Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20050168035?dq=ascentive
Timestamp: 2017-11-21 22:40:33
Document Index: 369527802

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 2', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 4']

Patent US20050168035 - Automotive seat with a backrest whose position can be electrically adjusted - Google Patents
In the case of a vehicle seat (1), in particular rear seat or rear seat bench, having a seat part (2) and having a backrest (3) which has a foldover function brought about with an electric drive, the foldover function bringing about a folding over of the backrest (3) or of a backrest part (4, 5) relative...http://www.google.com/patents/US20050168035?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20050168035 - Automotive seat with a backrest whose position can be electrically adjusted
Publication number US20050168035 A1
Application number US 10/506,452
PCT number PCT/EP2003/001889
Also published as DE10209759A1, EP1483131A1, EP1483131B1, EP1483131B2, US7192089, WO2003074316A1
Publication number 10506452, 506452, PCT/2003/1889, PCT/EP/2003/001889, PCT/EP/2003/01889, PCT/EP/3/001889, PCT/EP/3/01889, PCT/EP2003/001889, PCT/EP2003/01889, PCT/EP2003001889, PCT/EP200301889, PCT/EP3/001889, PCT/EP3/01889, PCT/EP3001889, PCT/EP301889, US 2005/0168035 A1, US 2005/168035 A1, US 20050168035 A1, US 20050168035A1, US 2005168035 A1, US 2005168035A1, US-A1-20050168035, US-A1-2005168035, US2005/0168035A1, US2005/168035A1, US20050168035 A1, US20050168035A1, US2005168035 A1, US2005168035A1
Inventors Richard Boudinot
Original Assignee Richard Boudinot
US 20050168035 A1
In the case of a vehicle seat (1), in particular rear seat or rear seat bench, having a seat part (2) and having a backrest (3) which has a foldover function brought about with an electric drive, the foldover function bringing about a folding over of the backrest (3) or of a backrest part (4, 5) relative to the seat part (2), an adjustment of the inclination and the folding over are to take place in a simple and convenient manner. This is achieved by the electric drive (6) having an inclination-adjusting function, it being possible for the adjusting speed of the electric drive (6) to be changed in such a manner that a different speed can be set in each case for the inclination-adjusting function and for the foldover function.
a backrest and
an electric drive coupled to the seat part and backrest, wherein the backrest is moved relative to the seat part in one of a fold-over function and an inclination-adjusting function by adjusting the speed of the electric drive in such a manner that a different speed can be set in each case for the inclination-adjusting function and for the fold-over function.
14. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the drive (6) has two adjusting speeds, a higher speed being provided for the foldover function and a lower speed being provided for that of the inclination-adjusting function.
15. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the foldover function and the inclination-adjusting function each have a dedicated adjusting characteristic.
16. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the inclination of the backrest (3) can be changed in the inclination-adjusting function by the electric drive (6) in a stepwise manner—in particular with a stepping motor.
17. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electric drive (6) has an electric motor (9) which is common to all of the adjusting functions.
18. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electric drive (6) has an electronic or mechanical torque limitation.
19. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the seat part (2) has at least one seat occupation sensor (13).
20. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 19, wherein the seat occupation sensor (13) is functionally connected to the electric drive (6) in such a manner that, when the seat is occupied, the foldover function is blocked while the inclination-adjusting function is not blocked.
21. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein, in the foldover function, the electric drive (6) can be actuated from the passenger compartment—preferably from the seat and/or from the dashboard—by a first operating switch (11), and can be actuated from the trunk by a second operating switch (12) and, in the inclination-adjusting function, can be actuated from the seat—in particular from the front seat region.
22. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the backrest (3) or one or more backrest parts (4, 5) can be folded over by wireless remote control.
23. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electric drive (6) is a combination of a motor and transmission.
24. The motor vehicle seat as claimed in claim 13 wherein the electric drive (6) is positioned in the vicinity of one end (8) of an axis of rotation (7) and is integrated in the backrest (3) or at least a backrest part (4, 5).
The invention relates to a motor vehicle seat, in particular rear seat or rear seat bench, having a seat part and having a backrest which has a foldover function brought about with an electric drive, the foldover function bringing about a folding over of the backrest or of a backrest part relative to the seat part.
The invention is based on the object of providing a motor vehicle seat of the generic type, in which the adjustment of the inclination and the folding over can take place in a simple and convenient manner.
The invention makes it possible, without a complicated mechanical construction, both to adjust the inclination of the backrest, in order to set a comfortable seat position, and also to fold the backrest over, in order to increase the volume of the trunk. According to the invention, different speeds can be set in each case, as a result of which a first speed can be assigned to the adjustment of the inclination and a second speed—deviating from the first speed—for the folding over of the backrest can be assigned to the electric drive.
In one advantageous development of the invention, provision is made for the inclination of the backrest to be changeable in the inclination-adjusting function by the electric drive in a stepwise manner. This makes it possible for a certain position to be set more easily and conveniently in comparison to an infinitely variable adjustment—in particular with a stepping motor.
In one preferred embodiment, provision is made, in the foldover function, for the electric drive to be actuable from the passenger compartment—preferably from the particular seat—by a first operating switch, and separately from the trunk by a second operating switch, and, in the inclination-adjusting function, for it to be actuable from the particular seat. Folding over is then conveniently possible, even if the vehicle is parked between pillars in a basement garage, since the operation from the trunk can easily take place.
It is also favorable if the electric drive is a combination of a motor and transmission. A combination of a motor and transmission—in particular in a compact construction—enables the torque to be suitably increased according to requirements or enables the speed of the rotational speed of the motor to be matched to the required driving speed.
It is also advantageous if the electric motor of the electric drive has two speeds—by changing the motor power.
The single FIGURE of the drawing shows a perspective illustration of a vehicle seat.
The FIGURE shows a vehicle seat 1 which is designed as a rear seat bench having a seat part 2 which is common to a plurality of backrest parts. The rear seat bench has a two-part backrest 3 on which has a first backrest part 4 and a second, smaller backrest part 5. In order to change the position of the second backrest part 5, an electric drive 6 is arranged in the vicinity of the axis of rotation 7 of the backrest 3 and on the backrest part 5, this drive being positioned in the vicinity of one end 8—preferably the outermost end in each case with respect to the backrest part—of the axis of rotation 7. The electric drive 6 comprises a motor 9 and a transmission 10, the transmission 10 being mechanically connected directly to the axis of rotation 7. The axis of rotation of the motor is situated in a space-saving manner perpendicularly with respect to the axis of rotation 7, it being possible for the motor to be controlled at two speeds.
According to the invention, different speeds can therefore be set in each case, as a result of which the electric drive 6 can be assigned a first speed for the adjustment of the inclination and a second speed—deviating from the first speed—for the folding over of the backrest.
Starting from the position shown in the FIGURE, a rearward inclination of the backrest part 4 takes place only at a relatively slow speed in order to achieve a setting of the backrest in a manner which is as pleasant as possible. It is also readily possible for a rough setting at a somewhat more rapid speed than in a fine setting to be provided in the inclination-adjusting function. The somewhat higher speed can be set by pressing an operating switch or an operating button for a longer period, as is customary when “winding on” in CD players or when adjusting the time in digital clocks. The slow speed has the advantage of enabling the inclination of the backrest to be set precisely.
A higher adjusting speed—at least higher in comparison to one of a plurality of speeds for the backrest 3 (see above “winding on” in CD players)—can be achieved in the foldover function, the higher speed bringing about a desired, rapid implementation of the folding-over process. The foldover function is not restricted just to the tipping forward, but also comprises an automatic return of the seat back into its operative position, which corresponds to the position of the backrest part 4 in the FIGURE.
In comparison to the inclination-adjusting function, in the foldover function, in principle, only a relatively low torque is required, but is also advantageous for safety reasons. At a low torque in the foldover function, people, in particular children, cannot be injured by the low force of a pressing-down backrest. However, the movement of the backrest 3 in the foldover function has a higher speed—in contrast to that in the inclination-adjusting function—so that the trunk is enlarged as rapidly as possible.
The transmission 10 is furthermore designed as a deflecting transmission with a 90° deflecting angle, as can be seen by the vertical arrangement of the motor with respect to the axis 7.
The vehicle seat according to the invention can be a rear seat bench with a ratio of spacing of the backrest parts of 40%-60%, 50%-50%, 100% and other values. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the backrest part 5 has, as can be seen, approximately 40% of the entire width of the backrest 3, and the backrest part 4 therefore has approximately 60%.
US4225182 * Jul 21, 1978 Sep 30, 1980 Keiper Automobiltechnik Gmbh & Co. Kg Power driven adjuster for a backrest of a vehicle seat
US4379539 * Dec 18, 1980 Apr 12, 1983 Audi Nsu Auto Union Aktiengesellschaft Power seat adjuster
US6315361 * Apr 24, 2000 Nov 13, 2001 Porter Engineered Systems. Seat adjustment and dumping system with memory
US7188905 * Mar 17, 2005 Mar 13, 2007 Mr Industrial Co., Ltd. Reclining device for vehicle seats
US7243996 * Jul 12, 2006 Jul 17, 2007 Intier Automotive Inc. Power folding seat
US9789787 Apr 11, 2014 Oct 17, 2017 Brose Fahrzeugteile Gmbh & Co. Kommanditgesellschaft, Coburg Vehicle seat
CN1935559B Sep 5, 2006 Aug 17, 2011 马自达汽车股份有限公司 Device for vehicle seat
CN102019860A * Sep 13, 2010 Apr 20, 2011 布罗泽汽车部件制造科堡有限公司 机动车后座
U.S. Classification 297/378.1
International Classification B60N2/36, B60N2/22, B60N2/30, B60N2/20, B60N2/02
Cooperative Classification B60N2/5685, B60N2205/35, B60N2/20, B60N2/22, B60N2/0232, B60N2/3013, B60N2/36
European Classification B60N2/22, B60N2/30B2C4, B60N2/20, B60N2/02B4, B60N2/36
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BOUDINOT, RICHARD;REEL/FRAME:016456/0241