Seat assembly with override condition

Abstract

A seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle includes a seat back pivotally coupled to a seat cushion and at least one link pivotally coupled between the seat cushion and a seat base. A detent assembly is rotatably coupled to the seat base, the detent assembly actuatable between a use state for operatively coupling the at least one link with the detent assembly and an override state for decoupling the at least one link from the detent assembly. A link mechanism motor is in operative engagement with the detent assembly for pivoting the at least one link to move the seat assembly between a plurality of positions. Actuation of the detent assembly from the use state to the override state permits manual pivoting of the at least one link to move the seat assembly between the plurality of positions in the event the link mechanism motor cannot be actuated.

Description

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and all benefits to U.S. Provisional Application 62 / 705,392, filed June 25, 2020, entitled “Seat Assembly with PowerPitch Easy Entry and Emergency Exit Override,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Background Technology 1. Technical Field

[0004] This invention relates to seat assemblies for use in motor vehicles.

[0005] 2. Description of related technologies

[0006] Seat assemblies for use in motor vehicles are known in the prior art. A typical seat assembly includes a seat cushion for supporting an occupant in the motor vehicle, and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat cushion. The seat assembly typically also includes a seat base adapted for mounting the seat assembly within the motor vehicle. At least one link is pivotally connected between the seat cushion and the seat base, and pivoting of the at least one link moves the seat assembly at least between a designed position and a pitch position. A motor is typically operatively engaged with at least one link to move the seat assembly between the designed position and the pitch position. However, the motor typically remains engaged with at least one link when power to the seat assembly is interrupted, thereby effectively locking at least one link. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an occupant from moving the seat assembly between the designed position and the pitch position until power to the seat assembly is restored and the motor can be actuated again. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the invention, a seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat cushion for supporting an occupant in the motor vehicle, and a seat back pivotally connected to the seat cushion. The seat assembly generally also includes a seat base adapted for mounting the seat assembly within the motor vehicle. At least one link is pivotally connected between the seat cushion and the seat base, and pivoting of the at least one link moves the seat assembly at least between a designed position and a pitch position. A stop assembly is rotatably connected to the seat base, and the stop assembly is actuable between a use state for operatively engaging the at least one link with the stop assembly and an over-control state for disengaging the at least one link from the stop assembly. A linkage mechanism motor is operatively engaged with the stop assembly to pivot the at least one link, thereby moving the seat assembly between the designed position and the pitch position. The actuation of the stop assembly from the use state to the over-control state allows manual pivoting of at least one link to move the seat assembly between the design position and the pitch position independently of the stop assembly and without requiring an actuation linkage motor. Attached Figure Description

[0008] The advantages of this disclosure will readily become apparent and better understood by referring to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle according to a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the seat assembly in its designed position.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of the seat assembly, showing the seat assembly in a pitch position;

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A partial side view of the seat assembly, which further shows the seat assembly in its design position;

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A partial side view of the seat assembly, which further shows the seat assembly in a pitch position;

[0013] Figure 5A yes Figure 1 An enlarged partial side view of the seat assembly, showing one of a pair of intermediate links connected to the seat base and a stop assembly;

[0014] Figure 5B yes Figure 1An enlarged partial side view of the seat assembly, showing one of a pair of intermediate links rotating in a first direction and a stop assembly;

[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A partial top view of the cable assembly of the seat assembly;

[0016] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 An enlarged partial perspective view of the seat assembly, showing a pull strap operatively connected to the rear portion of the seat cushion;

[0017] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 An enlarged partial perspective view of the seat assembly, showing a hook element pivotally connected to the sector gear of the stop assembly;

[0018] Figure 9A yes Figure 1 A magnified partial perspective view of the seat assembly, showing the stop assembly in use;

[0019] Figure 9B yes Figure 1 An enlarged partial side view of the seat assembly, showing the stop assembly positioned between the use state and the over-control state;

[0020] Figure 9C yes Figure 1 An enlarged partial side view of the seat assembly, showing the stop assembly in over-control mode;

[0021] Figure 10 yes Figure 1 A magnified 3D view of a pair of intermediate links of the seat assembly;

[0022] Figure 11 yes Figure 1 A magnified partial 3D view of the stop assembly of the seat assembly;

[0023] Figure 12A This is an enlarged partial side view of a seat assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention, showing the stop assembly in use.

[0024] Figure 12B yes Figure 12A An enlarged partial side view of the seat assembly, showing the stop assembly in over-control mode;

[0025] Figure 12C yes Figure 12A An enlarged partial side view of the seat assembly, which further shows the stop assembly in over-control mode and one of a pair of intermediate links pivoting in a first direction.

[0026] Figure 13 yes Figure 12A A partial top view of the cable assembly of the seat assembly. Detailed Implementation

[0027] Referring to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like or corresponding parts throughout several views, a seat assembly adapted for mounting to the floor of a motor vehicle and for movement between multiple positions is generally shown as 10. Seat assembly 10 includes a seat cushion 12 extending between a front portion 14 and a rear portion 16 and having opposing lateral sides 18. A seat back 20 is pivotally coupled to the rear portion 16 of the seat cushion 12 for pivotal movement of the seat back 20 between a folded position and multiple reclining positions, in which the seat back 20 is stacked with the seat cushion 12. Seat assembly 10 also includes a linkage assembly, generally shown as 22, operatively coupled between the seat cushion 12 and a seat base 24. The linkage assembly 22 is operable to move and tilt the seat assembly 10 relative to the floor of the motor vehicle between multiple positions, including as shown in… Figure 1 and Figure 3 The design location shown in the diagram and as in Figure 2 and Figure 4 The pitch position is shown in the figure.

[0028] Reference Figures 1 to 4 The seat base 24 includes a pair of laterally spaced side segments 26, each side segment 26 generally located below one of the lateral sides 18 of a corresponding side of the seat cushion 12. The side segments 26 can be fixedly coupled together, and each side segment 26 generally has a U-shaped cross-sectional profile defined by opposing inner walls 28 and outer walls 30, and a floor portion 32 extending between the inner walls 28 and outer walls 30. The outer wall 30 on each side segment 26 has an inwardly facing inner side 34, opposite to the outwardly facing outer side 36. The side segments 26 of the seat base 24 can be directly mounted to the floor of the vehicle or fixedly coupled to a seat track assembly 38, as known in the art for providing fore-and-aft movement of the seat assembly 10 within a vehicle, as shown in the accompanying drawings. The seat track assembly 38 includes a pair of sliding tracks 40 fixedly coupled to the seat base 24, the sliding tracks 40 being repositionable along a pair of laterally spaced fixed tracks 42 mounted to the floor of the motor vehicle. Floor portions 32 located on each side segment 26 are fixed to the corresponding sliding track 40 for coupling the seat base 24 to the seat track assembly 38 and for providing fore-and-aft sliding movement of the seat assembly 10 within the motor vehicle.

[0029] The linkage assembly 22 in the embodiment of the seat assembly 10 shown in the accompanying drawings includes a pair of laterally spaced front links 44A, a pair of laterally spaced intermediate links 44B, and a pair of laterally spaced rear links 44C, wherein the links 44A, 44B, and 44C in each respective link pair are substantially identical. However, it should be understood that the seat assembly 10 may include any number or configuration of links 44A, 44B, and 44C in the linkage assembly 22 without changing the scope of the invention, to optimize the seat assembly 10 for use in a specific seating environment within a particular vehicle. One such alternative linkage assembly 22 is a four-bar linkage having a pair of laterally spaced front links and a pair of laterally spaced rear links, as described in International Publication WO / 2020 / 132153, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. (See also...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 Each of the links 44A, 44B, and 44C in the linkage assembly 22 is operatively connected between the side section 26 of the seat base 24 and the seat cushion 12, as is known in the art. The links 44A, 44B, and 44C in the linkage assembly 22 are pivotable to move and tilt the seat assembly 10 relative to the floor of the motor vehicle, at least between a designed position and a pitch position. Figure 1 and Figure 3 In the design location shown, the seat assembly 10 is typically spaced apart from the floor of the motor vehicle to support the occupant. Figure 2 and Figure 4 In the pitch position shown, the seat assembly 10 is tilted forward and downward toward the floor of the vehicle to increase the access space behind the seat assembly 10. Additional seat positions, including a folded position in which the seat assembly 10 is lowered toward the floor of the vehicle to increase cargo space in the vehicle, are also contemplated relative to the embodiment of the seat assembly 10 shown in the figures.

[0030] Links 44A, 44B, and 44C in linkage assembly 22 are along the first direction (from Figures 3 to 5B A pivoting motion (clockwise during observation) moves the seat assembly 10 from its designed position to its pitch position. Conversely, links 44A, 44B, and 44C in the linkage assembly 22 move along the second direction (from...) Figures 3 to 5B A pivoting motion (counter-clockwise during observation) moves the seat assembly 10 from the pitch position back to the designed position. (Refer to...) Figures 1 to 4The seat assembly 10 also includes: a latching mechanism 43 extending downward from the rear portion 16 on each lateral side 18 of the seat cushion 12; and a stop pin 45 mounted between an inner wall 28 and an outer wall 30 on a side section 26 of the seat base 24. As known in the art, the latching mechanism 43 is adapted and arranged to be removably coupled to the stop pin 45 for selectively locking and preventing pivoting of links 44A, 44B, 44C in the linkage assembly 22, thereby locking and holding the seat assembly 10 in the designed position as desired by the occupant. (See also...) Figure 6 A conventional cable assembly, generally shown as 46, is mounted beneath the seat cushion 12 and extends between each latching mechanism in the latching mechanism 43. As is known in the art, an actuator 47 is incorporated into the cable assembly 46 for electromechanical actuation of the latching mechanism 43 during normal operation of the seat assembly 10 and for selective unlocking. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the cable assembly 4 additionally includes a pull strap 49, which is operatively engaged generally adjacent to the rear portion 16 of the seat cushion 12 for manual actuation and unlocking of the latching mechanism 43 during a loss of power to the seat assembly 10 and the actuator 47.

[0031] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 8 as well as Figures 9A to 9C The seat assembly 10 also includes a stop assembly 48, which is operatively coupled to the seat base 24 and arranged for selective engagement and connection with the intermediate link 44B of the linkage assembly 22. The stop assembly 48 is capable of... Figure 5A , Figure 5B , Figure 8 as well as Figure 9A The usage state shown for operatively connecting the intermediate link 44B to the stop assembly 48 is similar to that of... Figure 9C The actuation shown is between the over-control state for disconnecting the intermediate link 44B from the stop assembly 48, thereby allowing the pivoting of the intermediate link 44B and the linkage assembly 22 to be independent of the stop assembly 48. Although the stop assembly 48 is arranged to selectively engage the intermediate link 44B as shown in the figures, it should be understood that, without changing the scope of the invention, the stop assembly 48 may alternatively be adapted and arranged to selectively engage any of the links 44A, 44B, 44C in the linkage assembly 22, depending on the number and configuration of links required for a particular seating environment as described above.

[0032] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 5A and Figure 10Intermediate links 44B extend between a first end 50 and an opposite second end 52. Each intermediate link 44B also has an outwardly facing outer side 54 and an inwardly facing inner side 56 extending between a front edge 58 and a rear edge 60. The outer side 54 of each intermediate link 44B is rotatably connected at the first end 50 of the intermediate link 44B to the seat cushion 12, and the outer side 54 of each intermediate link 44B is rotatably connected at the second end 52 of the intermediate link 44B to the inwardly facing side 34 of a corresponding outer wall 30 located on the seat base 24. (See reference...) Figure 10 Support rod 62 extends between the second ends 52 of intermediate links 44B to ensure that intermediate links 44B positioned adjacent to each lateral side 18 of the seat cushion 12 pivot back and forth during movement of the seat assembly 10. Furthermore, pin 64 extends outward from the outer side 54 of at least one of the intermediate links 44B for selective engagement via a stop assembly 48, and pin 64 is positioned approximately equidistantly between the first end 50 and the second end 52 of the intermediate links 44B.

[0033] Reference Figure 8 The stop assembly 48 includes a sector gear 66 rotatably connected to an outwardly facing side 36 of the outer wall 30 adjacent to an intermediate link 44B, the intermediate link 44B having a pin 64 extending therefrom. The sector gear 66 includes a toothed portion 68 opposite to the non-toothed portion 70. The toothed portion 68 has a plurality of teeth 72 extending radially outward therefrom, and the non-toothed portion 70 includes columnar portions 74 radially spaced from the curved protrusion 76. (See reference...) Figure 8 and Figure 11 The columnar portion 74 extends axially outward from the sector gear 66 and terminates at an outer end 78 having a channel 80 extending through the columnar portion 74. The curved protrusion 76 extends radially outward from the sector gear and terminates at an end portion 82 extending axially inward from the curved protrusion 76. As in Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, when the seat assembly 10 moves from the design position to the tilt position, during the rotation of the stop assembly 48 in the first direction, the end portion 82 of the curved protrusion 76 is positioned adjacent to the rear edge 60 of the intermediate link 44B to engage and push the intermediate link 44B in the first direction.

[0034] As in Figure 8 and Figure 11As shown, the stop assembly 48 also includes a hook element 84 pivotally coupled to the sector gear 66 for selectively coupling the stop assembly 48 to the intermediate link 44B. The hook element 84 extends between a first end 86A and a second end 88A, the first end 86A having a rearwardly extending hook-like portion 86B, and the second end 88A having a first aperture 88B adapted to receive a columnar portion 74 extending from the sector gear 66 to pivotally couple the hook element 84 to the sector gear 66. Figure 9A The joint position shown is similar to that shown in the figure. Figure 9C The device pivots between the disengaged and engaged positions shown. In the engaged position, the hook portion 86B engages with the pin 64 extending from the intermediate link 44B to actuate the stop assembly 48 to the use state. In the disengaged position, the hook portion 86B disengages from and is spaced apart from the pin 64 extending from the intermediate link 44B to actuate the stop assembly 48 to the over-control state. When in the engaged position, the hook portion 86B of the hook element 84 is also adapted to push the intermediate link 44B in the second direction during rotation of the stop assembly 48 in the second direction when the seat assembly 10 moves from the pitch position back to the design position. A biasing element 90, such as a torsion spring, is operatively connected between the channel 80 in the column portion 74 and the second aperture 92, which is positioned approximately equidistantly between the ends 86A and 88A of the hook element 84. The biasing element 90 has a biasing force for biasing the hook element 84 to an engaged position, in which the hook portion 86B engages with a pin 64 extending from the intermediate link 44B, thereby keeping the stop assembly 48 in use.

[0035] Reference Figure 3 , Figure 4 and Figure 8 The seat assembly 10 also includes a conventional linkage motor 94, which pivots the intermediate link 44B of the linkage assembly 22 to move the seat assembly 10 between a designed position and a pitch position during normal operation of the seat assembly 10. The linkage motor 94 is mounted to the seat base 24, typically in front of the stop assembly 48. (As in...) Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 8As shown, the linkage motor 94 also includes a pinion 96 arranged such that teeth 98 extending radially outward from the pinion 96 engage in meshing with teeth 72 extending from the sector gear 66 for selective rotation of the sector gear 66. Actuation of the linkage motor 94 drives the pinion 96 to rotate the sector gear 66 of the stop assembly 48 accordingly in a first or second direction, thereby pivoting the intermediate link 44B accordingly in the first or second direction as described above, to move the seat assembly 10 between a design position and a pitch position. The seat assembly 10 may also include a control unit operatively coupled to the linkage motor 94 to determine when to stop the linkage motor 94 for properly positioning the seat assembly 10 in the design or pitch position. However, it should be understood that any alternative means for determining when to stop the pivoting of the intermediate link 44B and the linkage assembly 22 to position the seat assembly 10 in the desired seat position can be used without changing the scope of the invention.

[0036] As is known in the art, the actuation of the linkage motor 94 for rotating the pinion 96 requires a power source, typically supplied by the motor vehicle. Otherwise, the pinion 96 remains in its current position engaged with the sector gear 66 and cannot rotate. Therefore, in the event of a power interruption between the seat assembly 10 and the linkage motor 94, such as during a vehicle accident, the linkage motor 94 prevents the rotation of the stop assembly 48, thereby preventing the pivoting of the intermediate link 44B and effectively locking the seat assembly 10 in whatever position it was set in before the loss of power. If the seat assembly 10 is in its designed position when power is lost, it is necessary for the occupant to move the seat assembly 10 to a tilt position to increase occupant exit space behind the seat assembly 10, making it easier for the occupant to exit the vehicle. In this case, actuating the stop assembly 48 from the active state to the over-control state disconnects the intermediate link 44B from the stop assembly 48 and the linkage motor 94. Then, as in Figure 9C As shown, by pushing forward any suitable structure of the seat assembly 10, such as the seat back 20, the occupant can manually pivot the intermediate link 44B independently of the stop assembly 48 and the linkage motor 94 in a first direction to move the seat assembly 10 from the designed position to the pitch position without actuating the linkage motor 94.

[0037] exist Figures 1 to 11In the first embodiment of the seat assembly 10 shown, during manual movement of the intermediate link 44B in the first direction after the seat assembly 10 loses power, the stop assembly 48 is actuated from the active state to the over-control state. In operation, when the linkage motor 94 loses power and the occupant needs to leave the vehicle, the occupant first actuates... Figure 6 and Figure 7 The pull strap 49 shown is used to manually release and unlock the latching mechanism 43 from the corresponding striker 45 on the seat base 24. Due to the loss of power, the pinion 96 engages with the sector gear 66, thereby effectively locking the sector gear 66 and preventing the stop assembly 48 from rotating, as described further above. The occupant then pushes the appropriate structure of the seat assembly 10, such as the seat back 20, to begin moving the intermediate link 44B along the first direction (from...). Figure 9A and Figure 9B The pin 64 moves clockwise during observation, causing it to push the hook-shaped portion 86B of the hook element 84 to overcome the biasing force of the biasing element 90. The contact surface on the hook-shaped portion 86B of the hook element 84 is non-pull-out, allowing the pin 64 to move relative to the hook-shaped portion 86B. (As in...) Figure 9B and Figure 9C As shown, once the biasing force of the biasing element 90 is overcome by the pin 64 extending from the intermediate link 44B, the pin 64 continues to pivot the hook element 84 from the engaged position to the disengaged position, thereby actuating the stop assembly 48 from the operating state to the over-control state. Once in the over-control state, the pin 64 is spaced apart from the hook portion 86B of the hook element 84, and the intermediate link 44B is disconnected from the stop assembly 48 and the linkage mechanism motor 94. (As shown in...) Figure 9C As shown, as the occupant continues to push the seat assembly 10 into the appropriate configuration, the center link 44B continues to pivot freely in the first direction. Manually pivoting the center link 44B in the first direction moves the seat assembly 10 from its designed position to a tilt position, thereby providing the occupant with increased exit space behind the seat assembly 10 for easier exit from the vehicle.

[0038] The second embodiment of seat assembly 10' in Figures 12A to 12C As shown, in the second embodiment, the same elements include the same element numbers marked with apostrophes, and since the elements are substantially similar, they will not be described further herein. In the second embodiment of the seat assembly 10', the stop assembly 48' is actuated from the use state to the over-control state in a manner coordinated with the actuation of the pull strap 49' of the cable assembly 46'. See also Figure 12A and Figure 13The cable assembly 46' also includes an additional line 100 for synchronously pivoting the hook element 84' from an engaged position to a disengaged position. The distal portion 104 of the additional line 100 extends through a columnar portion 102 extending upward from the seat base 24' and is operatively coupled to the hook element 84' adjacent to its first end 86A'. Thus, as in Figure 12A and Figure 12B As shown, in addition to unlocking the latch mechanism 43', actuating the pull strap 49' also pivots the hook element 84' from the engaged position to the unengaged position, thereby actuating the stop assembly 48' from the use state to the over-control state.

[0039] Referring to the operation of the second embodiment, when the linkage mechanism motor 94' loses power and the user needs to leave the vehicle, the user first... Figure 7 and Figure 13 The pull strap 49' shown is actuated. Actuation of the pull strap 49' manually releases and unlocks the latch mechanism 43' from its respective striker 45' on the seat base 24'. Actuation of the pull strap 49' also releases the hook element 84' from the seat base 24' as shown in the figure. Figure 12A As shown, pin 64' extends from the engagement position of intermediate link 44B' and is manually pivoted to, as in Figure 12B The disengaged engagement position, spaced apart from pin 64', actuates the stop assembly 48' from the active state to the over-range state. Once in the over-range state, the intermediate link 44B' is disengaged from the stop assembly 48' and the linkage mechanism motor 94'. Therefore, when an occupant pushes a suitable structure of the seat assembly 10', such as the seat back 20', the intermediate link 44B' moves freely along... Figure 12C The first direction of pivoting is shown. Continued manual pivoting of the intermediate link 44B' in the first direction moves the seat assembly 10' from its designed position to a tilt position, thereby providing increased exit space for the occupant behind the seat assembly 10' for easier exit from the vehicle.

[0040] The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and it should be understood that the terminology used is intended to be descriptive rather than restrictive. Directional designations used or shown in the specification, drawings, or claims, such as top, bottom, upper, lower, upward, downward, length direction, width direction, longitudinal, lateral, etc., are related terms used for ease of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. In view of the foregoing teachings, many modifications and variations of the invention are possible. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention can be practiced in ways other than those specifically described within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle, the seat assembly comprising: A seat cushion and a seat back, the seat cushion being used to support an occupant in the motor vehicle, and the seat back being pivotally connected to the seat cushion; A seat base adapted to mount the seat assembly within the motor vehicle; At least one link, said at least one link being pivotally connected between the seat cushion and the seat base, wherein pivoting of said at least one link causes the seat assembly to move at least between a design position and a pitch position; A stop assembly, rotatably coupled to the seat base, is actuable between a use state for operatively connecting the at least one link to the stop assembly and an over-control state for disconnecting the at least one link from the stop assembly; and A linkage motor, operatively engaged with the stop assembly, is provided to pivot the at least one linkage, thereby moving the seat assembly between the designed position and the pitch position. Actuating the stop assembly from the use state to the over-control state allows the at least one linkage to be manually pivoted to move the seat assembly between the design position and the pitch position independently of the stop assembly and without using the linkage motor.

2. The seat assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The stop assembly includes a sector gear that is rotatably connected to the seat base and operatively engaged with the linkage motor.

3. The seat assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The stop assembly further includes a hook element pivotally connected to the sector gear, the hook element being operable between an engaged position and an unengaged position, in which the at least one link actuates the stop assembly to the use state, and in the unengaged position, the at least one link actuates the stop assembly to the over-control state.

4. The seat assembly of claim 3, further comprising at least one latching mechanism extending from the seat cushion for removably engaging with the seat base to selectively lock and unlock the seat assembly, thereby selectively preventing and allowing the seat assembly to move from the designed position to the pitch position.

5. The seat assembly of claim 4, further comprising a cable assembly operatively connected to the at least one latching mechanism, wherein, Actuation of the cable assembly actuates the at least one latching mechanism to unlock the seat assembly, thereby allowing the seat assembly to move from the designed position to the pitch position.

6. The seat assembly according to claim 5, wherein, When the seat assembly is unlocked, pushing the seat assembly forward causes the hook element to pivot from the engaged position to the disengaged position, thereby actuating the stop assembly from the used state to the over-control state.

7. The seat assembly according to claim 5, wherein, The cable assembly is also operatively connected to the hook element, and actuation of the cable assembly also causes the hook element to pivot from the engaged position to the disengaged position for actuating the stop assembly from the use state to the over-control state.

8. The seat assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The stop assembly further includes a biasing element operatively coupled between the hook element and the sector gear to bias the hook element to the engagement position to hold the stop assembly in the use state.

9. The seat assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The at least one link includes a pin extending laterally from the at least one link, the hook element of the stop assembly engaging with the pin in the engaged position, and the hook element of the stop assembly disengaging from the pin in the disengaged position.

10. The seat assembly of claim 9, further comprising a pull strap operatively coupled to the cable assembly, wherein, Pulling the strap actuates the cable assembly to unlock the seat assembly and allow the seat assembly to move from the designed position to the pitch position.

11. The seat assembly of claim 10, wherein, The linkage motor further includes a pinion gear operatively connected to the sector gear of the stop assembly. The linkage motor selectively drives the pinion gear to rotate the sector gear, thereby pivoting the at least one linkage.

12. The seat assembly of claim 11, wherein, The sector gear further includes a columnar portion for receiving the hook element to pivotally connect the hook element to the sector gear.

13. The seat assembly of claim 12, wherein, The sector gear also includes a protrusion that extends adjacent to the hook element and is arranged to selectively engage and push the at least one link during rotation of the sector gear.

14. The seat assembly of claim 13, further comprising a seat track assembly fixedly connected to the seat base for providing fore-and-aft movement of the seat assembly within the motor vehicle.

15. The seat assembly of claim 14, wherein, The at least one link includes a front link, a middle link, and a rear link, each of which is pivotally connected between the seat cushion and the seat base to allow the seat assembly to move between the designed position and the pitch position.

16. The seat assembly of claim 15, wherein, The stop assembly is rotatably connected to the seat base for selectively engaging the intermediate link.

17. The seat assembly of claim 15, wherein, The at least one link includes a front link and a rear link for forming a four-bar linkage, each of the front link and the rear link being pivotally connected between the seat cushion and the seat base to allow the seat assembly to move between the designed position and the pitch position.

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