Patent ID: 7547069

Claim:
A vehicle seat, comprising: a seat part; a backrest; at least one fitting including (a) a first fitting part, (b) a second fitting part which is pivotable about an axis relative to the first fitting part, wherein the backrest is attached at least by way of the fitting to the seat part so that the backrest is pivotable about the axis relative to the seat part, (c) a signaler that is on the second fitting part, (d) a sensor that is on the first fitting part and is responsive to the signaler so that (1) the sensor outputs a signal when the second fitting part pivots relative to the first fitting part, and (2) the signal is indicative of a relative angular position between the fitting parts, (e) a locking element movably mounted on the first fitting part, and (f) a mating element that is on the second fitting part, wherein the mating element interacts with the locking element to lock the fitting, the locking element and the mating element are disengaged with respect to one another while the fitting is unlocked, and the backrest is capable of being locked at least by way of the fitting being locked; and a control unit connected to the sensor for evaluating the signal from the sensor to determine the position of the locking element and the mating element with respect to one another, in order to determine whether the locking element and the mating element are appropriately aligned for locking the fitting.