Arrangement of a component and of a drive element assigned to this component

• US 8,210,593 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2009
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Original Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Inventors: Jungert, Dieter, Gilbert, Tassilo
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US12/559,623
• Publication Number:
  US 20100148532A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,022 Days
• Field of Search: 296/65.15, 296/65.18, 248/429
• US Class Current: 296/65.15
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02246 Electric motors therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/02258 characterised by the mounting of the electric motor for adjusting the seat
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/1615 Parallelogram-like structure
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/165 Gear wheel driven mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B60N 2/686 Panel like structures

Abstract

An arrangement is provided for a component (6) and a drive element (11, 12) for the component. The drive element has a housing (9). The component is produced by a primary forming process, such as die-casting, thixomolding or plastic injection molding so that a region of the component defines the housing of the drive element. The component and the housing are distinguished by a low weight and a small structural space requirement.

Claims

1. A vehicular seat assembly, comprising:

rails mounted to a floor of a vehicle;

links having lower ends pivotally connected to the rails and upper ends opposite the lower ends;

a unitary seat structure pivotally connected to the upper ends of the links and including a housing that is a unitary part of the unitary seat structure; and

a drive element mounted in the housing of the unitary seat structure so that operative parts of the drive element are enclosed at least partly by the housing that is a unitary part of the unitary seat structure, the drive element being operatively connected to at least one of the links for adjusting a position of the seat structure relative to the rails.

2. The vehicular seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing that is a unitary part of the unitary seat structure is formed with an opening in a side surface that opens in a direction transverse to the rails for receiving the drive element.

3. The vehicular seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the unitary seat structure is made of a light metal.

4. The vehicular seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive element is an electric motor and a transmission.

5. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the unitary seat structure is a die-cast light metal, a thixomolded light metal or an injection molded plastic.

6. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing is unitary with a rear end of the unitary seat structure.

7. The vehicle seat assembly of claim 1, wherein the housing that is a unitary part of the unitary seat structure is the only housing surrounding the operative parts of the drive element.