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US 10,675,997 B2Granted
Method of assembling a release mechanism
AssigneeCTC Acquisition Company LLC
InventorMark G. Tomandl
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A release mechanism generates a force on a cable to operate an adjustment mechanism or the like in a seat or other device. The release mechanism includes a rotor, a housing, a spring, and a cover that attaches to the housing. The spring generates a torque, and the spring also axially biases the rotor into engagement with the cover to prevent rattling.
Claims15
A method of assembling a release mechanism, the method comprising:
- providing a housing defining a pivot element;
- providing a rotor adapted to be at least partially disposed within the housing and to pivotably engage the pivot element for rotation about an axis, the rotor including a first bearing surface and a cavity, and wherein the rotor is configured to connect to a cable whereby rotation of the rotor shifts the cable;
- providing a helical coil spring having first and second ends;
- engaging the first end of the coil spring with the housing;
- positioning the second end of the coil spring in the cavity of the rotor;
- engaging a second end of the coil spring with the rotor;
- rotating the rotor relative to the housing to deform the coil spring such that the helical coil spring rotationally biases the rotor for rotation in a first direction about the axis;
- shifting the rotor relative to the housing to compress the coil spring such that the coil spring biases the rotor axially away from the housing along the axis and simultaneously rotationally biases the rotor for rotation in a first direction about the axis;
- engaging the rotor with the housing;
- connecting a component having a second bearing surface to the housing;
- and
- causing the first bearing surface of the rotor to movably engage the second bearing surface of the component to prevent axial shifting of the rotor away from the housing beyond a predefined position relative to the housing.
9 more elements
A method of assembling a release mechanism, the method comprising:
- providing a housing defining a pivot element;
- providing a rotor adapted to be at least partially disposed within the housing and to pivotably engage the pivot element for rotation about an axis, wherein the rotor is configured to connect to a cable whereby rotation of the rotor shifts the cable, the rotor including a first bearing surface;
- providing a helical coil spring having first and second ends;
- engaging the first end of the coil spring with the housing;
- engaging a second end of the coil spring with the rotor;
- rotating the rotor relative to the housing to deform the coil spring such that the helical coil spring rotationally biases the rotor for rotation in a first direction about the axis;
- shifting the rotor relative to the housing to compress the coil spring such that the coil spring biases the rotor axially away from the housing along the axis;
- engaging the rotor with the housing;
- connecting a second bearing surface to the housing;
- and
- causing the first bearing surface of the rotor to movably engage the second bearing surface to prevent axial shifting of the rotor away from the housing beyond a predefined position relative to the housing;
- wherein the second bearing surface comprises a surface of a cover;
- and including:
- connecting a second bearing surface to the housing includes connecting the cover to the housing.
11 more elements
A method of assembling a release mechanism, the method comprising:
- providing a housing defining a pivot element comprising a boss and an annular wall extending around the boss to define a ring-shaped annular space therebetween;
- providing a rotor having an end portion configured to be pivotably received within the ring-shaped annular space for rotation about an axis, and wherein the rotor is configured to connect to a cable whereby rotation of the rotor shifts the cable;
- providing a helical coil spring having first and second ends;
- engaging the first end of the coil spring with the housing;
- engaging a second end of the coil spring with the rotor;
- rotating the rotor relative to the housing to deform the coil spring such that the helical coil spring rotationally biases the rotor for rotation in a first direction about the axis;
- shifting the rotor relative to the housing to compress the coil spring such that the coil spring biases the rotor axially away from the housing along the axis;
- engaging the rotor with the housing by shifting the rotor towards the housing and causing the end portion of the rotor to be received in the ring-shaped annular space;
- causing the first bearing surface of the rotor to movably engage the second bearing surface to prevent axial shifting of the rotor away from the housing beyond a predefined position relative to the housing.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.