EP-4739539-A1 - 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.

Inventors

• WRONG, David, J.
• RUNDE, DAVID, M.

Assignees

• Magna Seating Inc.

Dates

Publication Date

20260513

Application Date

20240903

Claims (20)

1. 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. 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. 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. 4. The cable actuating device of claim 1, wherein the cable has a first end coupled to the support member.
5. 5. The cable actuating device of claim 1, further comprising a guide pulley coupled to the support member and engaged with the cable.
6. 6. The cable actuating device of claim 1, wherein the cable includes a cable conduit constructed from a polymer.
7. 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. 8. The cable actuating device of claim 1, wherein each of the guide surfaces extends outwardly radial to the axis of rotation.
9. 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. 10. The cable actuating device of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second actuating slots has a spiral shape.
11. 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. 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. 13. The cable actuating device of claim 12, wherein the first and second lobes are radially arranged about the axis of rotation.
14. 14. The cable actuating device of claim 13, wherein each of the expansion elements has a return surface adjacent to the follower surface.
15. 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. 16. The cable actuating device of claim 15, wherein each of the cable guides is constructed from a polymer.
17. 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. 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. 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. 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 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 wherein movement of the expansion elements away from the axis of rotation actuates the cable.

Description

CABLE ACTUATING DEVICE FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE SEAT CROSS-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 further includes 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