The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 02, 2000
Filed:
Jun. 12, 1998
Raymond E Welterlin, Cary, NC (US);
Douglas R Hilliard, Apex, NC (US);
Thomas K Peterreins, Nuremberg, DE;
Buehler Products, Inc., Cary, NC (US);
Abstract
A power seat track motor assembly controls motion of a seat in a vehicle. The power seat track motor assembly has a motor that has a first axis of rotation, a gear box having gears that turn in response to rotation of the motor, and a threaded screw that turns in response to turning of the gears in the gear box. The threaded screw has a second axis of rotation that is substantially parallel to the first axis of rotation of the motor so that forces imposed on the screw substantially by-pass the motor and gear box. The assembly also has a threaded structure including a threaded hole through which the threaded screw is threadably inserted. Either the threaded screw or the threaded structure is integral with or mechanically linked to the seat, so that rotation of the threaded screw relative to the threaded hole causes the seat to move. The threaded screw is in compression during normal operation so as to bear the forces that are imposed on the screw to substantially by-pass the motor and gear box. At least one compression structure (such as a support column that supports the seat) bears the weight of the seat and the seat's occupant so as to keep the lead screw in compression.