Adjusting device for a vehicle subassembly to be adjusted

An adjusting device (10) is provided for a vehicle subassembly to be adjusted. The adjusting device has an adjusting motor which, via an adjusting mechanism, drives a toothed rocker (12) assigned to the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted. The adjusting mechanism structurally reinforces the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, and an adjusting worm (20) of the structurally reinforcing adjusting mechanism acts directly on the toothed rocker (12).

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 to German Patent Application No. 10 2010 049 479.8 filed on Oct. 27, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an adjusting device for a vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, such as an adjusting device for a vehicle seat. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat having at least one such adjusting device.

2. Description of the Related Art

DE 41 30 079 A1 discloses adjusting devices that enable an inclination or a height of a vehicle seat to be adjusted. The adjusting devices disclosed in this prior art comprise an adjusting motor that cooperates with an adjusting mechanism to drive a toothed rocker of the vehicle seat to adjust the vehicle seat. The adjusting mechanism is formed by a drive worm, a worm wheel and an adjusting worm. The drive worm drives the worm wheel and the adjusting worm drives the toothed rocker. The worm wheel and the adjusting worm are arranged on a common shaft. DE 41 30 079 A1 uses a first housing that only can be loaded statically in combination with a second housing that can be loaded both statically and dynamically to mount the adjusting worm and the worm wheel and the shaft that receives the two elements. The adjusting worm, the worm wheel of the adjusting mechanism and the shaft that receives the two elements are mounted in the first housing and are fastened to the vehicle subassembly that is to be adjusted via the second housing so that the second housing partially surrounds the first housing. This results in a relatively complicated construction for the adjusting device and a high weight for the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is based is to provide a novel adjusting device for a vehicle subassembly to be adjusted and also a novel vehicle seat, each having a simpler construction and a lower weight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to an adjusting mechanism that structurally reinforces the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted. The structurally reinforcing adjusting mechanism includes an adjusting worm that acts directly on a toothed rocker. More particularly, the adjusting mechanism is part of a structural component of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted and acts in a structurally reinforcing manner. Accordingly, the adjusting mechanism acts as a structurally reinforcing subassembly and transfers forces and moments in the event of a crash. As a result, other structural components may be smaller, lighter or dispensed with completely. Thus, the invention has a simpler construction and achieves a weight saving for the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted.

The adjusting worm preferably is a self-locking locking worm. Locking of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted is effected directly between the adjusting worm and the toothed rocker. The adjusting mechanism preferably is an integral component of a crash-designed structural component of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted.

The adjusting worm preferably is mounted directly on a crash-designed structural component of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted. Thus, the structural component of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted forms an adjusting mechanism housing that guarantees a secure locking of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted via the adjusting worm even in the event of a crash.

The adjusting worm may be accommodated in a separate adjusting mechanism housing. The separate adjusting mechanism housing may be an integral component of the crash-designed structural component and structurally reinforces the crash-designed structural component particularly in the event of a crash.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the drawing without being restricted thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention relates to an adjusting device for a vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, in particular for a vehicle seat to be adjusted.

FIGS. 1 to 3show different views of a first embodiment of an adjusting device10for a vehicle seat. The vehicle seat includes an adjusting rail11and a structural component13.

The adjusting device10comprises an adjusting motor M that acts via an adjusting mechanism to drive a toothed rocker12of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted to adjust the vehicle subassembly.

The toothed rocker12ofFIGS. 1 to 3is mounted directly on a crash-designed structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, which, in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, is formed by two substantially parallel plate-like supports14,15and a supporting element14a. The supporting element14ais an integral component of the plate-like support14. The toothed rocker12is mounted on a bolt16that extends between the two plate-like supports14and15of the structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted. Both ends of the bolt16are fastened respectively to one of the two plate-like supports14and15of the structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be displaced. When the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted is a vehicle seat, the plate-like support14of the structural component13is fastened directly to a seat frame structure (not shown inFIGS. 1 to 3) and/or a backrest frame structure (not shown) of the vehicle seat.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the toothed rocker12is attached via a rocker lever17to the adjusting rail11of the vehicle seat to be adjusted, the rocker lever17being provided on both sides with rotary joints, namely a first rotary joint18on a first side via which the rocker lever17acts on the toothed rocker12, and a second rotary joint19on an opposite second side via which the rocker lever17acts on the adjusting rail11.

As can best be discerned fromFIGS. 2 and 3, the adjusting mechanism, via which the adjusting motor of the adjusting device drives the toothed rocker12, comprises an adjusting worm20, a gearwheel21and a drive worm22. The drive motor M drives, via a flexible shaft23, the drive worm22, which drives the gearwheel21, which, together with the adjusting worm20, is fastened on a shaft24.

By rotating the drive worm22, the shaft24and hence the adjusting worm20can be rotated via the gearwheel21, with the adjusting worm20directly driving the toothed rocker12in order to adjust the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, namely the vehicle seat in the exemplary embodiment shown.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the adjusting worm20which directly drives the toothed rocker12is mounted directly on the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, namely on the structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted. The crash-designed structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, namely the supporting elements14,14aand15thereof, forms an adjusting mechanism housing which is designed for a crash situation and is an integral part of the structural component13.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, not only the adjusting worm20is mounted directly on the structural component13of the vehicle seat to be adjusted; rather, the adjusting worm20, together with the shaft24and the gearwheel21, is mounted directly on the structural component13of the vehicle seat to be adjusted. Here, as has already been stated, the two plate-like supporting elements14and15of the crash-designed structural component13of the vehicle seat which extend parallel to one another form an adjusting mechanism housing.

Not only the adjusting worm20, the shaft24and the gearwheel21are positioned between the two plate-like supporting elements14and15of the crash-designed structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted; rather, the drive worm22also protrudes at least partially into the housing space defined by the plate-like supporting elements14and15.

Furthermore, the toothed rocker12is positioned, by way of a portion which has teeth, between the plate-like supporting elements14and15. Here, the plate-like supporting elements14and15of the structural component13form lateral stops for the toothed rocker12, the plate-like supporting elements14and15of the structural component13preventing a lateral tilting of the toothed rocker12.

The adjusting worm20is designed as a self-locking locking worm and, in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, is mounted directly on the crash-designed supporting structural component13. The adjusting worm20, which also serves as a self-locking locking worm, is integrated directly into the structural component13.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the crash-designed structural component13of the vehicle seat to be adjusted directly forms the adjusting mechanism housing, which, even in the event of a crash, guarantees a secure locking of the vehicle seat to be adjusted via the adjusting worm20. Locking of the vehicle seat to be adjusted is effected directly between the adjusting worm20and the toothed rocker12.

A second exemplary embodiment of an adjusting device10′ according to the invention for a vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, in particular for a vehicle seat, is shown inFIGS. 4 to 8. To avoid unnecessary repetition, the same reference numbers as used in conjunction with the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3will be used in conjunction with the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8to denote the same subassemblies. The text which follows will focus particularly on those details through which the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 1 to 3andFIGS. 4 to 8differ.

Like the adjusting device10of the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the adjusting device10′ of the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8has an adjusting mechanism which comprises an adjusting worm20which acts directly on the toothed rocker12and directly drives the toothed rocker12. In addition to the adjusting worm20, the adjusting mechanism again comprises a gearwheel21which, together with the adjusting worm20, is positioned on a shaft24, a drive worm22driving the gearwheel21positioned on the shaft24and thus rotating the shaft24along with the adjusting worm20positioned on the shaft24. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8, too, the adjusting mechanism is mounted directly on the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, namely on the crash-designed structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, which component is formed, also in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8, again by two plate-like supporting elements14and15extending substantially parallel to one another.

InFIGS. 4 to 8, this structural component13is shown together with a seat frame structure25and a backrest frame structure26of the vehicle seat. The bolt16is seated in the backrest pivot point of the seat.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8, too, as in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 3, the adjusting mechanism structurally reinforces the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted and is an integral part of the crash-designed structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8, the adjusting worm20of the adjusting mechanism of the adjusting device10′ according to the invention is not mounted directly on the structural component13, but indirectly via a separate adjusting mechanism housing27.

The separate adjusting mechanism housing27of the adjusting device10′ of the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8is mounted directly on the structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted; by contrast, the adjusting worm20is mounted indirectly on this structural component13via the separate adjusting mechanism housing27.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8, the separate adjusting mechanism housing27is formed in two parts from two housing parts28and29. InFIGS. 5 and 6, both housing parts28and29of the adjusting mechanism housing27are visible, while inFIG. 7the housing part29has been removed in order to allow a view of the adjusting worm20, the shaft24, the gearwheel21and the drive worm22.

Accordingly, the shaft24, together with the gearwheel21fastened on the shaft24and the adjusting worm20fastened on the shaft24, is accommodated in the separate adjusting mechanism housing27, with the adjusting mechanism housing27being mounted directly on the structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, namely in such a way that the adjusting mechanism housing27is arranged between the two plate-like supporting elements14and15of the structural component13which extend substantially parallel to one another and is mounted directly on said supporting elements.

It should be noted at this point that, dependent on the design of the adjusting mechanism housing27, it is possible under certain circumstances to dispense with one of the plate-like supporting elements of the structural component13, namely the plate-like supporting element15. Preference is given, however, to the variant shown inFIGS. 4 to 8in which the structural component13comprises both plate-like supporting elements14and15.

The separate adjusting mechanism housing27, namely the housing part28thereof, comprises projections30which engage in a form-fitting manner in cutouts31of the supporting structure13. The projections30are preferably formed on both sides of the housing part28, in which case these projections30engage in cutouts in both plate-like supporting elements14and15of the supporting structure13.

In addition to this form-fitting fixing of the separate adjusting mechanism housing27to the supporting structure13, fastening means32are present which likewise serve to mount the separate adjusting mechanism housing27on the structural component13. Thus, these fastening means32are designed as rivets which extend in a form-fitting manner, on the one hand, through cutouts of the adjusting mechanism housing27and, on the other hand, through cutouts of the plate-like supporting elements14and15. It can thus be gathered, in particular fromFIGS. 5 and 6, that a first fastening means32serves for the form-fitting fastening of the housing part28to the structural component13, and that a second fastening means32serves for the fastening of the housing part29to the structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted. The unit consisting of the plate-like supporting elements14and15of the structural component13and the adjusting mechanism positioned between said supporting elements is held together, transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of a vehicle in which the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted is installed, via the fastening means32which are preferably designed as rivets. Furthermore, the fastening means32, like the projections30, serve to absorb forces and moments.

In addition to the plate-like supporting elements14and15, the housing part28of the separate adjusting mechanism housing27makes available further lateral stops for the toothed rocker12in order to prevent lateral tilting thereof and hence a disengagement with the adjusting worm20.

It can thus be gathered, in particular fromFIG. 6, that the toothed rocker12, in the portion on which teeth thereof are formed, is laterally guided partially on the housing part28of the adjusting mechanism housing27in order to protect the toothed rocker12from lateral tilting.

Consequently, it is ensured that, even under high loading, for example in a crash situation, the position of the toothed rocker12relative to the adjusting worm20, which acts as a locking worm, remains unchanged.

A further particular feature of the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8is that the plate-like supporting element15of the structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted has, on a portion33, a bent-off section34which partially encloses the separate adjusting mechanism housing27at an axial end, namely at the lower end. As a result it is possible, under high loads, in particular in a crash situation, for a movement of the adjusting worm20, which acts as a locking worm, together with the shaft24to be prevented in the axial direction of the shaft24. Also as a result, the adjusting worm20acting as a locking worm is secured in its position in a crash situation.

Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8, the axial position of the adjusting worm20, which serves as a locking worm, relative to the toothed rocker12is ensured firstly by the projections30, secondly by the fastening means32and thirdly by the bent-off section34. A means for securing the adjusting worm20, which acts as a locking worm, against rotating or tilting relative to the toothed rocker12is achieved by the form-fitting projections30and the likewise form-fitting fastening means32.

Overall, it is consequently possible for a disengagement of toothed rocker12and adjusting worm20to be achieved under a high load such that the adjusting device10′ remains locked even in a crash situation.

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIGS. 4 to 8, the housing parts28and29of the separate adjusting mechanism housing27are preferably manufactured from castings of a magnesium alloy. The projections30are an integral component of the cast housing part18.

The supporting elements14and15of the supporting structure13are preferably manufactured from aluminum or steel. The seat frame structure25and the backrest frame structure26are preferably cast from a magnesium alloy.

Accordingly, the present invention proposes an adjusting device10,10′ for a vehicle subassembly to be adjusted, such as a vehicle seat, in which an adjusting worm20, which is designed as a self-locking locking worm, of an adjusting mechanism acts directly on the toothed rocker12, with the adjusting mechanism, which comprises the adjusting worm20designed as a self-locking locking worm, being mounted directly on a structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted and structurally reinforcing the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted.

Accordingly, the adjusting worm20of the adjusting mechanism which is designed as a locking worm acts directly on the toothed rocker12.

The adjusting mechanism is an integral part of a structural component13of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted and accordingly transfers forces and moments even in a crash situation and thus relieves other structural components of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted.

All further components of the adjusting device which are positioned between the adjusting worm20designed as a locking worm and the adjusting motor do not have to be dimensioned for a crash situation, but only for the adjusting function. The adjusting worm20designed as a locking worm is attached directly or indirectly to the crash-designed structural component of the vehicle subassembly to be adjusted and accordingly integrated therein.

Since the locking of the adjusting device10,10′ occurs directly at the toothed rocker12, accordingly the subassemblies formed between the adjusting worm20designed as a locking worm and the drive motor do not have to be designed for a crash situation but only for the adjusting function. As a result, these subassemblies can be dimensioned to be smaller and lighter. Consequently, further weight savings can be achieved.

The adjusting device10,10′ according to the invention is preferably used on a vehicle seat. A vehicle seat has a plurality of adjusting devices, thus, for example, a first adjusting device designed as a height-setting device, a second adjusting device designed as a seat inclination adjusting means, and a third adjusting device designed as a backrest inclination adjusting means. Preferably, all of these adjusting devices are designed in the manner described above.