# US 2014/0191553 A1 · Cable synchronizer system

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- Number: US 2014/0191553 A1
- Document ID: US20140191553A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/735,724
- Filed: 2013-01-07
- Published: 2014-07-10
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-07
- Assignees: Leggett & Platt Canada Co.
- Applicants: Leggett & Platt Canada Co.
- Inventors: Horia Blendea; Robert J. McMillen; Paul Tindall
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140191553A1

## CPC

- B60N 2/20: the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access (B60N2/04, B60N2/22 {, B60N2/3002} take precedence)
- B60N 2/02246: {Electric motors therefor}
- B60N 2/2356: {with internal pawls}
- B60N 2/929: {linear}
- F16C 1/10: Means for transmitting linear movement in a flexible sheathing, e.g. "Bowden-mechanisms" (guiding-sheathings F16C1/26)
- F16C 1/106: {Plurality of transmitting means, e.g. two or more parallel "Bowden cables"}
- F16C 1/12: Arrangements for transmitting movement to or from the flexible member
- B60N 2/02253: {characterised by the transmission between the electric motor and the seat or seat parts}
- F16C 2326/08: Vehicle seats, e.g. in linear movable seats
- Y10T 74/20402: Flexible transmitter [e.g., Bowden cable]
- B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

An actuation system for concurrently actuating a first mechanism and a second mechanism from a first state to a second state includes an actuator and a sliding member operatively engaged with the actuator and movable from a first position to a second position in response to actuation of the actuator. A connecting member has a relaxed state and a taut state. The connecting member includes a first end coupled to the first mechanism, a second end coupled to the second mechanism, and a medial portion cooperative with the sliding member. Movement of the sliding member from the first position to the second position changes the connecting member from the relaxed state to the taut state, whereby the tension is increased in the connecting member.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An actuation system for a folding seat, the seat including a seat frame having a first back support member, a second back support member, a first bottom support member, a second bottom support member, a first seat latch pivotally coupling the first back support member to the first bottom support member about a pivot axis, the first seat latch having a locked position and an unlocked position, and a second seat latch pivotally coupling the second back support member to the second bottom support member about the pivot axis, the second seat latch having a locked position and an unlocked position, the actuation system comprising:
an actuator configured for coupling to the seat frame;
a sliding member coupled to the actuator and movable from a first position to a second position in response to actuation of the actuator; and
a connecting member having a first end configured for coupling to the first seat latch, a second end configured for coupling to the second seat latch, and a medial portion cooperative with the sliding member, wherein movement of the sliding member from the first position to the second position concurrently moves the first seat latch to the unlocked position and the second seat latch to the unlocked position.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The actuation system of claim 1, wherein the sliding member is movable to a third position between the first position and the second position, wherein the connecting member is taut with uniform tension at the third position.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The actuation system of claim 2, wherein the uniform tension is insufficient to unlock the first latch and the second latch.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The actuation system of claim 1, wherein the sliding member is coupled to the actuator by a flexible cable.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The actuation system of claim 1, wherein the sliding member includes a surface on which the medial portion of the connecting member is disposed.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The actuation system of claim 5, wherein the surface includes a contour at least partially surrounding the medial portion.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The actuation system of claim 1, further including a sliding member housing within which the sliding member moves from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The actuation system of claim 7, wherein the sliding member housing includes a rail, and wherein the sliding member includes a corresponding depression, wherein the rail and depression cooperate during movement from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The actuation system of claim 1, wherein the actuator is electrically actuated.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The actuation system of claim 1, wherein the connecting member is a flexible cable.

### Claim 11

An actuation system for concurrently actuating a first mechanism and a second mechanism from a first state to a second state, the actuation system comprising:
an actuator;
a sliding member operatively engaged with the actuator and movable from a first position to a second position in response to actuation of the actuator; and
a connecting member having a relaxed state and a taut state, the connecting member including a first end coupled to the first mechanism, a second end coupled to the second mechanism, and a medial portion cooperative with the sliding member, wherein movement of the sliding member from the first position to the second position changes the connecting member from the relaxed state to the taut state, whereby the tension is increased in the connecting member.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The actuation system of claim 11, wherein the sliding member is movable to a third position between the first position and the second position, and wherein the connecting member has a taut uniform tension at the third position.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The actuation system of claim 11, wherein the taught state of the connecting member concurrently actuates the first and second mechanisms from the first state to the second state.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The actuation system of claim 11, wherein the actuator is electrically actuated.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The actuation system of claim 11, wherein the sliding member is coupled to the actuator by a flexible cable.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The actuation system of claim 11, wherein the sliding member includes a generally arcuate surface on which the medial portion of the connecting member is disposed.

### Claim 17 (depends on 11)

The actuation system of claim 11, wherein the connecting member is a flexible cable.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The actuation system of claim 11, wherein the connecting member is a Bowden cable.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The actuation system of claim 11, wherein the sliding member moves linearly from the first position to the second position.

### Claim 20

An actuation system for use with a folding seat, the seat including a seat frame having a first back support member, a second back support member, a first bottom support member, a second bottom support member, a first seat latch pivotally coupling the first back support member to the first bottom support member about a pivot axis, the first seat latch having a locked and unlocked position, and a second seat latch pivotally coupling the second back support member to the second bottom support member about the pivot axis, the second seat latch having a locked and unlocked position, the actuation system comprising:
a motor configured for coupling to the seat frame;
a flexible cable having a first end configured for coupling to the first seat latch, a second end configured for coupling to the second seat latch, and a medial portion; and
a sliding member coupled to the motor and configured to interact with the medial portion, the sliding member movable from a first position to a second position in response to actuation of the motor, wherein in the second position the flexible cable has a taut uniform tension insufficient to unlock the first latch and the second latch, the sliding member further movable from the second position to a third position, wherein movement to the third position concurrently moves the first seat latch to the unlocked position and the second seat latch to the unlocked position.