Backrest adjustment fitting with a locking and unlocking device comprising two independently adjustable locking mechanisms

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a backrest adjustment fitting with a locking and unlocking device which locks two fitting parts of the backrest adjustment fitting in a locking position, wherein one of the fitting parts is assigned a worm with worm teeth and the other fitting part is assigned a worm wheel, wherein the worm teeth engage in the worm wheel.

[0002] From the publication DE 44 22 529 C2, a locking device for a manual quick-adjustment device is known, which is used in particular for the backrests of motor vehicle seats. The locking device comprises a worm gear mounted in a housing, which engages with a mating toothing of another gear element and has a locking area arranged on the worm gear, which can be brought into frictional or positive engagement with a locking element designed as a slide for the purpose of locking the quick-adjustment device.

[0003] EP 1 935 287 B1 describes a backrest adjustment device that rotatably supports a movable bracket attached to a rear seat frame on a fixed bracket and adjusts an inclination angle of a seat back. A worm is mounted on either the fixed bracket or the movable bracket. The backrest adjustment device further comprises a worm gear that engages the worm and is mounted on the movable bracket or the fixed bracket, respectively. An engagement element that can engage the worm then fixes the worm, preventing rotation thereof. One end in an axial direction of the worm is supported by a fixed bearing that is mounted on the fixed bracket or the movable bracket.The other end of the worm is axially supported by a movable bearing, which is mounted on the fixed bracket or the movable bracket for movement in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the worm. A pressing member is provided that presses the movable bearing in a direction such that it approaches the worm gear such that the axial center of the worm tilts around one end of the fixed bearing side, thereby pressing the worm toward the worm gear, and the rotational speed of the worm is slowed by frictional force when the seat back is held at a predetermined tilt angle.

[0004] EP 3 017 997 B1 discloses a rotation control mechanism, wherein a second element is held at a suitable rotation angle with respect to a first element. The rotation control mechanism comprises a worm. The worm is axially supported between bearing parts arranged at both end portions in an axial direction of the worm and is displaceable in a direction substantially orthogonal to an axial center. An output-side worm gear and a drive-side main worm gear are arranged, and the worm is configured to be supported between and mesh with the drive-side main worm gear and the output-side worm gear.The rotation control mechanism is constructed such that the driven-side worm gear is rotated via a rotational force that rotates the worm relatively via the drive-side main worm gear, and a rotational force of the driven-side worm gear is regenerated in the worm.

[0005] The document WO 2008 / 104334 A1 explains an adjustment fitting for a motor vehicle component, in particular a vehicle seat, with a first fitting part and with a second fitting part provided for this purpose by means of a gearing so as to be rotatably adjustable about a rotation axis, wherein the gearing comprises a first toothing on the first fitting part and wherein the gearing comprises a second toothing arranged eccentrically to the first toothing on the second fitting part, wherein two wedge segments are provided to ensure the eccentric arrangement of the first toothing relative to the second toothing.It is provided that the wedge segments are mounted radially on the outside in a sliding bushing having a bushing toothing, wherein the adjustment fitting has a braking element, wherein the braking element can be adjusted alternatively in a release position or in a blocking position, wherein the braking element is arranged within the radius of the sliding bushing in the release position and wherein the braking element engages in the bushing toothing in the blocking position.

[0006] The document DE 196 02 928 C1 describes a further adjustment device for a motor vehicle seat with two adjustment elements which are displaceable relative to one another in the longitudinal direction and are connected to one another, which has a locking device which has a displacement element which is coupled to one adjustment element and guided by the other adjustment element, wherein the adjustment element guiding the displacement element is provided with or connected to a toothing which runs in the longitudinal direction and into which the displacement element engages.The adjusting device also has a triggering device for locking and unlocking the locking device, which is characterized in that the displacement element is a helical spring which, in the relaxed state, is freely rotatable within the toothing and has a pitch angle which lies outside the self-locking range, and in that the helical spring is assigned a braking element which can be actuated by the triggering device and which, in the locked state, exerts a force on the helical spring, thereby blocking it.

[0007] Reference is also made to the generic publications JP 2007 130455 A and JP 3 881075 B2. The invention is based on the object of providing an adjustment fitting for a motor vehicle component, in particular a vehicle seat, which can absorb high forces and can be comfortably adjusted with essentially no play.

[0008] The starting point of the invention is a backrest adjustment fitting with a locking and unlocking device which locks two fitting parts of the backrest adjustment fitting in a locking position, wherein one of the fitting parts is assigned a worm with worm teeth and the other fitting part is assigned a worm wheel, wherein the worm teeth engage in the worm wheel, wherein the locking and unlocking device has two locking mechanisms, wherein the first locking mechanism acts on the worm in the locking position radially to the longitudinal extent of the worm and the second locking mechanism acts on the worm in the locking position axially in the longitudinal extent of the worm, so that the worm is doubly clamped in its locking position with its worm teeth in the worm wheel, wherein the first locking mechanism has an actuating element which acts on a radial clamping element,which clamps the worm in the locking position in a radial direction of action relative to its longitudinal extent, and the second locking mechanism has an actuating element that acts on an axial clamping element that clamps the worm in the locking position in an axial direction of action relative to its longitudinal extent, wherein the locking position of the locking mechanisms is achieved by an operating action of an actuating member that is operatively connected to one of the locking mechanisms, and the unlocking position of the locking mechanisms is achieved by an operating action that is reversed to the operating action of the actuating member in the locking position. According to the invention, the actuating elements are arranged with play relative to one another in the locking position, wherein the actuating elements have lugs that are arranged with play relative to one another in the locking position,wherein the play is only eliminated upon actuation of the actuating elements into the unlocking position by means of the actuating member, since the locking and unlocking device has an actuating member which is in direct operative connection with one of the actuating elements, so that actuation of the actuating member from the locking position to the unlocking position leads to actuation of the actuating element which is in direct operative connection with one of the actuating elements, leading to an indirect entrainment of the other actuating element, wherein the indirect entrainment of the other actuating element takes place by overcoming the play between the lugs of the actuating elements, wherein the actuating elements are eccentric elements, the eccentric areas of which act on the clamping elements upon actuation by means of one operating action of the actuating member from the unlocking position to the locking position,wherein the locking position of the clamping elements is adjusted by the eccentric elements independently of one another in the radial and axial direction relative to the longitudinal extension of the screw, whereby locking forces are generated which act on the screw relative to the longitudinal extension of the screw.

[0009] It is preferably provided that the radial clamping element is a brake block which, in the locking position, acts from the radial direction on the worm toothing of the worm, so that the worm is clamped in its bearings in the radial direction to the longitudinal extension of the worm.

[0010] It is also preferably provided that the axial clamping element is the movable element of a movable bearing in which the screw is mounted at one end, wherein the movable element is displaced in the radial direction relative to its position in the unlocking position, whereby the movable bearing of the screw is radially displaced at one end in the locking position, so that the screw is clamped relative to its opposite fixed bearing in the axial direction in the longitudinal extension of the screw.

[0011] The invention is explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. They show: Figure 1 shows a side view of a backrest part with a backrest adjustment device; Figure 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of the backrest adjustment device according to Figure 1 ; Figure 3 an enlarged view of the backrest adjustment device in a locking position according to Figure 1; Figure 4 an enlarged view of the backrest adjustment device in a locking position according to Figure 1 .

[0012] The Figure 1shows a backrest 1 with a backrest structure 1.1. The backrest structure 1.1 is connected to a second fitting part 20, which is also referred to below as the backrest-side fitting part. In the selected exemplary embodiment, the backrest-side fitting part 20 is arranged so as to be movable relative to a first fitting part 10, which is arranged as a stationary fitting part. In the exemplary embodiment, the stationary fitting part 10 is connected to the seat part of the vehicle seat (not shown in detail), which is why the fitting part 10 is also referred to as the seat part-side fitting part. The backrest adjustment device 100 thus has a first fitting part 10 and a second fitting part 20, which together are also referred to as backrest adjustment fittings 10, 20, which are arranged so as to be movable relative to one another for adjusting the backrest inclination.

[0013] According to Figure 1The backrest adjustment device 100 comprises an actuating member 30 in the form of a lever and a worm 40, wherein a worm gear 41 of the worm 40 engages in a worm gear segment of the fitting part 10. The worm gear segment 11 is, as already shown in Figure 1 can be seen, is arranged on an end face of the seat-side fitting part 10 in a predetermined area.

[0014] The Figure 2 shows the backrest adjustment device 100 according to Figure 1 in an enlarged view. In Figure 2 The locking position I of the backrest adjustment fitting 10, 20 is shown. Figure 2The actuating member 30 shown in the form of an actuating lever is thus also in its locking position I. The actuating lever 30 is secured in its locking position I by a spring element 31. The prestressed spring element 31 is connected on the one hand to the movable fitting part 20 and on the other hand to the actuating lever 30. In other words, a movement of the actuating lever 30 from the locking position to the unlocking position is only possible by overcoming the spring force of the spring element 31.

[0015] In Figure 2 In the central position of the backrest adjustment device 100, the worm 40 is arranged, which is clamped in the locking position I of the backrest adjustment fitting 10, 20 by two locking mechanisms, which will be explained in more detail below, within the backrest adjustment fitting 10, 20.

[0016] The Figure 2shows an axis X40; I shown relative to a substantially horizontal axis X40; II, in which the axis of the worm 40 in the locking position I of the backrest adjustment fitting is displaced, in particular tilted, relative to the substantially horizontal axis X40; II, as will be explained in more detail.

[0017] The worm 40 is mounted in a first bearing bracket 21 and a second bearing bracket 22 opposite in the axial direction A. The second bearing bracket 22 includes an axial clamping element 60A, which is integrated into the second bearing bracket 22. The bearing brackets 21, 22 are fixedly connected to the backrest-side fitting part 20.

[0018] Recesses are arranged in the bearing bracket 21 and the axial clamping element 60A, into which screw-side bearing elements engage, but which are not shown in more detail in the figures.

[0019] These screw-side bearing elements are preferably ball elements which are mounted in recesses also provided for this purpose in the screw 40.

[0020] The recesses in the bearing brackets 21, 22 and the worm 40 are arranged in such a way that, on the one hand, they have a fixed bearing in the area of ​​the bearing bracket 21 and, on the other hand, a movable bearing in an axial clamping element 60A that is movable relative to the bearing bracket 22.

[0021] The fixed bearing, hereinafter referred to as reference numeral 21, and the movable bearing, hereinafter referred to as reference numeral 60A, are axially opposite one another in the longitudinal extension of the worm 40.

[0022] With this arrangement, the worm 40 is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis X40 between the fixed bearing and the movable bearing. The recesses formed in the end surfaces of the worm, the recess formed in the fixed bearing, and the recess formed in the axial clamping element 60A have a substantially conical shape and each have a tapered inner surface with a point formed as the deepest point of the conical recess.

[0023] It is provided that the recess in the axial clamping element 60A of the movable bearing (viewed at the recess) does not have a round shape, but preferably has an elongated hole shape (substantially oval or substantially egg-shaped) in the longitudinal direction (which substantially corresponds to the direction of movement of the axial clamping element 60A).

[0024] This achieves the effect that the movable bearing, when it is in accordance with the Figures 2 , 3 and 4 is moved downwards by the movement of the axial clamping element 60A, the ball element is pressed from above through the inner surface of the recess without slipping to the right or left.

[0025] As a result, the end of the worm 40, which is positioned on the side of the movable bearing, is displaced in the direction of the worm wheel segment 11, so that the worm 40 on the side of the movable bearing is tilted in the radial direction relative to its longitudinal extension X40 and, in the locking position I of the backrest adjustment fitting 10, 20, the longitudinal axis of the worm 40 assumes the position X40; I shown in the figures, as will be explained.

[0026] As already mentioned, the screw 40 is secured by two locking mechanisms through axial and radial clamping.

[0027] A first locking mechanism, the radial locking mechanism 50, 50R, comprises an actuating element 50 and a radially acting tensioning element 50R.

[0028] The other, second locking mechanism, the axial locking mechanism 60, 60A, comprises an actuating element 60 and the axially acting clamping element 60A, which is movably arranged in the bearing bracket 22 already described.

[0029] As already explained, the displacement of the axial clamping element 60A within the bearing bracket 22 takes place in the radial direction to the longitudinal axis X40 of the worm 40, which makes it clear that the designations "radial clamping element" and "axial clamping element" 50R, 60A refer to the different directions of action that the clamping elements 50R, 60A exert on the worm 40 in locking position I.

[0030] An actuating element 50 is rotatably mounted on a rotation axis Y50 within the backrest structure 1.1 or the backrest-side fitting part 20.

[0031] In the exemplary embodiment, the actuating element 50 is arranged in the backrest-side fitting part 20 so that it can rotate.

[0032] An actuating element 60 is arranged in bearing brackets 23, 24 provided for this purpose so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis Y60 of the actuating element 60, wherein the bearing brackets 23, 24 are connected to the actuating lever 30, so that a rotational movement of the actuating element 60 is caused in a direct manner when the actuating lever 30 is moved from its locking position I according to the Figures 1 , 2 and 3 into its unlocking position II according to Figure 4 is activated.

[0033] In the Figure 3the backrest adjustment fitting 10, 20 is shown in its locked position (locking position I).

[0034] In Figure 4 the backrest adjustment fitting 10, 20 is shown in its unlocked position (unlocking position II).

[0035] By comparing the Figures 3 and 4 the corresponding positioning of the locking mechanisms 50, 50R and 60, 60A in the locking position I according to Figure 3 and the unlocking position II according to Figure 4 be analyzed.

[0036] It is first clear that the actuating element 50 has a nose 50.1.

[0037] The actuating element 60 also has a nose, which is identified by the reference numeral 60.1.

[0038] In Figure 3It becomes clear that the opposite surfaces of the lugs 50.1, 60.1 are arranged with play in the locking position I, which is seen as a significant advantage of the present invention, as will be explained further.

[0039] In Figure 4 the lugs 50.1 and 60.1 are in contact, whereby the securing of the backrest adjustment fitting via the locking mechanisms 50, 50R and 60, 60A is released by unlocking the operating lever 30, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0040] To Figure 3 the locking position I of the backrest adjustment fitting: In the selected embodiment, the actuating element 50 is an eccentrically designed element, which is referred to below as eccentric actuating element 50.

[0041] The actuating element 60 is also an eccentrically designed element, which is referred to below as eccentric actuating element 60.

[0042] The eccentric actuating element 50 is arranged in the locking position I of the actuating lever 30 in a starting position by a spring element 51 which holds the eccentric actuating element 50 in its starting position.

[0043] The spring element 51 is designed, for example, as a leaf spring and engages behind a projection of the eccentric actuating element 50 at one end and is fixed at the other end with its free end to an underside of the actuating lever 30.

[0044] In this initial position of the eccentric actuating element 50, the eccentric region of the eccentric actuating element 50 presses the radial clamping element 50R in the radial direction R to the axial longitudinal axis X40 of the worm 40 onto the worm gearing 41 of the worm 40. On the side of the radial clamping element 50R facing the worm 40, a cylindrical inner contour is formed on the circumferential side of the gearing of the worm 40, which in the clamped state presses onto the end faces of the worm gearing 41 of the worm 40 by the radial locking mechanism 50, 50R.

[0045] The radial locking mechanism 50, 50R thus clamps the worm 40 radially in the locking position I.

[0046] Analogously, the eccentric actuating element 60 in the locking position I of the backrest adjustment fitting 10, 20 also acts with its eccentric area on the movable bearing part of the bearing bracket 22, so that the movable bearing part or the axial clamping element 60A is displaced in the radial direction R, and thereby, as previously explained, ensures axial clamping of the worm 40 within the two opposing bearing brackets 21, 22.

[0047] As already explained, the longitudinal axis X of the screw 40 is tilted from the essentially horizontal position X40, II in the unlocking position II into the locking position X40, I, as shown in Figure 3 which is illustrated by the axes X40, II versus X40, I.

[0048] In other words, due to the second axial locking mechanism 60, 60A, the worm 40 is not only radially clamped in the locking state I, but is now also axially clamped.

[0049] In Figure 4 The unlocking position II is shown: By operating the operating lever 30 according to the Figure 4 The bearing bracket 23, 24 and the eccentric actuating element 60 are directly displaced clockwise around the rotation axis Y60 by means of the unlocking arrow P1 shown.

[0050] As a result, the nose 60.1 of the eccentric actuating element 60 takes the nose 50.1 of the eccentric actuating element 50 with it, whereby the free end of the spring element 51 of the eccentric actuating element 50 has previously been released, since the actuating lever 30 automatically releases the free end of the spring element 51 in the unlocking position II.

[0051] As a result, the eccentric actuating element 50 moves counterclockwise around the rotational axis Y50 of the fastening element 50 under the action of the nose 60.1 of the eccentric actuating element 60 against the force of the spring element 51, whereby the radial tensioning element 50R is released in the radial direction R relative to the axial direction A of the longitudinal extension X40 of the worm 40. At the same time, the axial tension is released by the axial locking mechanism 60, 60A, since the movable bearing within the bearing bracket 22 is displaced radially in the direction of the eccentric actuating element 60. This also releases the axial tension of the worm 40, so that a backrest inclination adjustment can be carried out between the worm gear element 11 and the toothing 41 of the worm 40.

[0052] To establish locking position I (according to Figure 3 ) the operating lever 30 is again moved in the opposite direction of the operating arrow P1 in Figure 4 back into its locking position according to the Figures 1 to 3 about the rotation axis Y60, which pivots back to the rotation axis of the actuating lever 30, whereby a substantially independent clamping of the worm 40 via the radial locking mechanism 50, 50R and the axial locking mechanism 60, 60A takes place with a single actuating movement.

[0053] Advantageously, the tensioning of the radial locking mechanism 50, 50R is effected via the actuating lever 30 acting on the free end of the spring element 51, which exerts a force on the eccentric actuating element 50 via the spring element 51 and causes the radial displacement of the radial tensioning element 50R in the radial direction R via the eccentric region of the eccentric actuating element 50.

[0054] Irrespective of this, the rotary movement of the actuating lever 30, which acts directly on the axis of rotation of the eccentric rotary axis Y60 of the eccentric actuating element 60, advantageously causes a rotary movement of the eccentric actuating element 60 in the counterclockwise direction, independently of the eccentric actuating element 50, whereby the movable bearing part is displaced radially and the worm 40 is - again - axially clamped.

[0055] Advantageously, when establishing the radial and axial tensioning state of the worm, and thus of the backrest adjustment fitting 10, 20, an independently adjustable and adjustable tensioning takes place in the sense of the actuation by means of the two locking mechanisms of the worm 40, wherein the axial and radial relaxation state is advantageously brought about by a single pivoting movement of the actuating lever 30.

[0056] This independent production of the axial and radial clamping states by means of the two locking mechanisms of the worm 40 is particularly advantageous since the movement sequences or the amounts of the clamping elements 50R (in the radial direction with a radial effective direction) and 60A (in the radial direction with an axial effective direction) to be adjusted are of different sizes, so that the solution shown, in particular by adjusting the eccentric areas of the eccentric actuating elements 50, 60, enables an advantageous adjustment of the clamping states of the locking mechanisms 50, 50R and 60, 60A in the radial and axial effective direction.

[0057] Advantageously, a single actuation of the actuating lever 30 establishes the tensioned state (locking position I), and a single actuation of the actuating lever 30 establishes the released state (unlocking position II). In the released state (unlocking position II), the two locking mechanisms 50, 50R; 60, 60A are arranged independently of one another, even with some play, since the lugs 50.1, 60.1 do not touch. The adjustment of the locking mechanisms 50, 50R; 60, 60A can thus be advantageously carried out—each individually—to the desired axial and radial locking force on the worm 40, and thus the axial and radial locking force of the backrest fitting 10, 20. List of reference symbols

[0058] 1Backrest 1.1Backrest structure 10First fitting part 11Worm wheel / worm wheel segment 20Second fitting part 21Bearing bracket 22Bearing bracket 23Bearing bracket 24Bearing bracket 30Actuating link / lever 31Spring element 40Worm X40Worm axis 41Worm toothing 50, 50Rradial locking mechanism 50Rradial tensioning element 50Actuating element 50.1Lubricant Y50Rotational axis of the actuating element 50 51Spring element Y60Rotational axis of the actuating element 60 60, 60Aaxial locking mechanism 60Aaxial tensioning element 60Actuating element 60.1Lubricant 100Backrest adjustment device ILocking position IIUnlocking position AAxial direction P1Unlocking arrow RRadial direction XLongitudinal axis of the screw YRotation axis

Claims

1. Recliner of a backrest with a locking- and unlocking device, which locks two fitting parts (10, 20) of the recliner in a locking position (I), wherein a worm screw (40) having worm gearing (41) is associated with one of the fitting parts (10, 20) and a worm wheel (11) is associated with the other fitting part (10, 20), wherein the worm gearing (41) meshes with the worm wheel (11), wherein the locking- and unlocking device has two locking mechanisms (50, 50R; 60, 60A), wherein the first locking mechanism (50, 50R), in the locking position (I), acts on the worm screw (40) radially to the longitudinal extension (X) of the worm screw (40), and the second locking mechanism (60, 60A), in the locking position (I), acts on the worm screw (40) axially in the longitudinal extension (X) of the worm screw (40), so that, in its locking position (I), the worm screw (40) having its worm gearing (41) is arranged so as to be doubly braced in the worm wheel (11), wherein the first locking mechanism (50, 50R) has an actuating element (50) which acts on a radial clamping element (50R) which braces the worm screw (40) in the locking position (I) in a radial operative direction to its longitudinal extension (X), and the second locking mechanism (60, 60A) has an actuating element (60) which acts on an axial clamping element (60A) which braces the worm screw (40) in the locking position (I) in an axial operative direction in its longitudinal extension (X), wherein the locking position (I) of the locking mechanisms (50, 50R; 60, 60A) is effected by an operating action of an actuating member (30) which is in operative connection with one of the locking mechanisms (50, 50R; 60, 60A), and the unlocking position (II) of the locking mechanisms (50, 50R; 60, 60A) is effected by an operating action which is the reverse of the operating action of the actuating member (30) in the locking position (I), characterized in that the actuating elements (50, 60) in the locking position (I) are arranged with play relative to one another, wherein the actuating elements (50, 60) have noses (50.1, 60.1) which, in the locking position (I), are arranged with play relative to one another, wherein the play is only abolished when the actuating elements (50, 60) are actuated by means of the actuating member (30) into the unlocking position (II), since the locking- and unlocking device has an actuating member (30) which is in direct operative connection with one of the actuating elements (50, 60), so that the actuation of the actuating member (30) from the locking position (I) into the unlocking position (II) leads to an actuation of the actuating element (50, 60) in direct operative connection with the one of the actuating elements (50, 60) leads to an indirect entrainment of the other actuating element (50, 60), wherein the indirect entrainment of the other actuating element (50, 60) is effected by overcoming the play between the noses (50.1, 60.1) of the actuating elements (50, 60), wherein the actuating elements (50, 60) are eccentric elements, the eccentric regions of which act on the clamping elements (50R, 60A) during the actuation by means of the one operating action of the actuating member (30) from the unlocking position (II) into the locking position (I), wherein the locking position (I) of the clamping elements (50R, 60A) is adjusted by the eccentric elements independently of one another in the radial and axial direction (R, A) to the longitudinal extension (X) of the worm screw (40), wherein locking forces are generated which, viewed from the longitudinal extension (X) of the worm screw (40), act on the worm screw (40).

2. Recliner according to Claim 1, characterized in that the radial clamping element (50R) is a brake pad which, in the locking position (I), acts on the worm toothing (41) of the worm screw (40) from the radial direction (R), so that the worm screw (40) is braced in its bearings in the radial direction (R) to the longitudinal extension (X) of the worm screw (40).

3. Recliner according to Claim 1, characterized in that the axial clamping element (60A) is the movable element (60A) of a movable bearing, in which the worm screw (40) is mounted at one end, wherein the movable element (60A) is displaced in the radial direction (R) with respect to its position in the unlocking position (II), as a result of which the movable bearing of the worm screw (40) is radially displaced at one end in the locking position (I), so that the worm screw (40) is braced with respect to its opposite fixed bearing in the axial direction (A) in the longitudinal extension (X) of the worm screw (40).