SEAT RECLINING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLE

• US 20090096269A1
• Filed: 10/13/2008
• Published: 04/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Toyota Boshoku Kabushiki Kaisha (Toyota Motor Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Aisin Seiki Co., Ltd. (Aisin Corp.)
• Inventors: Kojima, Yasuhiro, Nihonmatsu, Hideo, Nagura, Mikihito
• Granted Patent: US 7,992,938 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 297/362
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/236 linearly movable

Abstract

A seat reclining apparatus includes a pair of first arms, a pair of second arms, a pair of hinge pins, a pair of reclining mechanisms including a pair of lock mechanisms, each of which includes a cam, the lock mechanism restricting a rotational movement of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and releasing a restriction of the rotational movement, by means of a rotational movement of the hinge pins and the cams, and a connecting member provided between the reclining mechanisms and connected to the hinge pins, wherein each of the hinge pins is structured so as to be inserted into each of the reclining mechanisms from an inward of the seat, and a connecting portion is provided at an inner end of at least one of the hinge pins facing the other one of the hinge pins and is connected to the connecting member.

Claims

1. A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle comprising:

a pair of first arms adapted to be supported by a seat cushion of a seat;

a pair of second arms adapted to be supported by a seat back of the seat and rotatably supported relative to the first arms;

a pair of hinge pins inserted thorough the first arms and the second arms;

a pair of reclining mechanisms including

a pair of lock mechanisms, each of which includes a cam provided between the first arm and the second arm and supported by the hinge pin so as to be integrally rotatable, keeping a clearance between the cam and the hinge pin, the lock mechanism restricting a rotational movement of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and releasing a restriction of the rotational movement of the seat back relative to the seat cushion, by means of a rotational movement of the hinge pins and the cams; and

a connecting member provided between the reclining mechanisms and connected to the hinge pins so as to be integrally rotatable, wherein each of the hinge pins is structured so as to be inserted into each of the reclining mechanisms from an inward of the seat, and

a connecting portion is provided at an inner end of at least one of the hinge pins facing the other one of the hinge pins and is connected to the connecting member.

2. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion is connected to the connecting member by welding.

3. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the connecting portion includes a socket into which an end portion of the connecting member is fitted, and an abutment portion which contacts an inner surface of one of the reclining mechanisms facing the other one of the reclining mechanisms.

4. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 2, wherein the connecting portion includes a socket into which an end portion of the connecting member is fitted, and an abutment portion which contacts an inner surface of one of the reclining mechanisms facing the other one of the reclining mechanisms.

5. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 3, wherein a socket hole, which includes a contacting base surface contacting an end surface of the connecting member and into which the end portion of the connecting member is fitted, is formed at the socket of the connecting portion.

6. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein a socket hole, which includes a contacting base surface contacting an end surface of the connecting member and into which the end portion of the connecting member is fitted, is formed at the socket of the connecting portion.

7. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 3, wherein the socket hole of the socket and the connecting member are cylindrically shaped.

8. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein the socket hole of the socket and the connecting member are cylindrically shaped.

9. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the socket hole of the socket and the connecting member are cylindrically shaped.

10. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 6, wherein the socket hole of the socket and the connecting member are cylindrically shaped.

11. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 3, wherein a socket flange, which has a contacting surface contacting an end surface of the connecting member, and a socket shaft, which is inserted into the end portion of the connecting member, are formed at the socket of the connecting portion.

12. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 4, wherein a socket flange, which has a contacting surface contacting an end surface of the connecting member, and a socket shaft, which is inserted into the end portion of the connecting member, are formed at the socket of the connecting portion.

13. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the connecting member is cylindrically shaped.

14. The seat reclining apparatus for the vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the connecting member is cylindrically shaped.