Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly for a vehicle seat assembly may include a housing, a worm, a spindle screw, a motor, and either a helical gear or a single-enveloping worm gear. The worm may be disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and having a thread. The helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear may be disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and meshingly-engaged with a pitch surface of the thread of the worm. The spindle screw may extend along the second axis and through the housing and the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear. The spindle screw may be meshingly-engaged with the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear. The motor may drive the worm to cause linear movement of the housing, worm, motor, and the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear along the second axis.

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.

Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly for a vehicle seat assembly may include a housing, a worm, a spindle screw, a motor, and either a helical gear or a single-enveloping worm gear. The worm may be disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and having a thread. The helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear may be disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and meshingly-engaged with a pitch surface of the thread of the worm. The spindle screw may extend along the second axis and through the housing and the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear. The spindle screw may be meshingly-engaged with the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear. The motor may drive the worm to cause linear movement of the housing, worm, motor, and the helical gear or single-enveloping worm gear along the second axis.

Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly including a housing, a worm, a worm gear, and a spindle screw is provided. The worm is disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and includes a helical thread. The worm gear is disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and is meshingly-engaged with the worm. The spindle screw extends through the housing and the worm gear for rotation about the second axis. The spindle screw is meshingly-engaged with the worm gear. The helical thread of the worm may be longitudinally crowned or double-crowned.

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.

Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly including a housing, a worm, a worm gear, and a spindle screw is provided. The worm is disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and includes a helical thread. The worm gear is disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and is meshingly-engaged with the worm. The spindle screw extends through the housing and the worm gear for rotation about the second axis. The spindle screw is meshingly-engaged with the worm gear. The helical thread of the worm may be longitudinally crowned or double-crowned.

Abstract: A seat adjustment assembly includes a housing, a worm, a gear, and a rail. The worm is disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and including a helical thread defining an arcuate profile extending about the first axis. The gear is disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and is meshingly-engaged with the worm. The rail extends through the housing and the gear for rotation about a third axis. The rail is meshingly-engaged with the gear.

Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly including a housing, a worm, a worm gear, and a spindle screw is provided. The worm is disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and includes a helical thread. The worm gear is disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and is meshingly-engaged with the worm. The spindle screw extends through the housing and the worm gear for rotation about the second axis. The spindle screw is meshingly-engaged with the worm gear. The helical thread of the worm may be longitudinally crowned or double-crowned.

Abstract: A single-stage gear reduction output mechanism for an automotive seat assembly includes a gear housing bracket, gear housing, axle shaft, eccentric, and first and second gears. The axle shaft extends through the eccentric with a slip fit, the first gear rotates with the axle shaft, and the second gear is carried on a first bearing surface of the eccentric and meshingly engages the first gear in a planetary arrangement. The second gear includes an external flange with at least two guide holes. First and second support pins that are rigidly fixed in place relative to the axle shaft extend through the two guide holes in the external flange of the second gear. Forces acting at the interfaces between the first and second support pins and the two guide holes and between the eccentric and the second gear prevent the first gear from back-driving rotation of the second gear.

Abstract: A seat adjustment assembly includes a housing, a worm, a gear, and a rail. The worm is disposed within the housing for rotation about a first axis and including a helical thread defining an arcuate profile extending about the first axis. The gear is disposed within the housing for rotation about a second axis and is meshingly-engaged with the worm. The rail extends through the housing and the gear for rotation about a third axis. The rail is meshingly-engaged with the gear.

Abstract: A single-stage gear reduction output mechanism for an automotive seat assembly including a gear housing bracket, gear housing, axle shaft, eccentric, and first and second gears. The axle shaft extends through the eccentric with a slip fit, the first gear rotates with the axle shaft, and the second gear is carried on a first bearing surface of the eccentric and meshingly engages the first gear in a planetary arrangement. A locking plate including first, second, and third slot cutouts is disposed within the gear housing. A support pin extends from the gear housing through the first slot cutout and a second bearing surface of the eccentric extends through the second slot cutout to support the locking plate and limit its movement along a lateral axis. The second gear includes a first pin that extends through the third slot cutout to prevent the first gear from back-driving the second gear.

Abstract: A single-stage gear reduction output mechanism for an automotive seat assembly includes a gear housing bracket, gear housing, axle shaft, eccentric, and first and second gears. The axle shaft extends through the eccentric with a slip fit, the first gear rotates with the axle shaft, and the second gear is carried on a first bearing surface of the eccentric and meshingly engages the first gear in a planetary arrangement. The second gear includes an external flange with at least two guide holes. First and second support pins that are rigidly fixed in place relative to the axle shaft extend through the two guide holes in the external flange of the second gear. Forces acting at the interfaces between the first and second support pins and the two guide holes and between the eccentric and the second gear prevent the first gear from back-driving rotation of the second gear.

Abstract: A single-stage gear reduction output mechanism for an automotive seat assembly including a gear housing bracket, gear housing, axle shaft, eccentric, and first and second gears. The axle shaft extends through the eccentric with a slip fit, the first gear rotates with the axle shaft, and the second gear is carried on a first bearing surface of the eccentric and meshingly engages the first gear in a planetary arrangement. A locking plate including first, second, and third slot cutouts is disposed within the gear housing. A support pin extends from the gear housing through the first slot cutout and a second bearing surface of the eccentric extends through the second slot cutout to support the locking plate and limit its movement along a lateral axis. The second gear includes a first pin that extends through the third slot cutout to prevent the first gear from back-driving the second gear.