Adjusting device for adjusting the height and longitudinal position as well as the inclination of a vehicle seat

• US 20030178877A1
• Filed: 03/20/2003
• Published: 09/25/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding S..R.L.
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Schmale, Uwe
• Granted Patent: US 6,966,598 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/313
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/045 Longitudinal adjustment by means of articulated rods supporting the seat, e.g. parallelogram mechanisms B60N2/38 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/165 Gear wheel driven mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/181 Rods
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1864 Gear wheel driven mechanism

Abstract

The present invention concerns an apparatus for adjusting the vertical and longitudinal position and the inclination of a pivotable seat part (2) of a vehicle seat (1) relative to a floor structure (4) of the vehicle, having a linkage that encompasses a linkage part, constituted by at least one articulated rectangle (ABCD), that has a base (ABe), two rockers (BC, AD), and a coupler (CD). The base (AB) is arranged in a plane extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal seat axis (X-X). The rockers (BC, AD) are pivotable about rotation axes extending substantially parallel to transverse seat axis. The linkage encompasses two linkage parts, each constituted by at least one articulated rectangle (ABCD; CDEF), that each have a base (AB, CD), two rockers (BC, AD; DE, CF), and a coupler (DC, EF). The base (AB) of the first linkage part is fixed with respect to the floor structure (4) of the vehicle, the coupler (CD) of the first linkage part constitutes the base (CD) of the second linkage part, the coupler (EF) of the second linkage part is fixed with respect to the seat part (2), and a rocker (DE, CF) of the second linkage part is coupled in constrainedly kinematic fashion to a rocker (AD) of the first linkage part.

Claims

1. An apparatus for adjusting the vertical and longitudinal position an the inclination of a pivotable seat part (2) of a vehicle seat (1) relative to a floor structure (4) of the vehicle, having a linkage that encompasses a linkage part, constituted by at least one articulated rectangle (ABCD), that has a base (AB), two rockers (BC, AD), and a coupler (CD), the base (AB) being arranged in a plane extending substantially parallel to a longitudinal seat axis (X-X), and the rockers (BC, AD) being pivotable about rotation axes extending substantially parallel to a transverse seat axis,

wherein the linkage encompasses two linkage parts, each constituted by at least one articulated rectangle (ABCD;

CDEE), that each have a base (AB;

CD), two rockers (BC, AD;

DE, CF), and a coupler (CD;

EF), the base (AB) of the first linkage part being fixed with respect to the floor structure (4) of the vehicle, the coupler (CD) of the first linkage part constituting the base (CD) of the second linkage part, the coupler (EF) of the second linkage part being fixed with respect to the seat part (2), and a rocker (DE, CF) of the second linkage part being coupled in constrainedly kinematic fashion to a rocker (AD) of the first linkage part.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the articulated rectangle (ABCD) of the first linkage part constitutes a parallelogram.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1 or 2, wherein the articulated rectangle (CDEF) of the second linkage part constitutes a parallelogram.

4. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 3, wherein the articulated rectangle (ABCD) of the first linkage part and the articulated rectangle (CDEF) of the second linkage part lie substantially in one plane.

5. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 4, wherein the base (AB) of the first linkage part is constituted by the vehicle body, in particular by the floor structure (4) of the vehicle.

6. The apparatus as fdeined in one of claims 1 through 5, wherein the first linkage part and the second linkage part each encompass two articulated rectangles (ABCD;

CDEF) arranged on either side of the seat part (2), the respective rockers (AD, BC;

DE, CF) being constituted as lever pairs arranged on either side of the seat part (2).

7. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 6, wherein the couplers (CD) of the first linkage part and the bases (CD) of the second linkage part are respectively constituted by coupler bars arranged on either side of the seat part (2).

8. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 7, wherein the constrained kinematic coupling of the rocker (DE, CF) of the second linkage part with the rocker (AD) of the first linkage part is accomplished via a third linkage part.

9. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the linkage encompasses a third linkage part that is embodied as a gear linkage.

10. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 9, wherein the linkage encompasses a third linkage part that is embodied as a planetary gear drive having gears (6, 7, 8, 9), or at least gear segments, meshing with one another in pairs and held together by a peripheral flange, the peripheral flange being constituted by a rocker (AD) of the first linkage part.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 8 or 9, wherein the third linkage part encompasses at least two gears (7, 8) or at least gear segments, one of the gears (8) being embodied as a pinion, i.e. with a smaller diameter than the other gear (7), and meshing with the other gear (7) or at least gear segment, and the pinion being secured in rotationally movable fashion on the coupler (CD) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD), and the other gear (7) in a common articulation point (C) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD) and the second articulated rectangle (CDEF), and a rocker (BC) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD) having an angled-lever-like extension (CC1) at whose end (C1) is articulated a lever-like coupling member (13) that in turn is articulated at the other end in an articulation point (E) of the coupler (EF) of the second articulated rectangle (CDEF).

12. The apparatus as defined in claim 10, wherein the third linkage part is embodied as an open external linkage.

13. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 9 through 12, wherein the gears or at least gear segments are embodied as spur gears.

14. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 8 through 10, wherein the third linkage part encompasses at least three gears (6, 7, 8) or at least gear segments, one of the gears (8) being embodied as a pinion, i.e. with a smaller diameter than the other gears (6, 7) and meshing with the other two gears (6, 7) or at least gear segments.

15. The apparatus defined in one of claims 8 through 10, wherein the third linkage part encompasses four gears (6, 7, 8, 9) or at least gear segments, two gears (8, 9) of differing size being arranged coaxially and nonrotatably with respect to one another, and each of these two gears (8, 9) meshing with one of the other two gears (6, 7) or at least gear segments.

16. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 8 through 15, wherein the rotation axis of one gear (6, 7) or at least tooth segment of the third linkage part extends through a fixed articulation point (A) and/or a movable articulation point (C) of a rocker (AD, BC) of the first linkage part.

17. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 9 through 16, wherein one gear (6) or at least tooth segment is fixed nonrotatably with respect to the floor structure (4) of the vehicle.

18. The apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein one gear (8) embodied as a pinion, i.e. with a smaller diameter than all other gears (6, 7, 9), meshes with one gear (6) or at least tooth segment of the third linkage part and is arranged coaxially and nonrotatably with respect to another gear (9), which in turn meshes with a further gear (7) or at least tooth segment.

19. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 9 through 18, wherein one of the gears (6, 7, 8, 9), preferably the gear (8) embodied as a pinion, is drivable by way of a rotary drive

20. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 14 throuqh 19, wherein the gear (8) embodied as a pinion is guided in an oblong-hole guide (6a) on the first gear (6).

21. The apparatus as defined in claim 19 or 20, wherein the rotary drive is embodied as a stepping mechanism placed centeredly onto the rotation axis of the pinion.

22. The apparatus as defined in claim 19 or 20, wherein the rotary drive is embodied as an electric-motor drive acting on the rotation axis of the gear (6, 7, 8, 9).

23. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 22, characterized by a pivot drive (HA) for a rocker (AD) of the first linkage part.

24. The apparatus adsefined in one of claims 9 through 23, wherein one gear (7) of the third linkage part is joined nonrotatably, via an entrainment and guidance part (7a), to a rocker (DE) of the second linkage part

25. The apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the entrainment and guidance part (7a) is pivotable on the second gear (7) about an articulation point (D) of a rocker (DE) of the second linkage part, and is fixable at least in various basic positions with respect to the gear (7) that is joined nonrotatably to the rocker (DE) of the second linkage part.

26. The apparatus as defined in claim 24 or 25, wherein the entrainment and guidance part (7a) is fixable in various discrete basic positions with respect to the second gear (7) by means of an index pin, by a catch or by another positive connection.

27. The apparatus as defined in claim 24, wherein the entrainment and guidance part (7a) is steplessly adjustable with respect to the second gear by means of a manually guided or electric-motor pinion drive, and is fixable by means of an inhibiting device.

28. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the linkage encompasses a third linkage part that encompasses at least one lever-like coupling member (10, 11, 13, 14a, 14b, 14c, 15a, 15b, 15c).

29. The apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein a/the coupling member (10, 11)is embodied as a coupling bar (10, GI) that joins a rocker (AD) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD) to a rocker (CF) of the second articulated rectangle (CDEF).

30. The apparatus as defined in claim 28, wherein a/the coupling member (10, 11) is embodied as a rocker that joins the base (AB) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD) to the base (CD) of the second articulated rectangle (CDEF).

31. The apparatus as defined in claim 30, wherein the rocker (11, JK) has a gate (12 ) that on the one hand is movable on the rocker (11, JK) in the latter'"'"'s longitudinal direction, and on the other hand is joinable, rotatably about at least one mounting point (L),to the coupler (EF) of the second articulated rectangle (CDEF).

32. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 8, wherein the linkage encompasses a third linkage part that encompasses three lever-like coupling members (14a, 14b, 14c;

15a, 15b, 15c) joined articulatedly to one another.

33. The apparatus as defined in claim 28 or 32, wherein at least one of the coupling members (13, 14a) is telescopable, i.e. can be set to a specific length.

34. The apparatus as defined in claim 32 or 33, wherein at least one of the coupling members (13, 14a, 15c) is articulated in rotationally movable fashion on a rocker (DE, CF) of the second articulated rectangle (CDEF).

35. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 32 through 34, wherein at least one of the coupling members (13, 14b, 14c, 15b) is articulated in rotationally movable fashion on a rocker (BC) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD).

36. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 32 through 35, wherein at least one of the coupling members (13, 14c, 15c) is articulated in rotationally movable fashion in an articulation point (E, B, F) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD) or of the second articulated rectangle (CDEF).

37. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 32 through 36, wherein at least one of the coupling members (15a) is articulated in rotationally movable fashion in an articulation point (U) on the coupler (CD) of the first articulated rectangle (ABCD).

38. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 32 through 37, wherein at least one articulation point (U, V) of one of the coupling members (15a) is fixable in various discrete or ungraduated basic positions with respect to at least one member (CD) of at least one articulated rectangle (ABCD, CDEF) or with respect to at least one further coupling member (15b).

39. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 38, wherein the linkage is embodied in such a way that all points on the seat part (2) that is fixed with respect to the coupler (EF) of the second linkage part describe when viewed in cross section, upon adjustment of the first linkage part and in particular upon pivoting of a first rocker (AD) of the first linkage part, an integral, closed, preferably loop-free coupling-point trajectory.

40. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 gwherein the linkage is embodied in such a way that all points on the seat part (2) that is fixed with respect to the coupler (EF) of the second linkage part describe—

when viewed in cross section—

upon adjustment of the first linkage part and in particular upon pivoting of a first rocker (AD) of the first linkage part, a coupling-point trajectory at least 200 mm in length.

41. The apparatus as defined in one of claims 1 through 40, wherein the linkage is embodied in such a way that all points on the seat part (2) that is fixed with respect to the coupler (EF) of the second linkage part describe—

when viewed in cross section—

upon adjustment of the first linkage part and in particular upon pivoting of a first rocker (AD) of the first linkage part, parallel to a longitudinal seat axis (X-X), a coupling-point trajectory that rises in the viewing direction (R) of a seat user.

42. A vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat (1), having an apparatus for adjusting the vertical and longitudinal position and the inclination of a pivotable seat part (2 ) relative to a floor structure (4), as defined in one of claims 1 through 34.

43. The apparatus as defined in claim 42, wherein the seat part (2) is joined to a seatback (3) arranged pivotably with respect to the seat part (2).