Automotive seat with a backrest whose position can be electrically adjusted

• US 20050168035A1
• Filed: 02/25/2003
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH (Adient plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH (Adient plc)
• Inventors: Boudinot, Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,192,089 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/378.100
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/20 the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access B60N2/04, B60N2/22 , B60N2/3002 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/22 the back-rest being adjustable B60N2/2878 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/3013 the back-rest being hinged on the vehicle frame
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/36 into a loading platform B60N2/065 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/5685 Resistance
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2205/35 Seat, bench or back-rests being split laterally in two or more parts

Abstract

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.

Claims

1-12. -12. (canceled)

13. A vehicle seat comprising:

a seat part;

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).