Granted Patent B2

US 12,654,862 · App. 18/362,538 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Inventors: Matthew William Reese (Wichita, KS); David Wayne Davis (Wichita, KS); Joshua Lawrence Bell (Wichita, KS)

Assignee: Textron Innovations Inc.

B64D11/064B60N2/23

Abstract

Claims (49)

1 . A seat recline release system, comprising:

an interface assembly, configured to provide actuation signaling;

at least one actuation device communicatively connected to the interface assembly and configured to receive the actuation signaling, wherein the actuation device is configured to provide mechanical motion in response to the actuation signaling;

a first mechanical cable and a second mechanical cable, each having a first end connected to the at least one actuation device;

two recline release cylinders, each having a gas release button and a release lever at a first end of a respective recline release cylinder, and each further having a cylinder piston arm in the respective recline release cylinder at a second end of the respective recline release cylinder, wherein the at least one actuation device is attached to a first release lever of a first recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders by the first mechanical cable, and wherein the at least one actuation device is attached to a second release lever of a second recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders by the second mechanical cable; and

a controller, configured to receive actuation signaling information from the interface assembly, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the at least one actuation device through first electrical cabling, and wherein the controller sends the actuation signaling to the at least one actuation device based on receiving the signaling information from the interface assembly;

wherein the release lever of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is attached to an extension of the respective recline release cylinder of the respective recline release cylinder at a pivot point on a first end of the respective release lever, wherein the respective release lever has a cable attachment point at a second end of the respective release lever, wherein a second end of one of the first mechanical cable or the second mechanical cable is attached to the second end of the release lever, wherein the one of the second mechanical cable or the second mechanical cable is configured to move the respective release lever in response to the mechanical motion of the at least one actuation device;

wherein the release lever of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders covers the gas release button of the respective recline release cylinder, wherein the gas release button of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is operable to vent the respective recline release cylinder to atmosphere in response to being depressed as a result of one of the first mechanical cable or the second mechanical cable moving the respective release lever, and wherein the respective release lever is attached to the at least one actuation device through the one of the first mechanical cable or the second mechanical cable; and

wherein a first end of the cylinder piston arm of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is disposed in the respective recline release cylinder, wherein a second end of the cylinder piston arm of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders has an attachment point configured to be attached to a seat back support structure, wherein the cylinder piston arm of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is operable to move into, and out of, the respective recline release cylinder in response to the respective gas release button being depressed, and wherein the cylinder piston arm of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is operable to be held in substantially the same position within the respective recline release cylinder while the respective gas release button is released.

2 . The seat recline release system of claim 1 ,

wherein the controller is configured to provide an actuation signal to the actuation device according to the actuation signaling information from the interface assembly.

3 . The seat recline release system of claim 2 , wherein the interface assembly is a push button assembly comprising an electrical switch, wherein the controller is configured to receive a sense voltage applied to the push button assembly by the controller, wherein the sense voltage is applied to the push button assembly through second electrical cabling from the controller to the push button assembly, and is selectively passed back to the controller from the push button assembly based on a state of the push button assembly.

4 . The seat recline release system of claim 3 , wherein, based on the push button assembly being in a depressed state, the electrical switch is closed and the sense voltage is passed through the electrical switch back to an input of the controller; and

wherein, based on the push button assembly being in an unpressed state, the electrical switch is open and the sense voltage is not passed through the electrical switch back to the input of the controller.

5 . The seat recline release system of claim 3 , wherein, based on the push button assembly being in a depressed state, the electrical switch is open and the sense voltage is not passed through the electrical switch back to an input of the controller; and

wherein, based on the push button assembly being in an unpressed state, the electrical switch is closed and the sense voltage is passed through the electrical switch back to the input of the controller.

6 . The seat recline release system of claim 3 , wherein the at least one actuation device comprises two actuation devices, wherein the controller sends the actuation signaling to each actuation device of the two actuation devices based on receiving the actuation signaling information from the push button assembly, wherein the controller is electrically connected to each of the two actuation devices by a respective electrical cable.

7 . The seat recline release system of claim 3 , wherein the controller is communicatively connected to the push button assembly using a wireless communication protocol.

8 . The seat recline release system of claim 1 , wherein the actuation device is a servo.

9 . A seat structure, comprising:

a seatback assembly having a pivot bar and a lower support frame hingedly connected to the pivot bar, and wherein the lower support frame has a connection point located at a point lower in the seat structure on the lower support frame than the pivot bar;

an interface assembly, disposed in the seat structure in a region adjacent to an occupant seating area;

at least one actuation device, wherein the actuation device is communicatively connected to the interface assembly, and wherein the actuation device is configured to provide mechanical motion in response to actuation signaling from the interface assembly;

a first mechanical cable and a second mechanical cable, each having a first end connected to the at least one actuation device;

two recline release cylinders, each having a gas release button and a release lever at a first end of a respective recline release cylinder, and each further having a cylinder piston arm disposed in the respective recline release cylinder at a second end of the respective recline release cylinder opposite the first end, wherein a pivot point on a first end of the release lever is attached to an extension of the recline release cylinder, wherein the at least one actuation device is attached to a first release lever of a first recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders by the first mechanical cable, and wherein the at least one actuation device is attached to a second release lever of a second recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders by the second mechanical cable; and

a controller, configured to receive actuation signaling information from the interface assembly, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the at least one actuation device through first electrical cabling, and wherein the controller sends the actuation signaling to the at least one actuation device based on receiving the signaling information from the interface assembly;

wherein the release lever of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders has a cable attachment point at a second end of the respective release lever, wherein a second end one of the first mechanical cable or the second mechanical cable is attached to the second end of the release lever, and wherein the at least one of the first mechanical cable or the second mechanical cable is configured to move the release lever in response to the mechanical motion of the at least one actuation device;

wherein the release lever of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders covers the gas release button of the respective recline release cylinder, wherein the gas release button of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is operable to vent an internal void of the respective recline release cylinder to atmosphere when depressed; and wherein the respective release lever is attached to the actuation device through the one of the first mechanical cable or the second mechanical cable; and

wherein a first end of the cylinder piston arm of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is disposed in the respective recline release cylinder, wherein a second end of the cylinder piston arm of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is connected to the connection point on the lower support frame, wherein the cylinder piston arm of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is operable to move into, or out of, the respective recline release cylinder in response to the respective gas release button being depressed, and wherein the cylinder piston arm of each recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders is operable to be held in substantially the same position within the respective recline release cylinder while the respective gas release button is released.

10 . The seat structure of claim 9 , wherein the controller is configured to provide an actuation signal to the actuation device according to the actuation signaling from the interface assembly.

11 . The seat structure of claim 10 , wherein the interface assembly is a push button assembly comprising an electrical switch, wherein the actuation signaling from the interface assembly comprises receiving a sense voltage applied to the push button assembly by the controller, wherein the sense voltage is applied to the push button assembly through second electrical cabling from the controller to the push button assembly, and is selectively passed back to the controller from the push button assembly based on an activation state of the push button assembly.

12 . The seat structure of claim 11 , wherein the interface assembly being in an activated state comprises the electrical switch being closed and the sense voltage being passed through the electrical switch back to an input of the controller; and

wherein, based on the push button assembly being in an inactivated state comprises the electrical switch being open and the sense voltage being blocked from passing through the electrical switch back to the input of the controller.

13 . The seat structure of claim 11 , wherein, based on the push button assembly being in a depressed state, the electrical switch is open and the sense voltage is not passed through the electrical switch back to an input of the controller; and

wherein, based on the push button assembly being in an unpressed state, the electrical switch is closed and the sense voltage is passed through the electrical switch back to the input of the controller.

14 . The seat structure of claim 11 , wherein the at least one actuation device comprises two actuation devices, wherein the controller sends the actuation signaling to each of the actuation devices based on signaling information from the interface assembly, wherein the first electrical cabling from the controller to each of the two actuation devices comprises two electrical cables, wherein a first actuation device of the two actuation devices is attached to a first release lever of a first recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders by the first mechanical cable, and wherein a second actuation device of the two actuation devices is attached to a second release lever of a second recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders by the second mechanical cable.

15 . The seat structure of claim 11 , wherein the controller is communicatively connected to the interface assembly using a wireless communication protocol.

16 . The seat structure of claim 11 , wherein the controller is communicatively connected to the interface assembly through a hard-wired electrical connection.

17 . A seat recline release system, comprising:

an interface assembly;

at least one actuation device communicatively connected to the interface assembly, wherein the actuation device is configured to receive electrical or electronic actuation communication information initiated by the interface assembly, and to provide mechanical motion according to the electrical or actuation communication information;

a first mechanical cable and a second mechanical cable, each having a first end connected to the at least one actuation device;

two recline release cylinders;

a controller, configured to receive actuation signaling information from the interface assembly, wherein the controller is electrically connected to the at least one actuation device through first electrical cabling, and wherein the controller sends the actuation signaling to the at least one actuation device based on receiving the actuation signaling information from the interface assembly; and

a first cylinder piston arm and a second cylinder piston arm, each connected to a lower support frame of a seatback in a seat, wherein the first cylinder piston arm and the second cylinder piston arm are each operable to move within a respective recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders according to the mechanical motion, and wherein a reclined position of the seatback is associated with a position of each cylinder piston arm within the respective recline release cylinder;

wherein a first gas release button on a first recent release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders and a second gas release button on a second recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders are each configured to be depressed or released based on the mechanical motion;

wherein the at least one actuation device being configured to provide the mechanical motion according to the electrical or actuation communication information comprises the at least one actuation device being configured to move a first mechanical cable and a second mechanical cable to first positions and depress the first gas release button and second gas release button in response to an activation state of the interface assembly being in a depressed state;

wherein the actuation device being configured to provide the mechanical motion according to the electrical or actuation communication information further comprises the actuation device being configured to move the first mechanical cable and the second mechanical cable to second positions that release the first gas release button and second gas release button in response to an activation state of the interface assembly being in a released state; and

wherein the first cylinder piston arm and second cylinder piston arm are each free to move within a respective recline release cylinder of the two recline release cylinders based on a respective one of the first gas release button and second gas release button being depressed, and wherein the first cylinder piston arm and second cylinder piston arm are each held in substantially the same position within the respective recline release cylinder based on the respective one of the first gas release button and second gas release button being released.

Assignments (3)

Continuity (1)

References Cited (20)