Abstract:
In a drive device for a vehicle seat ( 1 ), having a frame ( 10 ) which belongs to the vehicle seat ( 1 ), an output ( 14   a,    14   b ) which belongs to the vehicle seat ( 1 ), is hinged to the frame ( 10 ) and is pivotable relative to the latter about an axis (A), and a geared fitting ( 16 ), the two fitting parts ( 16   a,    16   b ) of which perform a relative rotational movement with superposed tumbling movement in a drive situation. One fitting part ( 16   a ) acts on the output ( 14   a,    14   b ) and the other fitting part ( 16   b ) is supported on the frame ( 10 ). A transmission element ( 25, 35, 37 ) is provided between the fitting part ( 16   a ) which acts on the output ( 14   a,    14   b ) and the output ( 14   a,    14   b ). The transmission element ( 25, 35, 37 ) is torsionally rigid in the circumferential direction of the axis (A) and simultaneously flexible in the radial direction of the axis (A).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a U.S. National Phase application of International Application PCT/EP2010/000650 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application DE 10 2009 008 576.9 filed Feb. 12, 2009, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a drive device for a vehicle seat with a frame associated with the vehicle seat and including an output associated with the vehicle seat, which is articulated to the frame and may be pivoted relative thereto about an axis, and a geared fitting, the two fitting parts thereof being in a drive situation, performing a relative rotational movement with a superimposed wobble motion, one fitting part acting on the output and the other fitting part being supported on the frame. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Irrespective of the use of the drive device, the component which is at rest relative to the force introduction is denoted as the frame and the component which is pivotable thereto is denoted as the output. 
         [0004]    In vehicle seats, it is known to use four arm kinematic systems as height adjusters, in which the rear upper joint is locked due to the moment load which is generally smallest at that point and for reasons of constructional space. Generally, this is carried out by locking modules which have little clearance or are free of clearance or load-bearing gear motors which are mounted on the frame and which act via a pinion on teeth on the rear rocker (=output), whereby ultimately free clearances or elastic clearances are again produced in the kinematic system. As the wobble geared fittings developed for adjusting the backrest are, in principle, free of clearance and are able to tolerate the required operating and crash loads in the upper rear point of articulation of conventional height adjuster-kinematic systems, it has already been proposed to produce a drive device in which such a geared fitting, as a load bearing joint which is free of clearance, is associated with the rear rocker and/or its upper point of articulation, the rocker itself or an intermediate lever being fixedly connected to the wobble fitting part and being used as a force transmitting element. One solution is disclosed in DE 102 25 247 A1, according to which a geared fitting may be incorporated in the kinematic system as a drive device by means of a lever and slot-pin guide. 
         [0005]    One solution disclosed in DE 103 41 001 A1, which serves for reducing the kinematically produced non-uniformity due to the wobble motion of the geared fitting, is the use of an intermediate gear with a gear ratio which is non-uniform over one revolution, in order to increase the input speed of the geared fitting in phases with the kinematically produced low output speed of the drive device, although the actual drive (electric motor or step-by-step mechanism) operates at the same speed. 
         [0006]    The immediate consequence of any construction with a direct connection of a wobble fitting part to a kinematic system by means of a lever is, however, a non-uniform speed of movement and direction of movement at the point of articulation of the lever, as the effective operating length of this lever as well as the point of force introduction are significantly altered, when observed over one revolution. During conventional backrest use, the lever (namely the backrest) typically with a length of 600 mm is markedly longer than the alteration to the lever length during rotation (the engagement radius of the teeth in the geared fitting of approximately ±30 mm corresponds to an alteration of 600 mm/±30 mm=±5%), in height adjuster-kinematics with typical lever lengths of approximately 100 mm the same amount of alteration of the lever length has a significant influence (100 mm/±30 mm=approximately ±30%). Even if, by careful choice of the kinematic points of articulation, this significant alteration to the force ratio and speed ratio may be reduced (approximately halved) in its effect, a 15% alteration to the speed ratio or force ratio within a kinematic system is disadvantageous as regards uniform adjustments. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The object of the invention is to improve a drive device of the aforementioned type with regard to alterations to the speed ratio or force ratio. This object is achieved according to the invention by a drive device comprising a frame associated with the vehicle seat and an output associated with the vehicle seat, the output being articulated to the frame and being pivotable relative thereto about an axis. A geared fitting with two fitting parts thereof is provided such that in a drive situation the geared fitting performs a relative rotational movement with a superimposed wobble motion. One of the fitting parts acts on the output and the other fitting part is supported on the frame. A transmission element is provided between the fitting part acting on the output and the output. The transmission element is torsionally rigid in the circumferential direction of the axis and simultaneously flexible in the radial direction of the axis. 
         [0008]    By means of the drive device according to the invention, the uniform rotational movement of the geared fitting which is present is used for a uniform movement of the output relative to the frame, whilst the superimposed wobble motion is filtered out, so that it is not transmitted to the output. To this end, the transmission element according to the invention provided between the output and fitting part is torsionally rigid in the circumferential direction of the axis of the output, so that the rotational motion is transmitted directly along the transmission element, and simultaneously is flexible in the radial direction of the axis, so that the wobble motion bends the transmission element to and fro in the radial direction without it being transmitted onwards. 
         [0009]    When used for a vehicle seat, the drive device according to the invention may be provided on one side (combined with a simple joint) or on both sides, in the latter case a synchronization being required, which may be carried out mechanically or electrically. The drive device is, in turn, driven manually or by motor. Modular systems may be produced by means of the different embodiments and arrangements. 
         [0010]    The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a partially schematic and partially sectional view of the first exemplary embodiment according to the invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a partially schematic and partially sectional view of the second exemplary embodiment according to the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a partially schematic and partially sectional view of the third exemplary embodiment according to the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a partially schematic and partially sectional view of the fourth exemplary embodiment according to the invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a partially schematic and partially sectional view of the fifth exemplary embodiment according to the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a partially schematic and partially sectional view of the sixth exemplary embodiment according to the invention; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Referring to the drawings in particular, a vehicle seat  1  for a motor vehicle is fastened with its subframe  3 , for example two seat rail pairs, to the vehicle floor of the motor vehicle. The vehicle seat  1  has a height adjuster  5 , by means of which the height of the seat cushion  8  of the vehicle seat  1  may be adjusted above the vehicle floor (and thus above the subframe  3 ). The height adjuster  5  comprises a seat frame  10  which carries the seat cushion  8  and on both vehicle seat sides one respective front rocker  12  and one respective rear rocker  14   a ,  14   b,  each of which being articulated at their upper end to the seat frame  10  and at their lower end to the subframe  3 . Thus on each vehicle seat side the rockers which are present at that point, the subframe  3 , and the seat frame  10  form the four gear members of a four bar linkage. 
         [0020]    The two vehicle seat sides have substantially the same configuration. One of the two vehicle seat sides is denoted as the first vehicle seat side and the rear rocker at that point as the first rocker  14   a.  Accordingly, the other vehicle seat side is denoted as the second vehicle seat side and the rear rocker at that point as the second rocker  14   b.  The points of articulation aligned with one another between the seat frame  10  and the two rear rockers  14   a,    14   b  define an axis A to which a subsequently-used cylindrical coordinate system refers. At least on the first vehicle seat side a geared fitting  16  is provided at the point of articulation between the first rocker  14   a  and the seat frame  10 , as a result of which a drive device is defined. The seat frame  10  serves as the frame, and one of the two rear rockers  14   a,    14   b  as the output. The geared fitting  16  serves both for driving the height adjuster  5  and for locking said height adjuster. 
         [0021]    The geared fitting  16  is a self-locking eccentric epicyclic gear, the two fitting parts  16   a,    16   b  thereof performing a relative rotational movement (about the axis A) with a superimposed wobble motion (in a plane perpendicular to the axis A). The internal construction of the geared fitting  16  is, for example, disclosed in DE 44 36 101 A1 or in DE 101 44 840 A1, the disclosure thereof being expressly included in the invention (U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,689, corresponding to DE 44 36 101 A1, is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The geared fitting  16  may be driven manually or by motor, a rotating drive shaft, which is preferably aligned with the axis A, driving the eccentric by means of a drive element. 
         [0022]    In terms of construction, the geared fitting  16  is disk-shaped as is disclosed, for example, in DE 101 05 282 A1, the disclosure thereof relative thereto being expressly included in the invention (corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,806 is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). Thus the geared fitting  16  is arranged on the axis A, and radially outwardly has a clamping ring  16   c  which encompasses at least one fitting part  16   a  and preferably is fixedly connected to the other fitting part  16   b.  The disk shape permits the structural integration of the geared fitting  16  in the point of articulation between the first rocker  14   a  and the seat frame  10 , preferably by the clamping ring  16   c  acting as a bearing pin (with a large diameter). A fitting part  16   a  is at least indirectly operatively connected to the first rocker  14   a.  In the present case, the other fitting part  16   b  is supported on the seat frame  10  (i.e. is carried by the seat frame  10 ) and is fastened preferably directly or by means of the clamping ring  16   c  to said seat frame. If the geared fitting  16  is driven, the two rear rockers  14   a,    14   b  pivot relative to the seat frame  10 , at the latest when the drive motion is transmitted into the entire kinematic system of the height adjuster  5 , due to the rigidity of the seat frame  10 . Thus the two four bar linkages are driven and the height of the seat cushion  8  is adjusted. 
         [0023]    In this regard, the exemplary embodiments described in more detail are the same. 
         [0024]    In the first exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 1 ) the seat frame  10  carries on the second vehicle seat side (i.e. opposing the geared fitting  16 ) a bearing pin  21 , on which the second rocker  14   b  is pivotably mounted. The fitting part  16   b  fastened to the seat frame  10  is aligned with the bearing pin  21 . In a drive situation, the fitting part  16   a  facing the second vehicle seat side performs, in addition to the relative rotational movement, the superimposed wobble motion which is indicated in  FIG. 1  by the center lines adjacent to the axis A. This fitting part  16   a  is connected by means of a first membrane  23  which is torsionally rigid (in the circumferential direction of the axis A) and simultaneously flexible (in the radial direction of the axis A), to a rigid transmission tube  25 , which by means of a second membrane  27  which is also torsionally rigid (in the circumferential direction of the axis A) and simultaneously flexible (in the radial direction of the axis A), is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to the second rocker  14   b.    
         [0025]    As a result of this arrangement, in which the mounting of the second rocker  14   b  only permits a purely rotational movement and the membranes  23 ,  27  in each case permit an angular offset of the rotational axis of the transmission tube  25  relative to the axis A, the wobble motion, present in its entirety on the first vehicle seat side, of the fitting part  16   a  and of the end at that point of the transmission tube  25  toward the second vehicle seat side becomes continuously smaller, in order that it is ultimately equal to zero in the bearing arrangement of the second rocker  14   b,  so that only the purely rotational movement is transmitted. The rotational axis of the transmission tube  25  runs on a conical surface about the axis A. The pure and uniform drive movement produced on the second vehicle seat side for the height adjuster  5  is transmitted in this first exemplary embodiment via the rigidity of the seat frame  10  into the entire kinematic system of the height adjuster  5 . The use of a further transverse connection at almost any point between the rockers  14   a,    14   b  may further increase the overall rigidity. 
         [0026]    In a second exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 2 ) the function of the membranes  23  and  27  present on both sides is integrated in the transmission tube  25 , which has regions which are torsionally rigid (in the circumferential direction of the axis A) and flexible (in the radial direction of the axis A). This reduces the number of components. As may be seen in  FIG. 2 , in this second embodiment the transmission tube  25 , preferably spring-tempered in the end regions, is partially slotted in a spiral shape in each case, whereby in these regions it is flexible but remains torsionally rigid and thus may compensate for the wobble motion, in spite of the fixed connection of the tube ends to the fitting part  16   a  and the second rocker  14   b.    
         [0027]    The hitherto shown solutions require in at least one region of the entire kinematic system of the height adjuster  5 , preferably in the region between the rear upper points of articulation, a relatively solid transmission tube  25  as regards the driving loads and crash loads to be transmitted, which markedly restricts the constructional space and the possible choice of position of the kinematic-points of articulation, as a minimum spacing from such rigid and fixed, generally metal, components always has to be provided for the seated occupant for reasons of comfort and safety. 
         [0028]    For a third exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 3 ), therefore, the transmission tube  25  is conceivably separated into a plurality of individual tubular pieces, the tubular pieces being provided with a different diameter, inserted into one another, and joined together again by means of washers to form one component. The result of this process is a metal bellows  35 , which is torsionally rigid (in the circumferential direction of the axis A) as in the initial construction and the simultaneously flexible (in the radial direction of the axis A). The beads of the bellows  35  visible in  FIG. 3 , are arranged rotationally symmetrically and concentrically to one another before mounting. The bellows  35  introduces the wobble-free rotating movement directly on the same (first) vehicle seat side into the (first) rocker  14   a  there. The bellows  35 , which is preferably produced in one piece by shaping, is fastened with its radial inner end to the fitting part  16   a  and with its radial outer end to the first rocker  14   a,  where it may additionally be used in a modification as a bearing bush. The bellows  35  only requires a disk-shaped constructional space in the immediate vicinity of the geared fitting  16 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  shows a fourth exemplary embodiment, in which instead of the bellows  35  of the third exemplary embodiment a membrane compensator  37  is provided. The membrane compensator  37  is a series of membranes arranged in succession in the axial direction of the axis A, in which each membrane, ultimately acting as a disk spring, adopts a partial region of the total angle to be compensated over the width of the unit. The membrane compensator  37  is fastened with its axial inner end to the fitting part  16   a  and with its axial outer end by means of a cup-shaped portion to the first rocker  14   a.    
         [0030]    Provided they are not described differently, the exemplary embodiments numbered two to four are the same as the first exemplary embodiment, in particular relative to the bearing pin  21 . 
         [0031]    All previously shown solutions show kinematic systems of the height adjuster  5 , which are driven and locked on only one vehicle seat side. In height adjusters  5  which demand a high degree of comfort, frequently the connecting points of the safety belt are not attached to the seat rails but to the seat frame  10 , in order to prevent a strapped-in occupant from being restricted in freedom of movement by the applied safety belt, when raising the vehicle seat  1 . In such arrangements and in the event of a crash, considerably greater forces occur within the kinematic system of the height adjuster  5 , as said kinematic system has to transmit the load at the attachment points of the safety belt on both sides into the seat rail. For this reason, in several known applications, with a one-sided locking of the seat height adjuster on the other side an additional crash-active locking system, a so-called crash blocking mechanism is used, which is itself activated by the introduction of dynamic loads, and transmits the high loads past the kinematic system into the rail. 
         [0032]    The solutions shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4  for individual locking elements, may be duplicated for the height adjuster  5  described above, namely may be used on both sides, and thus permit the implementation of a height adjuster  5  which is always capable of load bearing on both sides. In this height adjuster  5 , not only the construction of the crash blocking mechanism which takes account of the dynamics and is generally difficult to adapt is dispensed with, but also the structural components of the height adjuster, i.e. primarily the seat frame  10  with its side parts, the transverse connections and the rockers  12 ,  14   a,    14   b  may be designed to be considerably thinner and thus to be optimal in terms of weight and cost, due to the improved and symmetrical loading. 
         [0033]      FIG. 5  shows a fifth exemplary embodiment in which geared fittings  16  are provided on both sides. On each vehicle seat side the fitting part  16   a  performing the wobble motion is connected by means of a bellows  35  (or alternatively a membrane compensator  37 ) in a torsionally rigid manner (in the circumferential direction of the axis A) and simultaneously flexible manner (in the radial direction of the axis A) to the rocker  14   a,    14   b  which is present there, as described in  FIG. 3 . In order to drive both geared fittings  16  synchronously, a transmission rod  45  is provided as a common drive shaft between the two vehicle seat sides. In comparison with the transmission tube  25  of the first and second exemplary embodiments, this profiled transmission rod  45  has a considerably smaller diameter and thus limits the constructional space markedly less than the stable transmission tube  25 , which absorbs crash loads, of the first and second exemplary embodiments. 
         [0034]    Apart from the geared fittings  16  attached on both sides and the transmission rod  45 , a step-by-step mechanism  47  as well as the operating lever  49  required for its operation is indicated in  FIG. 5 . In contrast to known embodiments, the step-by-step mechanism  47  to be used here does not absorb any operating and crash loads and may thus be designed more simply, cost effectively and to be more lightweight. Different solutions for such a step-by-step mechanism  47  are known per se, the operating lever  49  thereof also being able to be moved to a different position by means of simple rods. 
         [0035]    In the case of the electrical actuation of a height adjuster  5 , the arrangement of the geared fittings  16  on both sides, moreover, in turn provides the possibility of completely eliminating the thin transmission rod  45 . To this end, in the sixth exemplary embodiment ( FIG. 6 ) two separate drive motors  51  are used, optionally electrically synchronized with one another and preferably electronically commutated.  FIG. 6  shows this schematically, a bellows  35  serving as the transmission element, as in  FIG. 3 . In this sixth exemplary embodiment, the structure of the height adjuster  5  in the transverse direction may be designed to be very flexible, as no drive motion is transmitted between the two vehicle seat sides and the load is absorbed on both sides. Thus only one of the drive motors  51  may be activated in order to incline the seat cushion  8  to the side in the vehicle and thus to increase the ease of boarding and disembarking or to adapt the lateral inclination relative to driving dynamics, i.e. to compensate for the centrifugal forces which act on the occupant during cornering. 
         [0036]    If for constructional or other reasons, such a geared fitting  16  with a purely uniform output motion is not able to be arranged directly at one of the points of articulation of the kinematic system, naturally an arrangement at a different point is also possible and a forwarding of the output motion by means of the lever, such as for example disclosed in DE 103 41 001 A1 (see corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 7,306,285 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), is possible by the interposition of a compensation element (for example the bellows  35  or membrane compensator  37 ). 
         [0037]    The disclosed solutions of the third and fourth exemplary embodiments ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) provide the possibility of generating a group of height adjusters  5  which are modular per se, to be produced using the same structural parts, in which optionally a geared fitting  16 , which compensates for the wobble motion, is used for electrically or manually active height adjusters, or even a latching fitting, such as for example disclosed in EP 1 676 502 A2 (see corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 7,648,204 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), with spring support for manual, passive height adjusters  5 . 
         [0038]    Although in terms of installation and use all previously shown variants of the drive device according to the invention have referred to the height adjuster  5 , the use of all the disclosed solutions is naturally also possible within areas where these fittings have been previously used, namely as backrest adjusters. This means multiple use in comparison with the present standard application, but permits a more uniform adjustment behavior for use where there are high comfort requirements, in particular with electrically driven embodiments which are acoustically sensitive. For example, the seat frame  10  serves as a frame and the backrest as an output. Finally, the use of the drive device according to the invention is also possible for an inclination adjuster, by means of which the inclination of the seat cushion  8  may be adjusted relative to the subframe  3 , and which substantially differs from the height adjuster  5  only by a different kinematic system. Further possibilities of use are conceivable, for example a rotation of the vehicle seat  1 . 
         [0039]    All of the torsionally rigid and flexible transmission elements described above may be designed with regard to their elastic-plastic behavior not only so that under normal working loads, the flexible regions are used for compensating the wobble motion and the torsionally rigid regions transmit the loads as rigidly as possible, but may also be designed so that in the event of a crash i.e. with the presence of considerably greater material stresses, both or possibly even just one of the regions is subjected to a predetermined (specifically previously built-in) plastic deformation and thus absorbs kinetic energy and converts (dissipates) the energy into deformation. 
         [0040]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles.