Power swivel mechanism with a single motor

Abstract

A swivel mechanism (10) for an automotive seat assembly (12) has a base plate (28), an electric motor (120) driveably coupled to a pinion gear (122) meshingly engaged with a rack gear (32) attached to the base plate, a swivel plate (130) rotatably coupled to the base plate and attached to a mounting bracket (92) having a pin slot (100), a primary lock (154) with a connector pin (172), a motor bracket (94) pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and having a motor pin (108) coupled to the pin slot, and a primary link (210) having a forward slot (220) and pivotably coupled to the motor bracket. The connector pin is slidably coupled to the forward slot. The primary lock prevents rotation of the swivel plate while in a locked condition. The swivel plate is rotatable while the primary lock is in an unlocked condition. Rotation of the motor bracket unlocks the primary lock prior to the electric motor rotating the swivel plate.

Description

POWER SWIVEL MECHANISM WITH A SINGLE MOTORCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 555,474, filed on February 20, 2024. the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a power swivel mechanism for use in an automotive seat assembly configured to allow rotation of the seat assembly between forward-facing and rearward-facing positions.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] Automotive vehicles typically include one or more seat assemblies having a seat cushion and a seat back for supporting a passenger above a vehicle floor. It is commonly known for certain seat assemblies to be pivotable between a forward-facing position and a rearwardfacing position. It is also commonly known for certain seat assemblies to include a swivel mechanism operatively coupled betw een the seat cushion and a seat base (such as riser brackets or a track assembly, as examples) and configured to allow rotation of the seat cushion between the forward-facing and rearward-facing positions. The swivel mechanism typically includes an upper plate rotatably coupled to a lower plate. Rollers and / or bearings are typically positioned between the upper and lower plates to allow' for smooth rotation of the swivel mechanism. In addition, the lower plate is typically fastened to the seat base either by welding or by a plurality of mechanical fasteners extending through structure attachment holes in the lower plate. Typically, the swivel mechanism includes a latch assembly which locks the upper plate relative to the lower plate, thereby preventing rotation of the swivel mechanism. However, power swivel mechanisms ty pically require two separate motors to unlock and then rotate the swivel mechanism. Typically, the power swivel mechanism includes a latch motor which operates a release actuator to unlatch the latch assembly. Additionally, the power swivel mechanism includes a swivel motor operatively coupled to a swiveling mechanism. Typically, the swivel motor rotates the upper plate relative to the low er plate after the latch motor unlocks the swivel mechanism.

[0004] It is desirable, therefore, to provide a power swivel mechanism with a single motor that actuates the latching assembly and drives the swiveling motion.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to one embodiment, there is provided a swivel mechanism for an automotive seat assembly. The swivel mechanism includes a base plate, a rack gear fixedly coupled to the base plate and including a plurality of rack teeth spaced apart in a circumferential direction around the base plate, and a pinion gear having a plurality of pinion teeth meshingly engaged with the plurality of rack teeth. The swivel mechanism also includes an electric motor driveably coupled to the pinion gear and configured to selectively rotate the pinion gear causing the pinion gear to travel along the rack gear, a swivel plate rotationally coupled to the base plate and rotatable between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position, and a primary lock pivotably coupled to the swivel plate and including a connector pin, the primary lock configured to prevent rotation of the swivel plate while the primary lock is in a locked condition and wherein the swivel plate is rotatable while the primary lock is in an unlocked condition. The swivel mechanism also includes a mounting bracket fixedly coupled to the swivel plate and including a pin slot having a first end spaced apart from a second end, a motor bracket pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and fixedly coupled to the electric motor, the motor bracket including a motor pin fixedly coupled to the motor bracket and extending through the pin slot, and a primary link pivotably coupled to the motor bracket and including a forw ard slot wherein the connector pin is slidably coupled to the forward slot.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a swivel mechanism for a seat assembly in a forwardfacing position and a locked condition, according to one embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a base plate assembly of Figure 1;

[0009] Figure 3 is an enlarged semi-transparent perspective view of portion 3 of the swivel mechanism of Figure 1;

[0010] Figure 4 is an enlarged semi-transparent perspective view of portion 4 of the swivel mechanism of Figure 1, with the mounting bracket omitted;

[0011] Figure 5 is a semi-transparent bottom view of the swivel mechanism of Figure 1;

[0012] Figure 6 is a perspective view of swivel mechanism of Figure 5;

[0013] Figure 7 is a semi-transparent top view of the swivel mechanism of Figure 6. with the mounting bracket omitted and in a forward-facing position and a locked condition;

[0014] Figure 8 is a semi-transparent top view of the swivel mechanism of Figure 7, in a forward-facing position and unlocked condition;

[0015] Figure 9 is a semi-transparent top view of the swivel mechanism of Figure 8. in a first partially rotated condition;

[0016] Figure 10 is a semi-transparent top view of the swivel mechanism of Figure 9, in a second partially rotated condition;

[0017] Figure 11 is a semi-transparent top view of the swivel mechanism of Figure 10, in a third partially rotated condition; and

[0018] Figure 12 is a semi-transparent top view of the swivel mechanism of Figure 11, in a rearward-facing position and a latched condition.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Figures 1-12 illustrate components of a swivel mechanism 10 for an automotive seat assembly 12 for use in an automotive vehicle according to embodiments described herein. Directional references employed or shown in the description, figures, or claims, such as top, bottom, upper, lower, upward, downward, lengthwise, widthwise, left, right, and the like, are relative terms employed for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any respect. Referring to the Figures, like numerals indicate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views.

[0020] Referring to Figures 1-6, the swivel mechanism 10 is configured to support an automotive seat assembly 12 above a vehicle floor 14. In addition, the swivel mechanism 10 allows the seat assembly 12 to be selectively pivoted relative to a pivot axis 16 between aforward-facing position (Figure 1) and a rearw ard-facing position (Figure 12). In the forwardfacing position (Figure 1), the seat assembly 12 is facing in a forward direction 18. In the rearward-facing position (Figure 12), the seat assembly 12 is facing in a rearward direction 20 which opposes the forward direction 18. The seat assembly 12 includes a seat back 22 pivotably coupled to a seat cushion 24, as is commonly known in the art. The swivel mechanism 10 is optionally attached to a seat base (not shown) configured to support the seat assembly 12 above a vehicle floor 14. The seat base may include a pair of laterally spaced apart riser brackets (not shown) fixedly coupled to the vehicle floor 14 or fixedly coupled to other components of the seat base, such as a track assembly (not shown), a height adjustment mechanism (not shown), a tilt mechanism (not shown), and the like, without altering the scope of the present invention.

[0021] The swivel mechanism 10 includes a base plate assembly 26 attached to the seat base (not show n) and configured to provide support for the swivel mechanism 10. Depicted in Figure 2, the base plate assembly 26 includes a base plate 28, a center aperture 30, a rack gear 32, a and a secondary retainer 34. The base plate 28 is a generally rectangular-shaped bracket configured to be supported above the vehicle floor 14. In addition, the base plate 28 is rotationally fixed. The base plate 28 includes a platform 36 extending between left and right sides 38, 40 and extending between front and rear sides 42, 44. The center aperture 30 extends axially through the base plate 28 and is aligned with the pivot axis 16. Depicted in Figure 1, the rack gear 32 is fixedly coupled to the base plate 28 and includes a plurality of rack teeth 46 which are spaced apart and around the circumference of the center aperture 30. Referring to Figures 2, 4, 5, and 9, the secondary' retainer 34 is an L-shaped bracket fixedly coupled to the base plate 28. The secondary' retainer 34 includes a leg 48, a flange 50, a side surface 52, a ramped surface 54. a recess mouth 56, and an aft slot 58. The leg 48 is fixedly coupled to the base plate 28 and extends generally in a vertical direction and between a forward side 60 and a rearw ard side 62. The flange 50 extends at generally a right angle aw ay from the leg 48, extends outward in a radial direction relative to the pivot axis 16, and extends betw een the forward and rearward sides 60, 62. The side surface 52 extends from the forward side 60 along an outer edge of the flange 50 in a circumferential direction. The ramped surface 54 extends between the side surface 52 and the rearward side 62 of the leg 48 and is tapered inwardly in the circumferential direction. The recess mouth 56 is formed in the side surface 52 and adjoins the aft slot 58 extending vertically through the flange 50. The aft slot 58 extends radially inward from the side surface 52 along the flange 50 with respect to the pivot axis 16.

[0022] Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the base plate assembly 26 also includes a primary retainer 64 fixedly coupled to the base plate 28 and spaced circumferentially apart from the secondary retainer 34. The primary retainer 64 includes a leg 66, a flange 68, a side surface 70, a ramped surface 72, a slot mouth 74, and a fore slot 76. The leg 66 is fixedly coupled to the base plate 28 and extends generally in a vertical direction. The flange 68 extends at generally a right angle away from the leg 66 and extends inwardly in a radial direction relative to the pivot axis 16. The side surface 70 extends along an inner edge of the flange 68 in the circumferential direction. The ramped surface 72 extends generally between the leg 66 and the side surface 70 and is tapered in the circumferential direction. The slot mouth 74 is formed in the side surface 70 and adjoins the fore slot 76 extending vertically through the flange 68. The fore slot 76 extends radially outward from the side surface 70 along the flange 68 with respect to the pivot axis 16.

[0023] The swivel mechanism 10 also includes a modular carrier assembly 78 pivotably coupled to the base plate assembly 26 and configured to pivot about the pivot axis 16. The modular carrier assembly 78 (hereinafter, '‘carrier assembly”) includes a tubular frame 80 configured to support the seat cushion 24. Referring to Figure 6, the tubular frame 80 includes a front portion 82 spaced longitudinally apart from a rear portion 84. The tubular frame 80 also includes opposing left and right portions 86, 88 extending between the front and rear portions 82. 84. The tubular frame 80 includes an opening 90 extending vertically therethrough and bounded by the left and right portions 86, 88 and the front and rear portions 82, 84. The tubular frame 80 has a generally rectangular shape in cross-section. However, it will be appreciated that the cross-sectional shape and the general overall shape of the tubular frame 80 may vary without altering the scope of the present invention.

[0024] Depicted in Figure 6, the carrier assembly 78 also includes a mounting bracket 92, a motor bracket 94, and a center pivot 96. The mounting bracket 92 is a generally flat bracket fixedly coupled to the upper surfaces of the front and rear portions 82, 84 of the tubular frame 80. The mounting bracket 92 includes a center hole 98 and a pin slot 100. The center hole 98 extends axially through the mounting bracket 92 and is aligned with the pivot axis 16. The pin slot 100 is spaced radially apart from the pivot axis 16 and extends in a circumferential direction between a first end 102 and a second end 104. Depicted in Figures 4 and 5, the motor bracket 94 is a generally triangular-shaped bracket having a pivot hole 106, a motor pin 108, and a link hole 110. The pivot hole 106 extends vertically through the motor bracket 94 and is alignedwith the pivot axis 16. The motor pin 108 has a generally cylindrical-shape, proj ects upwardly from the motor bracket 94, and is radially offset from the pivot hole 106. The link hole 110 also extends vertically through the motor bracket 94 and is spaced radially apart from the pivot hole 106 by a radial distance 112. In addition, the carrier assembly 78 includes a first imaginary axis 114 and a secondary' imaginary' axis 116. The first imaginary' axis 114 extends through the center of the link hole 110. the center of the pivot hole 106, and through the pivot axis 16. The second imaginary axis 116 extends horizontally through the pivot axis 16. through the center of the pivot hole 106, and extends longitudinally7in the forward and rearward directions 18, 20. The first imaginary axis 114 is offset in the counterclockwise direction from the second imaginary' axis 116 by angle 118. Referring to Figures 4 and 6, the center pivot 96 extends through the center hole 98 in the mounting bracket 92, through the pivot hole 106 in the motor bracket 94, and pivotably couples the motor bracket 94 to the mounting bracket 92. In addition, the motor pin 108 extends vertically' through the pin slot 100 in the mounting bracket 92. The motor pin 108 is transposable along the pin slot 100 between the first end 102 and the second end 104 in response to the motor bracket 94 being pivoted relative to the mounting bracket 92 about the center pivot 96.

[0025] Depicted in Figures 1 and 5, the swivel mechanism 10 also includes an electric motor 120, a drive shaft 121, and a pinion gear 122. The electric motor 120 is fixedly coupled to the motor bracket 94 and driveably coupled to the drive shaft 121, which in turn is fixedly coupled to the pinion gear 122, as is commonly known in the art. The pinion gear 122 includes a plurality7of pinion teeth 124 extending circumferentially therearound which are meshingly engaged with the plurality of rack teeth 46 on the rack gear 32. Referring to Figures 1 and 5, the electric motor 120 is configured to selectively rotate the pinion gear 122 in a first rotational direction 125a and a second rotational direction 125b. As viewed in Figure 1, rotating the pinion gear 122 in the first rotational direction 125a causes the pinion gear 122 to travel along the rack gear 32 in a clockwise direction 126. In addition, rotating the pinion gear 122 in the second rotational direction 125b causes the pinion gear 122 to travel along the rack gear 32 in a counterclockwise direction 128. It w ll be appreciated that the first rotational direction 125a opposes the second rotational direction 125b and the clockwise direction 126 opposes the counterclockwise direction 128.

[0026] Depicted in Figure 6. the swivel mechanism 10 also includes a swivel plate 130 having a generally ring-shape with a passageway 132 extending axially therethrough. The swivel plate130 is fixedly coupled to the front and rear portions 82, 84 of the tubular frame 80. In addition, the swivel plate 130 is rotatably coupled to the base plate 28 by rollers and / or bearings (not shown) positioned between the swivel plate 130 and the base plate 28 to allow for smooth rotation of the swivel mechanism 10, as is commonly known in the art. As shown in Figure 4, the swivel plate 130 also includes a forward slot 134 and a rearward slot 136. The forward slot 134 and the rearward slot 136 extend axially through the swivel plate 130, are spaced apart, and extend in the circumferential direction along the swivel plate 130.

[0027] Referring to Figures 2-5, the swivel mechanism 10 also includes a forward stop 138 and a rearw ard stop 140, which are internal travel stops to limit the rotation of the swivel plate 130. The forward stop 138 is an L-shaped bracket having an upright portion 142 extending in a vertical direction and a base portion 144 extending at generally a right angle from the upright portion 142. The forward stop 138 includes a rear surface 146 extending along one side of the upright portion 142 and the base portion 144. In addition, the upright portion 142 of the forward stop 138 is fixedly coupled to the forward slot 134 in the swivel plate 130. The rear surface 146 is configured to abut against the forward side 60 of the secondary retainer 34 as the swivel plate 130 rotates in the counterclockwise direction 128 (Figure 1) and defines a forward-facing position (Figures 1 and 7). The rearward stop 140 is an L-shaped bracket having an upright portion 148 extending in a vertical direction and a base portion 150 extending at generally a right angle from the upright portion 148. The rearward stop 140 includes a rearward surface 152 extending along one side of the upright portion 148 and the base portion 150. In addition, the upright portion 148 of the rearward stop 140 is fixedly coupled to the rearward slot 136 in the swivel plate 130. The rearward surface 152 is configured to abut against the rearward side 62 of the secondary retainer 34 as the swivel plate 130 rotates in the clockwise direction 126 and defines a rearward-facing position (Figure 12).

[0028] Depicted in Figures 3 and 4, the swivel mechanism 10 also includes a primary lock assembly 154 pivotally coupled to the swivel plate 130 and configured to selectively prevent rotation of the swivel plate 130 relative to the base plate 28 when the primary lock assembly 154 (hereinafter, “primary lock”) is in a locked condition with the primary retainer 64 and the swivel mechanism 10 is in the forw ard-facing position (Figure 1). When the swivel mechanism 10 is in the forward-facing position (Figure 1), the swivel plate 130 is rotatable relative to the base plate 28 while the primary lock 154 is in the unlocked condition and decoupled from the primary retainer 64.

[0029] Depicted in Figures 3-5, the primary lock 154 includes a main hub 156, a primary shaft 158, and a guide slot 160. The main hub 156 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes two pairs of opposing walls 162 forming a generally rectangular cross-section and extending in an axial direction. The main hub 156 also includes a shaft bore 164 extending axially therethrough. In addition, the main hub 156 is fixedly coupled to the swivel plate 130. The primary shaft 158 has a generally cylindrical shape and extends axially through the shaft bore 164 in the main hub 156 and through the hole (not shown) in the swivel plate 130. Further, the primary shaft 158 is pivotably coupled to the main hub 156. The guide slot 160 is a curved slot spaced apart from the primary shaft 158 and extending in a circumferential direction therearound between a distal end 166 and a proximal end 168.

[0030] The primary lock 154 also includes a support hook 170, a connector pin 172, a lower striker 174, and a first spring 176. The support hook 170 is fixedly coupled to a lower end of the primary shaft 158 and spaced below the swivel plate 130. In addition, the support hook 170 extends generally in a circumferential direction relative to the pivot axis 16 and extends generally in the counterclockwise direction 128 from the main hub 156. The connector pin 172 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in an axial direction with a lower end fixedly coupled to an upper side of the support hook 170. The connector pin 172 projects through the guide slot 160 in the swivel plate 130 and is transposable along the guide slot 160 between the distal and proximal ends 166, 168. The lower striker 174 has a generally cylindrical shape and is fixedly coupled to a lower side of the support hook 170. Further, the connector pin 172 is axially aligned with the lower striker 174. In addition, the lower striker 174 is configured to matingly engage with the fore slot 76 in the primary retainer 64. Alternatively, the support hook 170, the connector pin 172, and the lower striker 174 could have a unitary construction and be formed out of a single piece, without altering the scope of the present invention. The first spring 176 is a coiled spring having a first end 178 fixedly coupled to one of the walls 162 on the main hub 156 and a second end 180 abutted against an inner portion of the connector pin 172. The first spring 176 spring-biases the primary lock 154 towards the locked condition with the primary retainer 64. In more detail, the first spring 176 biases the connector pin 172 in a clockwise direction 126 about the primary shaft 158 towards the distal end 166 of the guide slot 160. When the swivel mechanism 10 is in the forward-facing position (Figure 1), the first spring 176 biases the lower striker 174 in the clockwise direction 126 about the primary shaft 158 towards an engaged condition with the fore slot 76 in the primary’ retainer 64.

[0031] Depicted in Figures 3-5, the swivel mechanism 10 also includes a secondary lock assembly 182 pivotally coupled to the swivel plate 130 and configured to selectively prevent rotation of the swivel plate 130 relative to the base plate 28 when the secondary lock assembly 182 (hereinafter, “secondary lock”) is in a latched condition with the secondary retainer 34 and the swivel mechanism 10 is in the rearward-facing position (Figure 12). When the swivel mechanism 10 is in the rearward-facing position (Figure 12), the swivel plate 130 is rotatable relative to the base plate 28 while the secondary lock 182 is in the unlatched condition and decoupled from the secondary retainer 34.

[0032] Depicted in Figures 3-5, the secondary lock 182 includes an auxiliary hub 184, a secondary shaft 186. and a travel slot 188. The auxiliary hub 184 has a generally cylindrical shape and includes two pairs of opposing sidewalls 190 forming a generally rectangular crosssection and extending in an axial direction. The auxiliary' hub 184 also includes a shaft hole 192 extending axially therethrough. In addition, the auxiliary' hub 184 is fixedly coupled to the swivel plate 130 and spaced circumferentially apart from the main hub 156. The secondary shaft 186 has a generally cylindrical shape and extends axially through the shaft hole 192 in the auxiliary hub 184 and through the second hole (not shown) in the swivel plate 130. Further, the secondary' shaft 186 is pivotably coupled to the auxiliary' hub 184. The travel slot 188 is a curved slot spaced apart from the secondary shaft 186 and extending in a circumferential therearound between an inboard end 194 and an outboard end 196.

[0033] The secondary' lock 182 also includes a secondary' hook 198, a link pin 200, a bottom striker 202, and a second spring 204. The secondary hook 198 is fixedly coupled to a lower end of the secondary shaft 186 and spaced below the swivel plate 130. In addition, the secondary hook 198 extends generally in a circumferential direction relative to the pivot axis 1 and extends generally in the clockwise direction 126 from the auxiliary' hub 184. The link pin 200 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in an axial direction with a lower end fixedly coupled to an upper surface of the secondary hook 198. The link pin 200 projects through the travel slot 188 in the swivel plate 130 and is transposable along the travel slot 188 between the inboard and outboard ends 194, 196. The bottom striker 202 has a generally cylindrical shape and is fixedly coupled to a low er side of the secondary' hook 198. Further, the link pin 200 is axially aligned with the bottom striker 202. In addition, the bottom striker 202 is configured to matingly engage with the aft slot 58 in the secondary retainer 34. Alternatively, the secondary hook 198, the link pin 200, and the bottom striker 202 could have a unitary construction andbe formed out of a single piece, without altering the scope of the present invention. The second spring 204 is a coiled spring having a first end 206 fixedly coupled to one of the sidewalls 190 on the auxiliary hub 184 and a second end 208 abutted against an outer portion of the link pin 200. The second spring 204 spring-biases the secondary lock 182 towards the latched condition with the secondary' retainer 34. In more detail, the second spring 204 biases the link pin 200 in a clockwise direction 126 about the secondary shaft 186 towards the inboard end 194 of the travel slot 188. When the swivel mechanism 10 is in the rearward-facing position (Figure 12), the second spring 204 biases the bottom striker 202 in the clockwise direction 126 about the secondary shaft 186 towards an engaged condition with the aft slot 58 in the secondary retainer 34.

[0034] Depicted in Figures 4 and 5, the swivel mechanism 10 also includes a primary link 210 and a secondary link 212 operatively coupled between the primary' and secondary' locks 154, 182, respectively, and the motor bracket 94. The primary link 210 includes an upper portion 214, a lower portion 216, an offset portion 218. a forward slot 220, and a pivot aperture 222. The upper portion 214 and the lower portion 216 extend generally in the horizontal direction with the offset portion 218 extending generally in the vertical direction betw een an inboard end of the low er portion 216 and the outboard end of the upper portion 214. The forward slot 220 is an elongated slot having a far end 224 positioned adjacent the outboard end of the lower portion 216, a near end 226 spaced apart from the far end 224, and a slot centerline extending along the longitudinal axis of the lower portion 216. The connector pin 172 extends vertically through the forw ard slot 220 in the primary link 210 and is slidably coupled with the forward slot 220. The pivot aperture 222 is adjacent the inboard end of the upper portion 214 and extends generally vertically therethrough. The pivot aperture 222 is axially aligned with the link hole 110 in the motor bracket 94 and is spaced adjacent a lower surface of the motor bracket 94.

[0035] The secondary link 212 includes a proximal portion 228, a distal portion 230, an offset portion 232, a rear slot 234, and a pivot bore 236. The proximal portion 228 and the distal portion 230 extend generally in the horizontal direction with the offset portion 232 extending generally in the vertical direction between an inboard end of the distal portion 230 and the outboard end of the proximal portion 228. The rear slot 234 is an elongated slot having an outer end 238 positioned adjacent the outboard end of the distal portion 230, an inner end 240 spaced apart from the outer end 238, and a slot centerline extending along the longitudinal axis of thedistal portion 230. The link pin 200 extends vertically through the rear slot 234 in the secondary link 212 and is slidably coupled with the rear slot 234. The pivot bore 236 is adjacent the inboard end of the proximal portion 228 and extends generally vertically therethrough. The pivot bore 236 is axially aligned with the link hole 110 in the motor bracket 94 and is spaced adjacent a lower surface of the primary link 210. Depicted in Figures 5 and 7, the swivel mechanism 10 also includes a pivot shaft 242 extending axially through the link hole 110 in the motor bracket 94, the pivot aperture 222 in the primary link 210, and the pivot bore 236 in the secondary link 212. The pivot shaft 242 pivotably couples the inboard ends of the primary link 210 and the secondary' link 212 to the motor bracket 94.

[0036] The operation of the swivel mechanism 10 is described in more detail in reference to Figures 7-12. Referring to Figures 7-12, the base plate 28 is rotationally fixed, the rack gear 32 is fixedly coupled to the base plate 28 with the plurality7of rack teeth 46 extending circumferentially around the pivot axis 16. The primary and secondary retainers 64, 34 are fixedly coupled to the base plate 28 and include fore and aft slots 76. 58. respectively, spaced apart from a respective ramped surface 72, 54. In addition, the forward and rearward sides 60, 62 of the secondary retainer 34 define internal stop locations corresponding to the forwardfacing position (Figures 1 and 7) and the rearward-facing position (Figure 12), respectively. The swivel plate 130 is pivotably coupled to the base plate 28 and fixedly coupled to the tubular frame 80. The forward stop 138 and the rearward stop 140 are fixedly coupled to the swivel plate 130. The forward stop 138 is configured to abut against the forward side 60 of the secondary retainer 34 when the swivel mechanism 10 is in the forward-facing position (Figure 7). The rearw ard stop 140 is configured to abut against the rearward side 62 of the secondary retainer 34 when the swivel mechanism 10 is in the rearward-facing position (Figure 12).

[0037] The primary lock 154 includes the main hub 156 fixedly coupled to the swivel plate 130 and the support hook 170 pivotably coupled to the main hub 156. In addition, the connector pin 172 and the lower striker 174 are fixedly coupled to the support hook 170. The connector pin 172 is slidably coupled to the guide slot 160 in the swivel plate 130 and slidably coupled to the forw ard slot 220 in the primary link 210. The first spring 176 spring-biases the support hook 170 clockwise about the primary shaft 158, biases the connector pin 172 towards the distal end 166 of the guide slot 160, and biases the connector pin 172 towards the far end 224 of the forward slot 220. Further, the first spring 176 biases the lower striker 174 towards anengaged condition with the fore slot 76 in the primary retainer 64 when the swivel mechanism 10 is in the forward-facing position (Figure 7).

[0038] The secondary lock 182 includes the auxiliary hub 184 fixedly coupled to the swivel plate 130, and the secondary hook 198 pivotably coupled to the auxiliary hub 184. In addition, the link pin 200 and the bottom striker 202 are fixedly coupled to the secondary hook 198. The link pm 200 is slidably coupled to the travel slot 188 in the swivel plate 130 and slidably coupled to the rear slot 234 in the secondary link 212. The second spring 204 spring-biases the secondary7hook 198 counterclockwise about the secondary' shaft 186, biases the link pin 200 towards the inboard end 194 of the travel slot 188, and biases the link pin 200 towards the inner end 240 of the rear slot 234. Further, the second spring 204 biases the bottom striker 202 towards an engaged condition with the aft slot 58 in the secondary retainer 34 when the swivel mechanism 10 is in the rearward-facing position (Figure 12). As such, the second spring 204 biases the secondary lock 182 towards a latched condition. It will be appreciated that the terms latched / unlatched and locked / unlock may be used interchangeably without altering the scope of the present invention. For the purposes of simplicity and clarity, the primary lock 154 is described herein as repositionable between the locked condition and the unlocked condition while the secondary' lock 182 is described herein as repositionable between a latched condition and an unlatched condition.

[0039] The mounting bracket 92 is fixedly coupled to the tubular frame 80. In addition, the motor bracket 94 is pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket 92 by the center pivot 96. The motor pin 108 is fixedly coupled to the motor bracket 94 and slidably coupled to the pin slot 100 in the mounting bracket 92. The electric motor 120 is fixedly coupled to the motor bracket 94 and driveably coupled to the pinion gear 122. The pin slot 100 is a loss motion slot which allows the motor bracket 94 to be pivoted relative to the mounting bracket 92 while the motor pin 108 is disengaged from both the first and second ends 102, 104 of the pin slot 100. In addition, the plurality of pinion teeth 124 on the pinion gear 122 are meshingly engaged with the plurality of rack teeth 46 on the rack gear 32. The electric motor 120 is configured to selectively rotate the pinion gear 122 in the first rotational direction 125 a and the opposing second rotational direction 125b, which causes the pinion gear 122 to travel along the rack gear 32 in the clockwise direction 126 and the counterclockwise direction 128, respectively. The pivot aperture 222 of the primary link 210 and the pivot bore 236 of the secondary link 212 are pivotably coupled to the link hole 110 in the motor bracket 94.

[0040] Depicted in Figure 7, the swivel mechanism 10 is initially in the forward-facing position with the primary lock 154 in the locked condition and the secondary’ lock 182 in the unlatched condition. Further, the lower striker 174 is engaged with the fore slot 76 in the primary retainer 64, the connector pin 172 is spaced apart from the far end 224 of the forward slot 220, the bottom striker 202 and the rearward stop 140 are spaced circumferentially apart from the secondary retainer 34, and the forward stop 138 is abutted against the forward side 60 of the secondary retainer 34. In addition, the motor pin 108 is adjacent the first end 102 of the pin slot 100. Further, the link pin 200 is adjacent the inner end 240 of the rear slot 234.

[0041] When a reversal process is initiated and the swivel mechanism 10 is in the forwardfacing position (Figure 7), power is provided to the electric motor 120 which causes the electric motor 120 to rotate the pinion gear 122 in the first rotational direction 125a, which in turn causes the pinion gear 122 to travel along the rack gear 32 in the clockwise direction 126, as depicted in Figure 8. The initial movement of the pinion gear 122 along the rack gear 32 causes the motor bracket 94 to pivot about the center pivot 96 in the clockwise direction 126 relative to the mounting bracket 92 since the motor pin 108 is spaced apart from the second end 104 of the pin slot 100. In addition, the initial rotation of the motor bracket 94 repositions the primary and secondary’ links 210, 212 relative to the pivot axis 16. The movement of the primary’ link 210 causes the far end 224 of the forward slot 220 to engage with the connector pin 172, which pulls the lower striker 174 away from the fore slot 76 in the primary retainer 64 and unlocks the primary’ lock 154.

[0042] The motor pin 108 is transposed further along the pin slot 100 towards the second end 104 as the pinion gear 122 travels along the rack gear 32 in the clockwise direction 126. Referring to Figure 8, the motor pin 108 engages with the second end 104 of the pin slot 100 after the lower striker 174 is disengaged from the fore slot 76 in the primary’ retainer 64 in response to the pinion gear 122 traveling along the rack gear 32 in the clockwise direction 126. As such, the primary lock 154 is in the unlocked condition when the motor pin 108 engages with the second end 104 of the pin slot 100.

[0043] Referring to Figures 9-11, additional travel of the pinion gear 122 along the rack gear 32 in the clockwise direction 126 causes the carrier assembly 78 to rotate with the motor bracket 94 since the motor pin 108 is engaged with the second end 104 of the pin slot 100 in the mounting bracket 92. In addition, the forward stop 138 disengages from the secondary retainer 34 in response to the carrier assembly 78 rotating in the clockwise direction 126. The primary’and secondary links 210, 212 maintain the primary and secondary' locks 154, 182 in the unlocked condition and the unlatched condition, respectively, as the carrier assembly 78 is rotated in the clockwise direction 126 towards the rearward-facing position (Figure 12).

[0044] Referring to Figures 11 and 12, as the carrier assembly 78 rotates in the clockwise direction 126 towards the rearward-facing position (Figure 12), the bottom striker 202 engages with the ramped surface 54 on the secondary retainer 34 and is repositioned radially outward. The ramped surface 54 also causes the link pin 200 to travel along the rear slot 234 away from the inner end 240 and towards the outer end 238. Additional rotation in the clockwise direction 126 causes the bottom striker 202 to travel along the side surface 52 and slide through the recess mouth 56 and into the aft slot 58, which places the secondary’ lock 182 in the latched condition. The link pin 200 is spaced apart from the inner end 240 of the rear slot 234 while the bottom striker 202 is engaged with the aft slot 58. Further, the rearward stop 140 abuts against the rearward side 62 of the secondary retainer 34, which places the swivel mechanism 10 in the rearward-facing position (Figure 12). Power is terminated to the electric motor 120 when the swivel mechanism 10 arrives in the rearward-facing position (Figure 12). The second spring 204 biases the bottom striker 202 towards the engaged condition with the aft slot 58 in the secondary' retainer 34 and maintains the secondary' lock 182 in the latched condition.

[0045] This process is reversed when repositioning the swivel mechanism 10 from the rearward-facing position (Figure 12) to the forward-facing position (Figure 7).

[0046] Depicted in Figure 12, the swivel mechanism 10 is initially in the rearward-facing position with the secondary lock 182 in the latched condition and the primary lock 154 in the unlocked condition. In more detail, the bottom striker 202 is engaged with the aft slot 58 in the secondary' retainer 34, the link pin 200 is spaced apart from the inner end 240 of the rear slot 234, the lower striker 174 is spaced apart from the primary lock 154, the forward stop 138 spaced circumferentially apart from the secondary retainer 34. and the rearward stop 140 is abutted against the rearward side 62 of the secondary retainer 34. In addition, the motor pin 108 is adjacent the second end 104 of the pin slot 100. Further, the link pin 200 is spaced apart from the inner end 240 of the rear slot 234.

[0047] When a reversal process is initiated and the swivel mechanism 10 is in the rearwardfacing position (Figure 12), power is provided to the electric motor 120 which causes the electric motor 120 to rotate the pinion gear 122 in the second rotational direction 125b, whichin turn causes the pinion gear 122 to travel along the rack gear 32 in the counterclockwise direction 128. The initial movement of the pinion gear 122 along the rack gear 32 causes the motor bracket 94 to pivot about the center pivot 96 in the counterclockwise direction 128 relative to the mounting bracket 92 since the motor pin 108 is spaced apart from the first end 102 of the pin slot 100. In addition, the initial rotation of the motor bracket 94 repositions the primary and secondary links 210, 212 relative to the pivot axis 16. The movement of the secondary link 212 causes the inner end 240 of the rear slot 234 to engage with the link pin 200, which pushes the bottom striker 202 radially outward and away from the aft slot 58 in the secondary retainer 34, which places the secondary' lock 182 in the unlatched condition.

[0048] The motor pin 108 is transposed further along the pin slot 100 towards the first end 102 as the pinion gear 122 travels along the rack gear 32 in the counterclockwise direction 128, shown as motor pin 108'. Referring to Figure 11, the motor pin 108' engages with the first end 102 of the pin slot 100 after the bottom striker 202 is disengaged from the aft slot 58 in the secondary retainer 34 in response to the pinion gear 122 traveling along the rack gear 32 in the counterclockwise direction 128. As such, the secondary lock 182 is in the unlatched condition when the motor pin 108' engages with the first end 102 of the pin slot 100.

[0049] Referring to Figures 9-11, additional travel of the pinion gear 122 along the rack gear 32 in the counterclockwise direction 128 causes the carrier assembly 78 to rotate with the motor bracket 94 since the motor pin 108' is engaged with the first end 102 of the pin slot 100 in the mounting bracket 92. In addition, the rearward stop 140 disengages from the secondary' retainer 34 in response to the carrier assembly 78 rotating in the counterclockwise direction 128. The primary’ and secondary links 210, 212 maintain the primary and secondary’ locks 154. 182 in the unlocked condition and the unlatched condition, respectively, as the carrier assembly 78 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction 128 towards the forward-facing position (Figure 7).

[0050] Referring to Figures 7-9, as the carrier assembly 78 rotates in the counterclockwise direction 128 towards the forward-facing position (Figure 7), the lower striker 174 engages with the ramped surface 72 on the primary' retainer 64 and is repositioned radially inward. The ramped surface 72 also causes the connector pin 172 to travel along the forward slot 220 away from the far end 224 and towards the near end 226. Additional rotation in the counterclockwise direction 128 causes the lower striker 174 to travel along the side surface 70 and slide through the slot mouth 74 and into the fore slot 76, wfiich places the primary lock 154 in the locked condition. The connector pin 172 is spaced apart from the far end 224 of the forw ard slot 220while the lower striker 174 is engaged with the fore slot 76. Further, the forward stop 138 abuts against the forward side 60 of the secondary- retainer 34, which places the swivel mechanism 10 in the forward-facing position (Figure 7). Power is terminated to the electric motor 120 when the swivel mechanism 10 arrives in the forward-facing position (Figure 7). The first spring 176 biases the lower striker 174 towards the engaged condition with the fore slot 76 in the primary retainer 64 and maintains the primary lock 154 in the locked condition.

[0051] As discussed above, the swivel mechanism 10 of the present invention includes an electric motor 120 that actuates the latching assemblies and drives the swiveling motion. In more detail, the swivel mechanism 10 includes a base plate 28, a rack gear 32 fixedly coupled to the base plate 28, a pinion gear 112 meshingly engaged with the rack gear 32, a swivel plate 130 rotationally coupled to the base plate 28, a mounting bracket 92 fixedly coupled to the swivel plate 130, a motor bracket 94 pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket 92, and an electric 120 motor driveably coupled to the pinion gear 112 and fixedly coupled to the motor bracket 94. The motor bracket 94 includes a motor pin 108 which is slidably coupled to a pin slot 100 in the mounting bracket 92. The swivel mechanism 10 also includes a primary lock 154 and a secondary lock 182 pivotably coupled to the swivel plate 130, a primary retainer 64 and a secondary- retainer 34 fixedly coupled to the base plate 28, a primary- link 210 and a secondary link 212 operatively coupled between the primary lock 154 and the secondary lock 182, respectively, and the motor bracket 94. When the swivel mechanism 10 is locked to the base plate 28, the electric motor 120 rotates the pinion gear 112 causing the pinion gear 1 12 to travel along the rack gear 32 which causes the motor bracket 94 to rotate relative to the mounting bracket 92. The initial rotation of the motor bracket 94 actuates the primary- and secondary links 210, 212 and repositions the primary and secondary locks 154. 182 to an unlocked or unlatched condition. The motor pin 108 travels along the pin slot 100 as the motor bracket 94 rotates. When the motor pin 108 abuts against one end of the pin slot 100, additional rotation of the motor bracket 94 in the same rotational direction causes the mounting bracket 92 to rotate with the motor bracket 94. which in turn causes the swivel plate 130 to rotate.

[0052] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it is to be understood that the terminology-, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood thatwithin the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A swivel mechanism for an automotive seat assembly, the swivel mechanism comprising: a base plate; a rack gear fixedly coupled to the base plate and including a plurality of rack teeth spaced apart in a circumferential direction around the base plate; a pinion gear having a plurality of pinion teeth meshingly engaged with the plurality of rack teeth; an electric motor driveably coupled to the pinion gear and configured to selectively rotate the pinion gear causing the pinion gear to travel along the rack gear; a swivel plate rotationally coupled to the base plate and rotatable between a forwardfacing position and a rearw ard-facing position; a primary lock pivotably coupled to the swivel plate and including a connector pin, the primary lock configured to prevent rotation of the swivel plate while the primary lock is in a locked condition and wherein the swivel plate is rotatable while the primary lock is in an unlocked condition; a mounting bracket fixedly coupled to the swivel plate and including a pin slot having a first end spaced apart from a second end; a motor bracket pivotably coupled to the mounting bracket and fixedly coupled to the electric motor, the motor bracket including a motor pin fixedly coupled to the motor bracket and extending through the pin slot; and a primary link pivotably coupled to the motor bracket and including a forward slot wherein the connector pin is slidably coupled to the forward slot.

2. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 1, wherein: when the primary lock is in the locked condition, the motor pin is adjacent to one of the first end and the second end of the pin slot, and the electric motor rotates the pinion gear in one of a first rotational direction and a second rotational direction, which causes the pinion gear to travel along the rack gear in one of a clockwise direction and a counterclockwise direction, causing the motor bracket to rotate and reposition the primary link which causes the primary lock to move to the unlocked condition, and causing the motor pin to travel along the pin slot towards the other one of the first end and the second end; andwherein the swivel plate rotates with the motor bracket in the one of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction as the electric motor rotates the pinion gear in the one of the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction while the motor pin abuts against the other one of the first end and the second end of the pin slot.

3. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 2, wherein: when the primary lock is in the unlocked condition, the motor pin is spaced apart from the one of the first end and the second end of the pin slot, and the electric motor rotates the pinion gear in the other one of the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction, which causes the pinion gear to travel along the rack gear in the other one of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, causing the motor bracket to rotate and reposition the primary link and causing the motor pin to travel along the pin slot tow ards the one of the first end and the second end; and the swivel plate rotates with the motor bracket in the other one of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction as the electric motor rotates the pinion gear in the other one of the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction after the motor pin abuts against the one of the first end and the second end of the pin slot.

4. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 3, further comprising: a primary retainer fixedly coupled to the base plate and including a fore slot; and the primary lock further comprising a lower striker; wherein the primary lock is in the locked condition while the low er striker is inserted into the fore slot, the primary lock is in the unlocked condition while the low er striker is spaced apart from the fore slot, and the lower striker is automatically inserted into the fore slot when the swivel mechanism is rotated to the forward-facing position.

5. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 4, further comprising: a secondary lock pivotably coupled to the swivel plate and including a link pin, the secondary lock configured to prevent rotation of the swivel plate while the secondary lock is in a latched condition; and a secondary' link pivotably coupled to the motor bracket and including a rear slot wherein the link pin is slidably coupled to the rear slot; wherein the swivel plate is rotatable while the secondary lock is in an unlatched condition and the primary lock is in the unlocked condition.

6. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 5, wherein: when the secondary’ lock is in the latched condition, the primary lock is in the unlocked condition, the motor pin is adjacent the other one of the first end and the second end of the pin slot, and the electric motor rotates the pinion gear in the other one of the first rotational direction and the second rotational direction, which causes the pinion gear to travel along the rack gear in the other one of the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, causing the motor bracket to rotate and reposition the secondary link which causes the secondary lock to move to the unlatched condition, and causing the motor pin to travel along the pin slot towards the other one of the first end and the second end.

7. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 6, wherein: the swivel plate rotates with the motor bracket as the electric motor rotates the pinion gear while the primary’ lock is in the unlocked condition and the secondary' lock is in the unlatched condition and the motor pin is abutted against the one of the first end and the second end of the pin slot.

8. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 7, further comprising: a secondary retainer fixedly coupled to the base plate and including an aft slot; and the secondary lock further comprising a bottom striker; wherein the secondary lock is in the latched condition while the bottom stnker is inserted into the aft slot, the secondary’ lock is in the unlatched condition while the bottom striker is spaced apart from the aft slot, and the bottom striker is automatically inserted into the aft slot when the swivel mechanism is rotated to the rearw ard-facing position.

9. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 8, wherein: the primary' lock is spring-biased tow ards the locked condition; and the secondary lock is spring-biased towards the latched condition.

10. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 9, the forward slot further comprising: a far end spaced apart from a near end; wherein the near end is spaced between the far end and the motor bracket, the primary lock is spring-biased towards the far end, and the fore slot includes a slot mouth facing towards the motor bracket.

11. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 10, the rear slot further comprising: an outer end spaced apart from an inner end;wherein the inner end is spaced between the outer end and the motor bracket, the secondary lock is spring-biased towards the inner end, and the aft slot includes a recess mouth facing away from the motor bracket.

12. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 11, wherein: the connector pin is spaced apart from the far end of the forward slot when the lower striker is inserted into the fore slot.

13. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 12, wherein: the link pin is spaced apart from the inner end of the rear slot when the bottom striker is inserted into the aft slot.

14. The swivel mechanism as set forth in claim 13, further comprising: a tubular frame fixedly coupled to the mounting bracket.

15. A seat assembly for use in an automotive vehicle comprising a swivel mechanism according to claim 1.