Patent Description:
In general, the seat of a vehicle includes a seat cushion installed on the interior floor to support the load of an occupant and move forward and backward, thereby supporting the lower body of the occupant, and a seatback installed rotatable at a certain angle with respect to the seat cushion, thereby supporting the upper body of the occupant.

This seat is equipped with a sliding device that allows the driver or passenger to adjust the front and rear position of the seat by pulling or pushing the seat cushion forward and backward to conform to their body shape and a recliner for variably adjusting the inclination angle of the seatback with respect to the seat cushion to obtain the most comfortable posture when sitting on the seat.

In particular, the recliner has a problem in which the inclination angle of the seatback changes due to repetitive load transmitted to the seatback by the occupant in the state where the inclination angle of the seatback is adjusted with respect to the seat cushion, and thus, in order to solve this problem, a recliner having a brake unit including a brake drum separately mounted to the outside of the recliner is introduced.

However, in the conventional recliner equipped with an external brake unit described above, the braking force of the recliner is generated through friction between metal materials. This is based on the principle that when the user applies rotational force from the outside, the friction force is released to enable reclining of the seat, and that when a reverse input of external force is applied from the seatback due to vibration or road impact while driving the vehicle, a braking force is generated to prevent the reclining of the seat.

Such a brake device of the recliner generates braking force by friction between metals so that the number of parts may increase to generate the braking force or may cause operational problems(i.e. noise, vibration, harshness)depending on the product.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method to generate breaking force through engagement and release, instead of generating braking force by friction, in the brake device of a recliner, thereby improving breaking force, compared to the prior art, and attaining the same performance with a minimum number of parts.

<CIT> describes a tilt adjustment device for back rest of motor vehicle seat, incorporating a locking element with cylindrical jacket surface.

The foregoing described as the background art is intended merely to aid in the understanding of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to mean that the present disclosure falls within the purview of the related art already known to those skilled in the art.

The present invention is to provide a brake device of a recliner for a vehicle seat, which is configured to enable the rotation of the recliner when a forward input of rotational force is applied to a release lever and prevent the rotation of the recliner when a rotational force is applied to a shaft in the state in which the vehicle seat is fixed, thereby improving operational stability.

The technical subjects pursued in the present invention may not be limited to the above-mentioned technical subjects, and other technical subjects which are not mentioned may be clearly understood, through the following descriptions, by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a brake device of a recliner for a vehicle seat, which may include: a housing having a through-hole through which a shaft of a seat recliner passes, an accommodation space formed therein, and a key portion formed toward the inside thereof; a fixture provided in the accommodation space of the housing to be coupled to the shaft, supported upwards by a spring, having a protrusion portion formed on the outer side thereof, and configured to be prevented from rotating by engagement of the protrusion portion and the key portion while being supported upwards; and a release lever installed above the fixture and configured to press, if a rotational force is applied from the outside, the fixture downwards so as to release the engagement of the protrusion portion and the key portion, thereby enabling rotation of the shaft and the fixture.

For example, a plurality of key portions may protrude inwards from the inner circumferential surface of the housing and may be formed to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction thereof.

For example, a pressing portion may extend downwards from the release lever, and if the release lever rotates, the pressing portion may press the fixture downwards to move the fixture downwards.

For example, a side end of the pressing portion may come into contact with the fixture, and an inclined portion may be formed on the side end of the pressing portion so as to become narrower in width from top to bottom, and the fixture may be pressed by the inclined portion of the pressing portion to move downwards.

For example, an inclined hole may be formed in the fixture, and the pressing portion may be inserted into the inclined hole, and if the release lever rotates in the state in which the pressing portion is inserted into the inclined hole, the inclined portion of the pressing portion may press the side end of the inclined hole to move the fixture downwards.

For example, the pressing portion may press the fixture downwards such that the protrusion portion may be released downwards from the key portion, thereby enabling rotation of the fixture and shaft.

For example, if no rotational force is applied to the release lever in the state in which the fixture is lowered, the fixture may return upwards to its original position by a spring so that the protrusion portion and the key portion may engage with each other to be prevented from rotating.

For example, a rotating portion may be formed to extend downwards from the pressing portion of the release lever, and the fixture may be pressed by the pressing portion of the release lever to be lowered and rotate by being pressed by the rotating portion in the lowered state.

For example, the release lever may cause the fixture to be supported by the rotating portion in the state in which the fixture is lowered so as to enable rotation of the fixture and the shaft.

For example, if an external force is applied to the shaft in the state in which the protrusion portion is engaged with the key portion, rotation of the fixture may be prevented, thereby preventing rotation of the shaft.

For example, a bent hook may be formed to extend downwards from the release lever, and the housing may be coupled to the release lever by being fitted to the hook.

A fixed rib protrudes downwards from the release lever, and the fixed rib regulates the height of the fixture above the fixture.

For example, the brake device may further include a support rib supporting a central portion of the fixture at the bottom of the fixture, and the support rib may prevent the central portion of the fixture from being separated laterally.

For example, the key portion and the protrusion portion may have outer surfaces formed in a spherical shape.

For example, the spring may be a coil spring, and upper and lower ends of the coil spring may come into contact by a certain length with a lower surface of the fixture and a bottom surface of the accommodation space of the housing, respectively.

According to the brake device of a recliner for a vehicle seat of the present invention, it is possible to enable the rotation of the recliner when a forward input of rotational force is applied to a release lever and prevent the rotation of the recliner when a rotational force is applied to a shaft in the state in which the vehicle seat is fixed, so that the movement of the seatback that is not intended by the user may be restricted, thereby improving driving stability.

Advantageous effects obtainable from the present invention may not be limited to the above mentioned effects, and other effects which are not mentioned may be clearly understood, through the following descriptions, by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in the present specification will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, and the same or similar elements are given the same and similar reference numerals, so duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted.

The terms "module" and "unit" used for the elements in the following description are given or interchangeably used in consideration of only the ease of writing the specification, and do not have distinct meanings or roles by themselves.

In describing the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, when the detailed description of the relevant known technology is determined to unnecessarily obscure the present invention, the detailed description may be omitted. Furthermore, the accompanying drawings are provided only for easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in the present specification, and it should be understood that all changes or substitutes thereof are included in the scope of the present disclosure. Terms including an ordinal number such as "first", "second", or the like may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one element from another element.

In the case where an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to any other element, it should be understood that another element may be provided therebetween, as well as that the element may be directly connected or coupled to the other element. In contrast, in the case where an element is "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to any other element, it should be understood that no other element is present therebetween.

A singular expression may include a plural expression unless they are definitely different in a context.

As used herein, the expression "include" or "have" are intended to specify the existence of mentioned features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, and should be construed as not precluding the possible existence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a brake device of a recliner for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the present invention.

<FIG> is provided based on the components related to this embodiment, but the actual brake device of a recliner for a vehicle seat may be implemented by including fewer or more components.

Referring to <FIG>, the brake device of a recliner for a vehicle seat according to an embodiment may include a release lever <NUM>, a fixture <NUM>, a housing <NUM>, and a spring <NUM>.

First, the housing <NUM> may be formed with a through-hole <NUM> through which a shaft of the seat recliner passes. Although not shown in the drawing, the shaft is a long member that is inserted where the vehicle seat and the seatback are connected so that the recliner function of the vehicle seat operates to adjust the seatback.

The housing <NUM> may be provided inside the vehicle recliner and configured in a dense structure with integrated functions by disposing the fixture <NUM>, the spring <NUM>, and the housing <NUM>, which will be described later, in an accommodation space formed on the inside thereof. In addition, the housing <NUM> has key portions <NUM> formed inwards to be engaged with the fixture <NUM>. A plurality of key portions <NUM> may be formed to protrude inwards from the inner circumferential surface of the housing <NUM> so as to be spaced apart from each other at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. As will be described later, the key portion <NUM> may be formed to have a predetermined length on the inner surface of the housing <NUM> and may not be formed in the lower portion thereof such that the protrusion portion <NUM> is released from the key portion <NUM> by the release lever <NUM> when rotational force is applied from the outside.

The fixture <NUM> is accommodated in the accommodation space of the housing <NUM> so as to be coupled to the shaft. The fixture <NUM> is coupled to the shaft through a fixing hole <NUM> formed in the center of the fixture <NUM> and is pressed by an inclined portion <NUM> of the pressing portion <NUM>, which will be described later, through a plurality of inclined holes <NUM> formed at equal intervals in the circumferential direction based on the center of the fixture <NUM>. The fixing hole <NUM> of the fixture <NUM> may be formed to have the same polygonal cross-section as the shaft such that the shaft may pass through the fixing hole <NUM>.

In addition, the spring <NUM> may serve to support the fixture <NUM> upwards so that the fixture <NUM> may return in the upward direction to the original position when the rotational force is not applied to the release lever <NUM>. Protrusion portions <NUM> may be formed on the outer surface of the fixture <NUM> so as to be engaged with the key portions <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. If the protrusion portions <NUM> and the key portions <NUM> are engaged with each other while the fixture <NUM> is supported upwards, rotation of the fixture <NUM> is prevented, and as the rotation of the fixture <NUM> is prevented, relative rotation of the shaft is also prevented.

Here, a plurality of protrusion portions <NUM> may be formed in the fixture <NUM> and a plurality of key portions <NUM> may be formed in the housing <NUM>, and even if some of the protrusion portions <NUM> or key portions <NUM> are damaged, the remaining protrusion portions <NUM> and key portions <NUM> may be engaged with each other to prepare for an emergency situation. In addition, since the number of protrusion portions <NUM> formed is smaller than the number of key portions <NUM>, it may be easy for the protrusion portion <NUM> and the key portion <NUM> to engage with each other by pressing of the release lever <NUM>.

In addition, the key portion <NUM> and the protrusion portion <NUM> may have outer surfaces formed in a spherical shape. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating the shapes of a key portion <NUM> and a protrusion portion <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to area A in <FIG>, the key portion <NUM> and the protrusion portion <NUM> are engaged with each other to generate locking force to prevent relative rotation of the fixture <NUM> to the shaft. However, if the two parts are in contact with each other in a vertical direction, the key portion <NUM> and the protrusion portion <NUM> are not easily released from each other. Therefore, by applying a spherical shape to the outer surface where the key portion <NUM> and the protrusion portion <NUM> come into contact with each other, the contact area may be minimized, enabling easy engagement and release thereof.

In addition, the release lever <NUM> may be installed above the fixture <NUM> and press the fixture <NUM> downwards when rotational force is applied from the outside. If the fixture <NUM> is pressed downwards, the engagement of the protrusion portion <NUM> and the key portion <NUM> is released, enabling the fixture <NUM> and shaft to rotate. A plurality of first levers <NUM> and a plurality of second levers <NUM> may be formed on the release lever <NUM> so as to be spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction thereof. The first lever <NUM> and the second lever <NUM> may intersect each other to be spaced apart from each other so that a device for applying rotational force from the outside may be further installed on the outer side thereof.

Hereinafter, a process in which the fixture <NUM> is pressed downwards will be described.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which a fixture <NUM> is pressed downwards by rotational force applied to a release lever <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a pressing portion <NUM> extending downwards from a release lever <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, a pressing portion <NUM> may be formed to extend downwards from the release lever <NUM> so that when the release lever <NUM> rotates, the pressing portion <NUM> may press the fixture <NUM> downwards to move down. If a forward input of rotational force is applied from the outside, the fixture <NUM> may move down by the pressing portion <NUM> so that the engagement of the key portion <NUM> and the protrusion portion <NUM> is released to unlock the housing <NUM> and the fixture <NUM>, enabling the rotation of the shaft so as to adjust the recliner.

This operation may be performed by an inclined portion <NUM> and a rotating portion <NUM> that constitute the pressing portion <NUM> of the release lever <NUM>. Referring to area B in <FIG>, it can be seen that an inclined hole <NUM> is formed in the fixture <NUM> and that the pressing portion <NUM> is inserted into the inclined hole <NUM>. If rotational force is applied from the outside of the release lever <NUM> in the state where the pressing portion <NUM> is inserted into the inclined hole <NUM>, the fixture <NUM> descends.

Specifically, the inclined portion <NUM> may constitute side ends of the pressing portion <NUM> and may be formed to become narrower in width from top to bottom along the inclined surface. As the pressing portion <NUM> descends, the inclined portion <NUM> comes into contact with the inclined hole <NUM>, and accordingly, the side end of the inclined hole <NUM> is pressed laterally and downwards by the inclined portion <NUM> so that the fixture <NUM> may move downwards. Here, the inner surface of the inclined hole <NUM> and the outer surface of the inclined portion <NUM> are formed in a spherical shape based on its own center, so that the fixture <NUM> may ascend or descend smoothly. Afterwards, when the fixture <NUM> moves downwards to a certain height, the protrusion portion <NUM> and the key portion <NUM> are disengaged, and the fixture <NUM> and shaft are able to rotate.

In addition, in the state where the fixture <NUM> is lowered by the inclined portion <NUM>, the seatback must be adjustable through the recliner. At this time, the fixture <NUM> may be rotated by the rotating portion <NUM> extending downwards from the pressing portion <NUM>. Unlike the inclined portion <NUM>, since the rotating portion <NUM> does not have an inclined surface, it may press the fixture <NUM> laterally to support the same. Therefore, the fixture <NUM> may be rotated without moving downwards.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which a release lever <NUM> and a housing <NUM> are coupled to each other according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may have a flange <NUM> extending outwards from the top thereof, and a groove may be formed inwards on the flange <NUM>. In addition, the release lever <NUM> may have a hook <NUM> and a guide rib <NUM> formed downwards on the release lever <NUM> so as to be coupled to the housing <NUM>. As shown in area D, the hook <NUM> may downwardly extend on the side of the housing <NUM> to have a bent shape through a downward rib <NUM> and a lateral rib <NUM>, and as shown in area C, the guide rib <NUM> may protrude downwards from the release lever <NUM>.

Here, the guide rib <NUM> of the release lever <NUM> may be coupled to the groove formed in the flange <NUM> to push the housing <NUM> downwards, and the hook <NUM> may be fitted to the lower surface of the flange <NUM> to pull the housing <NUM> upwards. Through this, the housing <NUM> and the release lever <NUM> may be firmly coupled to each other, thereby improving the stability of the release lever <NUM> in the height and radial directions during operation.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a state in which a protrusion portion <NUM> of a fixture <NUM> is engaged with a key portion <NUM> to be prevented from rotating according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, if no rotational force is applied to the release lever <NUM> in the state in which the fixture <NUM> is lowered, the fixture <NUM> may return upwards to its original position so that the protrusion portion <NUM> and key portion <NUM> may be engaged to prevent rotation thereof. Contrary to the case where the forward input of rotational force is applied from the outside, if a reverse input of rotational force is applied through the shaft, the fixture <NUM> and shaft do not rotate while the protrusion portion <NUM> and the key portion <NUM> are engaged. To this end, if the rotational force is removed in the state where the fixture <NUM> is pressed downwards by the release lever <NUM>, only the elastic force of the spring <NUM> exists, so the elastic force of the spring <NUM> pushes the fixture <NUM> upwards. At this time, the inclined hole <NUM> slides through the pressing portion <NUM> of the release lever <NUM>, and the fixture <NUM> moves upwards so that the protrusion portion <NUM> and the key portion <NUM> are engaged. Therefore, if an external force is applied to the shaft in the state where the protrusion portion <NUM> is engaged with the key portion <NUM>, the rotation of the fixture <NUM> may be prevented, thereby preventing the shaft from rotating. Through this, the brake device of the recliner may improve device durability using the engagement and disengagement of the protrusion portion <NUM> and the key portion <NUM> in a situation where external force is reversely input.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a fixture <NUM> whose position is regulated through a fixed rib <NUM> and a support rib <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, it can be seen that the fixed rib <NUM> protrudes downwards from the release lever <NUM> and that a support rib <NUM> supports the fixture <NUM> at the bottom thereof. The fixed rib <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the upper part of the fixture <NUM> so as to be perpendicular to the space between the inclined hole <NUM> and the protrusion portion <NUM>, based on the center of the fixture <NUM>. The fixed rib <NUM> may be supported upwards by an upward force caused by the elastic force of the spring <NUM> so as to regulate the height of the fixture <NUM>, thereby maintaining the degree of engagement between the protrusion portion <NUM> and the key portion <NUM> to be constant. In addition, the support rib <NUM> formed on the lower portion of the fixture <NUM> may come into contact with the central portion of the fixture <NUM> to support the fixture <NUM> at the bottom thereof, thereby preventing the central portion of the fixture <NUM> from being laterally separated. The support rib <NUM> may be formed in a cylindrical shape to maintain the center when the fixture <NUM> ascends and descends, so that the lower end of the support rib <NUM> may be coupled to the housing <NUM>, thereby improving the operational stability of the brake device.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a fixing groove <NUM> formed on the lower surface of a fixture <NUM> according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the upper end of the coil spring <NUM> may be seated on the fixing groove <NUM> formed on the lower surface of the fixture <NUM>, thereby firmly supporting the fixture <NUM> at the bottom thereof.

The fixing groove <NUM> may be formed between the protrusion portion <NUM> and the inclined hole <NUM>, based on the center of the fixture <NUM>, thereby increasing the support stability of the fixture <NUM> by the coil spring <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating the height of a spring <NUM> before external rotational force is applied according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the spring <NUM> may be configured as a coil spring <NUM>. The fixture <NUM> may be configured to come into contact with the upper end of the coil spring <NUM>, and the upper end and the lower end of the coil spring <NUM> may be configured to come into contact by a certain length with the lower surface of the fixture <NUM> and the bottom surface of the accommodation space of the housing <NUM>, respectively. Through this, the upper and lower ends of the coil spring <NUM> may come into surface contact with the fixture <NUM> and housing <NUM>, thereby improving operational stability when the fixture <NUM> ascends and descends. In addition, it can be seen that the basic position H of the spring <NUM> in the non-operating state of the brake device is the same as the height H of the spring <NUM> in the free field state. Through this, it is possible to minimize the operating sound generated during the engagement and release of the protrusion portion <NUM> and the key portion <NUM> while the fixture <NUM> ascends or descends, thereby improving operating quality.

According to the embodiments of the present invention described above, it is possible to enable the rotation of the recliner when a forward input of rotational force is applied to a release lever and prevent the rotation of the recliner when a rotational force is applied to a shaft in the state in which the vehicle seat is fixed, so that the movement of the seatback that is not intended by the user may be restricted, thereby improving driving stability.

Claim 1:
A brake device of a recliner for a vehicle seat, the brake device comprising:
a housing (<NUM>) having a through-hole (<NUM>) through which a shaft of a seat recliner passes, an accommodation space formed therein, and a key portion (<NUM>) formed toward an inside thereof;
a fixture (<NUM>) disposed in the accommodation space of the housing (<NUM>) to be coupled to the shaft, supported upwards by a spring (<NUM>), having a protrusion portion (<NUM>) formed on an outer side thereof, and configured to be prevented from rotating by engagement of the protrusion portion (<NUM>) and the key portion (<NUM>) while being supported upwards; and
a release lever (<NUM>) installed above the fixture (<NUM>) and configured to press, in case that a rotational force is applied from an outside, the fixture (<NUM>) downwards so as to release the engagement of the protrusion portion (<NUM>) and the key portion (<NUM>), thereby enabling rotation of the shaft and the fixture (<NUM>),
characterized in that a fixed rib (<NUM>) protrudes downwards from the release lever (<NUM>), and the fixed rib (<NUM>) regulates a height of the fixture (<NUM>) above the fixture (<NUM>).