Safety lock for non-linear recliner mechanism

摘要

A vehicle seat includes a seat cushion assembly for supporting an occupant seated thereon. A seat back cushion assembly is provided for supporting the back of an occupant seated on the seat cushion assembly. An adjusting mechanism is operatively associated with the seat back cushion assembly and is constructed and arranged to enable the seat back cushion assembly to be moved in opposite directions through a range of adjusting movements with respect to the seat cushion assembly. The adjusting mechanism includes a locking and releasing device constructed and arranged to be moved between (1) a locking position preventing the adjusting movements from being affected and (2) a releasing position wherein the locking and releasing device is operable to release the adjusting mechanism to permit the adjusting movements. A lock and release system is operatively associated with the seat back cushion assembly and has a locking member movable between a released position permitting the adjusting movements of the seat back cushion assembly and a locked position preventing movement of the seat back cushion assembly. The secondary lock and release system includes shock absorbing structure constructed and arranged to control the movement of the locking member in response to the sensing of a crash condition which occurs while the locking and releasing device is in the releasing position.