Mechanism for a vehicle seat for adjusting the angle of inclination

A mechanism for a vehicle seat for adjusting the angle of inclination, and a hub-shaped centering means. The mechanism includes a first arresting fitting, a transfer means, rotatable about an axis of rotation, for release of the first arresting fitting, and a centering means, disposed between the first arresting fitting and the transfer means, configured to center the transfer means in a starting position and, against a return force, to enable a rotation about the axis of rotation and relative to the first arresting fitting out of the starting position about a first angular range in the first direction, and about a second angular range in a second direction.

The instant application should be granted the priority date of Mar. 28, 2009, the filing date of the corresponding German patent application 10 2009 015 463.9.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a mechanism for a vehicle seat for adjusting the angle of inclination, and also relates to a hub-shaped centering means that can be used as a component of a mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination.

A mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination between a backrest and a seat of a vehicle seat is disclosed in WO 2008/086598 A1. The mechanism includes two locking fittings or recliners that connect the seat and backrest so that they are pivotable relative to one another. By unlocking the locking fittings, the backrest can be adjusted relative to the seat. By locking the locking fittings, the angle of inclination of the backrest relative to the seat is fixed. To enable a common unlocking of the two locking fittings, the locking fittings are interconnected by a rigid transfer rod that is rotatable about an axis of rotation. By rotating the rod, both the first as well as the second locking fitting are unlocked. This enables actuation of both locking fittings with only a single handle.

The mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination disclosed in the aforementioned publication has the underlying problem that in the event that during assembly of the seat the locking fittings, and the transfer rod connected therewith, are not ideally arranged, the result can be a binding and a resulting difficulty of movement of the actuation of the locking fittings. A further possible result is that after unlocking of the locking fittings, they do not return to their common locking position. To solve this problem, the aforementioned mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination includes a sleeve-like spring element of metal that is disposed between the transfer rod and one of the two locking fittings. The spring element biases the one locking fitting against the transfer rod in order to synchronize the unlocking of the two locking fittings. Furthermore, the spring element ensures a free travel that allows the two locking fittings to return into the locking position independently of one another.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a further mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination for a vehicle seat that eliminates the problem that after a successful unlocking the locking or arresting fittings do not completely return to the locking or arresting position. A further object of the present application is to provide a centering means that can be used as a component of such a mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The mechanism of the present application for a vehicle seat for adjusting the angle of inclination comprises a first arresting fitting; a transfer means for a release of the first arresting fitting, wherein the transfer means is rotatable about an axis of rotation; and a centering means disposed between the first arresting fitting and the transfer means, wherein the centering means is configured to center the transfer means in a starting position and, against a return force, to enable a rotation about the axis of rotation and relative to the first arresting fitting out of the starting position about a first angular range in a first direction and about a second angular range in a second direction.

The mechanism of the present application for adjusting the angle of inclination permits a limited rotation of the transfer means relative to the arresting fitting in both directions of rotation. This makes it possible, during installation of the mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination, to compensate to a certain extent for assembly and manufacturing inaccuracies. To ensure that during installation of the mechanism for adjusting the angle of inclination a limited rotation of the transfer means is possible in both directions of rotation, the transfer means can be returned to the starting position by means of a return force. This compensation in particular ensures that after release, the arresting fittings return to their arresting position. For this purpose, the first and/or second angular range preferably corresponds to at least one adjustment step or stage of the arresting fitting.

The hub-shaped centering means of the present application for placement on a transfer means comprises a first portion having at least one groove for a positive engagement of the transfer means that leaves a certain amount of play, wherein the groove is oriented parallel to the axis of rotation of the centering means; and a second portion disposed adjacent to the first portion along the axis of rotation, the second portion being provided with at least one pair of oppositely disposed, resiliently yielding centering fingers for engaging opposite sides of the transfer means to apply a return force for returning the transfer means into a starting position, wherein the centering fingers are oriented along the axis of rotation and provide a continuation of the groove.

The centering means is preferably made of polymeric material. By the use of a polymeric material, it is possible, for example, to suppress rattling noises of the transfer means.

Further specific features of the present application will be described in detail subsequently.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the figures show various views of one exemplary embodiment of a mechanism1for adjusting the angle of tilt or inclination pursuant to the present application.

The mechanism1for adjusting the angle of inclination includes a first arresting fitting2a, a second arresting fitting2b, a transfer means4that is rotatable about an axis of rotation3for the actuation of the first arresting fitting2a, a centering means5disposed between the first arresting fitting2aand the transfer means4, a connecting means10for the connection of the transfer means4with the second arresting fitting2b, as well as two first adapter elements14for the respective securement of the arresting fittings2a,2bon a seat frame of a vehicle seat, and two second adapter elements15for the respective securement of the arresting fittings2a,2bon a backrest frame of a vehicle seat.

The transfer means4is embodied as a tube. It is fixedly connected with the connecting means10, which is embodied in the shape of a rod, with such connection, depending upon the selection of the materials for the transfer means4and the connecting means10, being effected, for example, by means of laser welding, crimping, or a press fit.

The connecting means10extends through the second arresting fitting2b, and is connected with a non-illustrated handle for the actuation of the connecting means10.

By pivoting or rotating the connecting means10about the axis of rotation3, which is common to the transfer means4, the second arresting means2bcan be released in a controlled manner. The second arresting fitting2bis biased in the arresting or locking position, so that after actuation, it automatically returns into the arresting position. The first arresting fitting2ais embodied in conformity with the second arresting fitting2b. Such arresting fittings are known to those of skill in the art, thus making it unnecessary to provide a further detailed explanation thereof.

The connecting means is fixed in the axial direction, for example by means of a positive connection, in order to prevent the connecting means from coming out from the second arresting fitting2b. A rotation of the connecting means10is transferred via the transfer means4to the first arresting fitting2a, thus ensuring a common actuation of the first and second arresting fittings2aand2b.

The centering means5(see alsoFIGS. 2 and 3) is embodied as a hub-like clip part, and includes a first portion12and a second portion13that is disposed behind the first portion along the axis3.

The first portion12has a substantially cylindrical shape. It has a cylindrical generated surface16and a circular, through opening17that extends along the axis3; three identical grooves or slots6, which are uniformly distributed about the axis3and are oriented parallel to the axis3, proceed from the opening17. In addition, the first portion12, at that end that faces away from the second portion13, includes a flange-like collar18that extends beyond the surface16.

The second portion13, which directly adjoins the first portion12, includes three pairs of oppositely disposed, resiliently yielding centering fingers7that are oriented along the axis of rotation3. The centering fingers7are arranged in such a way that the inner side of a centering finger7is a continuation of a side wall of one of the grooves6(see alsoFIG. 7). In this context, a pair of centering fingers7forms an extension of a respective one of the grooves6. Each centering finger7, at that end that faces away from the first portion12, is provided on the inner side19with a raised portion8, here in the form of a hub or knob. The raised portions8extend into the intermediate space between a respective pair of centering fingers7, which intermediate space is formed by the extension of a groove6; in this way, the raised portions8narrow this region. On the outer side20, which lies opposite the inner side19, each centering finger7includes a hook-shaped projection or detent9. The centering means5is produced of polymeric material, for example as an injection molded part. In principle, the centering means5can also be made of some other material, such as metal.

At that end that is disposed in the region of the first arresting fitting2a, the transfer means4is provided with three lug or vane-shaped, identically configured projections21that are disposed uniformly about the axis of rotation3. The projections21, proceeding from the end of the transfer means4, in a region intended for the arrangement of the centering means5, have a constant height. Behind this region, in the direction of the second arresting fitting2b, the projections21flatten out until they reach a point from which the transfer means4has a circular profile. The flattening out of the projections21facilitates inserting the transfer means4through the centering means5during assembly of the mechanism1for adjusting the angle of inclination. The projections21can, for example, be produced by expanding a cylindrical tube that forms the transfer means4.

The first arresting fitting2a, the centering means5, and the transfer means4cooperate as follows:

For its release and arresting, the first arresting fitting2ais provided with a cam22that is disposed between a front arresting fitting plate23and a rear arresting fitting plate24. Front arresting fitting plate23, cam22, and rear arresting fitting plate24are provided in their center with a receiving means11, which is configured as a continuous opening and into which the centering means5can be snapped.FIGS. 4 to 7show the first arresting fitting2awith the centering means5snapped in. The centering means5is positively received by the receiving means11not only in the axial direction along the axis3, but also in the direction of rotation about the axis3. The positive connection in the direction of rotation is formed by groove-like recesses disposed in the cam22and through which a respective pair of centering fingers7extends; the positive connection in the axial direction is formed by the hook-shaped projections9, which extend behind the back side of the cam22, and by the edge25of the first portion12of the holding or centering means5, or of the collar18of the centering means5, which faces the front side of the cam22and extends over the front arresting fitting plate23(seeFIG. 7). As a consequence of the respective positive connection, a rotation of the centering means5is transferred onto the cam22, and the centering means5cannot come out of the receiving means11.

The dimensions of the transfer means4, with its vane-like projections21, and of the centering means5, with the circular opening17and the grooves6, are adapted to one another, so that the transfer means4can be inserted through the centering means5, so that the projections21of the transfer means4respectively positively engage in a groove6of the centering means5. A certain amount of play is left between the side walls of a groove6and a projection21, which enables a rotation of the transfer means4out of the starting position about the axis3, and about a first angular range in a first direction and about a second angular range in a second direction, before a projection21abuts against a side wall of the groove6. The starting position is prescribed by the central position of a projection21in the groove6. Each of the first and second angular ranges is approximately 2 degrees, whereby this angular range is adapted to the adjustment steps of the arresting fitting2a, which here is 1.87 degrees. Other values for the angular ranges are in principle also possible. In addition, the first and second angular ranges can also differ from one another, and the starting position can deviate from its central position.

The starting position is prescribed by the raised portions8on the inner side19of a pair of centering fingers7. In the inserted state of the transfer means4, the centering fingers7engage under tension on both sides on a projection21. If the transfer means4is rotated relative to the groove6out of the starting position about the axis3upon the application of an external force, a respective centering finger7of a pair of centering fingers yields, accompanied by the formation of a return force. When the external force ceases, the return force presses the transfer means4back into its starting position. For the assembly of the mechanism1for adjusting the angle of inclination, first the centering means5is snapped into the receiving means11of the first arresting fitting2a. Subsequently, the transfer means4is inserted through the centering means5and is fixedly connected with the connecting means10, which extends through the second arresting fitting2b. In this phase of the assembly, the centering means5enables the automatic centering of the transfer means4in the starting position. During the subsequent assembly of the mechanism1for adjusting the angle of inclination, for example at a seat frame, assembly and manufacturing inaccuracies can be compensated for by a rotation of the transfer means4out of the starting position within the framework of the first and second angular ranges. This is in particular also the case if the centering means5in the direction of rotation is accommodated by the receiving means11in a manner nearly free of play.

Due to the fact that the centering means5is placed merely upon the transfer means4, a movement of the transfer means4relative to the centering means5, and hence to the first arresting fitting2a, is possible in the axial direction27(seeFIG. 6), as a result of which it is similarly possible to compensate for inaccuracies. A falling or slipping out of the transfer means4is prevented by the securement of the transfer means4to the connecting means10.

The transfer means4, which is inserted through the centering means5, additionally protects the centering means5from falling out of the receiving means11in that the projections21prevent the centering fingers7from springing inwardly to release the interlocking formed by the hook-shaped projections9and hence the axial positive connection. If the transfer means4is a metal tube, which is preferable, the centering means4, which is made of polymeric material, then suppresses the production of rattling noises caused by the transfer means4.

Alternatively, instead of being made as a tube, the transfer means4can, of course, also be formed by a rod.

The specification incorporates by reference the disclosure of German priority document 10 2009 015 463.9 filed Mar. 28, 2009.