Open architecture power length adjuster assembly for a vehicle seat and method of manufacturing the same

US11273506B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Fisher & Company, Incorporated · US

Inventors

• Mircea Napau · Sterling Heights, US
• Doina Napau · Sterling Heights, US
• Ileana Dacia Napau · Cugir, RO
• Ioan Napau · Rochester Hills, US
• Dean Lenane · Birmingham, US
• Matthew Essian · Clinton Township, US
• Antal Teer · Mettmann, DE
• Sapan M. POPTANI · Northville, US
• Radu Calin Napau-Stoica · Lupeni, RO

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 5, 2020
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2022
• Expiry date: Oct 5, 2040

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60N2/0715
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a gear drive for a seat adjuster assembly may include applying a cutting process to a worm gear blank to cut gear teeth into the worm gear blank and form a single-enveloping worm gear; forming a worm with a helical thread that includes a pitch surface that is configured to mesh with the gear teeth of the single-enveloping worm gear. A longitudinal crown is created on the pitch surface of the helical thread of the worm such that the pitch surface has an arcuate profile moving from a proximal end of the worm to a distal end of the worm. In addition, a crowned tooth profile is created on the helical thread of the worm that extends in an angular direction between a top land and a bottom land of the helical thread. The crowned tooth profile bows outwardly along a convex curve.