Lumbar support screw actuator

An actuator for manipulating a bowden cable assembly of a lumbar support structure for varying the shape of the lumbar support structure, the actuator comprising:

• a housing having a longitudinal passage formed therein;
• a screw positioned inside the housing and operable for moving longitudinally in the housing passage;
• a threaded nut positioned at one end of the housing, the nut being coupled to the screw and operable for rotating and moving said screw longitudinally through the housing passage;
• an opening formed in the screw and configured for receiving the end of a cable of a bowden cable assembly for drawing the cable through the housing passage;
• a thread stop coupled with the screw, the thread stop operable to engage a thread of the nut and prevent the screw from being moved completely out of the nut when the nut is rotated;
• whereby the actuator is maintained in an assembled state.

A method of manipulating a bowden cable assembly of a lumbar support structure to vary the shape of the lumbar support structure, the method comprising:

• fixing an end of a cable of a bowden cable assembly to an end of a screw;
• positioning the screw inside a longitudinal passage of a housing so that the screw is operable for moving longitudinally in the housing passage to draw the cable through the housing passage;
• engaging the cable with a barrel, the barrel operable for providing movement of the cable completely therethrough and through the housing passage;
• engaging a sleeve of the bowden cable assembly with the barrel, the barrel operable for preventing movement of the sleeve completely therethrough and thereby preventing movement of the sleeve with respect to the barrel;
• fixedly coupling the barrel to the housing to fix the movement of the bowden cable sleeve with respect to the housing;
• moving said screw in the housing to draw the cable through the housing passage and through the fixed sleeve of the bowden cable structure for manipulating a lumbar support structure.