Cable actuating device for an automotive seat

Abstract

A cable actuating device for actuating an automotive seat component. The cable actuating device includes an actuating member having a plurality of cam surfaces and a support member having a plurality of guide surfaces. The cable actuating device further includes a plurality of expansion elements and a cable engaged with the expansion elements. Each of the expansion elements has a follower surface engaged with one of the cam surfaces and a reaction surface engaged with one of the guide surfaces. Rotation of the actuating member moves the plurality of cam surfaces relative to the plurality of follower surfaces to move the plurality of expansion elements to actuate the cable.

Description

CABLE ACTUATING DEVICE FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE SEATCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The subject patent application claims priority to, and all the benefits of, U.S. Provisional Application 63 / 536,109, filed on September 1, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to an actuator for actuating a cable and use with a seat assembly in an automotive vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to a cable actuating device for use with a seat assembly having a movable component. The cable actuating device is operable to actuate a cable, which allows the movable component of the seat assembly to be moved.DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART

[0003] Seats for automotive vehicles frequently include features and functions that are actuated by a cable. For example, a user my activate a seat fold mechanism by moving a lever, which pulls a cable to actuate the seat fold mechanism allowing the seat to be folded. Oftentimes, it is desired for the functions of the vehicle seat to be power-operated, which may require a mechanism to be activated by a powered actuator.

[0004] One option for activating a power-operated seat function is replacing the user-actuated lever with a powered actuator. These powered actuators often require a high-speed, high-force actuation of a latch, lock, or other mechanical function. If the powered actuator is not sufficiently powerful, the seat function may not reliably actuate, and if the powered actuator is not sufficiently high-speed, the user may be unsatisfied or believe the powered actuator is malfunctioning.

[0005] Frequently, in order to operate reliably and meet user expectations, powered actuators utilizing larger motors are implemented. In addition to increasing the cost of the powered actuator, larger motors are more difficult to package in the available space. A powered actuator that overcomes one or more of these disadvantages is desired.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In one embodiment, a cable actuating device includes an actuating member and a support member, the actuating member having first and second cam surfaces. The support member has an axis of rotation and first and second guide surfaces. The cable actuating device furtherincludes first and second expansion elements, which are radially arranged about the axis of rotation. Each of the first and second expansion elements has a follower surface and a reaction surface. Each follower surface is engaged with one of the first and second cam surfaces, and each of the reaction surfaces is engaged with one of the first and second guide surfaces. The cable actuating device further includes a cable engaged with each of the first and second expansion elements. The cable actuating device further includes a drive shaft engaged with the actuating member. The drive shaft is configured to rotate the actuating member. Rotation of the actuating member moves the first and second cam surfaces relative to the first and second follower surfaces to move the first and second expansion elements away from the axis of rotation, and movement of the expansion elements away from the axis of rotation actuates the cable.

[0007] In another embodiment, a powered actuating device for actuating a cable includes an actuating member having a plurality of cam surfaces, and a support member having an axis of rotation and a plurality of guide surfaces. The powered actuating device further includes a plurality of expansion elements each engaged with the cable and radially arranged about the axis of rotation. Each of the plurality of expansion elements has a follower surface and a reaction surface. Each follower surface is engaged with one of the plurality of cam surfaces and each of the reaction surfaces is engaged with one of the plurality of guide surfaces. The powered actuating device further includes an electric motor configured to rotate the actuating member and having a drive shaft engaged with the actuating member. Rotation of the actuating member moves the plurality of cam surfaces relative to the plurality of follower surfaces to move the plurality of expansion elements away from the axis of rotation, and movement of the expansion elements away from the axis of rotation actuates the cable.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Advantages of the present disclosure 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:

[0009] FIG. 1 is an environmental view of a cable actuating device for a vehicle seat.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cable actuating device shown in an unactuated state.

[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 2 showing a support member, an actuating member, and a plurality of expansion elements.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a front side view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 2 with the actuating member shown in phantom and the plurality of expansion elements in a retracted position.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a front side view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 4 with the actuating member shown in phantom and the plurality of expansion elements in an actuated position.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 2 without the actuating member.

[0015] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 2 without the support member.

[0016] FIG. 8 a perspective view of a second embodiment of a cable actuating device shown in an unactuated state.

[0017] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 8 showing a cover plate, a support member, an actuating member, a plurality of expansion elements, and a plurality of cable guides.

[0018] FIG. 10 is front side view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 8 with the plurality of expansion elements in a retracted position and without the cover plate and cable guides.

[0019] FIG. 11 is front side view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 10 with the plurality of expansion elements in an actuated position and without the cover plate and cable guides.

[0020] FIG. 12 is a rear side view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 11 with the support member shown in phantom.

[0021] FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the cable actuating device of FIG. 12 without the support plate.

[0022] FIG. 14 is a close up perspective view of the actuating member and one of the expansion elements and cable guides showing a cam surface and a follower surface.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] A seat assembly 50 for use in an automotive vehicle is shown in FIG. 1. The seat assembly 50 includes a seat cushion 52 and a seat back 54 pivotally coupled to the seat cushion 52. The seat back 54 may pivot between an upright seating position and one or more fold flat positions overlapping the seat cushion 52, as is commonly known in the art. The seat cushion 52 may include a cushion frame 56 movably coupled to a seat base 58. The seat assembly 50 may further include a track assembly 60 comprising opposing upper tracks slidably coupled to respective lower tracks and configured to reposition the seat assembly 50 in a forward directionand a rearward direction along the lower tracks. The seat base 58 is coupled to the track assembly 60 and supports the seat cushion 52 above the vehicle floor. The seat assembly 50 may further include a movable head restraint (not shown) coupled to the seat back 54 and a tumble mechanism (not shown) coupled between the seat base 58 and the cushion frame 56. The head restraint may be movable between an upright position and a stowed position to reduce the size of the seat assembly 50. The tumble mechanism may facilitate movement of the seat assembly 50 between an upright position and a tumbled position in which the seat assembly 50 is tilted forward to increase the volume of a cargo area of the automotive vehicle.

[0024] The seat assembly 50 may further include a cable actuating device 100, which actuates a cable assembly 102 to facilitate movement of one or more movable components of the seat assembly 50. For example, the cable assembly 102 may be actuated to permit movement of the seat back 54, the head restraint, and the tumble mechanism. The exemplary cable assembly 102 illustrated herein may be coupled to a seat back latch (not shown), which is actuatable by the cable assembly 102 to allow the seat back 54 to be moved from the upright position into the fold flat position. The cable actuating device 100 shown here is coupled to the seat base 58, however other arrangements in the alternative, or in addition to the seat base 58 are contemplated. For example, a second cable actuating device (not shown) may be coupled to the seat back 54 to facilitate movement of the head restraint.

[0025] Turning to FIGS. 2-7, a first embodiment of the cable actuating device 100 for actuating the cable assembly 102 is illustrated. The cable actuating device 100 comprises a support member 104, an actuating member 106, and a plurality of expansion elements 108. The actuating member 106 is movable relative to the support member 104 to displace each of the plurality of expansion elements 108 in a radial direction. In this first embodiment of the cable actuating device 100, the plurality of expansion elements 108 is implemented as three expansion elements: a first expansion element 108A, a second expansion element 108B, and a third expansion element 108C. It should be appreciated that the plurality of expansion elements 108 may include greater than, or fewer than, three expansion elements 108. For example, some embodiments of the cable actuating device 100 may include only the first and second expansion elements, while other embodiments of the cable actuating device 100 may include first, second, third, and fourth (or more) expansion elements. Each of the plurality of expansion elements 108 are substantially similar to, and may be interchangeable with, one another. With respect to the plurality of expansion elements 108, thedesignations of first, second, and third are merely for convenience of explanation and are not intended to be limiting. For purposes of clarity and consistency throughout the detailed description, the designations of first, second, and third and the corresponding numerals (i.e., 108A, 108B, 108C) are used only when contrasting one expansion element with another and are otherwise omitted when referring to the expansion elements 108 collectively or when describing elements common to all of the expansion elements 108.

[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, the support member 104 has a plurality of guide surfaces 110 and each of the guide surfaces 110 defines a guide slot 112 extending through the support member 104. Here, the support member 104 includes a first guide surface 110A, a second guide surface HOB, and a third guide surface HOC. The support member 104 defines a bore 114 having an axis of rotation 116. Each of the first guide surface 110A, the second guide surface 110B, and the third guide surface 110C has an elongated shape and extends radially outward to the axis of rotation 116 and is arranged in a radial pattern about the axis of rotation 116. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, each of the guide surfaces 110 is further defined as a pair of guide surfaces 110, with each pair of guide surfaces 110 defining a corresponding pair of guide slots 112. More specifically, the first guide surface 110A is a pair of first guide surfaces 110A defining a pair of first guide slots 112A, the second guide surface 110B is a pair of second guide surfaces 110B defining a pair of second guide slots 112B, and the third guide surface HOC is a pair of third guide surfaces HOC defining a pair of third guide slots 112C.

[0027] As mentioned above, the cable actuating device 100 includes the actuating member 106. The actuating member 106 includes an actuating plate 118 and has plurality of cam surfaces 120, and each of the cam surfaces 120 defines an actuating slot 122 extending through the actuating plate 118. In the first embodiment, the actuating member 106 includes three cam surfaces 120 each defining a corresponding actuating slot 122. Specifically, a first cam surface 120A defines a first actuating slot 122A, a second cam surface 120B defines a second actuating slot 122B, and a third cam surface 120C defines a third actuating slot 122C. As described above in connection with the expansion elements 108, each of the cam surfaces 120 are substantially similar to one another and the following description of one cam surface 120 associated with the first embodiment can be considered to apply to each of the cam surfaces 120A, 1206, 120C.

[0028] Turning to FIGS. 4, 5, and 7, each cam surface 120 extends between a proximal surface 124 and a distal surface 128. When the cable actuating device 100 is assembled, the proximalsurface 124 is spaced a first distance 126 from the axis of rotation 116 and the distal surface 128 is spaced a second distance 130 from the axis of rotation 116. The second distance 130 is greater than the first distance 126. Each of the actuating slots 122 has a spiral shape arranged around the axis of rotation 116. Said differently, the proximal surface 124 of each cam surface 120 is arranged at a different angular position than the distal surface 128 of each cam surface 120. The spiral shape of each cam surface 120 may angularly overlap with the adjacent cam surface 120. In other words, the proximal surface 124 of the first cam surface 120A may be angularly overlapping with the second cam surface 120B and the distal surface 128 of the first cam surface 120A may be angularly overlapping with the third cam surface 120C. Each cam surface 120 may have an angle between the proximal surface 124 and the distal surface 128 of approximately 150 degrees. Other angles are possible.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 3, each of the expansion elements 108 includes a body 132, a follower pin 134 having a follower surface 136, and a reaction pin 138 having a reaction surface 140. The follower pin 134 protrudes from a first side of the body 132 in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation 116. Similarly, the reaction pin 138 protrudes from a second side of the body 132 in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation 116. The follower pin 134 and the reaction pin 138 protrude from opposite sides of the body 132 such that follower pin 134 protrudes toward the actuating member 106 and the reaction pin 138 protrudes toward the support member 104. More particularly, the follower pin 134 protrudes from the body 132 toward the actuating member 106 such that the follower surface 136 is engaged with the cam surface 120. Similarly, the reaction pin 138 protrudes from the body 132 toward the support member 104 such that the reaction surface 140 is engaged with the guide surface 110. The expansion element 108 may be formed by assembling the body 132, the follower pin 134, and the reaction pin 138, for example, by pressing the cylindrical follower pin 134 and reaction pin 138 into circular bores defined in the body 132. Alternatively, the expansion element 108 may be formed with a unitary construction with the body 132, the follower pin 134, and the reaction pin 138 as single piece, for example, by casting, forging, metal injection molding, fine blanking, 3D printing, and the like.

[0030] Best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the follower pin 134 is slidably disposed in the actuating slot 122 such that the follower surface 136 is engaged with the cam surface 120. More particularly, the follower pin 134 of the first expansion element 108A is slidably disposed in the first actuating slot 122A such that the follower surface 136 is engaged with the first cam surface 120A. Thefollower pins 134 of the second expansion element 108B and the third expansion element 108C are slidably disposed in the respective second actuating slot 122B and third actuating slot 122C such that the follower surfaces 136 are engaged with the respective second cam surface 120B and third cam surface 120C.

[0031] Similar to the guide surfaces 110 described above, the reaction pin 138 may be further defined as a pair of reaction pins 138, with each reaction pin 138 having a corresponding reaction surface 140. As shown in FIG. 6, each of the first expansion element 108A, the second expansion element 108B, and the third expansion element 108C may have a pair of reaction pins 138 each having a corresponding reaction surface 140. In this way, the pair of reaction pins 138 of each expansion element 108 may be engaged with one of the corresponding pairs of guide slots 112 such that each of the reaction surfaces 140 is engaged with one of the pair of guide surfaces 120. Other quantities of guide surfaces 110 and reaction surfaces 140 for each expansion element 108 are contemplated.

[0032] Turning now to FIGS. 4-6, the cable actuating device 100 is shown in an unactuated state (FIG. 4) and an actuated state (FIG. 5). The cable actuating device 100 is movable between the unactuated state and the actuated state to actuate the cable assembly 102. To this end, each of the expansion elements 108 is movable between a retracted position (FIG. 4) and an actuated position (FIG. 5). Specifically, each of the expansion elements 108 moves in a direction radial to the axis of rotation 116. In the retracted position, the reaction pin 138 is positioned at a proximal end of the guide slot 112 and in the actuated position the reaction pin 138 is position at a distal end of the guide slot 112. Said differently, the reaction pin 138 of each expansion element 108 is spaced further from the axis of rotation 116 in the actuated position than in the retracted position. Similarly, the follower surface 136 of the follower pin 134 is positioned at the proximal surface 124 of the cam surface 120 in the retracted position and the follower surface 136 of the follower pin 134 is positioned at the distal surface 128 of the cam surface 120 in the actuated position.

[0033] In the retracted position, the first expansion element 108A, the second expansion element 108B, and the third expansion element 108C cooperate to define a retracted diameter 142 (FIG. 4). Similarly, in the actuated position, the first expansion element 108A, the second expansion element 108B, and the third expansion element 108C cooperate to define an actuated diameter 144 (FIG. 5). The actuated diameter 144 is greater than the retracted diameter 142. Said differently, the first expansion element 108A, the second expansion element 108B, and the thirdexpansion element 108C are spaced further away from each other in the actuated position than in the retracted position.

[0034] The cable actuating device 100 further includes a drive shaft 146 engaged with the actuating member 106. The drive shaft 146 is configured to rotate the actuating member 106. To this end, the drive shaft 146 extends between a first end portion 148 configured to engage with the actuating member 106 and a second end portion 150. In the embodiment illustrated here, the actuating member 106 defines a drive bore 152 having a triangular shape and the first end portion 148 of the drive shaft 146 has a complementary triangular shape. Other shapes of the first end portion 148 and the drive bore 152 are contemplated, such as square, hexagonal, splined, D-shaped, and the like. It is further contemplated that the drive shaft 146 and the actuating member 106 may be rotationally coupled to one another without the drive bore 152. For example, each of the actuating member 106 and the drive shaft 146 may include a flange (not shown), which may be coupled using bolts or other fasteners. Other coupling mechanisms are contemplated.

[0035] The cable actuating device 100 may further include an electric motor 154. The electric motor 154 is engaged with the drive shaft 146 and configured to rotate the drive shaft 146 and the actuating member 106. More specifically, the electric motor 154 may include an output shaft 156 that is engaged with the second end portion 150 of the drive shaft 146. The second end portion 150 of the drive shaft 146 may have a splined shape and the output shaft 156 of the electric motor 154 may have a complementary splined shape. As with above, it is contemplated that the drive shaft 146 and the electric motor 154 may be rotationally coupled to one another other than with the complementary spline shapes. For example, the second end portion 150 may have a triangular shape, a hexagonal shape, or may utilize flanges that are coupled with bolts or other fasteners. The electric motor 154 may be coupled to the support member 104 to prevent rotation of the support member 104 relative to the electric motor 154. The electric motor 154 and the support member 104 may be coupled using fasteners or the like.

[0036] Best shown in FIG. 3, the cable assembly 102 extends from a first end 158 to a second end (not shown) that is coupled to the actuatable element of the seat assembly 50. The first end 158 of the cable assembly 102 may be coupled to the support member 104 and may include a ferrule 160. The first end 158 of the cable assembly 102 may be fixed to the support member 104 by engaging the ferrule 160 with a hole (not shown) in the support member 104. The cable assembly 102 may further include a flexible tension element 162 and a cable conduit 164, theflexible tension element 162 being disposed in the cable conduit 164. The cable assembly 102 is wrapped around the expansion elements 108 with the cable conduit 164 engaged with the body 132 of each expansion element 108. The cable conduit 164 may be constructed from a polymer material having low friction to facilitate sliding movement of the flexible tension element 162 within the cable conduit 164 when the expansion elements 108 are moved between the retracted position and the actuated position. Movement of the expansion elements 108 between the retracted position and the actuated position increases the diameter of the expansion elements 108 from the retracted diameter 142 to the actuated diameter 144. Because the cable assembly 102 is wrapped around the expansion elements 108 and the first end 158 of the cable assembly 102 is coupled to the support member 104, increasing the diameter pulls the flexible tension element 162, which slides relative to the expansion elements 108. The cable conduit 164 reduces the friction between the flexible tension element 162 and the body 132 of each expansion element 108. It is further contemplated that the flexible tension element 162 may be directly wrapped around the expansion elements 108, foregoing the need of the cable conduit 164. The cable actuating device 100 may further include a guide pulley 166 coupled to the support member 104. The guide pulley 166 is coupled to the support member 104 proximate to the first end 158 of the cable assembly 102 to maximize the degree to which the cable assembly 102 is wrapped around the expansion elements 108. When the degree of wrap is maximized, the transfer of force from the actuating member 106 to the cable assembly 102 is also maximized.

[0037] The cable actuating device 100 is operable between the unactuated state (FIG. 4) and the actuated state (FIG. 5). When the cable actuating device 100 is in the unactuated state, the actuating member 106 is rotated to a most-clockwise position (relative to the orientation depicted in FIG. 4) until the follower surfaces 136 of the follower pins 134 are engaged with the proximal surfaces 124 of the cam surfaces 120. The expansion elements 108 are moved toward the axis of rotation 116 into the retracted position having the retracted diameter 142. In order to operate the cable actuating device 100 toward the actuated state, thereby actuating the cable assembly 102, the drive shaft 146 is rotated by the electric motor 154. More specifically, the drive shaft 146 rotates the actuating member 106 about the axis of rotation 116 in a first direction (counterclockwise relative to the orientation depicted in FIGS. 4-5), which moves each of the cam surfaces 120 relative to the follower surfaces 136. Because engagement between the reaction surfaces 140 and the guide surfaces 110 constrains the movement of the expansion elements 108 to the radialdirection, the sliding movement of the follower pins 134 in the actuating slots 122 moves the expansion elements 108 from the retracted position, away from the axis of rotation 116, and toward the expanded position. Movement of the expansion elements 108 away from the axis of rotation 116 and toward the expanded position actuates the cable assembly 102.

[0038] Operating the cable actuating device 100 from the actuated state toward the unactuated state is the opposite of the above description. From the most-counterclockwise position shown in FIG. 5 the drive shaft 146 rotates the actuating member 106 about the axis of rotation 116 in a second direction (clockwise relative to the orientation depicted in FIGS. 4-5), which moves each of the cam surfaces 120 relative to the follower surfaces 136 of the follower pins 134. The engagement between the reaction surfaces 140 and the guide surfaces 110 constrains the movement of the expansion elements 108 to the radial direction and thereby allows the sliding movement of the follower pins 134 in the actuating slots 122 to move the expansion elements 108 from the expanded position, toward the axis of rotation 116, and toward the retracted position. The expansion elements 108 may be biased toward the retracted position by tension in the cable assembly 102, in some embodiments. More specifically, the actuatable element of the seat assembly 50 may include a spring that biases the actuatable element into a locked position, for example. The spring exerts a tension force on the cable assembly 102 that biases the expansion elements 108 toward the retracted position. The cable actuating device 100 may include a further biasing device (not shown) that is operatively arranged between each of the expansion elements 108 and the support member 104 that biases the expansion elements 108 toward the retracted position. It is possible that the biasing force from tension in the cable assembly 102 or the further biasing device may serve to back-drive the cable actuating device 100, thereby allowing the expansion elements 108 to move from the actuated position to the retracted position without powering the electric motor 154.

[0039] Turning now to FIGS. 8-14, a second embodiment of a cable actuating device 200 is shown. As will be appreciated from the subsequent description below, the second cable actuating device 200 is similar to the cable actuating device 100 described above in connection with FIGS. 2-7. While the specific differences between these embodiments will be described in detail, for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and brevity, only certain structural features and components common between these embodiments will be discussed and depicted in the drawings of the second embodiment of the cable actuating device 200.

[0040] The cable actuating device 200 comprises a support member 204, an actuating member 206, and a plurality of expansion elements 208. The actuating member 206 is movable relative to the support member 204 to displace each of the plurality of expansion elements 208 in a radial direction. In this second embodiment of the cable actuating device 200, the plurality of expansion elements 208 is implemented as three expansion elements: a first expansion element 208A, a second expansion element 208B, and a third expansion element 208C. It should be appreciated that the plurality of expansion elements 208 may include greater than, or fewer than, three expansion elements 208. For example, some embodiments of the cable actuating device 200 may include only the first and second expansion elements, while other embodiments of the cable actuating device 200 may include first, second, third, and fourth (or more) expansion elements. Each of the plurality of expansion elements 208 are substantially similar to, and may be interchangeable with, one another. With respect to the plurality of expansion elements 208, the designations of first, second, and third are merely for convenience of explanation and are not intended to be limiting. For purposes of clarity and consistency throughout the detailed description, the designations of first, second, and third and the corresponding numerals (i.e., 208A, 208B, 208C) are used only when contrasting one expansion element with another and are otherwise omitted when referring to the expansion elements 208 collectively or when describing elements common to all of the expansion elements 208.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 9, the support member 204 has a plurality of guide surfaces 210 and each of the guide surfaces 210 defines a guide slot 212 extending through the support member 204. Here, the support member 204 includes a first guide surface 210A defining guide slot 212A, a second guide surface 210B defining guide slot 212B, and a third guide surface 210C defining guide slot 212C. The support member 204 defines a bore 214 having an axis of rotation 216. Each of the first guide surface 210A, the second guide surface 210B, and the third guide surface 210C has an elongated shape and extends radially outward to the axis of rotation 216 and is arranged in a radial pattern about the axis of rotation 216.

[0042] As mentioned above, the cable actuating device 200 includes the actuating member 206. The actuating member 206 includes a plurality of lobes 218, a plurality of cam surfaces 220, and a plurality of reset surfaces 222 adjacent to the plurality of cam surfaces 220. The plurality of lobes 218 are radially arranged about the axis of rotation 216. Each of the plurality of cam surfaces 220 and plurality of reset surfaces 222 is arranged on one of the plurality of lobes 218. In thesecond embodiment, the actuating member 206 includes three lobes 218, three cam surfaces 220, and three reset surfaces 222. Specifically, a first cam surface 220A and a first reset surface 222A are arranged on a first lobe 218A with the first reset surface 222 A arranged adjacent to the first cam surface 220A. A second cam surface 220B and a second reset surface 222B are arranged on a second lobe 218B with the second reset surface 222B arranged adjacent to the second cam surface 220B. A third cam surface 220C and a third reset surface 222C are arranged on a third lobe 218C with the third reset surface 222C arranged adjacent to the third cam surface 220C. As described above in connection with the expansion elements 208, each of the lobes 218, cam surfaces 220, and reset surfaces 222 are substantially similar to one another and the following description of one lobe, the corresponding cam surface 220, and the corresponding reset surface 222 can be considered to apply to each of the lobes 218A, 218B, 218C, cam surfaces 220A, 220B, 220C, and reset surfaces 222A, 222B, 222C.

[0043] Turning to FIGS. 10-14, each cam surface 220 extends between a proximal surface 224 and a distal surface 228. When the cable actuating device 200 is assembled, the proximal surface 224 is spaced a first distance 226 from the axis of rotation 216 and the distal surface 228 is spaced a second distance 230 from the axis of rotation 216. The second distance 230 is greater than the first distance 226. Each of the lobes 218 and the cam surfaces 220 has a curved shape arranged around the axis of rotation 216. Said differently, the proximal surface 224 of each cam surface 220 is arranged at a different angular position than the distal surface 228 of each cam surface 220. The curved shape of each cam surface 220 may angularly overlap with the adjacent cam surface 220. In other words, the proximal surface 224 of the first cam surface 220A may be angularly overlapping with the second cam surface 220B and the distal surface 228 of the first cam surface 220A may be angularly overlapping with the third cam surface 220C. Each cam surface 220 may have an angle between the proximal surface 224 and the distal surface 228 of approximately 150 degrees. Other angles are possible.

[0044] Referencing FIGS. 9 and 14, each of the expansion elements 208 includes a body 232 having a return surface 234 and a follower surface 236. Each of the expansion elements 208 further includes a reaction pin 238 having a reaction surface 240 and one or more alignment pins 270. The reaction pin 238 protrudes from the body 232 in a direction generally parallel to the axis of rotation 216 and toward the support member 204 such that the reaction surface 240 is engaged with the guide surface 210. Similarly, the one or more alignment pins 270 protrude from the body 232 in adirection generally parallel to the axis of rotation 216 and away from the support member 204. The expansion element 208 may be formed by assembling the body 232, the reaction pin 238, and the alignment pin 270, for example, by pressing the reaction pin 238 and alignment pin 270 into slots and bores defined in the body 232. Alternatively, the expansion element 208 may be formed with a unitary construction with the body 232, the reaction pin 238, and the alignment pin 270 as single piece, for example, by casting, forging, metal injection molding, fine blanking, 3D printing, and the like.

[0045] Best shown in FIG. 14, the expansion elements 208 have a semi-circular shape with the return surface 234 and the follower surface 236 arranged facing generally toward the axis of rotation 216 and an outer surface 272 facing generally away from the axis of rotation 216. As mentioned above, the return surface 234 and the follower surface 236 are arranged adjacent to each other, and at an angle to meet at a maximum actuation point 274. The maximum actuation point 274 is the point at which the return surface 234 and the follower surface 236 are nearest to the axis of rotation 216. As the actuating member 206 rotates, the cam surface 220 slides along the follower surface 236 until reaching the maximum actuation point 274, which defines the actuated position of the expansion elements 208. In some embodiments of the cable actuating device 200, the actuating member 206 may continue to rotate after the follower surface 236 has reached the maximum actuation point 274 in order to move the expansion elements 208 toward the retracted position. When the follower surface 236 moves past the maximum actuation point 274 the reset surface 222 of each lobe 218 contacts the return surface 234, which is angled to allow the expansion elements 208 to move toward the axis of rotation 216.

[0046] Each of the expansion elements 208 may further include a cable guide 276 coupled to the body 232 and engaged with the outer surface 272. Similar to the cable conduit 164 described above, the cable guide 276 may be constructed from a polymer material having low friction to facilitate sliding movement of the flexible tension element 262 relative to the expansion elements 208 as the expansion elements 208 are moved between the retracted position and the actuated position. Movement of the expansion elements 208 between the retracted position and the actuated position increases the diameter of the expansion elements 208 from the retracted diameter 242 to the actuated diameter 244. Because the cable assembly 202 is wrapped around the expansion elements 208 and the ferrule 260 at the first end 258 of the cable assembly 202 is coupled to the support member 204, increasing the diameter pulls the flexible tension element 262, which slidesrelative to the expansion elements 208. The cable guides 276 reduce the friction between the flexible tension elements 262 and the body 232 of each expansion elements 208. The cable actuating device 200 may further include a guide pulley 266 coupled to the support member 204. The guide pulley 266 is coupled to the support member 204 proximate to the first end 258 of the cable assembly 202 to maximize the degree to which the cable assembly 202 is wrapped around the expansion elements 208. When the degree of wrap is maximized, the transfer of force from the actuating member 206 to the cable assembly 202 is also maximized.

[0047] Referring again to FIGS. 8, 9, 12, and 13, the cable actuating device 200 may further include a cover plate 278 spaced from the support member 204. Similar to the support member 204, the cover plate 278 may include a plurality of alignment surfaces 280, which may define alignment slots 282 extending through the cover plate 278. The alignment pin 270 of each of the plurality of expansion elements 208 is disposed in one of the alignment slots 282 and engaged with one of the plurality of alignment surfaces 280. Similar to the guide surfaces 110 and guide slots 112 described above, each of the plurality of alignment surfaces 280 and corresponding plurality of alignment slots 282 may be further defined as a pair of alignment surfaces 280, with each pair of alignment surfaces 280 defining a corresponding pair of alignment slots 282. To this end, the alignment pins 270 of each of the plurality of expansion elements 208 may be further defined as a pair of alignment pins 270, each of the pair of alignment pins 270 being disposed in one of the alignment slots 282 and engaged with the corresponding alignment surface 280.

[0048] As with above, the cable actuating device 200 is operable between the unactuated state (FIG. 10) and the actuated state (FIG. 11). When the cable actuating device 200 is in the unactuated state, the actuating member 206 is rotated such that the reset surface 222 of each lobe 218 is engaged with the return surface 234 of each expansion element 208. The expansion elements 208 are moved toward the axis of rotation 216 into the retracted position having the retracted diameter 242. In order to operate the cable actuating device 200 toward the actuated state, thereby actuating the cable assembly 202, the drive shaft 246 is rotated by the electric motor 254. More specifically, the drive shaft 246 rotates the actuating member 206 about the axis of rotation 216 in a first direction (counterclockwise relative to the orientation depicted in FIGS. 10-11), which moves each of the cam surfaces 220 relative to the follower surfaces 236. Because engagement between the reaction surfaces 240 of the reaction pins 238 and the guide surfaces 210 constrains the movement of the expansion elements 208 to the radial direction, the sliding movement of the follower surfaces236 along the cam surfaces 220 moves the expansion elements 208 from the retracted position, away from the axis of rotation 216, and toward the expanded position. Movement of the expansion elements 208 away from the axis of rotation 216 and toward the expanded position actuates the cable assembly 202.

[0049] One method of operating the cable actuating device 200 from the actuated state toward the unactuated state is the opposite of the above description. From the position shown in FIG. 11, the drive shaft 246 rotates the actuating member 206 about the axis of rotation 216 in a second direction (clockwise relative to the orientation depicted in FIGS. 10-11), which moves each of the lobes 218 relative to the expansion elements 208 and slides the cam surfaces 220 along the follower surfaces 236. As the distance from the cam surface 220 to the axis of rotation 216 decreases between the distal surface 228 and the proximal surface 224, the sliding movement of the follower surfaces 236 along the cam surfaces 220 moves the expansion elements 208 from the expanded position, toward the axis of rotation 216, and toward the retracted position. The expansion elements 208 may be biased toward the retracted position by tension in the cable assembly 202, in some embodiments. More specifically, the actuatable element of the seat assembly 50 may include a spring that biases the actuatable element into a locked position, for example. The spring exerts a tension force on the cable assembly 202 that biases the expansion elements 208 toward the retracted position. The cable actuating device 200 may include a further biasing device (not shown) that is operatively arranged between each of the expansion elements 208 and the support member 204 that biases the expansion elements 208 toward the retracted position. It is possible that the biasing force from tension in the cable assembly 202 or the further biasing device may serve to back-drive the cable actuating device 200, thereby allowing the expansion elements 208 to move from the actuated position to the retracted position without powering the electric motor 254.

[0050] As mentioned above, another method of operating the cable actuating device 200 from the actuated state toward the unactuated state may be to continue rotating the actuating member 206 in the counterclockwise direction until the distal surface 228 of each cam surface 220 is past the maximum actuation point 274. When the follower surface 236 moves past the maximum actuation point 274 the reset surface 222 of each lobe 218 contacts the return surface 234, which is angled to allow the expansion elements 208 to move toward the axis of rotation 216. Because the distal surface 228 of one lobe 218 is radially adjacent to the proximal surface 224 of the adjacent lobe 218, minimal rotation of the actuating member 206 is required to move the maximumactuation point 274 from engagement with the distal surface 228 of one lobe 218 to engagement with the proximal surface 224 of another lobe 218.

[0051] Several instances have been discussed in the foregoing description. However, the embodiments discussed herein are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the disclosure to any particular form. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The terminology that has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings and the disclosure may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A cable actuating device comprising: an actuating member having first and second cam surfaces; a support member having an axis of rotation and first and second guide surfaces; first and second expansion elements radially arranged about the axis of rotation, each of the first and second expansion elements having a follower surface and a reaction surface, wherein each follower surface is engaged with one of the first and second cam surfaces and each of the reaction surfaces is engaged with one of the first and second guide surfaces; a cable engaged with each of the first and second expansion elements; and a drive shaft engaged with the actuating member and configured to rotate the actuating member, wherein rotation of the actuating member moves the first and second cam surfaces relative to the first and second follower surfaces to move the first and second expansion elements away from the axis of rotation, and wherein movement of the expansion elements away from the axis of rotation actuates the cable.

2. The cable actuating device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second expansion elements are movable between a retracted position and an actuated position, wherein the first and second expansion elements define a retracted diameter in the retracted position and an actuated diameter in the actuated position, and wherein the actuated diameter is greater than the retracted diameter.

3. The cable actuating device of claim 1, further comprising an electric motor coupled to the support member and engaged with the drive shaft, wherein the electric motor is configured to rotate the drive shaft.

4. The cable actuating device of claim 1, wherein the cable has a first end coupled to the support member.

5. The cable actuating device of claim 1, further comprising a guide pulley coupled to the support member and engaged with the cable.

6. The cable actuating device of claim 1, wherein the cable includes a cable conduit constructed from a polymer.

7. The cable actuating device of claim 1, wherein each of the cam surfaces extends between a proximal surface spaced a first distance from the axis of rotation and a distal surface spaced a second distance from the axis of rotation, and wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

8. The cable actuating device of claim 1, wherein each of the guide surfaces extends outwardly radial to the axis of rotation.

9. The cable actuating device of claim 1, wherein the actuating member includes an actuating plate, wherein the first cam surface defines a first actuating slot extending through the actuating plate and the second cam surface defines a second actuating slot extending through the actuating plate.

10. The cable actuating device of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second actuating slots has a spiral shape.11 . The cable actuating device of claim 9, wherein the first and second expansion elements each comprise a reaction pin and a follower pin, wherein the reaction pin is engaged with one of the guide surfaces of the support member and the follower pin is engaged with one of the actuating slots of the actuating plate.

12. The cable actuating device of claim 1, wherein the actuating member includes first and second lobes, wherein the first cam surface is arranged on the first lobe and the second cam surface is arranged on the second lobe.

13. The cable actuating device of claim 12, wherein the first and second lobes are radially arranged about the axis of rotation.

14. The cable actuating device of claim 13, wherein each of the expansion elements has a return surface adjacent to the follower surface.

15. The cable actuating device of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second expansion elements includes a cable guide, wherein the cable guide engages the cable.

16. The cable actuating device of claim 15, wherein each of the cable guides is constructed from a polymer.

17. The cable actuating device of claim 14, wherein the actuating member further includes first and second reset surfaces, wherein the first reset surface is arranged on the first lobe adjacent to the first cam surface and the second reset surface is arranged on the second lobe adjacent to the second cam surface.

18. The cable actuating device of claim 17, wherein rotation of the actuating member in a first direction moves the first and second expansion elements from a retracted position toward an expanded position when the first and second cam surfaces are engaged with the first and second follower surfaces, and wherein rotation of the actuating member in the first direction allows the first and second expansion elements to move from the expanded position toward the retracted position when the first and second reset surfaces are engaged with the first and second return surfaces.

19. The cable actuating device of claim 12, further comprising a cover plate spaced from the support member, wherein the cover plate includes an alignment surface.

20. A powered actuating device for actuating a cable, the powered actuating device comprising: an actuating member having a plurality of cam surfaces; a support member having an axis of rotation and a plurality of guide surfaces; a plurality of expansion elements each engaged with the cable and radially arranged about the axis of rotation, each of the plurality of expansion elements having a follower surface and a reaction surface, wherein each follower surface is engaged with one of the plurality of cam surfaces and each of the reaction surfaces is engaged with one of the plurality of guide surfaces; and an electric motor having a drive shaft engaged with the actuating member, wherein the electric motor is configured to rotate the actuating member and rotation of the actuatingmember moves the plurality of cam surfaces relative to the plurality of follower surfaces to move the plurality of expansion elements away from the axis of rotation, and wherein movement of the expansion elements away from the axis of rotation actuates the cable.

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