Device for an adjusting mechanism, said adjusting mechanism and method

• US 7,667,345 B2
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Issued: 02/23/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH (Adient plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH (Adient plc)
• Inventors: Hoge, Ralf, Szablewski, Piotr, Boudinot, Richard, Czinki, Alexander, Pellenz, Wolfgang, Budweg, Mario
• Primary Examiner(s): Fleming; Fritz M
• Application Number:
  US10/556,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20060250009A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,118 Days
• Field of Search: 307/9.1, 307/10.1
• US Class Current: 307/9.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0228 Hand-activated mechanical switches B60N2/0229 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0244 with logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0252 with relations between different adjustments, e.g. height of headrest following longitudinal position of seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0278 using sensors external to the seat for measurements in relation to the seat adjustment, e.g. for identifying the presence of obstacles or the appropriateness of the occupants position
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/06 slidable B60N2/12 , B60N2/2209 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/0881 Activation of the latches by the control mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/22 the back-rest being adjustable B60N2/2878 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/919 Positioning and locking mechanisms B60N2/16, B60N2/18, B60N2/22, B60N2/225 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2210/50 Inertial sensors

Abstract

A device for blocking and for releasing an adjusting mechanism having at least two parts which are movable relative to each other is disclosed. The device comprises a blocker configured to be brought at least into a blocking position and a release position relative to the adjusting mechanism. The device further comprises an actuator for changing the position of the blocker between the blocking position and the release position.

Claims

1. A device for blocking and for releasing an adjusting mechanism, the adjusting mechanism having at least two parts which are movable relative to each other, the parts being provided in a first position with respect to each other in a first setting of the adjusting mechanism, and the parts being provided in a second position with respect to each other in a second setting of the adjusting mechanism, the device having a blocker, it being possible for the blocker to be brought at least into a blocking position and into a release position relative to the adjusting mechanism, an adjustment of the adjusting mechanism from its first setting to its second setting being provided only when the blocker is in its release position, wherein the improvement comprises an electric unlocking actuator for changing the position of the blocker between a blocking position and a release position, wherein when the unlocking actuator is activated, a first power requirement for releasing the blocker is provided, and in that, in order to maintain the releasing of the blocker, a second power requirement of the unlocking actuator is provided, the second power requirement being smaller than the first power requirement, wherein the unlocking actuator comprises a first partial unlocking actuator and a second partial unlocking actuator, the first and second partial unlocking actuators jointly bringing about the release of the blocker.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the electric actuator comprises an electric locking actuator.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the electric actuator comprises a spring-based, mechanical locking actuator.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the electric actuator for changing the position of the blocker from its blocking position to its release position can be carried out counter to an action of force of the locking actuator.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein when the blocker is in the blocking position, a frictional, non-positive action of the blocker is applied to the adjusting mechanism.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the first power requirement of the unlocking actuator is realized by a first drive voltage, and the second power requirement of the unlocking actuator is realized by a second drive voltage.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the unlocking actuator can be driven with the first power requirement at maximum during a predetermined overload period.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second power requirements is at least partially constant in time.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the first power requirement is provided during a first drive period and the second power requirement is provided during a second drive period for driving the unlocking actuator.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein a repetition rate of an activation of the unlocking actuator is limited.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the blocker can be moved to a release position by deactivation of the unlocking actuator and blocker can be brought into a standby position by deactivation of the unlocking actuator.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein when there is a loss of voltage by the device, the unlocking actuator is deactivated.

13. The device of claim 11, further comprising a signaling device for signaling the presence of the blocking means in the standby position.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the unlocking actuator comprises an acceleration sensor for deactivating the unlocking actuator.

15. The device of claim 1, further comprising an actuating element for actuation of the unlocking actuator.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the actuating element is provided as a detector for detecting the end of the setting period.

17. The device of claim 15, further comprising a sensor assigned to the device for providing an inhibiting signal to prevent activation of the unlocking actuator.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein the sensor is selected from one of a seat occupant sensor and a body contact sensor.

19. An adjusting mechanism having a first part and having a second part, the parts being provided in a first position with respect to one another in a first setting of the adjusting mechanism, and the parts being provided in a second position with respect to one another in a second setting of the adjusting mechanism, the adjusting mechanism interacting with a device as claimed in claim 1.

20. A method for adjusting a component having an adjusting mechanism, in particular of a motor vehicle, wherein, in a first step, the actuation of an actuating element causes a blocker of a device for blocking and for releasing the adjusting mechanism to be brought into a release position by means of an electric unlocking actuator, as a result of which the adjusting mechanism can be adjusted, wherein, in a second step, the action of a force on the component causes the adjusting mechanism to be brought from a first setting into a second setting, and wherein, in a third step, the blocker of the device is brought into a blocking position and, as a result, the adjusting mechanism is blocked, wherein when the unlocking actuator is activated, a first power requirement for releasing the blocker is provided, and in that, in order to maintain the releasing of the blocker, a second power requirement of the unlocking actuator is provided, the second power requirement being smaller than the first power requirement, wherein the unlocking actuator comprises a first partial unlocking actuator and a second partial unlocking actuator, the first and second partial unlocking actuators jointly bringing about the release of the blocker.