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Transmission amplifier assembly for a bowden cable and method of using the sameTransmission amplifier assembly for a bowden cable and method of using the same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060138829, Transmission amplifier assembly for a bowden cable and method of using the same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This invention pertains to the field of bowden cable actuator assemblies. More particularly, the invention pertains to a transmission amplifier assembly and a corresponding transmission device for and a method of converting motion of the wire of a bowden cable, i.e. a first wire portion, into motion of a further wire, i.e. a second wire portion, according to a predetermined transmission ratio. For example, the conversion of the motion of the first wire portion into the motion of the second wire portion may be non-proportional, thereby allowing a constant rate motion of the first wire portion to result in a non-constant rate motion of the second wire portion. The preferred embodiments of the invention are specifically developed for use in adjustable lumbar support assemblies of automobile seats. [0002] Adjustable lumbar support assemblies are widely used in automobile-seats. Many adjustable lumbar support assemblies comprise an adjustable lumbar support that is connected to an actuator via a bowden cable. The bowden cable of such assemblies transmits motion and power from the actuator to the lumbar support member to allow adjustment of the contour of the lumbar support member. Bowden cables are flexible conduits or sleeves containing wires that slide axially through the conduit. [0003] The adjustable lumbar support member of an assembly is typically a thin panel flexible member that is positioned in the seat where it will support the lumbar region of a person's back when the person is seated therein. Typically, the lumbar support member is made adjustable by changing its curvature in a manner such that it extends more or less toward the person's back. Several different methods are commonly used to change the curvature of the lumbar support member. One method is to apply a bending moment to either the top or bottom end margin of the support member in a manner such that the support portion's curvature increases or decreases. Another common method is to force the top and bottom end margins of the support member toward each other such that the support member bows outward. [0004] One end of a bowden cable is typically attached to the support member to either supply the necessary bending moment to the end margin of the support portion or to force the end margins together and to hold the support member in any given position. The opposite end of the bowden cable is then attached to an actuator device that is typically either manually or electromechanically operated to tension the wire of the bowden cable and thereby to adjust the lumbar support portion of the seat. [0005] During use of a typical adjustable lumbar support assembly, the tension of the wire of the bowden cable increases exponentially as the curvature of the support portion is increased. Thus, the actuator must also exert exponentially increasing tension on the wire of the bowden cable as the curvature of the support portion is increased. As a result, the design of both manually and electromechanically operated actuators is typically driven by the requirement of being able to provide peak tension. In light of this design concern, typical prior art actuators are generally inefficient during initial flexing of the lumbar support when the tension required is low. [0006] A second design concern is the need to maximize lumbar support travel in relation to actuator movement. It is inconvenient for a passenger to have to turn an actuator lever or wheel many times to move the lumbar support. User convenience will be provided to the extent that a bowden cable at the lumbar support end can be made to travel a farther distance than the distance the actuator pulls it at the user's end. [0007] Finally, there is a constant need to decrease component size and cost. [0008] Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above problems and, in particular, to provide an assembly and a method which allow efficient flexing of a lumbar support at small component size and small cost. [0009] According to the present invention, this object is achieved by a transmission amplifier assembly for a bowden cable as defined by claim 1 and a method of adjusting a lumbar support member as defined by claim 27. The dependent claims define preferred and advantageous embodiments of the invention. [0010] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art adjustable lumbar support assemblies having a lumbar support member by providing a bowden cable transmission between the actuator and the lumbar support member that converts movement of a first wire portion or a first wire of a bowden cable to be attached to the actuator into movement of a second wire portion or a second wire to be attached to the lumbar support member in accordance with a predetermined transmission ratio. [0011] In particular, the bowden cable transmission is such that the movement of the second wire portion is lightened or relieved compared to the movement of the first wire portion by the predetermined transmission ratio. This may be accomplished by the movement of the second wire portion being increased by the predetermined transmission ratio with respect to the movement of the first wire portion. [0012] The bowden cable transmission may convert the motions in a non-proportional manner such that the movement of the second wire portion in response to the movement of the first wire portion changes as the movement of the first wire portion is altered. In an adjustable lumbar support assembly, the non-proportional conversion allows movement of the first wire portion by the actuator to invoke larger movement of the second wire portion when the lumbar support member is relaxed and to invoke less movement in the second wire portion in response to the movement of the first wire portion when the lumbar support member is substantially flexed. [0013] In general, the bowden cable transmission assembly of the invention comprises a bowden cable having a sleeve and the first wire portion, which can also be regarded as an input wire portion, and the second wire portion which may be arranged in a further sleeve of a further bowden cable and which can also be regarded as an output wire portion. The assembly further comprises a transmission device effecting the predetermined transmission ratio. [0014] According to an embodiment of the invention, the transmission device comprises two pairs of connection points. The first pair has first and second connection points that are movable relative to each other. The first connection point is operatively connected to the sleeve of the bowden cable and the second connection point is operatively connected to the first wire portion in a manner such that movement of the first wire portion relative to the sleeve imparts movement of the first connection point relative to the second connection point. The transmission device also comprises third and fourth connection points that are movable relative to each other. The third connection point may be operatively connected to the further sleeve of the further bowden cable, and the fourth connection point is operatively connected to the second wire portion in a manner such that movement of the third connection point relative to the fourth connection point imparts movement of the second wire portion relative to the third connection point. The first, second, third, and fourth connection points may be linked to each other in a manner such that movement of the first wire portion relative to the sleeve causes non-proportional movement of the second wire portion relative to the third connection point. [0015] According to another embodiment of the invention, the transmission device comprises a rotary member being supported rotatably. The first wire portion and the second wire portion both are coupled to the rotary member and preferably directly attached or fixed to the rotary member such that the movement of the first wire portion imparts rotation of the rotary member and, in addition, thereby imparts the movement of the second wire portion. The first wire portion and the second wire portion preferably extend both along a periphery of the rotary member or are wound at least partially around the rotary member. The first wire portion and the second wire portion may extend both along respective grooves formed in the periphery of the rotary member. [0016] The rotary member preferably has a longitudinal shape, for example a substantially elliptic shape, the width of the rotary member at least slightly increasing from a portion of the rotary member where the first wire portion leaves or comes into contact with the periphery of the rotary member to a portion of the rotary member where the second wire portion leaves or comes into contact with the periphery of the rotary member. The rotary member is supported rotatably around a point of rotation, the point of rotation being in particular arranged eccentrically with respect to the end portions of the rotary member in the longitudinal direction of the rotary member. [0017] By this arrangement, movement of the first wire portion imparts rotation of the rotary member and consequently movement of the second wire portion such that the above mentioned predetermined transmission ration is achieved by the ratio of the smaller lever arm/motion arm defined between the first wire portion and the point of rotation of the rotary member and the larger lever arm/motion arm defined between the second wire portion and the point of rotation of the rotary member. [0018] Preferably, in this further embodiment of the invention, the first wire portion and the second wire portion are formed by one single wire which runs from the sleeve of the bowden cable to the rotary member, where it is fixed, and then to the lumbar support member. [0019] The invention also provides a method of adjusting a lumbar support, for example of a seatback, that comprises the step of causing motion of a first wire portion of a bowden cable relative to a sleeve of the bowden cable via a bowden cable actuator. The method also comprises converting the motion of the first wire portion into motion of a second wire portion, the conversion being such that the motion of the second wire portion is lightened compared to the motion of the first wire portion by a predetermined transmission ratio. The method further comprises adjusting the lumbar support in response to the motion of the second wire portion. [0020] The method may in particular use the bowden cable transmission assembly or the transmission device thereof as described above. [0021] While the principle advantages and features of the invention have been described above, a more complete and thorough understanding of the invention may be attained by referring to the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which follow. [0022] FIG. 1 is an oblique view of an adjustable lumbar support assembly with a transmission device of the present invention schematically shown assembled thereto. [0023] FIG. 2 is a side view of a typical prior art lumbar support member shown in a generally relaxed position. [0024] FIG. 3 is a side view of the typical prior art lumbar support member of FIG. 2 shown in a flexed position. Continue reading about Transmission amplifier assembly for a bowden cable and method of using the same... 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