Abstract: A recliner mechanism particularly adapted for motor vehicle seats is described. In accordance with this invention, the adjusted position of the seat back is controlled by using a recliner mechanism which includes a coil spring clutch which is selectively tightened or loosened around an actuator clutch drum surface to fix the reclined position or to permit it to be varied. The upper recliner structure has a toothed quadrant surface which meshes with a recliner gear which communicates preferably through an intermediate gear to the rotating actuator clutch drum. A lever is employed to cause relative rotation between a pair of actuator cam plates which are connected to extending ends of a coil clutch spring. Movement of the actuator lever selectively causes the coil clutch spring to tighten or loosen around the actuator clutch drum.

Abstract: A gear operated seat recliner mechanism is described which is particularly useful in connection with motor vehicle occupant seats. The recliner permits the angle between the seat back and seat bottom to be varied as desired by the seat occupant. In accordance with this invention, the upper recliner structure pivots about the lower recliner structure and a quadrant component, which pivots with the upper recliner structure, includes a curved toothed rack. The rack meshes with a gear mounted to the lower recliner structure. A pawl is adjustable between an engaged position which fixes the seat back angle to a disengaged postion permitting the seat back angle to be changed relative to the seat bottom. This design improves over prior art designs in that it employs fewer parts, is less costly to produce, and further, permits very fine adjustments in the seat back angle.

Abstract: In a differential pressure transducer having isolation diaphragms on opposite sides of a sensing diaphragm, the isolation diaphragms are made highly compliant, are radially prestressed and are bowed outwardly relative to closely spaced backup surfaces by oil pressure. Using very small interior cavities and a substantially stiffer sensing diaphragm differential process pressures induce linear deflection of the sensing diaphragm.

Abstract: An improved motor vehicle seat back hinge mechanism which includes an inertial sensitive latching device which prevents forward rotation of the seat back in the event of sudden vehicle deceleration. The vehicle seat hinge mechanism according to this invention improves over prior art designs by providing a quadrant component which does not present objectionable rearward protrusions which interfere with rear seat occupants while entering and egressing from the rear seat area and, further, avoids the presentation of sharp projections which could cause tearing and wearing of interior trim fabrics. Further, the pendulum type inertial sensing mechanism of the design according to this invention avoids the use of loose parts which may give rise to noise and rattle problems associated with rolling weight type inertial sensing mechanisms.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer is comprised of a deflectable diaphragm and a substantially planar reference plate, both preferably molded of ceramic. The diaphragm includes a sensor electrode ring disposed about a central region thereof and a concentric reference electrode ring substantially encompassing the sensor electrode, with a guard ring between the electrodes to electrically isolate the reference electrode from the sensor electrode. The reference plate is disposed in facing relation to the deformable flat surface of the diaphragm and includes a sensor electrode ring disposed and in opposition to the sensor electrode on the diaphragm to form a sensing capacitor therewith. Spacer means disposed in the central region between the diaphragm and the reference plate intercouple the two elements and maintain a substantially fixed dimension in the central region therebetween while permitting deformation of the diaphragm in response to pressure variations.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer is disclosed in which a sensing diaphragm bearing an electrode is mounted to flex in response to applied fluid pressure relative to a reference member having an opposed electrode. A thin film or layer of dielectric material such as glass covers the reference member electrode and has formed therein a concavity matching the flexed curvature of the sensing diaphragm at its limit position. The dielectric layer has a high compressive strength and substantially enhances linearity by providing a substantially higher capacitance than the equivalent fluid-filled space. The transducer is retained within a transducer assembly under compressive preload, the assembly further including thermal strain relief means. Also disclosed are methods of making the transducer, which methods include thick film screen deposition techniques for forming concavities having preselected contours in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer is disclosed in which a sensing diaphragm bearing an electrode is mounted to flex in response to applied fluid pressure relative to a reference member having an opposed electrode. A thin film or layer of dielectric material such as glass covers the reference member electrode and has formed therein a concavity matching the flexed curvature of the sensing diaphragm at its limit position. The dielectric layer has a high compressive strength and substantially enhances linearity by providing a substantially higher capacitance than the equivalent fluid-filled space. The transducer is retained within a transducer assembly under compressive preload, the assembly further including thermal strain relief means. Also disclosed are methods of making the transducer, which methods include thick film screen deposition techniques for forming concavities having preselected contours in the dielectric layer.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer comprising a pair of disc shaped members having planar surfaces made from an insulator material, one of the members being several times thinner than the other plate and flexible and constituting a diaphragm and the other thicker plate constituting a stationary plate. A thin conductive film is formed on the surface of each of the members to form the plates of the capacitor. A glass frit is applied on the marginal edge of each member and when the members are held in adjacent relationship, the assembly is fired to seal the two members together while spacing them a predetermined distance apart so that the two conductive plates are opposite each other and are separated by an open gap of a predetermined distance, the two conductive plates being insulated one from the other. Leads are electrically connected to the conductive plate of each disc through the fused glass frit.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer comprising a pair of disc shaped members having planar surfaces made from an insulator material, one of the members being several times thinner than the other plate and flexible and constituting a diaphragm and the other thicker plate constituting a stationary plate. A thin conductive film is formed on the surface of each of the members to form the plates of the capacitor. A glass frit is applied on the marginal edge of each member and when the members are held in adjacent relationship, the assembly is fired to seal the two members together while spacing them a predetermined distance apart so that the two conductive plates are opposite each other and are separated by an open gap of a predetermined distance, the two conductive plates being insulated one from the other. Leads are electrically connected to the conductive plate of each disc through the fused glass frit.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to latch mechanisms for controlling reclining movement of a vehicle seat back and more particularly to a seat back latch that precludes audible "ratcheting" of the latch thereof. A spring loaded pawl is engageable with an articulated slidable arm to latch the seat at a desired reclining position. The pawl is pivoted so as to bias the arm away from the teeth thereon due to an angular relationship between the pawl and arm when the arm is released for movement.

Abstract: A differential capacitive force responsive transducer provides a substantially linear relationship between transducer output and input variations. A pressure or load to be measured is applied to one surface of a deflectable diaphragm, the opposite surface of which includes at least a pair of electrodes at different positions, such that when the diaphragm flexes there is a differential deflection of the electrodes. A substantially rigid electrode-bearing plate is secured to the electrode-bearing face of the diaphragm by a spacer or spacers in an intermediate flexure region of the diaphragm, to define separate capacitive elements with the diaphragm electrodes. The plate thus moves with the diaphragm, maintaining a fixed spacing at the spacer elements, but with the spacings between the elements varying in opposite senses. With this construction, the transducer can be of low cost, small size, precision manufacture, and use readily deposited thick or thin film electrodes.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a mechanism for controlling reclining movement of a vehicle seat back. A pair of pawls are engageable with an articulated slidable ratchet arm to latch the seat at a desired reclining position. The pawls are manually movable to an unlatched condition relative to the ratchet arm under the control of a pair of pawl control plates that both float the arm and positively orientate the pawls relative thereto.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a latch mechanism for controlling reclining movement of a vehicle seat back. A pair of latches are engageable with an articulated slidable link to latch the seat at a desired reclining position. The latches are manually movable to an unlatched condition relative to the link at which time the link is movable therebetween.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a latch mechanism for controlling reclining movement of a vehicle seat back. A pair of spring loaded latches are engageable with an articulated slidable link to latch the seat at a desired reclining position. The latches are manually movable to an unlatched condition relative to the link at which time the link "floats" therebetween.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a latch structure for controlling movement of a pivoted vehicle seat back rearwardly to a reclining position and forwardly to facilitate entry to the rear seat of the vehicle. A spring loaded latch latches the seat at any desired reclining position. A normally locked inertia lock is provided to maintain the seat back in the locked condition relative to the seat cushion during normal vehicle operation and upon sudden deceleration of the vehicle yet automatically opens to provide for forward movement of the seat back when the vehicle is in the static condition.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer comprising a pair of disc shaped members having planar surfaces made from an insulator material, one of the members being several times thinner than the other plate and flexible and constituting a diaphragm and the other thicker plate constituting a stationary plate. A thin conductive film is formed on the surface of each of the members to form the plates of the capacitor. A glass frit is applied on the marginal edge of each member and when the members are held in adjacent relationship, the assembly is fired to seal the two members together while spacing them a predetermined distance apart so that the two cnductive plates are opposite each other and are separated by an open gap of a predetermined distance, the two conductive plates being insulated one from the other. Leads are electrically connected to the conductive plate of each disc through the fused glass frit.

Abstract: A capacitive pressure transducer comprising a pair of thin discs made from an insulator, a thin metal film metalized onto each of the discs and forming the plates of the capacitor, and means for bonding the two discs together such that the two metal films are opposite each other, the two metal films are separated by an open gap, and the two metal films are insulated one from the other. When pressure is applied to the discs, the discs are displaced thereby changing the capacitance of the pressure transducer.

Abstract: An electrode for use in capacitive pressure transducers of the type including either a single diaphragm electrode and a conductive reference plate separated by a gap or two diaphragm electrodes separated by a gap. The electrode comprises a conductive area having a plurality of nonconductive areas in the conductive area arranged and configured such that the capacitive fringe effects of the nonconductive areas substantially reduces the nonlinear component of the variation in the capacitance of the capacitive pressure transducer as a function of pressure.