Abstract:
A vehicle seat fitting system has a fitting, by which a backrest can be freely pivoted relative to a seat part and a rotatable memory flag disk coupled to the backrest during the free pivoting and to the seat part in the starting position. The flag disk includes disk toothing and a second toothing is allocated to the backrest. The toothings are engaged during the free pivoting. A control lever with a coupler hinged on the control lever, is coupled to an unlocking lever and moves the toothings into engagement. The flag disk is coupled to the seat part, in the starting position, by a lock receptacle and a control element movable relative to the lock receptacle and the lock receptacle is a section of a control contour by which the control element, arranged on the control lever, holds the control lever directed out during the free pivoting.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a United States National Phase Application of International Application PCT/EP2012/060912 filed Jun. 8, 2012 and claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of German Patent Application DE 10 2011 106 284.3 filed Jul. 1, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a fitting system for a vehicle seat with at least one fitting which lies in a force flux between a backrest of the vehicle seat and a seat part of the vehicle seat and by means of which the backrest is pivotable in a pivoting release operation about a backrest axis relative to the seat part from at least one use position into a non-use position, and with a memory device which, at least in a starting position, lies outside the force flux between backrest and seat part and which has a marker disk which is mounted rotatably about an axis and, during the pivoting release operation, is coupled to the backrest and, in the starting position, is coupled to the seat part, and on which a first toothing curved about the axis is formed, wherein the backrest is assigned a second toothing, wherein the first toothing and the second toothing are in engagement with each other during the pivoting release operation. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A fitting system of this type with a fitting designed as a latching fitting on either side is known from DE 10 2009 029 858 A1. The memory device comprises a disk-shaped guide plate fixed on the seat part, a marker disk which is rotatable relative to the guide plate, a disk-shaped toothed plate which is rotatable relative to the marker disk and is fixed on the backrest, and a disk cam which is rotatable by means of a shaft. All of the axes of rotation are aligned with one another and with the pivot axis of the backrest. The guide plate guides a first locking element in the radial direction. The toothed first locking element interacts with a first toothing, facing radially inward, on the marker disk in order to couple the marker disk to the seat part. The marker disk guides a second locking element in the radial direction. The toothed second locking element interacts with a second toothing, facing radially inward, on the toothed plate in order to couple the marker disk to the backrest. The rotating disk cam moves the two locking elements in the radial direction. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is based on the object of providing an alternative fitting system of the type mentioned at the beginning, the memory device of which consists of just a few simple components. 
     According to the invention, a fitting system is provided for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, with at least one fitting which lies in a force flux between a backrest of the vehicle seat and a seat part of the vehicle seat. By means of the fitting system, the backrest is pivotable in a pivoting release operation about a backrest axis relative to the seat part from at least one use position into a non-use position. The fitting system has a memory device which, at least in a starting position, lies outside the force flux between the backrest and the seat part and which has a marker disk which is mounted rotatably about an axis and, during the pivoting release operation, is coupled to the backrest and, in the starting position, is coupled to the seat part, and on which a first toothing curved about the axis is formed, wherein the backrest is assigned a second toothing. The first toothing and the second toothing are in engagement with each other during the pivoting release operation. A control lever is provided that is deflectable relative to the seat part and at least temporarily couples the marker disk to the seat part. A coupler is hinged to the control lever and, for the pivoting release operation, is coupled to a release lever for the fitting. The deflected control lever and/or the coupler which is moved by the deflected control lever bring the first toothing and the second toothing into engagement with each other for the pivoting release operation. In the starting position, the marker disk is coupled to the seat part by means of a lock receptacle and a control element which is movable relative to the lock receptacle. The lock receptacle is a portion of a control contour by means of which the control element arranged on the control lever keeps the control lever deflected during the pivoting release operation. 
     The use of levers and couplers instead of entire disks reduces the quantity of material required and also the construction space, and therefore the weight and production costs. The levers and couplers provide the pivoting release operation both for an alternating coupling of the marker disk and for releasing the fittings provided. A decoupling, preferably by means of an idle travel, is provided for adjusting an inclination. The memory device never lies in the force flux between backrest and seat part. 
     The toothings which are produced by means of precision cutting are limited to a coupling, expediently to the coupling to the backrest, which reduces the production costs. The coupling to the seat part is preferably achieved by a simple engagement between a control element and a lock receptacle. The lock receptacle is preferably a portion of a control contour which, during the pivoting release operation, keeps the control lever deflected by interaction with the control element, as a result of which the toothings are kept in engagement. 
     Even though the description of the invention is based, in respect of the arrangement of the installed fitting system, on the fact that the marker disk is coupled to the backrest during the pivoting release operation and otherwise is coupled to the seat part, an inverted installation of the fitting system enables the conditions to be set the other way around, i.e. the marker disk would then be coupled to the seat part during the pivoting release operation and otherwise would be coupled to the backrest. 
     The fitting system according to the invention is preferably used for pivoting the backrest in vehicle seats. However, it can also be used at different locations. 
     The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the drawings. 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 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of the first exemplary embodiment in a use position; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view corresponding to  FIG. 1  during the adjustment of the inclination; 
         FIG. 3  is a side view corresponding to  FIG. 1  at the beginning of the pivoting release operation; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view corresponding to  FIG. 1  in the pivoted and released position; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial view of a modification of the first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the second exemplary embodiment in a use position; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view corresponding to  FIG. 1  at the beginning of the pivoting release operation; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view corresponding to  FIG. 1  during the pivoting release operation; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a fitting; and 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic illustration of a vehicle seat. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring to the drawings in particular, a vehicle seat  1  for a motor vehicle has a seat part  3  and a backrest  4  which is pivotable relative thereto about a backrest axis L. By means of actuation of a first actuating element  5 , which preferably rotates a shaft  7  in the transition region between seat part  3  and backrest  4 , the inclination of the backrest  4  relative to the seat part  3  is adjustable between different use positions. By means of actuation of a second actuating element  8 , the backrest  4  is pivotable into a non-use position, in the present case the pivoted and released position, in which the forwardly pivoted backrest  4  facilitates access to a rear seat row. The longitudinal position of the vehicle seat  1  is optionally adjustable by means of seat rails  9  which are preferably also released during the pivoting release operation so that the vehicle seat  1  can be pushed forward as a whole. The inclination adjustment and the pivoting release of the backrest  4  take place by means of fittings  10  by means of which the backrest  4  is attached on both sides to the seat part  3 . 
     The fitting  10  has a first fitting part  11  and a second fitting part  12  which are rotatable relative to each other about the backrest axis L. The backrest axis L defines the directional details used from a system of cylindrical coordinates. The shaft  7  is aligned with the backrest axis L. The two fitting parts  11  and  12  can each be inscribed approximately in a circular disk shape. To absorb the axially acting forces, i.e. to hold the fitting parts  11  and  12  together axially, a clasp ring  13  is preferably provided. The fitting  10  is designed as a latching fitting, i.e. the two fitting parts  11  and  12  are lockable to each other, for example by means of a plurality of toothed locking means which are guided radially by the second fitting part  12  and, acted upon by an eccentric which is at least indirectly spring-loaded, are moved radially outward where they interact with a toothed rim formed on the first fitting part  11 , in order to lock the fitting  10 , whereas, by rotation of the shaft  7  which preferably rotates a driver which, in turn, rotates the eccentric and preferably a disk cam interacting with the locking means, said locking means are drawn radially inward in order to unlock the fitting  10 . A latching fitting of this type is described, for example, in DE 20 2009 016 989 U1, the disclosure of which in this regard is expressly incorporated. 
     On installation of the fitting  10 , the first fitting part  11  is connected, for example fixedly, to the structure of the backrest  4 , i.e. is connected fixedly on the backrest. The second fitting part  12  is then connected fixedly to the structure of the seat part  3 , i.e. is connected fixedly on the seat part. However, the assignments of the fitting parts  11  and  12  can also be interchanged, i.e. the first fitting part  11  would then be fixed on the seat part and the second fitting part  12  would then be fixed on the backrest. The fitting  10  lies in the force flux between backrest  4  and seat part  3 . 
     On one side of a vehicle seat, a memory device  50  which lies outside the force flux is provided between the backrest  4  and the seat part  3 . The fittings  10  on both sides of the vehicle seat and the memory device  50  are parts of a fitting system of the vehicle seat  1 . The memory device  50  has a marker disk  51  which is mounted rotatably about an axis A. The marker disk  51  is arranged in an axially offset manner with respect to the fitting  10  provided on the same side of the vehicle seat. The marker disk  51  can be mounted rotatably, for example, on said associated fitting  10 , on a backrest element  4   a  fixed on the backrest or on a seat part element  3   a  fixed on the seat part. The marker disk  51  is coupled to the backrest  4 , preferably fixed temporarily on the backrest, during the pivoting release operation, but otherwise is coupled to the seat part  3 , preferably fixed (temporarily) on the seat part. 
     A control lever  53  is mounted pivotably on the seat part element  3   a  and is prestressed away from the backrest axis L by means of a spring (not illustrated). The control lever  53  is coupled to the marker disk  51  at one point in a manner described more precisely further on. A coupler  54  is hinged on the control lever  53 . The hinge point of the coupler  54  is at a greater distance from the pivot axis of the control lever  53  than the point of the coupling to the marker disk  51 . The coupler  54  has an elongate design, with the hinge point on the control lever  53  being provided at one end and a cable  55  being fastened to the opposite end, said cable forming the operative connection (or at least part thereof) between the second actuating element  8  and the memory device  20 . The coupler  54  is coupled with idle travel to a release lever  56 . In the present case, said coupling takes place approximately in the center of the coupler  54  by means of a slot and pin guide, consisting of a release slot  56   c  in the release lever  56  and a release pin  54   c  on the coupler  54 . In the present case, the release lever  56  sits on the shaft  7  for conjoint rotation, in the same manner as the first actuating element  5 , but can also be operatively connected to the first actuating element  5  in another way. 
     In order to couple the marker disk  51  to the seat part  3 , a control contour  57  with a lock receptacle  58  and a control element  59  interacting with the control contour  57  are provided. The lock receptacle  58  is preferably designed as a section of the control contour  57  that runs at least approximately radially (outward in the present case). The control element  59  can engage—preferably in an interlocking manner—in the lock receptacle, as a result of which the control contour  57  and the control element  59  are fixed relative to each other. Outside the lock receptacle  58 , the control contour  57  and the control element  59  are movable relative to each other about an axis A. The control element  59  is arranged on the control lever  53  (in a fixed or movable manner). The control lever  53  is preferably arranged in a manner offset axially with respect to the control contour  57 , and the control element  59  projects into the control contour  57 . The control lever  53  is prestressed in such a manner that, outside the pivoting release operation, the control element  59  is held in the lock receptacle  58 . As a result, outside the pivoting release operation, the marker disk  51  is coupled to the seat part  3  and is therefore fixed on the seat part with respect to rotational movements in the circumferential direction. For the coupling of the marker disk  51  to the backrest  4 , the outer border of the marker disk  51  has a first toothing  61 . The backrest  4  is assigned a second toothing  62  which is opposite the first toothing  61 . Outside the pivoting release operation, the two toothings  61  and  62  are spaced apart from each other, i.e. the marker disk  51  and the backrest  4  are decoupled. For the pivoting release operation, the two toothings  61  and  62  can be brought into engagement with each other in a manner described in more detail further on. 
     In the locked state of the fitting system ( FIGS. 1, 6 ), the two fittings  10  are in each case locked and the memory device  50  is in the starting position, in which the control element  59  engages in the lock receptacle  58 , and therefore the marker disk  51  is coupled to the seat part  3 . The backrest  4  and the marker disk  51  are decoupled, i.e. the toothings  61  and  62  are spaced apart from each other. The release pin  54   c  bears against the leading end of the release slot  56   c.    
     For the adjustment of the inclination ( FIG. 2 ) of the backrest  4 , the first actuating element  5  is pivoted, said actuating element rotating the shaft  7  about its own axis, i.e. about the backrest axis L. The shaft  7  thereby releases the two fittings  10 . In addition, the shaft  7  pivots the release lever  56 . The release slot  56   c  moves relative to the release pin  54   c  without a coupling arising. The coupler  54  therefore remains in the starting state. While the backrest  4  and therefore the backrest element  4   a  pivot about the backrest axis L into a use position having a different inclination, the second toothing  62  remains at a distance from the first toothing  61 . If, in the use position with the newly adjusted inclination, the first actuating element  5  is let go of, the fittings  10  automatically lock, and the release lever  56  returns into the starting position. 
     For the pivoting release operation ( FIGS. 3, 4, 7, 8 ), the coupler  54  is pulled (upward) in the radial direction by means of the second actuating element  8  and preferably the seat rails  9  are also released. The coupler  54  carries along the release lever  56  by means of the release pin  54   c  (and the release slot  56   c ), as a result of which said release lever rotates the shaft  7  which thereupon releases the fittings  10 . Furthermore, the coupler  54  carries along the control lever  53  which is deflected and thereby disengages the control element  59  and the lock receptacle  58 . Owing to the movement of the control lever  53  and of the coupler  54 , the first toothing  61  and the second toothing  62  enter into engagement with each other. The marker disk  51  is then coupled to the backrest  4  and decoupled from the seat part  3 . The toothings  61  and  62  which are brought into engagement with each other store the adjusted inclination of the backrest  4 . If the backrest  4  is then pivoted forward about the backrest axis L into the pivoted and released position, the backrest  4 , more precisely the backrest element  4   a  with the second toothing  62 , rotates the marker disk  51 . The control lever  53  remains in the deflected position thereof. The coupler  54  likewise remains in the position thereof. With or following the pivoting of the backrest  4 , the vehicle seat  1  is preferably pushed forward as a whole. 
     When the backrest  4  is returned into the previously adopted use position with the stored inclination, the control element  59  passes again to the lock receptacle  58  and is then aligned thereon. The prestressing of the deflected control lever  53  pivots said control lever back into the starting position, as a result of which the control element  59  is drawn into the lock receptacle  58 . The control lever  53  returning from the deflected position thereof into the starting position thereof carries along the coupler  54  again. By means of the slot and pin guide consisting of release pin  54   c  and release slot  56   c , the coupler  54  unblocks the release lever  56 , as a result of which the internal prestressings of the fittings  10  ensure that the shaft  7  rotates into the starting position and that the fittings  10  are locked. Owing to the movement of the control lever  53  and of the coupler  54 , the toothings  61  and  62  become disengaged. As a result, the marker disk  51  is decoupled from the backrest  4  and coupled again to the seat part  3 . The seat rails  9  preferably contain a dedicated memory device which, for the pivoting release operation, stores the previously adopted longitudinal position of the seat. 
     In the first exemplary embodiment ( FIGS. 1 to 4 ), the axis A of the marker disk  51  is aligned with the backrest axis L. The marker disk  51  is preferably mounted rotatably on the driver of the associated fitting  10 . The marker disk  51  has a control contour  57 , the one end of which forms the lock receptacle  58  which runs radially outward, but which otherwise runs in the circumferential direction, specifically over an angle which corresponds at least to the angle traversed by the backrest  4  during the pivoting release operation. The control contour  57  can be designed as an elongated hole, as a groove or as an outer border of the marker disk  51 . The control element  59 , which is preferably designed as a pin, is provided fixedly on the control lever  53 , i.e. is fastened thereto or produced integrally therewith. 
     The first toothing  61  on the marker disk  51  points radially outward and extends in the circumferential direction over an angle which corresponds at least to the angle traversed by the backrest  4  during the adjustment of the inclination. Adjacent to the marker disk  51 , a pawl  68  is mounted pivotably on the backrest element  4   a . One end of the pawl  68  has the second toothing  62 , which points radially inward. The pawl  68  is designed as a two-armed lever. The coupler  54  bears with a retaining lug  54   n  against that end of the pawl  68  which is opposite the second toothing  62 . The retaining lug  54   n  formed on the coupler  54  can in this case act in the radial direction on the pawl  68  and can slide along the pawl  68  in the circumferential direction. The pawl  68  is prestressed toward the marker disk  51  by means of a spring (not illustrated), but is kept open by the coupler  54  by means of the retaining lug  54   n.    
     During the adjustment of the inclination ( FIG. 2 ) of the backrest  4 , the pawl  68  moves relative to the marker disk  51  and to the coupler  54 , the pawl keeping the second toothing  62  at a distance from the first toothing  61  and sliding along the retaining lug  54   n  of the coupler  54 . For the pivoting release operation, the coupler  54  deflects the control lever  53 , as a result of which the control element  59  is brought by the lock receptacle  58  into that section of the control contour  57  which runs in the circumferential direction. This section of the control contour  57  keeps the control lever  53  deflected. The retaining lug  54   n  of the coupler  54  unblocks the pawl  68 , which is prestressed in a closing manner, the pawl pivoting with respect to the marker disk  51  and thereby bringing the second toothing  62  into engagement with the first toothing  61  ( FIG. 3 ). If the backrest  4  is then pivoted forward, the backrest element  4   a  carries along the marker disk  51  by means of the pawl  68 . The control contour  57  moves relative to the control element  59  which, in the process, is kept in the radial position thereof. The deflected control lever  53  keeps the coupler  54  in the position thereof unblocking the pawl  68 . The second actuating element  8  can therefore be let go of ( FIG. 4 ). If, during the return of the backrest  4  into the previously adopted use position, the control lever  53  returns into the starting position, said control lever therefore brings the coupler  54  back into the starting position. The retaining lug  54   n  of the coupler  54  returning into the starting position thereof pivots the closed pawl  68  which opens such that the toothings  61  and  62  become disengaged ( FIG. 1 ). 
     In a modified embodiment ( FIG. 5 ) of the first exemplary embodiment, a spring clip  69  is provided at the location which corresponds to the pivoted and released position. The spring clip  69  gently receives the arriving control element  59  and thereby stops the pivoting movement of the backrest  4  (“softstop”). At the same time, said control element can secure the backrest  4  non-positively in the pivoted and released position. By an actuating force being applied to the backrest  4 , the spring clip  69  unblocks the control element  59  again. 
     In the second exemplary embodiment ( FIGS. 6 to 8 ), the axis A of the marker disk  51  is arranged offset parallel to the backrest axis L. The marker disk  51  is mounted rotatably on the control lever  53 . The marker disk  51  bears the control element  59  which is fastened thereto (or is produced integrally therewith). A control contour  57  in the form of a keyhole is formed on the seat part element  3   a . The control element  59  is rotatable about the axis A in the round section of the control contour  57 , while the elongate section of the control contour  57  forms the lock receptacle  58 . The control element  59  is approximately in the shape of a mushroom, with a cap matching the round section of the control contour  57  and with a stem matching the lock section  58 . The first toothing  61  is formed peripherally on the outer border of the marker disk  51 . The second toothing  62  is formed on the backrest element  4   a  concentrically with respect to the backrest axis L and runs in a circular arc over an angle which corresponds at least to the angle traversed by the backrest  4  during the pivoting release operation. The radius of curvature of the second toothing  62  is greater than the radius of the marker disk  51 , which radius defines the radius of curvature of the first toothing  61 , for example is two to three times the size. 
     During the adjustment of the inclination of the backrest  4 , the backrest element  4   a  moves relative to the marker disk  51  without acting thereon. For the pivoting release operation, the coupler  54  deflects the control lever  53 , as a result of which the control element  59  is brought from the lock receptacle  58  into the round section of the control contour  57 . This round section of the control contour  57  keeps the control lever  53  deflected as soon as the stem of the mushroom-shaped control element  59  is rotated about the axis A. With the deflection of the control lever  53 , the marker disk  51  draws closer to the backrest element  4  in the radial direction until the first toothing  61  is brought into engagement with the second toothing  62  ( FIG. 7 ). The result is a gearing, the transmission ratio of which is defined by the radii of curvature of the two toothings  61  and  62 . If the backrest  4  is then pivoted forward, the backrest element  4   a  rotates the marker disk  51 . The control element  59  rotates relative to the control contour  57 . The axis A of the marker disk  51  is thereby kept in its position, and this keeps the control lever  53  deflected. The deflected control lever  53  keeps the coupler  54  in the position thereof acting upon the release lever  56  ( FIG. 8 ). The second actuating element  8  can therefore be let go of. If, during the return of the backrest  4  into the previously adopted use position, the control lever  53  returns into the starting position, said control lever brings the coupler  54  back into the starting position. The control lever  53  pivoting into the starting position removes the marker disk  51  from the backrest element  4   a , and therefore the toothings  61  and  62  become disengaged ( FIG. 6 ). 
     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.