Abstract:
A locking unit ( 10 ) for a vehicle seat ( 1 ) includes a housing with a side plate ( 16 ) which has at least one first mounting aperture ( 17 ), and/or with a cover plate ( 18 ) which has at least one second mounting aperture ( 19 ), and at least one mounting stud ( 51, 52 ). The first mounting aperture ( 17 ) and/or the second mounting aperture ( 19 ) are designed so that the mounting stud ( 51, 52 ) can be placed in at least two different positions in the first mounting aperture ( 17 ) and/or in the second mounting aperture ( 19 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a United States National Phase Application of International Application PCT/EP2014/068412 filed Aug. 29, 2014 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Applications 10 2013 218 110.8 filed Sep. 10, 2013 and 10 2013 225 858.5 filed Dec. 13, 2013 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a locking unit for a vehicle seat having a housing having a side plate which has at least a first bearing opening and/or having a covering plate which has at least a second bearing opening and at least one bearing pin. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat having such a locking unit. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    DE 10 2008 051 832 A1 discloses a generic locking unit for a vehicle seat. Such a locking unit comprises a rotary latch which is pivotably supported about a pivot axis for locking with a locking pin. A catch detent which is pivotably supported about another pivot axis secures the rotary latch in the locked state. A pivotably supported clamping element which is referred to as a tolerance compensation detent applies a closing torque to the rotary latch and in this manner eliminates play present between the rotary latch and the locking pin. 
         [0004]    The catch detent and the clamping element can be pivoted about the same axis and are arranged to be axially offset beside each other on a bearing pin and cooperate with the rotary latch. The rotary latch is supported on another bearing pin. The two bearing pins are constructed to be approximately hollow-cylindrical and are arranged to be offset parallel with each other. The center axes of the bearing pins are in alignment with the said pivot axes. The bearing pins are secured to lateral portions of a housing of the locking unit. 
         [0005]    Using screws which protrude through bearing holes of the lateral portions and the bearing pins and which are screwed into corresponding securing holes in the structure of the vehicle seat, the locking unit is secured to the vehicle seat. The center axes of the screws are in alignment with the center axes of the bearing pins and with the center axes of the securing holes. 
         [0006]    The spacing of the center axes of the securing holes with respect to each other is referred to as a hole interval dimension. So that the locking unit can be secured to the vehicle seat, the spacing of the center axes of the bearing pins with respect to each other must correspond to the hole interval dimension in the structure of the vehicle seat. If the locking unit is intended to be secured to another vehicle seat with a different hole interval dimension, the locking unit is intended to be adapted to this hole interval dimension. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An object of the invention is to improve a locking unit of the type mentioned in the introduction, in particular to enable an adaptation to different hole interval dimensions. 
         [0008]    A generic locking unit for a vehicle seat comprises a housing having a side plate which has at least a first bearing opening and/or having at least one covering plate which has at least a second bearing opening and at least one bearing pin. 
         [0009]    According to the invention, there is provision in this instance for the first bearing opening and/or the second bearing opening to be constructed in such a manner that the bearing pin can be inserted in at least two different positions in the first bearing opening and/or in the second bearing opening. 
         [0010]    By inserting the bearing pin in different positions in the bearing openings, it is possible to achieve in a relatively simple manner an adaptation of the locking unit to different hole interval dimensions. In this instance, each position in which the bearing pin can be inserted into the bearing openings corresponds to a hole interval dimension. Consequently, locking units with different hole interval dimensions with substantially identical components can be produced. The complexity for production and storage of a plurality of different components for adaptation of the locking unit to different hole interval dimensions is consequently reduced. 
         [0011]    According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first bearing opening and/or the second bearing opening are constructed in the form of an elongate hole. The bearing pin can thereby be moved within the elongate hole. Consequently, by displacing the bearing pin within the elongate hole, a stepless adaptation of the locking unit to any hole interval dimensions between a maximum hole interval dimension and a minimum hole interval dimension is possible. 
         [0012]    According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the first bearing opening and/or the second bearing opening are constructed as holes which merge into each other. In this instance, each hole corresponds to a discrete hole interval dimension. The bearing pin can, during assembly of the locking unit, be inserted into the desired hole which corresponds to the desired hole interval dimension. Consequently, a stepped adaptation of the locking unit to a plurality of hole interval dimensions is possible. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the side plate further has at least a first bearing hole having a circular cross-section and/or the covering plate further has at least a second bearing hole having a circular cross-section. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the locking unit has two bearing pins, wherein a first bearing pin is inserted in the first bearing opening and/or in the second bearing opening, and wherein a second bearing pin is inserted in the first bearing hole and/or in the second bearing hole. 
         [0015]    Advantageously, a rotary latch for locking with a locking pin is pivotably supported on the first bearing pin which is inserted in the first bearing opening and/or in the second bearing opening. 
         [0016]    Advantageously, a catch detent, which secures the rotary latch in the locked state, and/or a clamping element which in the locked state eliminates play between the rotary latch and the locking pin, are pivotably supported on the second bearing pin which is inserted in the first bearing hole and/or in the second bearing hole. 
         [0017]    According to an advantageous development of the invention, the catch detent has at least two securing holes for securing an actuation means. By securing the actuation means in the corresponding securing hole, an adaptation of the actuation force to the adjusted hole interval dimension is possible. 
         [0018]    According to another advantageous development of the invention, the clamping element has at least two suspension holes for securing a spring, which pretensions the clamping element in the direction toward the rotary latch. By securing the spring in the corresponding suspension hole, an adaptation of the clamping force to the adjusted hole interval dimension is possible. 
         [0019]    The object is also achieved by a vehicle seat which comprises at least one locking unit according to the invention. 
         [0020]    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 
         [0021]    In the drawings: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a generic locking unit according to the prior art; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a generic locking unit according to the prior art; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a locking unit according to the invention with adaptation to a minimum hole interval dimension; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is an illustration according to  FIG. 3  without a side plate; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a locking unit according to the invention with adaptation to a maximum hole interval dimension; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is an illustration according to  FIG. 5  without a side plate; 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a covering plate of a locking unit according to the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is an illustration of a side plate of a locking unit according to the invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle seat. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    In a motor vehicle, a locking unit  10  is provided for connecting a backrest  3  of a vehicle seat  1 , in particular a rear seat, to a vehicle structure. The backrest  3  is in this instance fitted to a seat member  5  so as to be able to be pivoted from a position for use into a non-use position. 
         [0032]    However, the locking unit  10  can also be used at other locations, for example, for securing the seat member  5  of the vehicle seat  1  to the base structure of the motor vehicle or in a door lock. 
         [0033]    The arrangement of the vehicle seat  1  inside the vehicle and the conventional travel direction thereof define the directional indications used below. In this instance, a direction which is orientated perpendicularly relative to the ground is referred to below as the vertical direction and a direction perpendicular relative to the vertical direction and perpendicular relative to the travel direction is referred to below as the transverse direction. 
         [0034]    A locking unit  10  according to the prior art has a lock housing which comprises a side plate  16  and a covering plate  18 . The base faces of the side plate  16  and the covering plate  18  are constructed in this instance in a flat manner and arranged in a plane which is defined by the travel direction and the vertical direction, that is to say, perpendicularly relative to the transverse direction. The side plate  16  comprises two, in this instance round, first bearing holes  13 . The covering plate  18  comprises two, in this instance round, second bearing holes  14 . 
         [0035]    The side plate  16  and the covering plate  18  form a receiving opening which opens in the direction of a locking pin  12  in order to receive it for locking. In this instance, the locking unit  10  is secured to the backrest  3  and the locking pin  12  is secured to the vehicle structure. It is also conceivable for the locking unit  10  to be secured to the vehicle structure and the locking pin  12  to be secured to the backrest  3 . The portion of the locking pin  12  intended to be received by the receiving opening generally extends horizontally in a transverse direction. 
         [0036]    A rotary latch  20  is pivotably supported on a first bearing pin  51  which in turn is secured to the side plate  16  and to the covering plate  18 . To this end, the rotary latch  20  has a rotary latch hole  24  through which the first bearing pin  51  extends. The rotary latch  20  further has a hooked aperture  21  for cooperation with the locking pin  12 . Using a first spring  71 , the rotary latch  20  is pretensioned in the opening direction. 
         [0037]    The rotary latch  20  has an operating face  22  which partially laterally delimits the hooked aperture  21 . In the locked state, the operating face  22  faces approximately in the direction of a second bearing pin  52  which is arranged parallel with the first bearing pin  51  and consequently also extends in the transverse direction. The operating face  22  is constructed in a planar manner in this instance, but may, for example, also be curved in a circular-arc-like manner and constructed so as to be concave. 
         [0038]    At the side of the hooked aperture  21  facing away from the rotary latch hole  24  and in a state opposite the operating face  22 , the hooked aperture  21  is laterally delimited by a protrusion  28  of the rotary latch  20 . The rotary latch  20  has a base member which is delimited in an axial direction by a flat base face in each case. The width of the operating face  22  corresponds to the thickness of the base member of the rotary latch  20 , that is to say, the expansion of the base member in an axial direction. 
         [0039]    The first bearing pin  51  is inserted in a first bearing hole  13  of the side plate  16  and in a second bearing hole  14  of the covering plate  18  and protrudes in a perpendicular manner from the base faces of the side plate  16  and the covering plate  18 . The first bearing pin  51  consequently extends horizontally in a transverse direction. The first bearing pin  51  has a through-opening  55  with a substantially constant inner diameter. 
         [0040]    The second bearing pin  52  is also inserted into a first bearing hole  13  of the side plate  16  and into a second bearing hole  14  of the covering plate  18  and protrudes from the base faces of the side plate  16  and the covering plate  18  in a perpendicular manner. The second bearing pin  52  consequently also extends horizontally in a transverse direction. The second bearing pin  52  has, in the same manner as the first bearing pin  51 , a through-opening  55  with a substantially constant inner diameter. 
         [0041]    The direction in which the bearing pins  51 ,  52  extend is referred to below as the axial direction. In this instance, in the described installation situation of the locking unit  10  on the backrest  3  of the vehicle seat  1 , the axial direction extends parallel with the transverse direction. 
         [0042]    The bearing pins  51 ,  52  are constructed to be substantially rotationally symmetrical relative to a bearing axis  56  which extends in an axial direction. The bearing axes  56  of the bearing pins  51 ,  52  are in alignment with the center axes of the respective through-openings  55 . 
         [0043]    The through-openings  55  of the bearing pins  51 ,  52  serve to receive a securing means, for example, a screw, by means of which the locking unit  10  is secured during assembly on the backrest  3  or on another structural portion of the vehicle seat  1  or the vehicle. To this end, the screws are screwed into securing holes in the structural portion. The spacing of the center axes of the securing holes with respect to each other defines a hole interval dimension of the structural portion. 
         [0044]    In this instance, the first bearing pin  51  and the second bearing pin  52  comprise a metal, the side plate  16  also in this instance comprises a metal and the covering plate  18  in this instance comprises a plastics material. 
         [0045]    A clamping element  40  is pivotably supported on the second bearing pin  52 . To this end, the clamping element  40  has an, in this instance circular, clamping element hole  44 , through which the second bearing pin  52  extends. By means of a third spring  73 , the clamping element  40  is pretensioned with respect to the rotary latch  20 . 
         [0046]    In the locked state, when the hooked aperture  21  of the rotary latch  20  receives the locking pin  12 , the clamping element  40  applies, as a result of the pretensioning by the third spring  73 , as a securing element a closing torque to the rotary latch  20 . To this end, the clamping element  40  has a clamping face  41  which is curved in an eccentric manner with respect to the second bearing pin  52  and which is located in non-self-locking contact with the operating face  22  of the rotary latch  20 . The clamping face  41  is in this instance curved in a circular-arc-like manner and constructed in a convex manner. 
         [0047]    A catch detent  30  is arranged on the second bearing pin  52  axially beside the clamping element  40  and also pivotably supported on the second bearing pin  52 , that is to say, in alignment with the clamping element  40 . To this end, the catch detent  30  has an, in this instance circular, catch detent hole  34 , through which the second bearing pin  52  extends. Using a second spring  72 , the catch detent  30  is pretensioned toward the rotary latch  20 . 
         [0048]    The catch detent  30  is in this instance arranged beside the side plate  16  and the clamping element  40  is in this instance arranged beside the covering plate  18 . The catch detent  30  and the clamping element  40  are coupled for entrainment with free travel, for example, by means of a tongue and groove joint or by means of an axially protruding carrier. 
         [0049]    The catch detent  30  has a catch face  31  which is located adjacent to the clamping face  41  of the clamping element  40 . In the locked state, the catch face  31  is positioned with spacing from the operating face  22  of the rotary latch  20 . The catch face  31  is curved in a circular-arc-like manner (having a circular arc) in this instance and constructed in a convex manner, but may also be planar. 
         [0050]    In the event of a crash, when the rotary latch  20  may be subjected to an opening torque and presses away the clamping element  40 , the catch face  31  moves into abutment with the operating face  22  of the rotary latch  20 , without an opening torque being able to be transmitted. The catch detent  30  thus serves to support the rotary latch  20  in the event of a crash and consequently prevents, as an additional securing element, the rotary latch  20  from opening. 
         [0051]    The width of the operating face  22 , which corresponds to the thickness of the base member of the rotary latch  20 , also substantially corresponds to the sum of the thickness of the catch detent  30  and the thickness of the clamping element  40 . The rotary latch  20  therefore has substantially the same material thickness as the catch detent  30  and the clamping element  40  together. 
         [0052]    In the locked state of the locking unit  10 , the locking pin  12  is located in the receiving opening formed by the side plate  16  and the covering plate  18  and in the hooked aperture  21  of the closed rotary latch  20 . The clamping element  40  secures the rotary latch  20  by means of cooperation of the clamping face  41  with the operating face  22 . The catch face  31  of the catch detent  30  is slightly spaced apart from the operating face  22  of the rotary latch  20 . 
         [0053]    In order to open the locking unit  10 , the catch detent  30  is pivoted away from the rotary latch  20 , whereby the catch face  31  of the catch detent  30  is moved further away from the operating face  22  of the rotary latch  20 . The catch detent  30  carries the clamping element  40  as a result of the entrained coupling so that the rotary latch  20  is no longer secured. 
         [0054]    As a result of the pretensioning as a result of the first spring  71 , the rotary latch  20  opens and therefore pivots in an opening direction. Alternatively or additionally to the pretensioning by the first spring  71 , the rotary latch  20  can also be carried for opening by the catch detent  30  or the clamping element  40 . 
         [0055]    As a result of the pivoting movement of the rotary latch  20 , the hooked aperture  21  is retracted from the receiving opening formed by the side plate  16  and the covering plate  18  and releases the locking pin  12 , which moves away from the locking unit  10  counter to the inward pivoting direction. If the locking pin  12  has left the hooked aperture  21 , the locking unit  10  is in the unlocked state. 
         [0056]    If, in this unlocked state, the locking pin  12  reaches the receiving opening formed by the side plate  16  and the covering plate  18  again and moves into abutment with the edge of the hooked aperture  21 , the locking pin  12  presses the rotary latch  20  into the closed position thereof. The clamping element  40  moves as a result of its pretensioning by the third spring  73  along the operating face  22 . In a state carried by the clamping element  40  or as a result of the pretensioning by the second spring  72 , the catch detent  30  pivots toward the rotary latch  20 , wherein the catch face  31  of the operating face  22  moves closer to the rotary latch  20 . Afterwards, the locking unit  10  is located in the locked state again. 
         [0057]    In the locking unit  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2  according to the prior art, the side plate  16  comprises two identically constructed, circular first bearing holes  13 . The covering plate  18  also comprises two identically constructed circular second bearing holes  14 . 
         [0058]    In the locking unit  10  according to the invention, the side plate  16  has a circular first bearing hole  13  and a first bearing opening  17  which is constructed in the form of an elongate hole. The covering plate  18  has a circular second bearing hole  14  and a second bearing opening  19  which is constructed in the form of an elongate hole. The side plate  16  and the covering plate  18  are components of a lock housing of the locking unit  10 . 
         [0059]    The first bearing hole  13  and the second bearing hole  14  serve to receive the second bearing pin  52  on which the catch detent  30  and the clamping element  40  are supported. 
         [0060]    The first bearing opening  17  and the second bearing opening  19  serve to receive the first bearing pin  51 , on which the rotary latch  20  is supported. 
         [0061]    The spacing of the bearing axis  56  of the first bearing pin  51  with respect to the bearing axis  56  of the second bearing pin  52  corresponds to the hole interval dimension of the structural component. 
         [0062]    As a result of a displacement of the first bearing pin  51  in the first bearing opening  17  and in the second bearing opening  19  relative to the side plate  16  and to the covering plate  18 , there is produced a displacement of the first bearing pin  51  relative to the second bearing pin  52 . A displacement of the bearing axes  56  of the bearing pins  51 ,  52  relative to each other is thereby carried out and the spacing of the two bearing axes  56  relative to each other thereby changes. 
         [0063]    As a result of a displacement of the first bearing pin  51  in the first bearing opening  17  and in the second bearing opening  19  relative to the side plate  16  and the covering plate  18 , an adaptation of the locking unit  10  to different hole interval dimensions of a plurality of structural components is consequently possible. 
         [0064]    In the illustration shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first bearing pin  51  is arranged in such a manner that the spacing of the bearing axes  56  of the bearing pins  51 ,  52  with respect to each other is minimal Consequently, the locking unit  10  is adapted to a minimum hole interval dimension L 2 . 
         [0065]    In the illustration shown in  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the first bearing pin  51  is arranged in such a manner that the spacing of the bearing axes  56  of the bearing pins  51 ,  52  with respect to each other is at a maximum. Consequently, the locking unit  10  is adapted to a maximum hole interval dimension L 1 . 
         [0066]    The clamping element  40  is constructed in such a manner that the clamping face  41  is, regardless of the position of the first bearing pin  51  in the bearing openings  17 ,  19 , when the locking unit  10  is locked, always in non-self-locking contact with the operating face  22  of the rotary latch  20 . The clamping element  40  consequently applies, when the locking device  10  is locked, regardless of the adjusted hole interval dimension, a closing torque to the rotary latch  20 . 
         [0067]    The catch detent  30  is constructed in such a manner that the catch face  31 , regardless of the position of the first bearing pin  51  in the bearing openings  17 ,  19 , moves in the event of a crash into abutment with the operating face  22  of the rotary latch  20 . The catch detent  30 , regardless of the adjusted hole interval dimension, thus always serves to support the rotary latch  20  in the event of a crash and consequently prevents the rotary latch  20  from opening. 
         [0068]    In this instance, the catch detent  30  has two securing holes  36 ,  37  for securing an actuation means which is not illustrated. The securing holes  36 ,  37  are located in a radial direction with different spacings from the bearing axis  56  of the second bearing pin  52  and are arranged offset with respect to each other in the peripheral direction. The first securing hole  36  is in this instance further away in a radial direction from the bearing axis of the second bearing pin than the second securing hole  37 . 
         [0069]    If the locking unit  10  is adapted to a maximum hole interval dimension L 1 , the actuation means is intended to be secured to the first securing hole  36 . If the locking unit  10  is adapted to a minimum hole interval dimension L 2 , the actuation means is intended to be secured to the second securing hole  37 . 
         [0070]    In this instance, the clamping element  40  has two suspension holes  46 ,  47  for receiving the third spring  73 . The suspension holes  46 ,  47  are located in a radial direction approximately with the same spacing from the bearing axis  56  of the second bearing pin  52  and are arranged offset with respect to each other in a peripheral direction. 
         [0071]    If the locking unit  10  is adapted to a maximum hole interval dimension L 1 , the third spring  73  is intended to be secured to the first suspension hole  46 . If the locking unit  10  is adapted to a minimum hole interval dimension L 2 , the third spring  73  is intended to be secured to the second suspension hole  47 . 
         [0072]    As a result of the provision of a plurality of securing holes  36 ,  37  and a plurality of suspension holes  46 ,  47 , an adaptation of the actuation forces and clamping forces of the locking unit  10  to different hole interval dimensions is possible. 
         [0073]    As a result of a displacement of the first bearing pin  51  relative to the second bearing pin  52 , a stepless adaptation of the locking unit  10  to any hole interval dimensions between the maximum hole interval dimension L 1  and the minimum hole interval dimension L 2  is consequently possible. A definitive fixing of the hole interval dimension is carried out when the locking unit is secured to the backrest  3 . 
         [0074]    Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the first bearing opening  17  in the side plate  16  and/or the second bearing opening  19  in the covering plate  18  not to be constructed as elongate holes, but instead as two or more eccentrically arranged holes, preferably merging into each other. In this instance, not a stepless, but instead a stepped adaptation is possible with respect to two or more hole interval dimensions by inserting the first bearing pin  51  into the respective hole. The number of holes corresponds in this instance to the number of adjustable hole interval dimensions. 
         [0075]    While specific embodiments of the invention have been shown and 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.