Backrest adjuster and vehicle seat with a backrest adjuster

Abstract

Backrest adjuster (1) for a vehicle seat, with at least one upper fitting part (B1), one lower fitting part (B2) and a fitting (2) arranged therebetween, wherein a separate adapter (5) is arranged on a side of the upper fitting part (B1) or the lower fitting part (B2) facing away from the fitting (2), which adapter can be inserted through a recess in the upper fitting part (B1) or the lower fitting part (B2).is fixed to the fitting (2) in the fitting lower part (B2), and wherein an operating lever (4) is provided which is arranged on the side of the adapter (5) facing away from the fitting (2) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner thereon, and wherein the adapter (5) is detachably connected to a transmission rod (3) which connects two fittings (2) to one another, wherein the adapter (5) and the operating lever (4) have profiles which correspond to one another, in particular which engage one another and are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the profiles are designed as ribs projecting from the surface, wherein the inside of the operating lever (4) has a first formation (4.2) which encloses a through-opening of the operating lever (4) at a certain distance, which projects axially in the direction of the adapter (5) from the inside and which has a recess (4.2.1), wherein six radially projecting ribs (4.3) are arranged, which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction and which engage in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner between axially projecting circular segments (5.2) arranged on the adapter (5).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a backrest adjuster for adjusting a seat back of a vehicle seat and a vehicle seat with such a backrest adjuster.

[0002] Such a backrest adjuster is known with fittings for the manual or electrically operated adjustment of a vehicle seat backrest with or without an easy-entry system, which enables various comfortable or use positions of the seat backrest or facilitates entry into the rear compartment of a vehicle. The fitting is actuated by an operating lever, in particular a release lever, which can be arranged on the fitting itself or on a backrest of the vehicle seat, whereby the backrest of the vehicle seat is unlocked and can be pivoted into a comfortable position or out of an entry area. If the vehicle seat is mounted on rails, the vehicle seat can also be displaced in the direction of travel from the entry area when the release lever is actuated.

[0003] DE 10 2010 025 112 A1 describes a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, with a first fitting part and a second fitting part, which can be locked together and rotated relative to one another about an axis, a transmission rod, the rotation of which unlocks the fitting, and a hand lever, the actuation of which rotates the transmission rod to unlock the fitting, wherein a stop module is provided which is operatively connected on the one hand to the hand lever and on the other hand to the transmission rod and which brings the hand lever and one of the fitting parts into abutment relative to one another in at least one direction of rotation.

[0004] From DE 100 28 119 A1 a seat adjustment device for a vehicle is known, comprising a lower arm intended to be fixedly arranged on a seat cushion element, an upper arm arranged rotatably with the lower arm and intended to be fastened to a seat back element, a locking mechanism for locking the upper arm relative to the lower arm, wherein the locking mechanism has a rotatable cam and a spring arranged between the lower arm and the cam for applying a prestressing force to the cam, wherein the spring is arranged to wind around the axis of rotation of the cam.

[0005] DE 10 2012 010 402 B3 describes a fitting for a vehicle seat with a first fitting part and a second fitting part, which are rotatable relative to one another about an axis, wherein a gear ring is formed on the first fitting part and guide segments are formed on the second fitting part, with latches which are guided by the guide segments and are radially displaceable between a locked state and an unlocked state and, in the locked state, interact with the gear ring to lock the fitting, and with a spring-loaded, rotatably mounted eccentric which acts on the latches to cause them to interact with the gear ring, as well as with a rotatably mounted driver for rotating the eccentric and an indicator which is connected to the driver in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein a sensor connected to the fitting detects a change in the position of the indicator and converts this into an electrical output signal.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide an improved backrest adjuster with a fitting for adjusting a seat back and a vehicle seat with an improved backrest adjuster.

[0007] With regard to the backrest adjuster, the object is achieved according to the invention by the features specified in patent claim 1. With regard to the vehicle seat, the object is achieved according to the invention by the features specified in patent claim 7.

[0008] The subject matter according to the invention comprises a backrest adjuster with an upper fitting part, a lower fitting part, and a fitting arranged between them, in particular a rotary and / or locking fitting for adjusting a seat backrest, wherein the upper fitting part is fastened to the backrest and the lower fitting part is fastened to a seat-side or body-side substructure. Such a fitting with an upper and lower fitting part is arranged on both sides of the vehicle seat. The two fittings are rotatably coupled to one another by means of a transmission rod. To return the seat backrest to its initial position, in particular to a sitting or initial position, the backrest adjuster preferably comprises at least one return spring, which is arranged in particular on the inside of the upper fitting part.

[0009] The respective fitting, designed as a rotary and / or locking fitting, serves to adjust the inclination and / or freely pivot the seat back. In particular, the respective fitting can be configured to position the seat back in various sitting or comfort positions and / or in an easy-entry position, or to provide an integrated comfort lock for positioning the seat back in at least one comfort or sitting position.

[0010] At least one of the fittings is connected to an operating lever via an adapter on the outside, particularly on the side facing away from the transmission rod and the second fitting. The adapter is mounted on the fitting, particularly on a driver or on a fastening ring or disc of the fitting, and is mounted on the operating lever in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0011] For this purpose, the adapter and the operating lever have corresponding, in particular interlocking, and rotationally fixed profiles, wherein the profiles are designed as ribs projecting from the surface. The adapter and the fitting are preferably rotationally fixedly coupled to one another by means of a detachable connection, in particular a snap-in and / or locking connection. According to the invention, the adapter and the transmission rod are detachably coupled to one another, in particular by means of a snap-in and / or plug-in and / or locking connection.

[0012] In addition to the axially projecting rib-shaped profiles for the rotationally fixed coupling of adapter and operating lever, the adapter preferably has at least one or two or more than two radially projecting stops, for example in the form of circle-segment-like flags or extensions, into which one or more corresponding fitting-side stop elements, for example in the form of one or more tabs, of the seat-part-fixed fitting engage to limit the rotation of the adapter and thus the rotation of the operating lever relative to the seat part.

[0013] The adapter can preferably be returned to an initial position by means of an associated return element, in particular independently of the locking state of the fitting. Thus, the fitting is rotatably engaged with the operating lever via the adapter for locking or unlocking, with the pivoting range of the operating lever being limited, in particular, by a tab of the fitting engaging the adapter and a stop of the adapter corresponding to this tab.

[0014] A backrest adjuster according to the invention for a vehicle seat comprises at least one upper fitting part, one lower fitting part and a fitting arranged therebetween, wherein a separate adapter is arranged on a side of the upper fitting part or the lower fitting part facing away from the fitting, which adapter is fixed to the fitting by a recess in the upper fitting part or in the lower fitting part, and wherein an operating lever is provided which is arranged on the side of the adapter facing away from the fitting in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner, and wherein the adapter is detachably connected to a transmission rod which connects two fittings to one another.

[0015] For this purpose, a further development of the invention provides that the adapter has at least one radially projecting stop, into which at least one corresponding stop element of the fitting engages. This ensures that the adapter is connected to the fitting in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0016] According to the invention, the adapter and the operating lever have corresponding, in particular interlocking, profiles that are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner. The adapter and the operating lever are preferably additionally coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed manner by a fastening means. Thus, when the operating lever is actuated to adjust the backrest, the release mechanism of the fitting is triggered.

[0017] According to the invention, the profiles are designed as ribs projecting from the surface. According to a preferred development, further profiles are provided, which are designed as webs and / or serrations projecting from the surface. This creates the torsional rigidity between the adapter and the operating lever.

[0018] A further design of the backrest adjuster provides that the adapter and the operating lever each have at least one fastening element designed as a snap-in, plug-in, and / or locking connection. Thus, the two elements are positively connected to each other.

[0019] According to the invention, the adapter and the transmission rod are detachably connected to each other. This allows the two elements to be easily assembled and / or disassembled.

[0020] Furthermore, a variant of the backrest adjuster provides for the adapter to be connected to the fitting in a form-fitting and rotationally fixed manner, in particular by means of a snap-in and / or plug-in and / or locking connection. This enables the release mechanism of the backrest adjuster to be activated by the operating lever.

[0021] Another design of the backrest adjuster features a return element, which is designed as a spring element with a first spring end connected to the adapter and a second spring end connected to the fitting. Thus, the same initial position is always automatically assumed between the adapter and the fitting after the operating lever is operated.

[0022] In a further development of the invention, a second fitting element is provided, consisting of an upper fitting part, a lower fitting part, and a fitting arranged therebetween, which is detachably and rotatably connected to the fitting by a transmission rod. This enables simultaneous unlocking of the locking mechanism by an actuating lever.

[0023] One embodiment of the invention provides for the fitting to be designed as a rotating and / or locking fitting. This allows for various comfortable or use positions of the seat backrest or facilitates access to the rear compartment of a vehicle.

[0024] Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to schematic figures. In the following: Fig. 1 schematically shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a backrest adjuster for a vehicle seat not shown in detail, Fig. 2 schematically shows the backrest adjuster in assembled condition with adapter, operating lever and fastening means, Fig. 3 schematically shows in perspective view from the inside an operating lever which is fixed to the outside of an adapter according to Fig. 4 is arranged, Fig. 4A, Fig. 4B schematically shows, in a perspective view from the outside, two embodiments of an adapter which is arranged on the outside of a fitting of the backrest adjuster, Fig. 5 schematically shows in plan view from the outside the adapter according to Fig. 4B, Fig. 6 schematically shows in plan view from the inside the adapter according to Fig. 4B, Fig. 7 schematically shows an embodiment of an assembled backrest adjuster in plan view of the operating lever, Fig. 8 schematically shows an embodiment of an assembled backrest adjuster in plan view on the lever side without operating lever and fastening means, and Fig. 9 schematically shows an enlarged view of a stop element on the seat part side and a corresponding stop on the adapter side.

[0025] Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference numerals in all figures.

[0026] The Fig. 1 schematically shows a manually operable backrest adjuster 1 for a vehicle seat not shown in detail.

[0027] The vehicle seat, not shown in detail, usually comprises a seat part and a seat back that can be pivoted on it as seat components.

[0028] The backrest adjuster 1 comprises two fittings 2 on both outer sides, designed as rotary or locking fittings, for releasably locking and adjusting the inclination and, if necessary, freely pivoting the seat back relative to the seat part. The two fittings 2 are rotatably coupled to each other by means of a transmission rod 3.

[0029] To unlock the fitting 2 and to adjust the inclination of the seat back relative to the seat part, the backrest adjuster 1 comprises an operating lever 4, which is arranged on the outside of one of the fitting sides of the backrest adjuster 1 on one of the fittings 2 by means of an adapter 5 and unlocks the relevant fitting 2 and drives the transmission rod 3 via this and thus unlocks and drives the opposite fitting 2.

[0030] A first fitting part B1 and a second fitting part B2 are arranged on both sides of the vehicle seat. One of the fittings 2 is arranged between the fitting parts B1 and B2 on each outer side of the vehicle seat. The first fitting part B1 is, for example, firmly connected to the structure of the seat back and is therefore fixed to the backrest (also called the upper fitting part or backrest-fixed fitting part). The second fitting part B2 is firmly connected to the structure of the seat part and is therefore fixed to the seat part (also called the lower fitting part or seat-fixed fitting part). The assignments of the fitting parts B1 and B2 can also be reversed, ie the first fitting part B1 is fixed to the seat part and the second fitting part B2 is fixed to the backrest.

[0031] For actuating, in particular locking and unlocking, the fitting 2, the operating lever 4 is fastened to the adapter 5 on one of the outer sides of the vehicle seat by means of a fastening means 6, in particular a screw, such as a plastic screw, in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner.

[0032] The operating lever 4 is designed in such a way that, when actuated by means of the adapter 5, it rotates the transmission rod 3 so that the fitting 2 arranged on the same outer side and the fitting 2 arranged on the opposite outer side of the vehicle seat are actuated and thereby optionally opened.

[0033] The operating lever 4 comprises a lever element 4.1. The lever element 4.1 is adjustable between a first position in which the fitting 2 is locked and a second position in which the fitting 2 is open.

[0034] Because the seat backrest's fittings 2 are open in the second position of the lever element 4.1, the seat backrest can be manually pivoted. When the lever element 4.1 is in the first position, the fittings 2 are locked and the seat backrest is secured in a corresponding manually adjusted position.

[0035] The backrest adjuster 1 further comprises a stop element 7, which is part of the seat-side or body-side fitting B2 or is firmly connected, e.g., welded, to this fitting B2. The stop element 7 is designed in the form of a tab protruding from the second fitting B2. The stop element 7 also serves to limit the pivoting of the operating lever 4.

[0036] The adapter 5 is coupled to the transmission rod 3 in a rotationally fixed manner, so that the rotational movement of the operating lever 4 is transmitted via the adapter 5 and via this to the transmission rod 3 and the opposite fitting 2.

[0037] Here, the adapter 5 and the operating lever 4 have corresponding, in particular interlocking, profiles, which are designed as ribs projecting from the surface. The adapter 5 and the fitting 2 are coupled to one another in a rotationally fixed manner by means of a detachable connection, in particular a snap-in and / or plug-in and / or locking connection. In addition, the adapter 5 and the transmission rod 3 are detachably coupled to one another in a form-fitting manner, in particular by means of a snap-in and / or plug-in and / or locking connection.

[0038] In addition to the particularly axially projecting rib-shaped profiles for the rotationally fixed coupling of adapter 5 and operating lever 4, the adapter 5 has at least one or two radially projecting stops 10, for example in the form of circle-segment-like flags or extensions, into which one or more corresponding fitting-side stop elements 7, for example in the form of one or more tabs, of the seat-part-fixed fitting part B2 engage to limit the rotation of the adapter 5 and thus the rotation of the operating lever 4 relative to the seat part.

[0039] In one possible embodiment, as in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the backrest adjuster 1 comprises a return spring 8 for each fitting 2. The two return springs 8 are articulated on the upper side of the fitting (backrest-fixed) and on the lower side of the fitting (seat part or body-fixed) and are arranged in such a way that when the fittings 2 are open they act in the direction of travel and the pivoting seat backrest can be adjusted to a folding or floor position.

[0040] For example, according to the embodiment according to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 a backrest-fixed bracket 8.1 as a pivot point for one end of the return spring 8 and as a support and a bracket 8.2 on the underside of the fitting, which is arranged, for example, in a materially bonded manner, as the opposite pivot point for the other end of the return spring 8.

[0041] Furthermore, a limit stop 11 is provided to limit the adjustment travel of the first fitting part B1 during the inclination adjustment of the seat backrest. The second fitting part B2 has counter stops 12 corresponding to the limit stop 11.

[0042] Furthermore, the backrest adjuster 1 for the adapter 5 comprises an associated return element 9, in particular a spring. The return element 9 returns the adapter 5 to its initial position, particularly regardless of the locking state of the lever-side fitting 2, thereby locking the lever-side fitting 2.

[0043] Fig. 3 shows an inside of the operating lever 4 facing the adapter 5 in a perspective view.

[0044] The operating lever 4 has two regions, with the lever axis being located in a first region, around which the operating lever 4 can pivot. This first region is essentially circular. The lever axis is located in the center of the first region in the through-opening shown in the present embodiment, through which the transmission rod 3 is arranged in the assembled state of the backrest adjuster 1. A second region is formed by the previously described lever element 4.1.

[0045] The inner side of the operating lever 4 has a first formation 4.2 which encloses the through-opening of the operating lever 4 at a certain distance, which protrudes axially from the inner side in the direction of the adapter 5 and which has a recess 4.2.1. The recess 4.2.1 is connected to the through-opening and essentially has a star-shaped, crown-shaped, toothed-ring-shaped, or thorax-shaped (for example, rib-shaped) profile. This means that the profile has a number of depressions and a number of projections distributed over the circumference, wherein at least one of the depressions in the present exemplary embodiment has larger dimensions than the other depressions, in particular a larger diameter and / or a larger width / height / depth.

[0046] The recess 4.2.1 is designed to correspond to a second formation 5.1 arranged on the adapter 5, for the force-locking and form-locking coupling of both formations 5.1, 4.2 and thus of the adapter 5 and the operating lever 4.

[0047] Six radially projecting ribs 4.3 are arranged on the first protrusion 4.2, which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction and which engage in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner between axially projecting circular segments 5.2 arranged on the adapter 5, thereby ensuring mechanical stability for absorbing torque when pivoting the operating lever 4 onto the adapter 5. In a version not shown in detail, the number of radially projecting ribs may vary.

[0048] The inside of the operating lever 4 also has three first clip elements 4.4, each of which is arranged between two ribs 4.3.

[0049] The Fig. 4A and Fig. 4B show two embodiments of an adapter 5 in a perspective view from the outside.

[0050] In both embodiments, the adapter 5 has the previously described second formation 5.1 and the circular segments 5.2, wherein the circular segments 5.2 are arranged around the second formation 5.1 and have a substantially U-shape. Furthermore, the adapter 5 has a number of second clip elements 5.3 and a receiving element 5.4, which are arranged in Fig. 5 are shown in more detail.

[0051] For example, the receiving element 5.4 is designed as a material accumulation into which the fastening means 6, in particular a screw, is inserted in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner during the assembly of the adapter 5 and the operating lever 4.

[0052] Alternatively, in an embodiment not shown, the receiving element 5.4 can be designed as a clip element. In this case, the fastening means 6 is designed as a snap-in plug or a similar element.

[0053] The second formation 5.1 has a shape corresponding to the recess 4.2.1 arranged in the operating lever 4, in particular a star shape with a number of depressions and projections.

[0054] The depressions are in a Fig. 4A shown first embodiment is flatter than in a Fig. 4B shown second embodiment. The adapter 5 according to Fig. 4B with the deeper depressions creates space (as in Fig. 5 in plan view) for a slider in order to be able to release (clip on) the locking or snap connection and thus the second clip elements 5.3.

[0055] Fig. 5 shows the adapter 5 schematically in plan view from the outside according to Fig. 4B.

[0056] The second clip elements 5.3 are each arranged between two projections of the second formation and are thus spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. The second clip elements 5.3 serve to provide a rotationally fixed coupling, in particular an axial connection, between the adapter 5 and the fitting 2.

[0057] The receiving element 5.4 is provided on an inner circumference of a through-opening provided in the second recess 5.1, which, in the assembled state of the backrest adjuster 1, is aligned with the lever axis and spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the through-opening. The present embodiment shows three receiving elements 5.4 (alternatively, three third clip elements). The receiving elements 5.4 or third clip elements serve to positively and / or non-positively and rotationally secure the adapter 5 and the operating lever 4.

[0058] Fig. 6 shows the adapter 5 from the inside in plan view according to Fig. 4B.

[0059] Fig. 7 schematically shows an embodiment of an assembled backrest adjuster 1 in a plan view of the operating lever 4.

[0060] Fig. 8 shows an embodiment of an assembled backrest adjuster 1 in a plan view on the lever side without the operating lever 4 with the tab-shaped stop element 7 on the seat part side and the corresponding circular segment-shaped stop 10 on the adapter side.

[0061] Fig. 9 shows the stop element 7 and the stop 10 corresponding to it in an enlarged view.

[0062] Instead of the example shown in Fig. 1 and Fig.2, a torsion bar spring (not shown in detail) can also be used as the return spring, which is hinged to the backrest adjuster 1 in a manner fixed to the seat part and the backrest. List of reference symbols 1 manually operated backrest adjuster 2 fittings B1 first fitting part B2 second fitting part 3 transmission rod 4 control levers 4.1 Lever element 4.2 first formation 4.2.1 Recess 4.3 Ribs 4.4 first clip elements 5 adapters 5.1 second form 5.2 Circle segments 5.3 second clip elements 5.4 Receiving element 6 fasteners 7 Stop element 8 Return spring 9 Reset element 10 stops 11 Limit stop 12 Counter stop

Claims

[1] Backrest adjuster (1) for a vehicle seat, with at least one upper fitting part (B1), one lower fitting part (B2) and a fitting (2) arranged therebetween, wherein a separate adapter (5) is arranged on a side of the upper fitting part (B1) or the lower fitting part (B2) facing away from the fitting (2), which adapter can be inserted through a recess in the upper fitting part (B1) or the lower fitting part (B2).is fixed to the fitting (2) in the fitting lower part (B2), and wherein an operating lever (4) is provided which is arranged on the side of the adapter (5) facing away from the fitting (2) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner thereon, and wherein the adapter (5) is detachably connected to a transmission rod (3) which connects two fittings (2) to one another, wherein the adapter (5) and the operating lever (4) have profiles which correspond to one another, in particular which engage one another and are connected to one another in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the profiles are designed as ribs projecting from the surface, wherein the inside of the operating lever (4) has a first formation (4.2) which encloses a through-opening of the operating lever (4) at a certain distance, which projects axially in the direction of the adapter (5) from the inside and which has a recess (4.2.1), wherein six radially projecting ribs (4.3) are arranged, which are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction and which engage in a force-fitting and form-fitting manner between axially projecting circular segments (5.2) arranged on the adapter (5). [2] Backrest adjuster (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the adapter (5) has at least one radially projecting stop (10) into which at least one corresponding fitting-side stop element (7) of the fitting (2) engages. [3] Backrest adjuster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adapter (5) and the operating lever (4) each have at least one fastening element designed as a snap and / or plug and / or latching connection (4.4, 5.3). [4] Backrest adjuster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the adapter (5) is connected to the fitting (2) in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting and rotationally fixed manner. [5] Backrest adjuster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a return element (9) is provided which is designed as a spring element with a first spring end which is connected to the adapter (5) and with a second spring end which is connected to the fitting (2). [6] Backrest adjuster (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a second fitting element is provided, consisting of an upper fitting part (B1), a lower fitting part (B2) and a fitting (2) arranged therebetween, which is detachably and rotatably connected to the fitting (2) by a transmission rod (3). [7] Vehicle seat with a backrest adjuster (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

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