramirez, Ramon O. (Department: 3632)

Supports

Stand

Adjustable vertically

C248S421000, C248S396000, C297S344150, C296S065120

Reexamination Certificate

active

06290198

ABSTRACT:

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 with respect to Japanese Application No. 10(1998)-261802 filed on Sep. 16, 1998, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a vehicle seat. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a seat lifter device for a vehicle for adjusting the seat cushion height.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Unexamined Published Japanese Utility Model Application (Kokai) No. Hei 4-116233 and Unexamined Published Japanese Utility Model Application (Kokai) No. Hei 4-37025 disclose seat lifter mechanisms that include a pair of links that connect vehicle floor side members with seat lower arm members, an operating member provided with a spring coupler and held on the seat lower arm members, and torsion bars (or a coil spring) that urge the seat upwardly. The spring coupler controls the urging force of the torsion bars so that the seat is not lifted up by the links. When the control of the spring coupler is released, the urging force of the torsion bars is transmitted to the links and the seat is lifted up by the links against the weight of the seat and weight of the passenger.
However, in these known type of seat lifter devices, because the urging force of torsion bar (or coil spring) is directly applied to the links, the torsion bar (or coil spring) must possess a large capacity to compensate for the weight of the seat and the passenger. The torsion bar (or coil spring) is thus rather large in size and quite relatively heavy. The links are also rather large and heavy.
To improve and achieve better passenger safety and comfort, there is a tendency nowadays to increase the vehicle seat weight through the attachment of seatbelts and other parts. Therefore, the large capacity torsion bar (or coil spring) must be applied and so the size and weight of the parts increases.
In light of the foregoing, a need exists for a seat lifter device that is not susceptible to the same disadvantages and drawbacks as other known seat lifter devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a seat lifter device for a vehicle includes a vehicle floor side member, a lower arm, a front link and a rear link connecting the vehicle floor side member with the lower arm, a ratchet pivotally mounted on the lower arm, a connecting member connecting the ratchet with the rear link, and a medium reduction gear meshing with the ratchet and supported on a shaft that is held on the lower arm. An operating member is supported on the lower arm and is provided with a braking mechanism and a gear for transmitting rotatory torque to the medium reduction gear. A spring member has one end engaged with the shaft and another end operatively associated with the lower arm, with the spring member always urging the ratchet in a direction to lift the lower arm with respect to the floor side member through the shaft.
According to another aspect of the invention, a seat lifter device for a vehicle includes a vehicle floor side member, a lower arm, a front link connecting the vehicle floor side member with the lower arm, a ratchet pivotally mounted on the lower arm, a connecting member connecting the ratchet with the rear link, and a torque transmitting mechanism held on the lower arm. A medium reduction gear meshes with the ratchet and is operatively associated with the torque transmitting mechanism to rotate with the torque transmitting mechanism. An operating member is supported on the lower arm and is provided with a braking mechanism and a gear for transmitting rotatory torque to the medium reduction gear. A spring member engages the torque transmitting mechanism to apply a torque to the torque transmitting mechanism which, via the medium reduction gear, always urges the ratchet in a direction causing the lower arm to be lifted with respect to the floor side member.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a seat lifter device for a vehicle includes a vehicle floor side member, a lower arm adapted to be connected to a vehicle seat, a link connecting the lower arm to the vehicle floor side member, a connecting member connected to the link, an operating member supported on the lower arm and provided with a braking mechanism and an output member, a gear mechanism operatively engaged with the output member of the operating member and the connecting member to transmit rotatory torque from the output member of the operating member to the connecting member to move the link and the lower arm, and a shaft operatively engaged with the gear mechanism. A spring member engages the shaft to urge the shaft in a direction causing the gear mechanism to transmit torque to the connecting member to move the link and lift the lower arm with respect to the floor side member.


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