Method for assembling a vehicle seat assembly and vehicle seat assembly

Abstract

A method for assembling a vehicle seat assembly (8), comprising: Positioning a first holder (10) and a second holder (12) in a base device (14); and with the first and second brackets (10, 12) in the base device (14): Welding a first (16) and second bolt (18) into the respective openings (20, 22) in the first bracket (10); Positioning an alignment plate (24) in a position on the second support (12) using a secondary device (26) engaging with the first and second bolts (16, 18); and Welding the alignment plate (24) to the second bracket (12).

Description

AREA OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to a method for assembling a vehicle seat assembly. In particular, an easy-entry folding seat back assembly is assembled using a single base device in a near-net-shape assembly process. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Different types of vehicle seats are designed to implement various adjustment modes, including longitudinal movement within the vehicle along with tilting the seat back relative to the base. Vehicle seats intended for specific locations within a vehicle may also be capable of implementing an easy-entry mode, allowing a single action to both move the seat to the forwardmost position within the vehicle and simultaneously tilt the backrest forward relative to the base. Various mechanisms and assemblies may be incorporated within the seat to both achieve this movement and hold the seat in the resulting position until a user requests that the seat be returned to its original configuration.Such mechanisms may require precise relative positions of the various components to ensure correct timing of their relative movements, allowing the various features to engage or disengage as desired. Different multi-stage assembly processes and the movement of in-process assemblies between different fixtures for mounting specific components can introduce tolerance accumulation, resulting in inaccurate component positioning and unreliable mechanism operation. Therefore, further improvements may be desirable.

[0003] US 6,572,065 B2 describes a vertical motion device for a vehicle seat comprising a seat support mounted on a seat element, a base support adapted to be mounted on a base element, a connecting element supported by the base support to move the seat support in the vertical direction of the seat element, a drive element functionally connected to the connecting element to drive the connecting element and move the seat support in the vertical direction, and a linkage control mechanism.The linkage control mechanism comprises an elongated slot located either in the seat bracket or in the base bracket, a pin which engages with the other of the base bracket or the seat bracket and is slidably arranged in the elongated slot, and a recessed section located on the inner surface of the elongated slot to prevent the pin from sliding in the elongated slot.

[0004] US 3,880,464 A describes a vehicle seat that can be conveniently stowed when not in use. The vehicle seat comprises a seat base that pivots relative to the vehicle floor and a seat back that pivots relative to the seat base. To stow the seat, the backrest is folded down onto the seat base, which is then pivoted into the stow position. When the seat base is in its sitting position, it is secured to the vehicle floor by a first latch; a second latch secures the backrest relative to the seat base when the backrest is in its sitting position. A latch between the first and second latches prevents the second latch from engaging until the first latch is engaged.This sequential locking mechanism ensures that the seat surface is secured to the vehicle floor at every time the backrest is locked in its seated position. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for assembling a vehicle seat assembly includes positioning a first bracket and a second bracket in a base device. While positioning the first and second brackets in the base device, a first and second bolt are welded into the respective openings in the first bracket, an alignment plate is positioned on the second bracket by means of a secondary device engaging with the first and second bolts, and the alignment plate is welded to the second bracket.

[0006] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a method for assembling a vehicle seat assembly includes temporarily fixing a first bracket, rotatably coupled to a second bracket, in a reference position. While the first and second brackets are fixed, a first and a second bolt are welded into the respective openings in the first bracket, an alignment plate is positioned on the second bracket with respect to the first and second bolts, and the alignment plate is welded to the second bracket.

[0007] According to a further aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat assembly comprises a first bracket and a second bracket rotatably coupled to the first bracket. The first and second bolts are welded to the first bracket, and an alignment plate is welded to the second bracket. The first and second reference points along the alignment plate are each positioned at the first and second reference dimensions of the first and second bolts when the second bracket is in a reference position with respect to the first bracket.

[0008] These and other aspects, objects and features of the present invention will become understandable and recognizable to those skilled in the art upon studying the following description, claims and attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a vehicle seat assembly, shown on a partial vehicle seat frame; Fig. 2A to 2D are side views of a vehicle seat at various stages of assembly. Fig. 1 enabled Easy-Entry movement mode; Fig. Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the vehicle seat assembly. Fig. 1 in an Easy-Entry configuration provided with it; Fig. 4 is the vehicle seat assembly of Fig. 1 excluding various components to represent different relative spatial relationships between other components; Fig. Figure 5 is a rear elevation detail view of sections of the assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. Figures 6 to 8 are perspective front views of a vehicle seat assembly during various stages of its manufacturing process; Fig. Figure 9 is a front elevation detail view of a fixture used in conjunction with the assembly during a step of its manufacturing process, and Fig. 10 is a flowchart that shows a process for manufacturing the assembly of Fig. 1 represents. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EXECUTION FORMS

[0010] For descriptive purposes, the terms “above”, “below”, “right”, “left”, “back”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “inside”, “outside” and derivatives thereof shall refer to the invention as described in the orientation in Fig. 1. However, it is pointed out that the invention can assume various alternative orientations unless expressly specified otherwise. It is also pointed out that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the accompanying drawing and explained in the following description are only exemplary embodiments of the concepts of the invention defined in the appended claims. Therefore, specific dimensions and other physical properties with respect to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered limiting unless expressly stated otherwise in the claims.Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, it should be noted that the description of a particular feature or component extending in or along a given direction or the like does not imply that the feature or component follows a straight line or axis in such a direction, or extends only in such a direction or on such a plane without other directional components or deviations, unless otherwise stated.

[0011] In the Fig. Reference number 8, in references 1 to 9, generally denotes a vehicle seat assembly. The vehicle seat assembly 8 includes a first bracket 10 and a second bracket 12 coupled to the first bracket 10. A first pivot pin 16 and a second pivot pin 18 are welded to the first bracket 10. An alignment plate 24 is welded to the second bracket 12, with a first reference point 32 and a second reference point 34 positioned along the alignment plate 24 at a first reference distance 36 and a second reference distance 38, respectively, from the first pivot pin 16 and second pivot pin 18 when the second bracket 12 is in a reference position (e.g., at reference angle 40°) with respect to the first bracket 10.

[0012] With reference to Fig. 10 includes a method for mounting a vehicle seat component, such as the vehicle seat assembly 8, positioning the first bracket 10 and the second bracket 12 in a base device 14 ( Fig. 6) a. With the first bracket 10 and second bracket 12 positioned in the base device 14, the first pivot pin 16 and the second pivot pin 18 are inserted into the respective openings 20, 22 in the first bracket 10 ( Fig. 7) welded, the alignment plate 24 is attached in one position to the second support 12 using a secondary device 26 ( Fig. 8), which engages with the first pivot pin 16 and the second pivot pin 18, is positioned, and the alignment plate 24 is welded to the second bracket 12. As explained in more detail herein, the method described above for manufacturing the disclosed vehicle seat assembly 8 is advantageous because, in one embodiment, the base device 14 can hold the second bracket 12 in a position relative to the first bracket 10 such that the second bracket 12 is positioned rotationally at a reference angle 40 relative to the first bracket 10. In such a position, the secondary device 26 can be used to position the alignment plate 24 such that the first reference point 32 is located at the first reference distance 36 from the first pivot pin 16, and the second reference point 34 is located at the second reference distance 38 from the second pivot pin 18.

[0013] With additional reference to Fig. 2A to 2D, the vehicle seat assembly 8, mounted in this manner, can be inserted into a vehicle seat 28, for example, as a center row seat in a three-row seating arrangement in a four-door vehicle. Similarly, the vehicle seat 28 can be a driver's or front passenger seat in a vehicle with two rows of seats and two doors (i.e., a "two-plus-two vehicle"). In particular, the first bracket 10 can be coupled to a seat base frame 46 or another similar structure (depending on the specific design of the vehicle seat 28). A seat back frame 50 or a similar structure can be coupled to the second bracket 12, such that the rotational movement of the second bracket 12 relative to the first bracket 10 can allow the rotation of the seat back 52 relative to the seat base 48.Such a rotation can take place in one of two modes, the first mode being ordinary adjustment of the seat back 52 in relation to the seat base 48 to the rear or forward, which is effected by the tilt adjustment mechanism 41, which selectively permits and prevents such movement upon actuation of the tilt adjustment lever 54.

[0014] A second such mode can consist of an easy-entry movement, whereby the seat back 52 is brought into a maximum forward position (i.e., folded forward) Fig. 2B) and the seat base 48 moves to a forward position ( Fig. 2C and Fig. 2D) on the rails 58 that hold the vehicle seat 28 in the vehicle. Such a movement mode can be effected by an entry lever 56, for example by pulling up such a lever. To enable such movement, actuation of the entry lever 56 can trigger activation of a secondary mode of the tilt adjustment mechanism 41, in which the second bracket 12 can move freely forward relative to the first bracket 10, but the backward movement of the second bracket 12 (and thus of the seat back 52) is limited to movement back to the original position ( Fig. 2A).

[0015] Similarly, the rail 58 can include a sliding mechanism that can be moved by means of a motor or by means of a selectively releasable mechanism, for example, a lever. Accordingly, actuation of the entry lever 56 and actuation of, as well as interaction between, various additional features, including sections of the vehicle seat assembly 8, can lead to the disconnection of the rail 58 from such a mechanism or to allowing movement of the seat base 48 along a secondary rail (each according to various known mechanisms). In particular, and with reference to Fig. 3. When the entry lever 56 is actuated and the second bracket 12 is thereby released from the first bracket 10, the engagement plate 42 can be moved from an original position ( Fig. 1) be released, whereby the subsequent movement of the seat back 52 in the forward direction (folding forward), as from the in Fig. 2A position shown in relation to the one in Fig. 2B, the alignment plate attachment 60 can be used to engage the engagement plate bolt 62 (which can be achieved by moving the engagement plate 42 into an intermediate position) and to move the alignment plate 24 in the indicated direction to a release position, as shown in Fig. 3 shown. Moving the engagement plate into the release position can release the seat base 48, as described above, for forward movement of the same along rail 58 under user force, spring force, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, when the engagement plate 42 is in its original position, it can engage with the locking cam 44 to hold the locking cam 44 in its original position. Accordingly, if the engagement plate 42 moves out of its original position by rotation 70, the locking cam 44 can move out of its original position by rotation 72, including under spring preload or the like.

[0016] After the locking cam 44 is released from its original position, and the second bracket 12 is moved into the position by rotation 68, Fig. When the seat back 52 is brought into the forward position shown in Figure 3, a block 66 at one end of the locking cam 44 can engage with a notch 64 on the alignment plate 24 to hold the second bracket 12 and thus the seat back 52 in the forward position ( Fig. 2A to 2D). Vehicle seat 28 and, accordingly, vehicle seat assembly 8 can therefore be installed in the respective in Fig. 2D and Fig. The three positions shown remain to facilitate entry into the associated vehicle behind the vehicle seat 28. After such entry, a user can force the vehicle seat 28 backward against the previously mentioned spring force, with the locking cam 44 continuing to hold the second bracket 12 in the forward position. After the vehicle seat 28 has been returned to its original longitudinal position, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 2B, the end 73 of the locking cam 44 can contact a detent or other feature opposite block 66, causing it to move back to its original position, thus removing block 66 from notch 64, allowing the second support 12 to return to its original position. Fig. 1 can move back, and the seat back 52 can continue to move to the position of Fig. 2A can move back. Movement of the second bracket 12 back to its original position also allows the engagement plate 42 to rotate back to its original position, so that the rail 58 can re-engage, thereby holding the vehicle seat 28 in its original longitudinal position.

[0017] Based on the relative movement and interaction of the components of the vehicle seat assembly 8 described above, it is evident that the relative positioning of the alignment plate 24 on the second bracket 12 with respect to the engagement plate 42 and the locking cam 44 can be important for the correct functioning of the vehicle seat assembly 8 in the easy-entry movement mode of the associated vehicle seat 28. For example, if the alignment plate 24 is not positioned correctly as described above, the rotation limits of the engagement plate 42 can prevent the block 66 from engaging with the notch 64 when the second bracket 12 is in the forward position. Fig. 3 is located, which is why the seat backrest 52 cannot be held in the corresponding forward position. In particular, as shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the distance 61 between the first pivot bolt 16 and the alignment plate projection 60, as well as the distance 63 between the second pivot bolt 18 and the notch 64, are important for the correct operation of the functionality described above.

[0018] It follows from the above that the specified values ​​for the distances 61 and 63 may depend on specific configurations of the engagement plate 42, the locking cam 44, and the alignment plate 24, which may vary depending on the design of the vehicle seat assembly 8. As further explained in Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the configuration of the alignment plate 24 can link the distances 61 and 63 with the reference distances 36 and 38 depending on the relative positioning of the reference points 32 and 34 with respect to the alignment plate projection 60 and the notch 64. With variations of the alignment plate 24 using features with similar functionality but different designs of the alignment plate projection 60 and the notch 64, a similar relationship can be achieved based on the component geometry used. The interaction of the various components, including the block 66 with notch 64 and the engagement plate bolt 62 with alignment plate projection 60, is shown in Figure 4. Fig. 5 shown in further detail.

[0019] With reference to Fig. Sections 6 to 9 describe in more detail a near-net-shape process for assembling the various components of the vehicle seat assembly 8. In particular, how in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the process can begin by placing an initial assembly of the first bracket 10 and the second bracket 12, which are rotatably coupled to each other by the tilt adjustment mechanism 41 (or at least by a part thereof), into the base device 14. In this sense, a first step can consist of assembling the first bracket 10, the second bracket 12, and the tilt adjustment mechanism 41, although in some variations such an initial assembly may already be complete. The base device 14 is shown in an exemplary form, but its structure can vary according to various considerations.In general, the base device 14 is structured to hold the second bracket 12 in a fixed position relative to the first bracket 10, including a fixed rotational position about the axis of the tilt adjustment mechanism 41, which may be only partially formed (thus preventing locking) or may have some internal play, even when locked, which is outside the tolerance range for the vehicle seat assembly 8. As mentioned above, the fixed rotational position may be such that the second bracket 12 is located at the reference angle 40 relative to the first bracket 10. The reference angle 40 may, for example, correspond to the rearmost position of the second bracket 12 during the intended operation of the vehicle seat 28 or to another position that can be determined based on assembly and / or tolerance conditions or analysis.Furthermore, the base device 14 can be structured to stably support the first bracket 10 and the second bracket 12, both generally and relative to each other.

[0020] Additionally, the base device 14 includes a first alignment opening 74 and a second alignment opening 76, each adjacent to the first opening 20 and the second opening 22 in the first bracket 10. The alignment openings 74 and 76 can each accommodate corresponding sections of the first pivot pin 16 and second pivot pin 18 to locate the pivot pins 16 and 18 with respect to the base device 14, thereby compensating for deviations in the positioning of the openings 20 and 22 in the first bracket 10. Therefore, the openings 20 and 22 in the first bracket 10 can be oversized with respect to the respective sections of the first pivot pin 16 and the second pivot pin 18 that they accommodate, in order to allow for their positioning according to the base device 14. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 7, the first pivot pin 16 can be mounted to the first bracket 10 by positioning it in the opening 20 in the first bracket 10 and in the alignment opening 74 of the base device 14. Similarly, the second pivot pin 18 can be mounted to the first bracket 10 by positioning it in the opening 20 in the first bracket 10 and in the alignment opening 76 of the base device 14. The first pivot pin 16 and second pivot pin 18 can then be welded to the first bracket 10 to fix the assembly in the position defined by the fit of the first bracket 10 and the first and second pivot pins 16, 18 with the base device 14.

[0021] As in Fig. 8 and Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the alignment plate 24 can then be mounted with the second bracket 12, while the vehicle seat assembly 8 remains in the base device 14. Accordingly, the temporary fixing of the second bracket 12 in the base device 14 is not only in a desired position (i.e., at the reference angle 40°) with respect to the first bracket 10, but also with respect to the positions of the pivot pins 16 and 18 defined by the base device 14. In this way, the secondary device 26 can be placed on the first pivot pin 16 and second pivot pin 18 to locate the alignment plate 24 with respect to the positions of the first pivot pin 16 and second pivot pin 18 defined by the base device 14.

[0022] In the Fig. 8 and Fig. In the example shown in Figure 9, the secondary device 26 can engage with the alignment plate 24 at the first reference point 32 and at the second reference point 34, which can be configured as positioning devices along the alignment plate 24. In particular, the first reference point 32 can be configured as a two-way locating opening 84, and the second reference point 34 can be configured as a four-way locating opening 86. The secondary device 26 can include locating bolts 88 and 90, which engage with the locating openings 84 and 86, respectively. In particular, a first locating bolt 88 can be configured as an extruded elongated diamond that, by allowing slight rotation about the first reference point 32, fits into a defined position within the locating opening 84 along its transverse and longitudinal axes.The second locating bolt 90 can generally be cylindrical so that it fits into the locating opening 86, which can generally be round.

[0023] The secondary device 26 can include a body 92 with a profile 94 that generally coincides with that of the alignment plate 24. Furthermore, the profile 94 can be configured for partial contact with the alignment plate 24 when the locating bolts 88 and 90 engage with the locating openings 84 and 86 (which may be positioned on corresponding arms 96 and 98) to provide additional localization and / or retention of the alignment plate 24 with the secondary device 26. Such an arrangement can enable an assembly step in which the secondary device 26 is mounted with the alignment plate 24 prior to mounting the alignment plate 24 with the second support 12 or the secondary device 26 with the pivot bolts 16 and 18.In such a step, the temporarily mounted alignment plate 24 and secondary device 26 can then be mounted to the vehicle seat assembly 8 by engaging the openings 74 and 76 of the secondary device 26 with the first pivot pin 16 and second pivot pin 18, respectively. This step, by virtue of the design of the secondary device 26, can position the alignment plate 24 in a suitable position along the surface 82 of the second bracket 12 such that the first reference point 32 is located at the reference distance 36 with respect to the first pivot pin 16, and the second reference point 34 is located at the reference distance 38 with respect to the second pivot pin 18, when the second bracket 12 is at the reference angle 40 with respect to the first bracket 10.

[0024] In a subsequent step, the alignment plate 24 is welded to the second bracket 12 such that the desired bond between these parts is achieved. Once the welding process is complete, the secondary fixture 26 is removed, and the completed vehicle seat assembly 8 is removed from the base fixture 14. The alignment plate 24 is positioned on the second bracket 12 such that the relationship between the features described above is realized when the second bracket 12 is at the reference angle 40 with respect to the first bracket 10. As explained above, this relationship can provide improved alignment of the engagement plate 42 and the locking cam 44 with the alignment plate 24 during its actuation.

[0025] It is pointed out that, as in Fig. 6 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 7, the surface 82 of the second support 12, with which the alignment plate 24 is mounted, can be free of any features by which the alignment plate 24 is positioned, or which otherwise limit the positioning of the alignment plate 24 along it. With this arrangement, the localization of the alignment plate 24 on the surface 82 is achieved solely by the mounting of the secondary device 26 on the pivot pins 16 and 18 as described above.

[0026] The assembly method described above can generally be represented schematically in Fig.The process shown in Figure 10 is summarized below. After any necessary preparatory steps, the process (step 110) begins by first placing the first bracket 10 and the second bracket 12 into the base device 14 (step 112). As explained above, the first bracket 10 and the second bracket 12 can first be rotatably coupled to each other, for example, by means of the tilt adjustment mechanism 41. Then, the pivot bolts 16 and 18 are mounted to the first bracket 10, for example, by engaging the openings 74 and 76 in the base device 14, and are welded to the first bracket 10 (step 114). The pivot bolts 16 and 18 are then used as anchor points for the secondary device 26, which is mounted to the second bracket 12 to position the alignment plate 24 (step 116).The alignment plate 24 is now welded to the second bracket 12 before the secondary device 26 (step 118) and the resulting assembly 120 are removed from the base device 14. This completes the vehicle seat assembly 8 (step 122). Additional steps may include mounting the engagement plate 42 with the first pivot pin 16 and the locking cam 44 with the second pivot pin 18.

[0027] It is pointed out that variations and modifications to the above-mentioned structure can be made without deviating from the concepts of the present invention, and it is further pointed out that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims, unless these claims expressly state otherwise in their wording.

[0028] For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "coupled" (in all possible forms, such as couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) is generally understood to mean a direct or indirect connection (electrical or mechanical) between two components. Such a connection may be fixed or movable by nature. Such a connection may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate elements that are integrally formed with each other or with the two components as a single unitary body. Such a connection may be permanent by nature, or it may be detachable or separable by nature, unless otherwise specified.

[0029] It should also be noted that the design and arrangement of the elements of the invention, as shown in the exemplary embodiments, are for illustrative purposes only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations are described in detail in this disclosure, the person skilled in the art examining this disclosure will quickly recognize that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and ratios of the various elements, values ​​of the parameters, assembly arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without substantially departing from the new teachings and advantages of the presented subject matter of the invention.For example, elements shown as integrally formed can be constructed from multiple parts, and elements shown as consisting of multiple parts can be integrally formed; the actuation of the interfaces can be reversed or varied otherwise; the length or width of the structures and / or links, connectors, or other elements of the system can be varied; and the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements can be changed. It should be noted that the elements and / or assemblies of the system can be made of any material offering sufficient strength or durability, and in any color, texture, and combination. Accordingly, all such modifications are said to be included within the scope of these innovations.Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without deviating from the essence of the present innovations.

[0030] It should be noted that any described processes or steps within the described processes can be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present invention. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein serve for illustrative purposes and are not to be understood as limiting.

Claims

[1] A method of assembling a vehicle seat assembly (8), comprising: Positioning a first holder (10) and a second holder (12) in a base device (14); and with the first and second holders (10, 12) in the base device (14): Welding a first (16) and second bolt (18) in the respective openings (20, 22) in the first bracket (10); Positioning an alignment plate (24) in a position on the second bracket (12) using a secondary device (26) engaging the first and second bolts (16, 18); and Weld the alignment plate (24) to the second bracket (12). [2] The method of claim 1, further including, prior to positioning the first and second supports (10, 12) in the base device (14), rotatably coupling the first support (10) and second support (12) together. [3] The method of claim 2, wherein the first bracket (10) and second bracket (12) are rotatably coupled to each other by a seat back recline mechanism (41). [4] The method of claim 2, wherein the base device (14) holds the second holder (12) in a fixed rotational position with respect to the first holder (10). [5] The method of claim 1, further including: Removing the secondary device (26) from engagement with the bolts (16, 18); and Mounting an engagement plate (42) with the first bolt (16) and a locking cam (44) with the second bolt (18). [6] The method of claim 5, wherein the secondary device (26) engages the first and second bolts (16, 18) such that the location of the alignment plate (24) on the second bracket (12) is based on the relative configurations of the engagement plate (42), locking cam (44) and alignment plate (24) to facilitate the operative engagement thereof under a condition of use of the vehicle seat assembly (8). [7] The method of claim 1, wherein the alignment plate (24) includes at least one positioning device (32, 34), and the secondary device (26) further engages the at least one positioning device (32, 34). [8] The method of claim 1, wherein positioning the alignment plate (24) in position on the second bracket (12) includes temporarily mounting the secondary device (26) to the alignment plate (24) and engaging the secondary device (26) with the first and second bolts (16, 18) such that the alignment plate (24) is brought into contact with the second bracket (12) in position. [9] A method of assembling a vehicle seat assembly (8), comprising: temporarily fixing a first holder (10) which is rotatably coupled to a second holder (12) in a reference position at a first angle (40); and with fixed first and second brackets (10, 12): Welding a first and second bolt (16, 18) in the respective openings (20, 22) in the first bracket (10); and Positioning an alignment plate (24) on the second bracket (12) with respect to the first and second bolts (16, 18) and welding the alignment plate (24) to the second bracket (12), after welding the alignment plate (24) to the second bracket (12), mounting an engagement plate (42) with the first bolt (16) and a locking cam (44) with the second bolt (18); wherein the alignment plate (24) is positioned on the second bracket (12) with respect to the first and second bolts (16, 18) based on relative configurations of the engagement plate (42), the locking cam (44), and the alignment plate (24) to facilitate operative engagement thereof under a use condition of the vehicle seat assembly (8) including rotation of the second bracket (12) from the first angle (40). [10] The method of claim 9, wherein the first bracket (10) and the second bracket (12) are rotatably coupled to each other by a seat back recline mechanism (41) mounted therebetween. [11] The method of claim 9, wherein the second bracket (12) is temporarily fixed to the first bracket (10) by temporarily mounting it within a base device (14). [12] The method of claim 9, wherein the alignment plate (24) is positioned on the second bracket (12) with respect to the first and second bolts (16, 18) by temporarily mounting a secondary device (26) to the alignment plate (24) and engaging the secondary device (26) with the first and second bolts (16, 18) such that the alignment plate (24) is brought into contact with the second bracket (12). [13] The method of claim 12, wherein the alignment plate (24) includes at least one positioning device (32, 34), and the secondary device (26) further engages the at least one positioning device (32, 34). [14] A vehicle seat assembly (8) comprising: a first holder (10); a second bracket (12) rotatably coupled to the first bracket (10); a first and second bolt (16, 18) welded to the first bracket (10); and an alignment plate (24) welded to the second bracket (12), wherein first and second reference points (32, 34) along the alignment plate (24) are positioned at the first and second reference dimensions, respectively, of the first bolt (16) and second bolt (18) when the first and second brackets (10, 12) define a reference angle (40) therebetween; an engagement plate (42) rotatably coupled to the first bolt (16) and a locking cam (44) rotatably engaged with the second bolt (18). [15] The vehicle seat assembly (8) of claim 14, wherein the first reference dimension and the second reference dimension are based on relative configurations of the engagement plate (42), the locking cam (44), and the alignment plate (26) to permit operative engagement thereof under a use condition of the vehicle seat assembly (8) including rotation of the second bracket (12) out of the reference position with respect to the first bracket (10). [16] Vehicle seat assembly (8) according to claim 14, wherein the first reference dimension lies between the first bolt (16) and a first positioning device (32) of the alignment plate (24), and the second reference dimension lies between the second bolt (18) and a second positioning device (34) of the alignment plate (24). [17] The vehicle seat assembly (8) of claim 14, wherein the first bracket (10) and the second bracket (12) are rotatably coupled to each other by a seat back recline mechanism (41).

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