DE102021116634A1 - actuator unit and vehicle seat - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an actuator unit (4) for actuating a locking device (2) for a vehicle seat (1) via a locking cable (5), having at least: - a first control element (11) which can be actuated via an electrically controllable motor ( 9) can be rotated, - a locking element (13) with a locking receptacle (16) for receiving the locking cable (5), the locking element (13) being rotatably mounted on the housing (8), - a second control element (14) with a control mount (17) for receiving a control cable (7a, 7b), the second control element (14) being activated by a third and/or a fourth pulling force (F3, F4 ) can be pivoted onto the control mount (17), the first control element (11) when the motor (9) is actuated and the second control element (14) when a third and/or a fourth tensile force ( F3, F4) on the control mount (17) are each designed independently of one another to twisting the locking element (13) to tighten a locking cable (5) accommodated in the at least one locking receptacle (16) with a first tensile force (F1). According to the invention, it is provided that the second control element (14) can be moved with the at least one control receptacle (17) relative to the locking element (13) with the at least one locking receptacle (16), so that the second control element (14) moves when the locking element ( 13) not pivoted by the first control element (11).

Description

The invention relates to an actuator unit according to the preamble of claim 1 and a vehicle seat with such an actuator unit.

A large number of locking devices can be provided in vehicle seats in order to enable, for example, a longitudinal adjustment of the entire vehicle seat or an inclination adjustment of the backrest, the armrests or the headrest. For this purpose, the locking devices can be actuated manually or by a motor, whereby the actuation takes place in each case by applying a tensile force to a locking cable pull, whereby the locking device can be transferred into a released or a locked position in order to unlock the respective component of the vehicle seat or seat to release the entire vehicle seat for a corresponding adjustment.

U.S. 2016/0281400 A1 describes, for example, an actuator unit in which, in a purely motorized operation, two cables can be actuated via a locking disk, with one cable for unlocking and the other cable for locking the locking device. Manual or non-motorized actuation of the cable pulls is not provided. In U.S. 2018/0141470 A1 is also intended to release two locking states via two floor pulls and a motor-driven adjustable locking disc. In US 2019/0232821 A1 describes an actuator unit with which motorized adjustment of the vehicle seat can take place. Regardless of this, the backrest can be folded forwards by manually operating a lever.

Nowadays, purely electronic systems in the vehicle must also be protected by a manual system for safety. For example, in the case of a vehicle seat in the second row of seats in a vehicle, it must be ensured that the backrest can be adjusted from a use position to an easy-entry position, so that people from the third row of seats can also exit the vehicle. In an emergency situation in particular, for example in the event of an accident, when the power supply has failed or electrical components no longer function reliably, a possibility must be provided in which the backrest can also be folded forward by manual actuation. Therefore, electrical actuation of a locking device must be combined with a manual actuation option. This also applies to other locking devices, especially in vehicle seats.

For this purpose, it can be provided, for example, to bring together different cables that are provided for conventional and emergency actuation on the vehicle seat via a distributor in order to tighten the locking cables with a corresponding tensile force and to be able to actuate the locking devices. Furthermore, the motorized controls are to be decoupled from the manual controls for reasons of comfort. Such constructions are very expensive to implement.

U.S. 8,400,033 B2 describes in this regard, for example, an actuator unit in which a locking element in the form of a locking disk is either controlled by a first motor-actuated control element with a gearwheel area or by a second control element that can be actuated manually by a control cable, which is an integral part of the Locking disc is able to be rotated about a common axis of rotation. This twist pulls a locking cable which moves a locking device into the released position to allow the seat back to fold forward. When the locking disk is actuated by a motor, the manually actuated second control element is always moved as well, so that when actuated by a motor the free end of the control floor cable is also influenced to a certain extent or there is a reaction to it. Furthermore, a control receptacle for receiving the control cable is arranged at the same distance from the common axis of rotation as a locking receptacle for receiving the locking cable, so that there is a 1:1 translation between the tensile force acting on the control cable and the tensile force acting on the locking cable.

Proceeding from this, the object of the invention is to provide an actuator unit that has a simple structure, allows for convenient operation and can be flexibly adapted to the respective application. The task is also to provide a vehicle seat.

These objects are solved by an actuator unit and a vehicle seat according to the independent claims. The dependent claims describe preferred developments.

Thus, according to the invention, it is provided that in an actuator unit with a housing for actuating a locking device for a vehicle seat via at least one locking cable, a second control element with at least one control receptacle for accommodating control cables, for example Bowden cables, opposite a locking element with min at least one locking receptacle for receiving locking cables, for example also Bowden cables, is movable, so that the second control element does not pivot when the locking element is rotated by a first control element, which is motor-driven.

As a result, it can advantageously be achieved that there are no disruptive repercussions on the individual control elements of the actuator unit, which increases the convenience and reliability of such an actuation option. If the first control element, which can be rotated about a first axis of rotation via an electrically controllable motor, for example via a transmission gear and gear wheels, is actuated in order to rotate the locking element about a second axis of rotation and above it one in the at least to tighten a locking cable received in the locking receptacle to the locking device with a first pulling force, this has no effect on the second control element and vice versa. The cable pulls accommodated in the receptacles of the respective elements (locking element, second control element), in particular free ends of these cable pulls, are not subjected to a force without the respective element actually being or intended to be actively actuated. Motorized actuation of the actuator unit via the first control element can thus be completely decoupled from manual or non-motorized actuation of the actuator unit via the second control element.

In addition, additional components, such as splitters for branching cable pulls, and also cable pulls themselves can be saved due to the independent structure and the separate receptacles for the respective cable pulls in the actuator unit. So if, for example, two locking devices on the vehicle seat are to be actuated via two locking cables on the locking element with only one actuator unit and at the same time non-motor actuation of the locking devices via the control cables on the second control element is to be enabled via two actuating means , only four cable pulls are required, without the need for an additional force split via splitters and, if necessary, force compensation elements, which simplifies the structure overall.

Further advantages result from the fact that the at least one locking receptacle for receiving the respective locking cable is spaced at a first distance from the second axis of rotation of the locking element and the at least one control receptacle for receiving the respective control cable in one second distance is spaced from the third axis of rotation of the second control element, the second distance being different from the first distance, in particular the second distance being greater than the first distance.

The direct fastening of the cable pulls in the respective receptacles means that greater flexibility can be achieved since different lever arms can be set for each cable pull by appropriately selecting the first and second spacing. As a result, a specific translation can be set, in particular for non-motor actuation, via the second control element, so that, for example, the user has to exert less force than, for example, via the motor, which can be designed differently accordingly. The overall system can therefore be tuned more optimally overall, with a targeted adjustment of the forces being made possible by appropriate construction of the elements.

Provision is preferably also made for the third axis of rotation of the second control element and the second axis of rotation of the locking element and/or the first axis of rotation of the first control element to lie on top of one another or be spaced apart from one another, with the axes of rotation preferably being parallel to one another. This also allows flexible coordination to take place in a simple manner. Depending on the application, the construction can be simplified if all axes of rotation are together. However, if the third axis of rotation is independent of the other two axes of rotation, the leverage of the second control element or the translation and thus the necessary actuating force on the control cables for actuating the locking device can be further optimized, since the second distance between Control recording and third axis of rotation are not dependent on the dimensions of the locking element or the first control element. As a result, the comfort for such an operation can be further improved.

It is preferably also provided that the locking element is designed as a locking disk with a centrally arranged locking opening and the first control element has a guide section running parallel to the first axis of rotation, the locking disk having the locking opening coaxially placed on the guide portion and rotatably mounted thereon. This results in a simple structure, whereby to save space in the axial direction it can additionally be provided that the locking disk is accommodated in a depression in the first control element.

It is preferably also provided that the locking disk has a first contact shoulder against which a driver on the first control element can be pressed when the motor is actuated in order to close the locking disk about the second axis of rotation relative to the first control element twist to tighten a recorded in the at least one locking receptacle locking cable with a first tensile force. In this way, a simple transmission of the motor-actuated actuation to the locking disk and thus via the locking cable to the locking device is made possible.

Provision is preferably also made for the locking disk to have a second contact shoulder or a third contact shoulder, which preferably differs from the first contact shoulder, and against which a first control Flank or a second control flank on the second control element can be pressed in order to rotate the locking disk about the second axis of rotation for tightening a locking cable held in the at least one locking receptacle with a first tensile force. This allows movement to be transmitted to the locking element independently of the actuation of the first control element with little effort.

It is preferably also provided that the second control element with the control receptacles is designed as at least one control lever or control disk that can be pivoted relative to the locking element with the locking receptacles and that rotates when the locking element is rotated actuation of the first control element does not pivot about the third axis of rotation. As a result, an easily adaptable and mountable component is provided for transmitting the third or fourth tensile force with a correspondingly formable lever effect.

It is preferably provided that two control levers or control disks are provided, each with a control receptacle as the second control element, the two control levers or control disks being independently applied to the respective by a third or fourth tensile force Control recording can be pivoted about the third axis of rotation. If two control cables, which are connected to different non-motor-operated actuating means, are provided, they can interact with the locking element via two separate control levers in a reaction-free manner in order to tighten the respective locking cable.

It is preferably also provided that the two control levers or control disks are arranged on different sides of the locking element. This simplifies the power transmission. In addition, provision can preferably be made for the second control element to be arranged with the control receptacles outside of the housing. As a result, the control cables can be connected more easily to the second control elements and can also be guided more easily and reliably, since no interface is required in the interior of the housing.

It is preferably also provided that the at least one control mount is designed to receive a free end of a control cable for introducing the third and/or the fourth tensile force from the respective control cable onto the control mount via the free end of the respective control cable, and/or
the at least one locking receptacle is designed to receive a free end of the locking cable for introducing the first tensile force from the locking element into the locking cable via the respective free end of the locking cable. This achieves a simple transition and also simple installation of the cable pulls on the respective element.

Furthermore, it can be provided that the locking receptacle and/or the control receptacle each have an insertion opening and a slot running radially outward thereon, into which the free end of the respective locking cable and/or the free end of the respective control cable can be plugged in. This enables a detachable connection, in which slipping out through the elongated holes, which can be curved, for example, can be prevented during operation. Due to the detachable connection, defective cable pulls can be easily replaced and the length can also be easily adjusted to the application. Since the free ends of the cable pulls are not rigidly attached to the respective element by the plugged-in connection, the free ends can be tracked more easily during a pivoting or rotary movement, thereby avoiding kinks in the cable pulls.

Provision is preferably also made for a spring means, in particular a spiral spring, to be arranged between the first control element and the locking element in such a way that when the locking element is rotated relative to the first control element and/or to the second control element the spring means is prestressed. This can be achieved, for example, in that a spring end placed around an axial projection on the first control element and another spring end is hooked into the locking element. As a result, when the locking element is twisted or when the locking cables are tightened with the first tensile force, the spring means can be prestressed, so that when the locking device is returned to the locked position, the locking element can be held more easily in its original position compared to the first or second control element is moved back.

• - einen elektrisch ansteuerbaren Motor,
• - ein erstes Steuer-Element, das über den Motor um eine erste Drehachse verdreht werden kann,
• - ein Verriegelungs-Element mit mindestens einer Verriegelungs-Aufnahme zum Aufnehmen des mindestens einen Verriegelungs-Seilzuges, wobei das

According to the invention is also a vehicle seat with at least one locking device for locking and unlocking a seat component arranged on the vehicle seat, e.g. a backrest, an armrest, a headrest, etc., and an actuator unit with a housing for actuating the at least one locking device, in particular an actuator unit according to the invention, provided, wherein at least one locking cable runs between the actuator unit and the respective locking device, via which the respective locking device can be actuated, wherein the actuator unit has at least:

• - an electrically controllable motor,
• - a first control element that can be rotated about a first axis of rotation via the motor,
• - a locking element with at least one locking receptacle for receiving the at least one locking cable, wherein the

• - ein zweites Steuer-Element mit mindestens einer Steuer-Aufnahme, in der ein Steuer-Seilzug aufgenommen ist, wobei das zweite Steuer-Element durch eine dritte und/oder eine vierte Zugkraft auf die mindestens eine Steuer-Aufnahme um eine dritte Drehachse verschwenkt werden kann, wobei die dritte und/oder vierte Zugkraft beispielsweise durch manuell betätigbare Betätigungsmittel, beispielsweise Laschen, vom Benutzer aufgebracht werden können,

wobei das erste Steuer-Element bei einer Ansteuerung des Motors und das zweite Steuer-Element bei Vorliegen einer dritten und/oder einer vierten Zugkraft auf die Steuer-Aufnahme jeweils unabhängig voneinander dazu ausgebildet sind, das Verriegelungs-Element um die zweite Drehachse zu verdrehen und den in der mindestens einen Verriegelungs-Aufnahme aufgenommenen Verriegelungs-Seilzug mit einer ersten Zugkraft anzuziehen, wobei das zweite Steuer-Element mit der mindestens einen Steuer-Aufnahme und dem darin aufgenommenen Steuer-Seilzug gegenüber dem Verriegelungs-Element mit der mindestens einen Verriegelungs-Aufnahme und dem darin aufgenommen Verriegelungs-Seilzug beweglich ist, so dass sich das zweite Steuer-Element mit dem aufgenommenen Steuer-Seilzug bei einer Verdrehung des Verriegelungs-Elementes durch das erste Steuer-Element nicht verschwenkt.The locking element is mounted on the housing such that it can be rotated or pivoted about a second axis of rotation, for example via the guide section of the first control element,

• - A second control element with at least one control receptacle in which a control cable is accommodated, the second control element being pivoted about a third axis of rotation by a third and/or a fourth tensile force on the at least one control receptacle can, the third and/or fourth pulling force being able to be applied by the user, for example by means of manually actuable actuating means, for example straps,

wherein the first control element when the motor is actuated and the second control element when a third and/or a fourth tensile force is applied to the control receptacle are each designed independently of one another to rotate the locking element about the second axis of rotation and to tighten the locking cable accommodated in the at least one locking receptacle with a first tensile force, the second control element with the at least one control receptacle and the control cable accommodated therein opposite the locking element with the at least one locking receptacle and the locking cable accommodated therein is movable, so that the second control element does not pivot with the accommodated control cable when the locking element is rotated by the first control element.

The vehicle seat can, for example, be part of a seat arrangement, for example a back seat of a motor vehicle arranged in the second row of seats. The actuator unit according to the invention makes it easy to actuate the respective locking device even in the event of a power failure or a defect in the motorized actuation, for example in the event of a crash or another emergency situation.

• 1 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Sitzanordnung;
• 2 eine Detailansicht eines Fahrzeugsitzes der Sitzanordnung gemäß 1 mit Verriegelungsvorrichtungen zum Verriegeln der Rückenlehne des Fahrzeugsitzes;
• 3 eine Aktuatoreinheit zur Freigabe der Verriegelungsvorrichtungen;
• 4 eine Explosionsdarstellung der Aktuatoreinheit gemäß 3;
• 5 eine Detailansicht einer Verriegelungs-Scheibe der Aktuatoreinheit;
• 6a, 6b Detailansichten eines Steuer-Hebels der Aktuatoreinheit gemäß einer Ausführungsform;
• 7a, 7b die Aktuatoreinheit im unbetätigten Zustand;
• 8a, 8b, 8c die Aktuatoreinheit im motorisch betätigten Zustand;
• 9a, 9b, 9c die Aktuatoreinheit im manuell betätigten Zustand;
• 10a-10d eine Ausführung einer Verriegelungs-Scheibe mit integriertem Steuer-Hebel;
• 11 die Aktuatoreinheit mit einer Verriegelungs-Scheibe und zwei separaten Steuer-Hebeln;
• 12a, 12b eine weitere Ausführungsform der Aktuatoreinheit mit von au-ßen aufgesetztem zweiten Steuer-Element; und
• 13a, 13b, 13c Detailansichten der Aktuatoreinheit mit einem Steuer-Hebel gemäß einer weiteren Ausführungsform.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings of an embodiment. Show it:

• 1 a perspective view of a seat assembly;
• 2 a detailed view of a vehicle seat according to the seat arrangement 1 with locking devices for locking the backrest of the vehicle seat;
• 3 an actuator unit for releasing the locking devices;
• 4 according to an exploded view of the actuator unit 3 ;
• 5 a detailed view of a locking disk of the actuator unit;
• 6a , 6b Detailed views of a control lever of the actuator unit according to an embodiment;
• 7a , 7b the actuator unit in the unactuated state;
• 8a , 8b , 8c the actuator unit in the motor-actuated state;
• 9a , 9b , 9c the actuator unit in the manually operated state;
• 10a-10d an embodiment of a locking disc with an integrated control lever;
• 11 the actuator unit with a locking disc and two separate control levers;
• 12a , 12b a further embodiment of the actuator unit with a second control element attached from the outside; and
• 13a , 13b , 13c Detailed views of the actuator unit with a control lever according to a further embodiment.

According to 1 a seat arrangement 100 is provided with a plurality of vehicle seats 1 arranged next to one another, the seat arrangement 100 being, for example, a rear seat of a motor vehicle arranged in the second row of seats. The seat arrangement 100 shown has two locking devices 2 for each vehicle seat 1, which each interact with one of the seat side parts 1a, 1b of the respective vehicle seat 1 and which, in their released position LS, release the backrest 3 of the respective vehicle seat 1, so that these are made of a design -position or position of use (see 1 ) can be folded forward to an easy-entry position (not shown). In the easy-entry position with the backrest 3 folded forward, access to the rear space or to a third row of seats behind the seat arrangement 100 or to get out of the third row of seats is simplified. In the locked position VS, the backrest 3 is locked in the design position or position of use.

To actuate the locking devices 2 of the respective vehicle seat 1, an electrically operated actuator unit 4 is provided for each vehicle seat 1, which is activated via a motor 9 (see Fig. 3 ) Two locking cables 5, for example Bowden cables, as traction means, each leading to one of the locking devices 2, synchronously with a certain first tensile force F1 to the actuator unit 4 attracts. The two locking devices 2 are thereby transferred synchronously into the released position LS, in which the respective backrest 3 is released and can thus be folded forward into the easy-entry position.

If the locking cables 5 are no longer pulled by the actuator unit 4, i.e. the first tensile force F1 on the locking cables 5 is eliminated, the locking devices 2 return to the locked position VS as soon as the backrest 3 is back in the use position , wherein the locking devices 2 then exert a second pulling force F2, which is in the opposite direction to the first pulling force F1, on the locking cables 5, ie pull them back. The backrest 3 is no longer released as a result.

Furthermore, manually operable actuating means 6a, 6b, for example straps, interact with the actuator unit 4 via further traction means. A first actuating means 6a, which is arranged on a rear side of the respective vehicle seat 1 and is accessible from there, acts via a first control cable 7a, for example a Bowden cable, and a second actuating means 6b, which is arranged on a front side of the respective vehicle seat 1 and is accessible from there (see also 2 ), acts together with the actuator unit 4 via a second control cable 7b, for example a Bowden cable. As explained in more detail later, the two control cables 7a, 7b can also be used to synchronously tighten the locking cables 5 with a specific first tensile force F1 without the actuator unit 4 being electrically actuated via the control signal S. With the help of the respective actuating means 6a, 6b, the locking devices 2 can also lock the backrest 3 of the respective vehicle seat 1 in a non-motor or non-electrical operating mode, for example in the event of a failure of the electrical power supply, a defect in the motor 9 of the actuator unit 4 or in the event of a Absence of the electrical control signal S, released redundantly in order to allow the backrest 3 to be folded forward into the easy-entry position, for example in an emergency situation.

To achieve this, the actuator unit 4 is as in 3 or in the exploded view in 4 shown constructed. Accordingly, the actuator unit 4 has a housing 8 in which the motor 9, which can be controlled via the electrical control signal S, and a transmission gear 10 made up of a plurality of gear wheels are arranged. In the corresponding translation, the transmission gear 10 drives a first control element 11, which in the present case is designed as a gear 11a (sun gear with external teeth) with a hub 11b that interacts with the transmission gears of the transmission gear 10 and which rotates about a first axis of rotation D1 can twist. The hub 11b has a guide section 11c protruding from the gear wheel 11a in the axial direction R, from which a driver 12 protrudes in the radial direction of the gear wheel 11a.

On the guide portion 11 c of the gear 11 a are according to in 3 and 4 In the illustrated embodiment, a locking element 13 is arranged in the form of a locking disk 13a with a second axis of rotation D2 and in the axial direction R thereabove a second control element 14 in the form of a control lever 14a with a third axis of rotation D3. According to this embodiment, both elements 13, 14 are plugged coaxially onto the guide section 11c of the gear wheel 11a in such a way that all axes of rotation D1, D2, D3 lie on top of one another, so that the said elements 11a, 13a, 14a rotate about the same axis of rotation ver can rotate, and can also be twisted against each other. In particular, the locking disk 13a is slidably arranged in a recess 11d of the gear wheel 11a, so that less space is required for the structure in the axial direction R.

Furthermore, a spring means 15, here a spiral spring 15a, is arranged between the locking disk 13a and the gear wheel 11a, the spring means 15 prestressing the locking disk 13a when it rotates relative to the gear wheel 11a. At the same time, the spring means 15 ensures that there are no vibrations between the components and therefore no noise during operation. The spring means 15 is optional, so it can also be omitted in the embodiments described below, with the basic locking and unlocking function being retained.

The locking element 13 or the locking disk 13a has, as in 4 and 5 shown in detail in the area of a locking slot 13b, two locking receptacles 16 into which the free ends 5a of the locking cables 5 can be hung or accommodated. The locking slot 13b is formed between an upper part 13c and a lower part 13d, which are an integral part of the locking disk 13a. The locking receptacles 16 are each inserted through a circular insertion opening 16a, which penetrates the upper part 13c in the axial direction R, and through an elongated hole 16b, which adjoins the insertion opening 16a in the upper part 13c in the radial direction of the toothed edge 11a. educated. The elongated holes 16b each run in a curved shape outwards to a front side of the upper part 13c, the diameter of the elongated holes 16b being smaller than the diameter of the insertion openings 16a.

The free ends 5a of the locking cables 5 each have cross-sectional reinforcements 5b, which can be inserted into the insertion openings 16a of the locking receptacles 16 in the axial direction R, so that they are supported on the lower part 13d at least partially in the locking slot 13b and partially in the area of the insertion opening 16a in the upper part 13c. The adjoining, non-reinforced areas of the locking cables 5 can be threaded through the curved elongated holes 16b in such a way that the locking cables 5 hooked into the locking receptacles 16 in the assembled state can be removed from the locking disk through the locking slot 13b 13 protrude.

Since the locking cables 5 are preferably continuously tensioned perpendicular to the axial direction R of the gear wheel 11a or the locking disk 13a and the elongated holes 16b have a smaller diameter than the insertion openings 16a, the locking cables 5 are connected via the cross-sectional reinforcements 5b held on the locking disk 13a. An axial slipping out of the free ends 5a of the locking cables 5 from the insertion openings 16a is prevented both by the tension of the locking cables 5 and by the curved shape of the elongated holes 16b. Since the diameter of the cross-sectional reinforcements 5b are slightly smaller than the diameter of the insertion openings 16a, the free ends 5a can also be pivoted to a certain extent in the plane perpendicular to the second axis of rotation D2 of the locking disk 13a without the locking cables 5 are exposed to greater bending forces. A transmission of the tensile forces F1, F2 between the free ends 5a of the locking cables 5 and the locking disk 13a or vice versa takes place in the area of the insertion openings 16a, ie at a defined first distance A1 from the second axis of rotation D2 (see . 3 , 5 , 6a) .

In principle, other locking receptacles 16 can also be provided on the locking element 13, which are also suitable for receiving the free ends 5a of the locking cables 5 in a comparable manner.

The locking disk 13a has a locking opening 13e in the middle, with which the locking disk 13a is placed coaxially on the guide section 11c of the gear wheel 11a in order to enable rotation about the second axis of rotation D2 relative to the gear wheel 11a. In a partial area 13f, the locking opening 13e is widened in the radial direction of the locking disk 13a in such a way that a first contact shoulder 13g is formed. The radially protruding driver 12 on the gear wheel 11a comes to rest against this first contact shoulder 13g when the gear wheel 11a rotates correspondingly by a motor. In 7a respectively. 7b this is shown for the locked position VS of the locking devices 2, in which no first tensile force F1 acts on the locking cables 5.

When the motor 9 is actuated, the gear wheel 11a rotates counterclockwise here and the locking disk 13a is carried along by the gear wheel 11a via the driver 12, which continues to bear against the first contact shoulder 13g, as in 8a and 8b shown. At the same time, the spiral spring 15a is also taken along, with a first end 15b of the spiral spring 15a being bent around an axial projection 11e of the gear wheel 11a and a second end 15c of the spiral spring 15a is hooked into the locking disc 13a. Since the locking disk 13a and the gearwheel 11a turn synchronously about the first and second axis of rotation D1, D2, nothing changes in the prestressing of the spiral spring 15a. A defined first tensile force F1, which depends on the drive power of the motor 9 and the first distance A1 from the second axis of rotation D2, is transmitted to the locking cables 5 via the free ends 5a accommodated in the locking receptacles 16, so that these be tightened so that the locking devices 2 are transferred to the released position LS and the backrest 3 can be released and brought into the easy-entry position. In this way, the locking devices 2 are actuated as a result of an electrical activation of the actuator unit 4.

If the control of the motor 9 is withdrawn, the gear wheel 11a rotates clockwise with the driver 12 and the projection 11e and returns as in FIG 8c shown back to its original position. As a result, the spiral spring 15a is prestressed, since only the first end 15b of the spiral spring 15a is carried along via the axial projection 11e. However, the locking cables 5 and the locking disc 13a and therefore also the second end 15c of the spiral spring 15a remain in the tightened position, since the backrest 3 is still folded into the easy-entry position and the locking devices 2 are therefore still are in the released position LS. Only after the backrest 3 has been reset to the design position do the locking devices 2 return to the locked position VS, in which a second tensile force F2 on the locking cables 5 is supported by the pretension of the spiral spring 15a for resetting the locking disc 13a worries, so that again the state of 7a respectively. 7b results.

A non-electrical or non-motor actuation of the locking devices 2 takes place via the second control element 14 or the control lever 14a in the actuator unit 4. Like the locking element 13 or the locking disk 13a, this has a Control slot 14b between an upper part 14c and a lower part 14d, both of which are an integral part of the control lever 14a. The control lever 14a has, as in 4 , 6a and 6b shown in detail in the area of the control slot 14b, two control receptacles 17 each consisting of an insertion opening 17a in the upper part 14c and in the lower part 14d and a slot 17b in the upper part 14c of the control lever 14a, into which the free ends 7c, 7d of the both control cables 7a, 7b can be hung or recorded. This is done analogously to the inclusion of the locking cables 5 in the locking receptacles 16 in the locking disc 13a, the control cables 7a, 7b each having cross-sectional reinforcements 7e, 7f at their free ends 7c, 7d, which are inserted into the plug -Openings 17a of the control receptacles 17 can be inserted in the axial direction R, so that they are at least partly in the control slot 14b and partly in the area of the insertion openings 17a in the upper part 14c and in the lower part 14d. The adjoining, non-reinforced areas of the control cables 7a, 7b can be threaded through the curved slots 17b in the upper part 14c in such a way that the control cables 7a, 7b hooked into the control receptacles 17 can be pulled through the control Slot 14b protrude from the control lever 14a.

The control cables 7a, 7b are stretched perpendicular to the axial direction R of the gear 11a and also the control lever 14a and the elongated holes 17b have a smaller diameter than the insertion openings 17a, so that the control cables 7a, 7b the cross-sectional reinforcements 7e, 7f are held on the control lever 14a. An axial slipping out of the free ends 7c, 7d of the control cables 7a, 7b from the insertion openings 17a is prevented by the tensioned control cables 7a, 7b and by the curved shape of the elongated holes 17b. Since the diameters of the cross-sectional reinforcements 7e, 7f are also slightly smaller here than the diameters of the insertion openings 17a, the free ends 7c, 7d can also be pivoted to a certain degree in the plane perpendicular to the third axis of rotation D3 of the control lever 14a. without the control cables 7a, 7b being exposed to greater bending forces.

In the present case, a third or fourth pulling force F3, F4 can be exerted by a user on the control cables 7a, 7b independently of one another via the two actuating means 6a, 6b, which is thus applied via the control mounts 17 to the second control element 14 or the control lever 14a is transmitted. The third and fourth tensile forces F3, F4 are transmitted between the free ends 7c, 7d of the control cables 7a, 7b and the control lever 14a in the area of the insertion openings 17a, ie at a second distance A2 defined thereby third axis of rotation D3 of the control lever 14a. If the third or fourth tensile force F3, F4 is sufficiently high, the second control element 14 in the form of the control lever 14a, which is slipped onto the guide section 11c, rotates about the third axis of rotation D3. Without the presence of a sufficiently high third and fourth pulling force F3, F4 on the respective control cable 7a, 7b, the control lever 14a is as in FIG 7a (without an elec ric control of the motor 9) or 8a (Electrical control of the motor 9) deflected.

Without an electrical control of the motor 9, the control lever 14a lies with a first control edge 14e (see Fig. 6b , 9a) at a second contact shoulder 13h on the locking disk 13a axially above the first contact shoulder 13g on the locking disk 13a. If there is no electrical activation of the motor 9, a sufficiently high third or fourth pulling force F3, F4 is exerted on the respective control cable 7a, 7b, the control lever 14a is activated as in FIG 9a and 9b shown deflected counterclockwise about the third axis of rotation D3. The first control flank 14e presses against the second contact shoulder 13h on the locking disk 13a, so that the locking disk 13a is also carried along in a clockwise direction and, as a result of its rotation about the second axis of rotation D2, the locking cables 5 also have a are attracted by the third or fourth tensile force F3, F4 dependent first tensile force F1. The spiral spring 15a is prestressed because the projection 11e of the gear wheel 11a and therefore also the first end 15b of the spiral spring 15a do not move in contrast to the second end 15c of the spiral spring 15a, and the locking devices 2 go into the released position LS, in which the backrest 3 can be released and placed in the easy-entry position.

The level of the first tensile force F1 on the locking cables 5 is also dependent on the distances A1 and A2 to the respective axes of rotation D2, D3, the distances A1, A2 being selected differently in the present case in order to achieve a specific advantageous translation. If the second distance A2 is greater than the first distance A1, as shown in the figures, due to the leverage for actuating the locking devices 2 via the locking cables 5, a lower third or fourth pulling force F3, F4 by the user via the Actuating means 6a, 6b or the control cables 7a, 7b to spend. In this way, the balance of power can be adjusted flexibly, in that the distances A1, A2 are specifically matched to manual actuation.

If the third or fourth pulling force F3, F4 on the control cables 7a, 7b is withdrawn, the control lever 14a returns to FIG 9c back to its starting position. As with a motorized adjustment, however, the locking disc 13a remains deflected until the backrest 3 is returned to the design position and the locking devices 2 are thus transferred back to the locked position VS, so that a corresponding second tensile force F2 is applied to the locking -Cable pulls 5 acts, which, together with the pretension of the spiral spring 15a, ensures that the locking disc 13a is reset.

The locking disk 13a can be rotated in such a way that the locking cables 5 with a corresponding first tensile force F1 are tightened. Therefore, two control options are provided for the adjustment of the locking devices 2, whereby there is always a manual, non-electrical possibility of adjustment via the actuator unit 4, which in particular in the event of a failure of electrical energy, for example in the event of an accident, exiting, for example, from the third row of seats allowed.

According to an unclaimed alternative embodiment disclosed in 10a , 10b , 10c and 10d is shown, the locking element 13 can be combined with the second control element 14 in one component, for example in the form of the locking disk 13a. The locking receptacles 16 and the control receptacles 17 are then arranged on opposite sides of the locking disk 13a at correspondingly different distances A1, A2 from the respective axis of rotation D2, D3 and the upper parts 13c, 14c and the lower parts 13d, 14d go as well as the locking slot 13b in the control slot 14b directly into each other, as in 10b shown. Electrical actuation of the motor 9 then causes, as in the previous embodiment, a tightening of the locking cables 5, since the driver 12 presses against a first contact shoulder 13g and thereby entrains the locking disk 13a.

At the same time, the control mounts 17 of the integrated second control element 14 are rotated, whereby the control cables 7a, 7b are pressed out of the housing 8 when the control mounts 17 as in FIG 10a , 10b or 10c shown are executed. In order to avoid this being pushed out, the control mounts 17 can be used as in 10d be executed shown. For this purpose, the free ends 7c, 7d of the control cables 7a, 7b have, for example, a spherical cross-sectional reinforcement 7e, 7f, which can be fitted in a slot-shaped receptacle 17c (instead of the hole 17a as in Fig 10a , 10b , 10c ) lie, which connects to the slot 17b. When the locking disc 13a is rotated counterclockwise by electrical actuation of the motor 9, the spherical cross-sectional reinforcements 7e, 7f become slit-shaped 17c is pressed and the control cables 7a, 7b are not pressed out of the housing 8 as a result. Therefore, there is no repercussion on the actuating means 6a, 6b or the control cables 7a. 7b. As soon as the locking disk 13a returns to the original position when a second tensile force F2 is present in the locked position VS of the locking devices 2, supported by the pretension of the spiral spring 15a, the spherical cross-sectional reinforcements 7e, 7f return to the slot-shaped receptacles 17c.

When a third or fourth tensile force F3, F4 is applied via the control cables 7a, 7b, which is transmitted to the locking disc 13a via the control receptacles 17, the locking disc 13a can be moved via the integrated second control element 14 is rotated counterclockwise and thus the locking cables 5 are tightened with a corresponding translation (depending on the distances A1, A2) in this way in order to convert the locking devices 2 into the released position LS. In this respect, the basic locking and unlocking function for this combined embodiment of the locking element 13 with the second control element 14 is the same as in the previous embodiment.

According to a further embodiment, which is 11 is shown, a separate second control element 14 is provided at axially different positions relative to the locking disk 13a for each control cable 7a, 7b. The first control cable 7a therefore interacts with the second control element 14 described above, which is arranged on an upper side 13i of the locking disk 13a, and is in a corresponding manner in a control receptacle 17 at the second distance A2 from the third common one Axis of rotation D3 added. The second control cable 7b cooperates with a second control element 14 also in the form of a control lever 14a, which according to 11 is arranged on an underside 13k of the locking disk 13a and interacts with it in a manner analogous to that of the control lever 14a arranged on the upper side 13i. The locking disk 13a is designed with at least one second contact shoulder 13h on the underside in a manner analogous to that on the upper side. When only one of the control cables 7a, 7b is tightened with the third or fourth tensile force F3, F4, the control lever 14a on the top 13i or the bottom 13i or the bottom is then independently actuated via the respective control receptacle 17 at the second distance A2 13k, so that the two control cables 7a, 7b do not affect each other.

In extension to the embodiments described so far, the second control 14 according to 12a and 12b also be embodied in the form of a control disk 18, in which control receptacles 17 are arranged on opposite sides in the form of an insertion opening 17a and an adjoining elongated hole 17b arranged at the second distance A2 from the third axis of rotation D3. The control cables 7a, 7b can be accommodated therein in a corresponding manner by first inserting the free ends 7c, 7d into the insertion openings 17a and then moving them along the elongated holes 17b in order to attach them to the control disk 18 at the second distance A2 to secure the third axis of rotation D3.

The control disk 18 is arranged axially above the locking disk 13a or on its upper side 13i so that it can rotate relative to it (or in an embodiment that is not shown axially below or on its underside 13k) and can rotate about a axis with the second axis of rotation D2 Twist locking disk 13a coincident third axis of rotation D3. Both disks 18, 13a work together in a manner analogous to that described for the control lever 14a, with the control disk 18 not rotating when the locking disk 13a is driven by a motor and the control cables 7a, 7b being unaffected by this . Due to the arrangement of the control disk 18 axially above or below the locking disk 13a, it can also be arranged outside of the housing 8 of the actuator unit 4, which simplifies assembly. The locking and unlocking can then be carried out via the control cables 7a, 7b in a manner analogous to that above, for example 7a until 9c take place described with the control lever 14a.

In a further alternative embodiment shown in the 13a , 13b and 13c is shown, the second control element 14 is designed in the form of a control lever 14a, the third axis of rotation D3 of which does not coincide with the first or second axis of rotation D1, D2 of the gear wheel 11a or the locking disk 13a, but is nevertheless parallel to them is located, so that the control lever 14a is twisted otherwise in this embodiment. A force acting on the control mounts 17 via the control cables 7a, 7b then causes the control lever 14a to pivot about the third axis of rotation D3, with a second control flank 14f (see Fig. 13a) of the control lever 14a against a third contact shoulder 13n (see 13c ) of the locking disc 13a so that it rotates about the second axis of rotation D2 and, as described above, ensures that the locking cables 5 are tightened.

In this way, power transmission can be further optimized due to the leverage effect, the second distance A2 between the free ends 7c, 7d of the control cables 7a, 7b and the third axis of rotation D3 of the control lever 14a correspondingly being even freer compared to the first distance A1 between the free ends 5a of the locking cables 5 and that of the third axis of rotation D3 spaced second axis of rotation D2 can be adjusted. Due to the fact that the two axes of rotation D2, D3 are now separate from one another compared to the previous embodiments, the required third or fourth tensile force F3, F4 can be adjusted even more flexibly.

The actuator unit 4 was described here in connection with a locking or unlocking of the backrest 3 for setting an easy-entry position. In a comparable way, however, the actuator unit 4 can also be used to control locking devices that are operatively connected to other adjustment mechanisms on the vehicle seat 1 . For example, such a described actuator unit 4 can also be used to activate a locking device that releases a longitudinal adjustment of the entire vehicle seat 1 along a seat rail 1c or an inclination adjustment of the backrest 3 into a fold-flat position or an inclination adjustment of an armrest or a headrest, etc. or locked, can be controlled in the same way in order to always enable redundant manual control in the event of an electrical defect or failure in an emergency situation in addition to electronic control.

Reference List

1

vehicle seat

1a, 1b

seat side panel

2

locking device

3

backrest

4

actuator unit

5

Locking cable

5a

free end of the locking cable

5b

Cross-sectional reinforcement of the free end 5a

6a

first actuation means

6b

second actuation means

7a

first control cable

7b

second control cable

7c

free end of the first control cable 7a

7d

free end of the second control cable 7b

7e

Cross-sectional reinforcement of the free end 7c

7f

Cross-sectional reinforcement of the free end 7d

8th

Housing

9

engine

10

transmission gear

11

first control

11a

gear

11b

hub

11c

guide section

11d

Deepening of the gear 11a

11e

head Start

12

driver

13

locking element

13a

locking disc

13b

locking slot

13c

Upper part of locking disc 13a

13d

Lower part of the locking disc 13a

13e

locking hole

13f

Section of the locking opening

13g

first investment shoulder

1 p.m

second investment shoulder

13i

Top of locking disc 13a

13k

Underside of locking disc 13a

13n

third plant shoulder

14

second control

14a

control lever

14b

control slot

14c

Upper part of the control lever 14a

14d

Lower part of the control lever 14a

14e

first control edge

14f

second control flank

15

spring means

15a

spiral spring

15b

first end of the spiral spring 15a

15c

second end of the spiral spring 15a

16

locking recording

16a

Insertion opening of the locking mount 16

16b

Elongated hole of the locking mount 16

17

control recording

17a

Insertion opening of the control mount 17

17b

Long hole in the steering mount 17

17c

slotted mount

18

Control Disc

100

seating arrangement

A1

first distance

A2

second distance

D1

first axis of rotation

D2

second axis of rotation

D3

third axis of rotation

F1

first traction

F2

second traction

F3

third traction

F4

fourth traction

LS

released position

R

axial direction

S

control signal

vs

locked position

QUOTES INCLUDED IN DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents cited by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent Literature Cited

• US20160281400A1 [0003]
• US20180141470A1[0003]
• US20190232821A1 [0003]
• US 8400033 B2 [0006]

Claims (15)

Actuator unit (4) with a housing (8) for actuating a locking device (2) for a vehicle seat (1) via a locking cable (5), having at least: - an electrically controllable motor (9), - a first control element (11), which can be rotated about a first axis of rotation (D1) via the motor (9), - a locking element (13) with at least one locking receptacle (16) for receiving the locking cable (5), wherein the locking element (13) is mounted on the housing (8) so that it can rotate about a second axis of rotation (D2), - a second control element (14) with at least one control mount (17) for receiving a control cable (7a), 7b), wherein the second control element (14) can be pivoted about a third axis of rotation (D3) by a third and/or a fourth tensile force (F3, F4) on the at least one control mount (17), the first Control element (11) in a control of the motor (9) and the second control element (14) in Vorlie Gen a third and / or a fourth tensile force (F3, F4) on the control mount (17) are each independently designed to twist the locking element (13) about the second axis of rotation (D2) to tighten a in the at least one locking receptacle (16) accommodated locking cable (5) with a first tensile force (F1), characterized in that the second control element (14) with the at least one control receptacle (17) opposite the locking element (13) can be moved with the at least one locking receptacle (16), so that the second control element (14) does not pivot when the locking element (13) is rotated by the first control element (11). Actuator unit (4) after claim 1 , characterized in that the at least one locking receptacle (16) is spaced at a first distance (A1) from the second axis of rotation (D2) of the locking element (13) and the at least one control receptacle (17) at a second distance (A2) from the third axis of rotation (D3) of the second control element (14), the second distance (A2) differing from the first distance (A1), in particular the second distance (A2) being greater than the first distance (A1). Actuator unit (4) after claim 1 or 2 , characterized in that the third axis of rotation (D3) of the second control element (14) and the second axis of rotation (D2) of the locking element (13) and/or the first axis of rotation (D1) of the first control element (11) lie on top of each other or are spaced apart. Actuator unit (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking element (13) is designed as a locking disk (13a) with a centrally arranged locking opening (13e) and the first control element (11) has a guide section (11c) running parallel to the first axis of rotation (D1), the locking disk (13a) with the locking opening (13e) being placed coaxially on the guide section (11c) and rotatably mounted thereon. Actuator unit (4) after claim 4 , characterized in that the locking disc (13a) is accommodated in a recess (11d) of the first control element (11). Actuator unit (4) after claim 4 or 5 , characterized in that the locking disc (13a) has a first contact shoulder (13g) against which when the motor (9) is activated, a driver (12) on the first control element (11) can be pressed in order to The locking disc (13a) is rotated about the second axis of rotation (D2) relative to the first control element (11) in order to tighten a locking cable (5) accommodated in the at least one locking receptacle (16) with a first tensile force (F1 ). Actuator unit (4) according to one of Claims 4 until 6 , characterized in that the locking disc (13a) has a second bearing shoulder (13h) or a third bearing shoulder (13n), which preferably differ from the first bearing shoulder (13g), against which in the presence of a third and/or one fourth tensile force (F3, F4) on the control receptacle (17) a first control edge (14e) or a second control edge (14f) on the second control element (14) can be pressed to lock the disc (13a) about the second axis of rotation (D2) to tighten a locking cable (5) accommodated in the at least one locking receptacle (16) with a first tensile force (F1). Actuator unit (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second control element (14) with the control receptacles (17) as at least one relative to the locking element (13) with the locking receptacles (16) pivotable control lever (14a) or control disk (18) which does not pivot about the third axis of rotation (D3) when the locking element (13) is rotated by actuation of the first control element (11). Actuator unit (4) after claim 8 , characterized in that two control levers (14a) or two control discs (18) each with a control receptacle (17) are provided as the second control element (14), the two control levers (14a) or control discs (18) being controlled independently of one another by a third or a fourth tensile force (F3, F4) can be pivoted on the respective control mount (17) about the third axis of rotation (D3). Actuator unit (4) after claim 9 , characterized in that the two control levers (14a) or control discs (18) are arranged on different sides (13i, 13k) of the locking element (13). Actuator unit (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second control element (14) with the control receptacles (17) is arranged outside the housing (8). Actuator unit (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one control receptacle (17) is designed to receive a free end (7c, 7d) of a control cable (7a, 7b) for initiating the third and /or the fourth tensile force (F3, F4) from the respective control cable (7a, 7b) to the control mount (17) via the free end (7c, 7d) of the respective control cable (7a, 7b), and /or the at least one locking receptacle (16) is designed to receive a free end (5a) of the locking cable (5) for introducing the first tensile force (F1) from the locking element (13) into the locking cable (5) via the respective free end (5a) of the locking cable (5). Actuator unit (4) after claim 9 , characterized in that the locking receptacle (16) and/or the control receptacle (17) each have an insertion opening (16a, 17a) and a slot (16b, 17b) running radially outward thereon , into which the free end (5a) of the respective locking cable (5) and/or the free end (7c, 7d) of the respective control cable (7a, 7b) can be inserted. Actuator unit (4) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the first control element (11) and the locking element (13) a spring means (15), in particular a spiral spring (15a) is arranged such that at a relative torsion of the locking element (13) in relation to the first control element (11) and/or in relation to the second control element (14), the spring means (15) is pretensioned. Vehicle seat (1) with at least one locking device (2) for locking and unlocking a seat component arranged on the vehicle seat (1) and an actuator unit (4) with a housing (8) for actuating the at least one locking device (2), wherein between the actuator unit ( 4) and the respective locking device (2), at least one locking cable (5) runs, via which the respective locking device (2) can be actuated, the actuator unit (4) having at least: - an electrically controllable motor (9), - a first control element (11) which can be rotated about a first axis of rotation (D1) via the motor (9), - a locking element (13) with at least one locking receptacle (16) for receiving the locking cable (5), wherein the locking element (13) is mounted on the housing (8) such that it can rotate about a second axis of rotation (D2), - a second control element (14) with at least one control receptacle (17), in which a control cable (7a, 7b) is accommodated, wherein the second control element (14) by a third and/or a fourth tensile force (F3, F4) on the at least one control receptacle (17) by a third Axis of rotation (D3) can be pivoted, the first control element (11) when the motor (9) is activated and the second control element (14) when a third and/or fourth tensile force (F3, F4) is present the control mounts (17) are each designed independently of one another to rotate the locking element (13) about the second axis of rotation (D2) and the locking cable (5) accommodated in the at least one locking mount (16). a first tensile force (F1), characterized in that the second control element (14) with the at least one control receptacle (17) and the control cable (7a, 7b) accommodated therein opposite the locking element (13) with the at least one locking receptacle (16) and being received therein Locking cable (5) is movable, so that the second control element (14) with the received control cable (7a, 7b) rotates when the locking element (13) is rotated by the first control element (11) not pivoted.

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