CN110395151B - Recliner mechanism with welded seal ring - Google Patents

Abstract

A recliner mechanism includes a housing plate, a recliner core and a seal ring. The recliner core is mounted on the housing plate and is operable in an unlocked condition to permit relative rotation between the seat back and the seat bottom and a locked condition to prevent relative rotation between the seat back and the seat bottom. The seal ring is attached to the housing plate.

Description

Recliner mechanism with welded seal ring

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No.62/662,497 filed on 25/4/2018. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a recliner mechanism having a welded seal ring.

Background

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure that is not necessarily prior art.

Vehicle seats typically include a recliner mechanism that allows the seat back to rotate relative to the seat bottom. Some such vehicle recliner mechanisms are time consuming to manufacture and are damaged during the manufacturing process. The present disclosure provides a recliner mechanism that reduces the time required for manufacture and reduces damage incurred during manufacture.

Disclosure of Invention

This section provides a general summary of the disclosure, and is not a comprehensive disclosure of its full scope or all of its features.

In one form, the present disclosure provides a recliner mechanism including a housing plate, a recliner core and a seal ring. A recliner core is mounted on the housing plate and is operable in an unlocked condition to permit relative rotation between the seat back and the seat bottom and a locked condition to prevent relative rotation between the seat back and the seat bottom. The seal ring contacts the housing plate and is fixed to the housing plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism described in the preceding paragraph, the seal ring includes a body, a first flange, and a second flange.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the first flange extends radially outward from an axial end of the body and the second flange extends radially inward from another axial end of the body.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the laser beam contacts a portion of the first flange and a portion of the housing plate to attach the seal ring and the housing plate together.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the laser beam contacts only the first flange of the seal ring to attach the seal ring with the housing plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the first flange extends at least partially around the body.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the first flange extends between 180 degrees and 360 degrees around the body.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the seal ring surrounds a periphery of the recliner core.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the recliner core is disposed between the seal ring and the housing plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the seal ring includes a body and a flange. The flange extends radially outward from an axial end of the body.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, there is a first weld between the flange of the seal ring and the housing plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the laser beam contacts only the flange of the seal ring to attach the seal ring with the housing plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the flange extends at least partially around the body.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the recliner core includes a first plate and a second plate. A weld exists between the body of the seal ring and the first plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the recliner core includes a first plate and a second plate. There is a second weld between the body of the seal ring and the first plate.

In another form, the present disclosure provides a recliner mechanism including a first bracket plate, a second bracket plate, a recliner core and a seal ring. The recliner core is mounted to the first and second bracket plates and is operable in an unlocked condition to permit relative rotation between the seat back and the seat bottom and a locked condition to prevent relative rotation between the seat back and the seat bottom. A seal ring is disposed between the first and second carrier plates. The seal ring contacts and is secured to the first carrier plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism described in the preceding paragraph, the seal ring includes a body and a flange. The flange extends radially outward from an axial end of the body.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, there is a first weld between the flange of the seal ring and the first bracket plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the recliner core includes a first plate and a second plate rotatable relative to the first plate. There is a second weld between the body of the seal ring and the first plate to attach the seal ring to the first plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, there is a third weld between the second bracket plate and the second plate to attach the second bracket plate to the second plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the laser beam contacts only the flange of the seal ring to attach the seal ring and the first bracket plate together.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the recliner core includes a first plate and a second plate rotatable relative to the first plate. The laser beam contacts a portion of the first plate and a portion of the body to attach the seal ring to the first plate.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the first plate includes a plate surface and an edge extending around the plate surface. The edge is the portion of the first plate that is in contact with the laser beam.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the first plate includes a plate surface and an edge extending around the plate surface. The weld is located between the rim and the body of the seal ring.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the second plate includes a plate surface and an edge extending around the plate surface. The edge is the portion of the second plate that is in contact with the laser beam.

In some configurations of the recliner mechanism of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the second plate includes a plate surface and an edge extending around the plate surface. The weld is located between the plate surface and the second carrier plate.

In yet another form, the present disclosure provides a method for assembling a recliner mechanism. The method includes attaching a seal ring of a recliner mechanism to a recliner core of the recliner mechanism; the seal ring is attached to a first bracket plate of the recliner mechanism while the recliner core is attached to a second bracket plate of the recliner mechanism. A sealing ring covers a periphery of the recliner core. The recliner core and the seal ring are disposed between the first and second bracket plates when the seal ring is attached to the first bracket plate and the recliner core is attached to the second bracket plate.

In some configurations of the method described in the preceding paragraph, the seal ring and the recliner core are attached by laser welding such that the laser beam contacts a portion of the seal ring and a portion of the recliner core.

In some configurations of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the seal ring is attached to the first carrier plate by laser welding such that the first laser beam contacts a portion of the seal ring and a portion of the first carrier plate. The recliner core and the second bracket plate are attached by laser welding such that the second laser beam contacts a portion of the recliner core and a portion of the second bracket plate.

In some configurations of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the seal ring includes a body and a flange extending radially outward from an axial end of the body. The recliner core includes a first plate and a second plate rotatable relative to the first plate.

In some configurations of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the laser beam contacts a portion of the body and a portion of the first plate to attach the seal ring to the first plate.

In some configurations of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the seal ring includes a body and a flange extending radially outward from an axial end of the body. The recliner core includes a first plate and a second plate rotatable relative to the first plate.

In some configurations of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the first laser beam contacts a portion of the flange and a portion of the first carrier plate to attach the seal ring to the first carrier plate.

In some configurations of the method of any one or more of the above paragraphs, the second laser beam contacts a portion of the second plate and a portion of the second bracket plate to attach the recliner core to the second bracket plate.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a vehicle seat assembly having a recliner assembly according to the principles of the present disclosure;

figure 2 is an exploded view of the recliner mechanism of the recliner assembly of figure 1;

figure 3 is another exploded view of the recliner mechanism of the recliner assembly;

figure 4 is a perspective view of the assembled recliner mechanism;

figure 5 is another perspective view of the assembled recliner mechanism;

figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the recliner mechanism;

figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the recliner mechanism shown in figure 6;

figure 8 is a close-up view of the portion of the recliner mechanism shown in figure 6 indicated as area 8; and

figure 9 is a close-up view of a portion of the alternative recliner mechanism.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Detailed Description

Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The present disclosure provides exemplary embodiments so that the disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those skilled in the art. The present disclosure sets forth numerous specific details, such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be understood as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It should also be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being "on," "engaged to," "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly on," or "directly engaged to," "directly connected to," or "directly coupled to" another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements (e.g., "between … …" and "directly between … …", "adjacent" and "directly adjacent", etc.) should be understood in a similar manner. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as "first," "second," and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms such as "inner", "outer", "below … …", "below … …", "below", "over … …", "over", and the like may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the component or assembly in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or "beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term "below … …" can encompass both an orientation of "above … …" and "below … …". The devices described herein may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Referring to fig. 1-5, (fig. 1) a vehicle seat assembly 10 is shown. The vehicle seat assembly 10 may be positioned within a vehicle (not shown) and may include a seat bottom 12, a seat back 14, and a seat recliner assembly 16. The seat recliner assembly 16 is connected to the seat bottom 12 and the seat back 14 and is actuatable to allow the seat back to move relative to the seat bottom 12 between an upright position (fig. 1), a rearward reclined position, and a forwardly dumped position. The seat recliner assembly 16 may include a recliner mechanism 18 (fig. 2-5) and a handle 20 (fig. 1) connected to the recliner mechanism 18.

Referring to fig. 2-7, the recliner mechanism 18 may include a first bracket plate 22 (or housing plate), a second bracket plate 24, a recliner core 26 (fig. 2 and 3), a hub 27 (fig. 2-5), and a sealing ring 28. The first and second bracket plates 22 and 24 are mounted on a recliner core 26. The first bracket plate 22 may be fixedly mounted to the seat bottom 12 and includes a first portion 30 and a second portion 32. First portion 30 may include a slot 34 and a plurality of holes 36a, 36b formed in first portion 30. The tab 37 may extend through a slot 34 formed in the first portion 30 and may include a first member 38a and a second member 38b extending perpendicularly from the first member 38 a. The first member 38a extends through the slot 36 and limits or inhibits rotation of the seat back 14 when in the rearward reclined position and the forward dumped position. Second member 38b may include an aperture 40, and once first member 38a extends through slot 36, aperture 40 aligns with aperture 36b of first portion 30. A first fastener (not shown) may extend through the hole 36a to securely attach the first bracket plate 22 to the seat bottom 12 and a second fastener (not shown) may extend through the holes 36b, 40 to securely attach the first bracket plate 22 and the tab 37 to the seat bottom 12.

The second portion 32 may be generally circular and define an opening 42 in a central portion thereof. The second portion 32 may include a first flange 44, a second flange 46 (fig. 2 and 3), and a plurality of grooves 48 (fig. 2, 3, and 5). The first flange 44 and the second flange 46 may extend perpendicularly toward each other from a periphery of the opening 42. A plurality of grooves 48 may be formed in second portion 32 at or near the periphery of opening 42.

The second carrier plate 24 may be generally rectangular and may include a plurality of apertures 50 (fig. 2-5) and a central aperture 52 (fig. 2 and 3), with a cross member (not shown) extending through the central aperture 52. Fasteners (not shown) may extend through the plurality of holes 50 to securely attach the second bracket plate 24 to the seat back 14.

The recliner core 26 is mountable to the first and second bracket plates 22, 24 and is operable in an unlocked condition permitting relative rotation between the seat back 14 and the seat bottom 12 and a locked condition preventing relative rotation between the seat back 14 and the seat bottom 12. The recliner core 26 may be, for example, a circular recliner core, or any other suitable type of recliner core. As shown in fig. 2 and 3, the recliner core 26 may include a first plate 54, a second plate 56, and a locking mechanism 57.

The first plate 54 may be rotationally fixed relative to the seat bottom 12 and may be attached to the seal ring 28. First plate 54 may include a plate surface 84 and an edge 86. The plate surface 84 may include a hole 58, a plurality of triangular bosses 59, and a plurality of mounting members 60 having mounting ends 62. The aperture 58 may extend through a central portion of the plate surface 84. A plurality of bosses 59 may be disposed radially about the bore 58 and may extend from the plate surface 84, thereby defining recesses. Each recess may be disposed between two bosses 59 of the plurality of bosses 59.

The plurality of mounting members 60 may extend from the plate surface 84 in a direction opposite to the direction of the bosses 59. The mounting members 60 may extend from the plate surface 84 such that each mounting end 62 is configured to mount into a corresponding recess 48 of the first bracket plate 22 (fig. 5). As shown in fig. 6-8, a gap 89 may be defined between the plate surface 84 and the second portion 32 of the first bracket plate 22. The rim 86 may extend 360 degrees around the circumference of the plate surface 84 and may attach the sealing ring 28.

The second plate 56 may be rotationally fixed to the seat back 14 and may be a generally circular flat disk. The second plate 56 may include a plate surface 88 and an edge 90. Plate surface 88 may include an aperture 85 extending through a central portion thereof and a plurality of protrusions 92 extending from plate surface 88 in a direction opposite to that of edge 90. Once the recliner core 26 is mounted to the second bracket plate 24, the plurality of projections 92 are received in the corresponding grooves 94 of the second bracket plate 24.

The second carriage plate 24 and the plate surface 88 of the second plate 56 may be attached by laser welding such that a laser beam contacts a portion of the second carriage plate 24 and a portion of the plate surface 88 of the second plate 56. In this way, the material from the second carrier plate 24 and the material from the plate surface 88 of the second plate 56 melt in the area of contact between the second carrier plate 24 and the plate surface 88 of the second plate 56 to form a weld 93 therebetween, which reduces the amount of heat and time required to join the second carrier plate 24 and the second plate 56 together. Connecting the second bracket plate 24 and the second plate 56 together in the manner described above also increases the torque strength between the second bracket plate 24 and the second plate 56. Connecting the second bracket plate 24 and the second plate 56 together in the manner described above also exposes the surrounding portions to relatively less heat, which increases the durability of the recliner mechanism 18 by avoiding subjecting the surrounding portions to heat-related distortion and stress. The rim 90 may extend 360 degrees around the circumference of the plate surface 88 and may include an inner diameter surface with teeth 96 (fig. 3).

The locking mechanism 57 may include a plurality of pawls 98, a cam 100, a connector plate 102, and a plurality of coil springs 104. A plurality of pawls 98 may be radially disposed about the central aperture 58 of the first plate 54 and may be slidably mounted in corresponding recesses of the first plate 54. The edge of each pawl 98 may include teeth 108 adapted to meshingly engage the teeth 96 of the second plate 56. Each pawl 98 may also include a latch 110 located at an opposite end of the teeth 108.

The cam 100 may be a generally circular disk having an aperture 112 and a plurality of radial latch tabs 114 disposed about the aperture 112. The cam 100 is rotatable relative to the pawl 98 and the second plate 56 such that the latch tab 114 can selectively engage the latch 110 of the pawl 98 to move the pawl 98 out of engagement with the teeth 96 of the second plate 56 (i.e., into an unlocked state).

The connector disc 102 engages the cam 100 and the hub 27. The connector tray 102 may include a tray portion 116 and an extension 118 extending perpendicularly from the tray portion 116. The disk portion 116 may have a plurality of flanges 120 extending therefrom. Each flange 120 engages a corresponding one of the coil springs 104. Because each flange 120 is engaged with a corresponding spring 104, the connector disc 102 rotationally biases the cam 100 in a manner such that the latch tabs 114 force the pawls 98 radially outward into the locked condition, whereby the teeth 108 of the pawls 98 engage the teeth 96 of the second plate 56.

The protrusion 118 of the connector disc 102 engages the hub 27 and the cam 100 such that rotation of the hub 27 (caused by rotation of the handle 20) causes rotation of the cam 100 to move the pawls 98 radially into and out of engagement with the teeth 96 of the second plate 56.

The hub 27 may extend through the length of the recliner core 26 and may include a first end 122 and a second end 124. The first end 122 may engage the handle 20 such that the hub 27 and the handle 20 are rotationally fixed to each other. Hub 27 may include a rectangular aperture 126 that receives a cross member (not shown). The cross-sectional shape of the bore 126 generally corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of a portion of the cross-member such that the cross-member and the hub 27 are rotationally fixed relative to each other.

Referring to fig. 2-8, a seal ring 28 is disposed between the first and second bracket plates 22, 24 and covers the recliner core 26 at its periphery to prevent debris and fluid from damaging the components. The seal ring 28 may include a body 74, a first flange 76, and a second flange 78. The first flange 76 may extend radially outward from an axial end of the body 74, and may also extend at least partially around the body 74 (e.g., between 180 degrees and 360 degrees).

The body 74 and the edge 86 of the first plate 54 may be attached by laser welding such that a laser beam contacts a portion of the body 74 and a portion of the edge 86 of the first plate 54. In this manner, the material from the body 74 and the material from the edge 86 of the first plate 54 melt in the contact area between the body 74 and the edge 86 of the first plate 54 to form a weld 95 therebetween, which reduces the amount of heat and time required to join the seal ring 28 and the first plate 54 together. Connecting the seal ring 28 and the first plate 54 together as described above also increases the torque strength between the seal ring 28 and the first plate 54. Connecting the seal ring 28 and the first plate 54 together as described above also exposes the surrounding portions to relatively less heat, which increases the durability of the recliner mechanism 18 by avoiding subjecting the surrounding portions to heat-related distortion and stress.

The first flange 76 and the second portion 32 of the first carriage plate 22 may be attached by laser welding such that a laser beam contacts a portion of the first flange 76 and a portion of the second portion 32 of the first carriage plate 22. In this manner, the material from the first flange 76 and the material from the second portion 32 of the first carrier plate 22 melt in the contact area between the first flange 76 and the second portion 32 of the first carrier plate 22 to form the weld 97 therebetween, which reduces the heat and time required to join the seal ring 28 and the first carrier plate 22 together. Coupling the first flange 76 to the first bracket plate 22 as described above also increases the torque strength between the seal ring 28 and the first bracket plate 22. Connecting the first flange 76 and the first bracket plate 22 together as described above also exposes the surrounding portions to relatively less heat, which increases the durability of the recliner mechanism 18 by avoiding subjecting the surrounding portions to heat-related distortion and stress.

The second flange 78 may extend radially inward from the other axial end of the body 74 to define an opening 80, and may also extend 360 degrees around the body 74.

The handle 20 is rotatable between a locked position where the recliner core 26 is in a locked condition and an unlocked position where the recliner core 26 is in an unlocked condition. Once the handle 20 is in the unlocked position and the recliner core 26 is in the unlocked condition, the handle 20 may allow the seat back 14 to rotate. A torsion spring 82 may be attached to the hub 27 and the first carrier plate 22 and may rotationally bias the handle 20 toward the locked position.

In some configurations, as shown in fig. 9, the first flange 76 and the first bracket plate 22 may be attached by laser welding such that a laser beam contacts only the first flange 76 of the seal ring 28 to attach the seal ring 28 and the first bracket plate 22, thereby forming a weld 99 between the seal ring 28 and the first bracket plate 22.

With continued reference to fig. 1-9, a method for assembling the recliner mechanism 18 will now be described in detail. First, the seal ring 28 is attached to the recliner core 26. That is, the body 74 and the edge 86 of the first plate 54 are attached by laser welding such that the laser beam contacts a portion of the body 74 and a portion of the edge 86 of the first plate 54. The laser beam contacts a portion of body 74 and a portion of edge 86 at 360 degrees around body 74 and edge 86. It should be appreciated that during attachment of the seal ring 28 and the recliner core 26, a first tooling device (not shown) may rotate the seal ring 28 and the recliner core 26 relative to the laser beam, which may be in a fixed position. In some configurations, the laser beam may rotate relative to the seal ring 28 and the recliner core 26 that are held in a fixed position by the first tooling arrangement.

Next, the seal ring 28 may be attached to the first carrier plate 22 at the same time that the second plate 56 and the second carrier plate 24 are attached at the same time. That is, the first flange 76 and the second portion 32 of the first bracket plate 22 are attached by laser welding such that the first laser beam contacts a portion of the first flange 76 and a portion of the second portion 32 of the first bracket plate 22. The second carriage plate 24 and the plate surface 88 of the second plate 56 are also joined by laser welding such that the second laser beam contacts a portion of the second carriage plate 24 and a portion of the plate surface 88 of the second plate 56. The first laser beam contacts a portion of the first flange 76 and a portion of the second portion 32 at 360 degrees around the first flange 76 and the second portion 32. The second laser beam contacts a portion of second carriage plate 24 and a portion of plate surface 88 at 360 degrees around second carriage plate 24 and plate surface 88.

It should be appreciated that during attachment of the seal ring 28 with the first bracket plate 22 and the second plate 56 with the second bracket plate 24, a second tooling device (not shown) may rotate the seal ring 28, the recliner core 26, the first and second bracket plates 22, 24 relative to the first and second laser beams, which may be in fixed positions (i.e., the first and second laser beams may extend parallel to each other). In some configurations, the first and second laser beams are rotatable relative to the seal ring 28, the recliner core 26, the first and second bracket plates 22, 24 that are held in a fixed position by the second tooling device.

It should be appreciated that during laser welding, using the techniques described above, the user can adjust the speed and power of the laser beam at any point throughout the welding process. It should also be appreciated that the path (e.g., sinusoidal wave path or overlapping path) traveled by the laser beam during welding may also be adjusted to increase the width of the weld, which facilitates melting of the material between the parts being welded.

The foregoing description of various embodiments has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. These descriptions are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The disclosure may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims (7)

1. A recliner mechanism comprising:

a first bracket plate;

a second bracket plate;

a recliner core mounted on said first and second bracket plates and operable in an unlocked condition permitting relative rotation between a seat back and a seat bottom and a locked condition preventing relative rotation between the seat back and the seat bottom, wherein said recliner core includes a first plate and a second plate, said first and second plates being rotatable relative to each other with said recliner core in an unlocked condition, and wherein said first and second bracket plates are rotatable relative to each other with said recliner core in an unlocked condition; and

a seal ring contacting the first carrier plate and secured to the first carrier plate, wherein the seal ring comprises a body, a first flange, and a second flange,

wherein the body of the seal ring is disposed radially outwardly relative to outer edges of the first and second plates such that the body surrounds the outer edges,

wherein there is a first weld between the first carrier plate and the first flange of the seal ring to fixedly attach the seal ring to the first carrier plate,

wherein a second weld exists between the first plate and the body of the seal ring to fixedly attach the seal ring to the first plate, and

wherein the second flange is axially disposed between the second carrier plate and an outer edge of the second plate.

2. A recliner mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first flange extends radially outwardly from a first axial end of said body and wherein said second flange extends radially inwardly from a second axial end of said body.

3. A recliner mechanism as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first flange extends at least partially around said body.

4. A recliner mechanism as set forth in claim 1 wherein a third weld exists between said second plate and said second bracket plate to attach said second plate to said second bracket plate.

5. A recliner mechanism comprising:

a first bracket plate;

a second bracket plate;

a recliner core mounted to said first and second bracket plates and operable in an unlocked condition permitting relative rotation between a seat back and a seat bottom and a locked condition preventing relative rotation between said seat back and said seat bottom; and

a seal ring disposed between the first and second bracket plates, the seal ring contacting the first bracket plate and being secured to the first bracket plate,

wherein the seal ring comprises a body and a flange, and wherein the flange extends radially outward from an axial end of the body,

wherein the recliner core includes a first plate and a second plate, and wherein there is a first weld between the second plate and the second bracket plate to attach the second plate to the second bracket plate,

wherein a second weld exists between the flange of the seal ring and the first carrier plate,

wherein the recliner core includes a first plate and a second plate that rotates relative to the first plate, and

wherein a third weld exists between the body of the seal ring and the first plate to attach the seal ring to the first plate.

6. A recliner mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said first plate includes a plate surface and an edge extending around said plate surface, and wherein said third weld is located between said edge and said body of said seal ring.

7. A recliner mechanism according to claim 5, wherein said second plate includes a plate surface and an edge extending around said plate surface, and wherein said first weld is located between said plate surface and said second bracket plate.

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