TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to vehicle seats including actuation mechanisms of the same.

BACKGROUND

Vehicle seats may include a number of adjustment mechanisms used to adjust one or more positions of the seat to suit an occupant's desired seated position or posture. To adjust portions of the vehicle seat, an electric motor or a manual drive may be provided to actuate a gearbox or a spindle that moves one portion of the seat with respect to another portion of the seat.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat may include a fixed bracket, a moveable bracket, a spindle, a gearbox, and a reinforcement bracket. The moveable bracket may be configured to translate with respect to the fixed bracket. The spindle may be fixed to the fixed bracket or the moveable bracket. The gearbox may be coupled to the moveable bracket and may be provided with a gear that engages the spindle. The reinforcement bracket may receive the spindle and may include a first inner wall, a second inner wall, a bottom wall, a first top wall, a second top wall, and a first vertical wall. The second inner wall may be spaced apart from the first inner wall along the longitudinal axis. The first inner wall and the second inner wall may each extend in a first direction and define an aperture that may receive the spindle. The bottom wall may extend between the first inner wall and the second inner wall. The first top wall may extend from the first inner wall along the longitudinal axis in a second direction. The second top wall may extend from the second inner wall in a third direction. The first vertical wall may extend in a fourth direction, different from the first, second, and third directions, from the top wall and terminating the first inner wall and bottom wall.

According to another embodiment, a vehicle seat is provided. The vehicle seat may include a fixed portion, a moveable portion, a gearbox, and a reinforcement bracket. The gearbox may be fixed to either the fixed portion or the moveable portion and may be configured to move the moveable portion with respect to the fixed portion. The reinforcement bracket may include a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion that may extend therebetween. The first end portion may define a first U-shaped opening, the second end portion may form a second U-shaped opening, and the medial portion may form a third U-shaped opening that may receive the gearbox.

According to yet another embodiment, a rail assembly for use in vehicle seat is provided. The rail assembly may include a fixed rail, configured to be coupled to a vehicle floor, a translatable rail, a spindle fixed to the fixed rail, a gearbox disposed on the spindle and configured to carry the translatable rail along the fixed rail, and a reinforcement bracket. The reinforcement bracket may include a first end portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion that may extend therebetween. The first end portion may define a first U-shaped opening, the second end portion may form a second U-shaped opening, and the medial portion may form a third U-shaped opening that may receive the gearbox.

