A positioning system (3, figure 4) for a moveable vehicle seat assembly (17, 19), comprising an actuator (60) for moving at least one component (39, e.g. a bulkhead or partition) of the seat assembly between first and second positions, and a spring (74, 76) configured to bias the at least one component away from the second position. Preferably, a spring arrangement 72 comprises two clock torsion springs 74, 76 wound up in opposite directions to form a resilient coils. The first spring may store more energy than the second spring. Preferably first and second springs each have a handover position at which they cease biasing the component, e.g. by disengaging a protruding member 78 of the component. The spring arrangement 72 may work together with the actuator (60) to control movement of a bulkhead (8, figure 2) relative to a seatback or squab (24, figure 2). The elastic spring assistance may enable the actuator output to remain almost constant as the bulkhead moves between unfolded and folded positions. By modulating the actuator output, springs 74, 76 may allow the actuator to move quieter and prolong its working life.
A moveable vehicle seat assembly
2020-08-19
Patent
Elektronische Ressource
Englisch