EP2307233A1 - A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly - Google Patents

A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly

Info

Publication number
EP2307233A1
EP2307233A1 EP08789221A EP08789221A EP2307233A1 EP 2307233 A1 EP2307233 A1 EP 2307233A1 EP 08789221 A EP08789221 A EP 08789221A EP 08789221 A EP08789221 A EP 08789221A EP 2307233 A1 EP2307233 A1 EP 2307233A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
seat
link
seat backrest
inclination adjustment
adjustment assembly
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08789221A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Kemal Ider
Ali Murat Kayiran
Evren Anik
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi AS
Original Assignee
Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi AS
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi AS filed Critical Tofas Turk Otomobil Fabrikasi AS
Publication of EP2307233A1 publication Critical patent/EP2307233A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60N—SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60N2/00—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles
    • B60N2/02—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable
    • B60N2/22—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable
    • B60N2/235—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable by gear-pawl type mechanisms
    • B60N2/2352—Seats specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement or mounting of seats in vehicles the seat or part thereof being movable, e.g. adjustable the back-rest being adjustable by gear-pawl type mechanisms with external pawls

Definitions

  • the present invention is related to a seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly which enables the user to adjust backrest inclination of the seat in vehicles by spending less effort and keeps the locked position of it without the need to an additional system even in sudden speed changes.
  • the operation of the system is based on a four-bar mechanism and due to a special position of the four-bar mechanism, high mechanical advantage is obtained.
  • the objective of the present invention is to realize a seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly which provides to make the backrest inclination adjustments of the vehicles by spending less effort and not changing the sitting position, and keeps the keeps the locked position of it without the need for an additional system in sudden speed changes.
  • Another objective of the present invention is to realize a seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly wherein the fact that a barrier provides the locking instead of a spring, enables to select the spring constant of the spring that will bring the system to locked position, and this feature gives the user with an easier adjustment opportunity.
  • Figure 1 is the front view of an inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly in a lock-closed position.
  • Figure 2 is the front view of an inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly in a lock-opened position.
  • Figure 3 is the perspective view of an inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly.
  • Figure 4 is the schematic representation of the positions of the links in locked position in an inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly.
  • An inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) basically comprises:
  • the inventive backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) is coupled to the seat by means of the seat coupling bracket (2) and the backrest coupling bracket (3) present on the door side.
  • the seat and backrest coupling brackets (2, 3) present on the door side and the seat and backrest coupling brackets (14, 15) present on the tunnel side provide bearing to the spindle (8) composing the axis of rotation of the seat backrest.
  • the backrest coupling bracket (3) present on the door side is welded to the seat backrest part.
  • the circular gear (4) is fixed to the backrest coupling bracket (3) welded to the seat backrest part by means of fixing pins (18).
  • the threaded link (5) jointed on the seat coupling bracket (2) is in contact with the circular gear (4), the locking of the system is provided and the move of the seat backrest is prevented.
  • the threaded link (5) making counterclockwise rotary motion sufficiently from the locked position with the move of the adjustment lever (16) the connection between the threaded link (5) and the circular gear (4) is cut and the seat backrest part on which the backrest coupling brackets (3, 15) are coupled, can be brought to the position desired by the user.
  • the adjustment of the inventive backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) is realized by uplifting the adjustment lever (16) which is fixed to the long link (7) from one end thereof.
  • the movement of the long link (7) is transmitted to the threaded link (5) by means of the short link (6).
  • One end of the short link (6) is jointed to the threaded link (5) and the other end is jointed to the long link (7).
  • the torsion spring (9) whose one end is coupled to the backrest connecting bracket (15) present on the tunnel side and the other end is coupled to seat backrest, provides the seat backrest to be tend to rotate forward when the backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) is opened with the adjustment lever (16).
  • the inventive backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) there is an angle which is a little smaller than 180° between the long link (7) and the short link (6).
  • the angle between the two links (6, 7) is too close to 180°, a high mechanical advantage is provided and a big force affecting the short link (6) is balanced by a much less force.
  • only way that the forces can rotate the long link (7), in the special position of the four-bar mechanism wherein the short link (6) and the long link (7) are almost in the same direction, is the counter clockwise. A movement in that way is prevented with the help of the barrier (20). All kinds of forces affecting the seat backrest are balanced by the barrier (20) with the reactive power and a safe locking is provided.
  • the high accelerations that may occur in sudden speed changes provide the system to be locked better apart from the fact that to open the backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1). Because the inertial force that will be composed in sudden accelerations enables a downward force to affect the perpendicular component to the threaded link (5). And this pushes the long link (7) towards the barrier (20) always and prevents the undesired openings to happen.
  • the inventive backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) the user can adjust the seat backrest to the position that he/she desires without spending a big effort. While performing this action by lifting the adjustment lever (16) to upwards to a particular amount, the circular gear (4) and the threaded link (5) in contact with each other are disconnected.
  • the said backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) when the adjustment lever (16) is released, is locked automatically by the threaded link (5) to settle on the circular gear (4) due to the spiral spring (10) which has been stretched with the help of the adjustment lever (16), and is not opened involuntarily even in sudden speed changes. And this puts an end to the need to support the improved backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) with additional systems.
  • the spring pin (17) and the fixing pin (19) can be added as individual parts on the bracket and also the protrusions which will protrude over the brackets (2, 3, 14, 15) function same.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Aviation & Aerospace Engineering (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chairs For Special Purposes, Such As Reclining Chairs (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention is related to a seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) which enables the user to adjust backrest inclination of the seat in vehicles by spending less effort and keeps the locked position of it without the need to an additional system even in sudden speed changes. The operation of the system is based on a four-bar mechanism and due to a special position of the four-bar mechanism, high mechanical advantage is obtained.

Description

A SEAT BACKREST INCLINATION ADJUSTMENT ASSEMBLY
Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly which enables the user to adjust backrest inclination of the seat in vehicles by spending less effort and keeps the locked position of it without the need to an additional system even in sudden speed changes. The operation of the system is based on a four-bar mechanism and due to a special position of the four-bar mechanism, high mechanical advantage is obtained.
Background of the Invention
The improvements which have been encountered in automotive technology in recent years provided to make use of vehicle seats as multi purpose and at the same time to enhance drive and travel comfort. For that purpose a wide variety of assemblies have been improved to be able to use the seat by adjusting the backrest inclination thereof whenever required. However, classification of these assemblies within specific groups with regard to main factors is possible.
In United States patent documents No. US5722730 and US6659558, external threaded systems passing to the locked position with the help of the cam and keeping this position are mentioned. In these systems with moving the adjusting lever by the user, the gears which are on locked position pass to free position and the backrest inclination adjustment can be done. With the support of the cam, the gears which are on locked position can set free and lead to great dangers. For this reason, in said patents the reliabilities of the systems are attempted to be enhanced with additional security measures. Also in such systems, the jointed gear link is needed to be opened by using gravity and/or another cam after the opening of the cam.
Whereas in another adjustment group which is used in the state of art, the locking of an internal threaded gear is provided by the contact of one or more convex gear. In United States patent documents No. US6880887 and US6332649, double or triple locking is implemented. In spite of multiple locking, friction existing on sudden speed changes and undesired lock openings when the spring forces are defeated may occur. The need for big spring forces for the lock not to get opened, makes difficulty to the user when the system is desired to be opened.
Summary of the Invention
The objective of the present invention is to realize a seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly which provides to make the backrest inclination adjustments of the vehicles by spending less effort and not changing the sitting position, and keeps the keeps the locked position of it without the need for an additional system in sudden speed changes.
Another objective of the present invention is to realize a seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly wherein the fact that a barrier provides the locking instead of a spring, enables to select the spring constant of the spring that will bring the system to locked position, and this feature gives the user with an easier adjustment opportunity.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly realized to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying figures, in which:
Figure 1 is the front view of an inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly in a lock-closed position.
Figure 2 is the front view of an inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly in a lock-opened position.
Figure 3 is the perspective view of an inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly.
Figure 4 is the schematic representation of the positions of the links in locked position in an inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly.
The parts seen in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following: 1. Backrest Inclination Adjustment Assembly
2. Seat Coupling Bracket (Door side)
3. Backrest Coupling Bracket (Door side)
4. Circular Gear
5. Threaded Link
6. Short Link
7. Long Link
8. Spindle
9. Torsion Spring
10. Spiral Spring
11. Fastener (perno)
12. Bolt
13. Nut
14. Seat Coupling Bracket (Tunnel Side)
15. Backrest Coupling Bracket (Tunnel Side)
16. Adjustment Lever
17. Torsion Spring Pin
18. Fixing Pin
19. Spiral Spring Pin
20. Barrier
An inventive seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) basically comprises:
- at least four coupling brackets (2, 3, 14, 15) present on door side and tunnel side to couple the assembly to the seat,
- at least one spindle (8) composing the axis of rotation of the seat backrest part,
- circular gear (4) whose exterior part which will provide locking is present on outside and threaded link (5) suited to it's profile,
- short link (6) and long link (7) providing the move of the threaded link (5),
- fastener (11) and bearing element (not shown in the figures) coupling the short link (6) and the threaded link (5), the short link (6) and the long link (7) to each other and used in the coupling of the threaded link (5) and the long link (7) to the seat coupling bracket (2) present on the door side, - bolt (12) and nut (13) used in the couplings of the seat coupling brackets (2, 15) present on the door side and the tunnel side,
- at least one torsion spring (9) providing the seat backrest part to go forward while the system is in open position,
- at least one spiral spring (10) providing the threaded link (5) to contact with the circular gear (4),
- at least one spring pin (17) wherein one of the two ends of the torsion spring (9) is coupled on the backrest connecting bracket (15) present on the tunnel side,
- at least one fixing pin (18) used in coupling the circular gear (4) to the backrest coupling bracket (3) present on the door side,
- at least one spiral spring pin (19) to which one end of the spiral spring (10) is being coupled,
- at least one barrier (20) preventing a movement which may come contraclockwise to the long link (7) and
- at least one adjustment lever (16) used in seat inclination adjustment.
The inventive backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) is coupled to the seat by means of the seat coupling bracket (2) and the backrest coupling bracket (3) present on the door side. In addition the seat and backrest coupling brackets (2, 3) present on the door side and the seat and backrest coupling brackets (14, 15) present on the tunnel side provide bearing to the spindle (8) composing the axis of rotation of the seat backrest.
The backrest coupling bracket (3) present on the door side is welded to the seat backrest part. The circular gear (4) is fixed to the backrest coupling bracket (3) welded to the seat backrest part by means of fixing pins (18). As long as the threaded link (5) jointed on the seat coupling bracket (2) is in contact with the circular gear (4), the locking of the system is provided and the move of the seat backrest is prevented. By means of the threaded link (5) making counterclockwise rotary motion sufficiently from the locked position with the move of the adjustment lever (16), the connection between the threaded link (5) and the circular gear (4) is cut and the seat backrest part on which the backrest coupling brackets (3, 15) are coupled, can be brought to the position desired by the user. In this position, the seat is fixed by the circular gear (4) and the threaded link (5) to get into contact again. The adjustment of the inventive backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) is realized by uplifting the adjustment lever (16) which is fixed to the long link (7) from one end thereof. The movement of the long link (7) is transmitted to the threaded link (5) by means of the short link (6). One end of the short link (6) is jointed to the threaded link (5) and the other end is jointed to the long link (7). For the movement of the pins of the said joints, there are cavities (not shown on the figures) on the seat coupling bracket (2) present on the door side. Due to these cavities, the coupling elements which couple the short link (6) to the other links (5, 7) can move.
The spiral spring (10) connected to the spiral spring pin (19) whose one end is on the fastener (11) jointed to the long link (7) and the other end is on the seat coupling bracket (2) present on the door side, provides the backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) to get to the locked position again after the adjustment operation of the seat backrest part to the desired position with the adjustment lever (16). In addition the torsion spring (9) whose one end is coupled to the backrest connecting bracket (15) present on the tunnel side and the other end is coupled to seat backrest, provides the seat backrest to be tend to rotate forward when the backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) is opened with the adjustment lever (16).
In the inventive backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1), there is an angle which is a little smaller than 180° between the long link (7) and the short link (6). As the angle between the two links (6, 7) is too close to 180°, a high mechanical advantage is provided and a big force affecting the short link (6) is balanced by a much less force. In addition, only way that the forces can rotate the long link (7), in the special position of the four-bar mechanism wherein the short link (6) and the long link (7) are almost in the same direction, is the counter clockwise. A movement in that way is prevented with the help of the barrier (20). All kinds of forces affecting the seat backrest are balanced by the barrier (20) with the reactive power and a safe locking is provided.
In said invention the high accelerations that may occur in sudden speed changes provide the system to be locked better apart from the fact that to open the backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1). Because the inertial force that will be composed in sudden accelerations enables a downward force to affect the perpendicular component to the threaded link (5). And this pushes the long link (7) towards the barrier (20) always and prevents the undesired openings to happen. In the inventive backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1), the user can adjust the seat backrest to the position that he/she desires without spending a big effort. While performing this action by lifting the adjustment lever (16) to upwards to a particular amount, the circular gear (4) and the threaded link (5) in contact with each other are disconnected. The said backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1), when the adjustment lever (16) is released, is locked automatically by the threaded link (5) to settle on the circular gear (4) due to the spiral spring (10) which has been stretched with the help of the adjustment lever (16), and is not opened involuntarily even in sudden speed changes. And this puts an end to the need to support the improved backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) with additional systems.
In addition, when the adjustment lever (16) is lifted upward the contact of the threaded link (5) and the circular gear (4) with one another is automatically canceled and there is no need to use an extra cam to prevent snaggings.
In the inventive backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1), the spring pin (17) and the fixing pin (19) can be added as individual parts on the bracket and also the protrusions which will protrude over the brackets (2, 3, 14, 15) function same.
Within the framework of this basic concept, it is possible to develop a wide variety of embodiments. The inventive "A Seat Backrest Inclination Adjustment Assembly (1)" can not be limited to the examples given above while the invention explained. The invention is essentially according to the claims.

Claims

1. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) used in seat backrest inclination adjustment in vehicles; comprising
- at least four coupling brackets (2, 3, 14, 15) present on door side and tunnel side,
- at least one spindle (8) composing the axis of rotation of the seat backrest part,
- fastener (11) and bearing element coupling the short link (6) and the threaded link (5), the short link (6) and the long link (7) to each other and used in the coupling of the threaded link (5) and the long link (7) to the seat coupling bracket (2) present on the door side,
- bolt (12) and nut (13) used in the couplings of the seat coupling brackets (2, 14) present on the door side and the tunnel side, characterized by
- circular gear (4) whose exterior part which will provide locking is present on outside and threaded link (5) suited to it's profile,
- at least one fixing pin (18) used in coupling the circular gear (4) to the backrest coupling bracket (3) present on the door side,
- short link (6) and long link (7) providing the move of the threaded link (5),
- at least one torsion spring (9) providing the seat backrest part to go forward while the lock is in open position,
- at least one spring pin (17) wherein one of the two ends of the torsion spring (9) is coupled on the backrest coupling bracket (15) present on the tunnel side,
- at least one spiral spring (10) providing the threaded link (5) to contact with the circular gear (4),
- at least one spiral spring pin (19) to which one end of the spiral spring (10) is being coupled,
- at least one adjustment lever (16) used in seat inclination adjustment,
- at least one barrier (20) preventing a movement which may come contraclockwise to the long link (7).
2. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the threaded link (5) jointed on the seat coupling bracket (2), providing the assembly to be locked as long as being in contact with the circular gear (4) and limiting the movement of the seat.
3. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) according to any of the aforementioned claims; characterized by the adjustment lever (16) disconnecting the threaded link (5) from the circular gear (4) with the user to lift it up to a particular distance without spending a big effort.
4. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) according to any of the aforementioned claims; characterized by the adjustment lever (16) cutting the connection between the threaded link (5) and the circular gear (4) by making counterclockwise rotary motion sufficiently from the locked position, with its movement.
5. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) according to any of the aforementioned claims; characterized by the spiral spring (10) whose one end is on the fastener (11) jointed to the long link (7) and the other end is on the seat coupling bracket (2) present on the door side, which is coupled to the spiral spring pin (19) and gets it to the locked position again after the adjustment operation of the seat backrest part of the adjustment lever (16) to the desired position.
6. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) according to any of the aforementioned claims; characterized by the spiral spring (10) which is stretched with the movement of the adjustment lever (16) and locks the assembly automatically with setting back the adjustment lever (16).
7. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) according to any of the aforementioned claims; characterized by the cavities present on the seat connecting bracket (2) and opened for the coupling elements to move which couples the short link (6) to the other links (5, 7).
8. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) according to any of the aforementioned claims; characterized by the short link (6) and the long link (7) balancing the force affecting on them, with a small force by the fact that the angle between them is a little smaller than 180° .
9. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) according to any of the aforementioned claims; characterized by the barrier (20) which is present on the seat coupling bracket (2) which is on the door side, balances the forces affecting the seat backrest and provides a safe locking.
10. A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly (1) according to any of the aforementioned claims; characterized by the spring pin (17) and the fixing pin (18) used as a part which is added later on the brackets (2,3,14,15) and/or wherein the protrusions which have been composed on the brackets (2,3,14,15) are used.
EP08789221A 2008-07-08 2008-07-08 A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly Withdrawn EP2307233A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/IB2008/052736 WO2010064081A1 (en) 2008-07-08 2008-07-08 A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2307233A1 true EP2307233A1 (en) 2011-04-13

Family

ID=40453441

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP08789221A Withdrawn EP2307233A1 (en) 2008-07-08 2008-07-08 A seat backrest inclination adjustment assembly

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2307233A1 (en)
WO (1) WO2010064081A1 (en)

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5547254A (en) * 1992-09-30 1996-08-20 Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha Pawl and ratchet type seat tilt control apparatus
US5722730A (en) * 1996-10-29 1998-03-03 Excel Industries, Inc. Reinforcement member for pivotable assembly

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO2010064081A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2010064081A1 (en) 2010-06-10

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