EP1934490A2

EP1934490A2 - Adjusting mechanism

Info

Publication number: EP1934490A2
Application number: EP06806145A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Manuel Antonio De Castro Faria; João ALBERTO VILELA BARROS
Original assignee: Fico Cables Ltda
Current assignee: Fico Cables Ltda
Priority date: 2005-10-11
Filing date: 2006-10-10
Publication date: 2008-06-25
Also published as: CN101287918A; DE102005048659A1; DE102005048659B4; WO2007042257A3; WO2007042257A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to an adjusting mechanism (1) for adjusting means (12), particularly for bowden cables (10) and support structures of seats, comprising a rotatably mounted screw shaped pin element (32) and a hollow cylinder shaped displacing element (20) with inner thread (22) on which an adjusting means (12) is mountable, wherein by rotating the pin element (32), the displacing element (20) is displaceable with respect to the pin element (32) since the displacing element (20) is screwed on the pin element (32) or from the pin element (32).

Description

ADJUSTING MECHANISM

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an adjusting mechanism, particularly for Bowden cables in support structures of motor vehicle seats.

Background of the invention

The most different technical applications use cables and Bowden cables to transmit adjusting movements to remotely arranged apparatus. By these Bowden cables, a relative movement is transmitted generated by means of the adjusting mechanism between the sheath and the cable of the Bowden cable. On this technical basis, for example backrests and seat planes in seat structures or seat constructions are adjusted. A further field of application are spine supports which are for example installed in motor vehicle seats. Further examples of applications for adjusting mechanisms are orthopedic seats or beds as well as all technical devices in which movements transmitted by cables are used for controlling or adjusting.

In view of the use of adjusting mechanisms in spine supports of motor vehicle seats, different technical solutions are known in the prior art. For example the WO 99/65730 discloses a technically expensive solution in which at the same time at least two cables or Bowden cables can be actuated. The adjusting mechanism comprises a spindle wherein the two-halves of which are configured with different threads. The threads of both halves working in opposed directions and a nut is guided on each halve to which an adjusting means can be mounted. By turning the spindle, a displacement of both nuts in opposed directions is achieved. In spite of the effectivity of this technical solution, it is expensive in its construction. Addi- tionally, this adjusting mechanism requires much space interfering with the further miniaturization in the motor vehicle construction.

Simpler constructive solutions are disclosed in the EP 0 485 483, the US 2002/0008417, the US 5,638,722 and the US 6,520,580. The adjusting mechanisms disclosed in the above mentioned documents are essentially based on the same adjusting principle. The cable to be adjusted is mounted on a centrally arranged threaded bolt. This threaded bolt is axially displaceable arranged. Furthermore, a rotation of this threaded bolt is prevented in order to not damage the con- nected cable. On the threads of said threaded bolt runs a nut stationarily arranged for example at a corresponding casing. By turning this nut in the one or the other direction, the threaded bolt is axially displaced in one or the other direction. This displacement shifts the cable whereby this shifting movement is transmitted via the cable to the apparatus to be adjusted.

The threads corresponding to each other of the nut and the threaded bolt are configured in such a way that they enable a convenient displacement of the threaded bolt by the rotation of the nut. This thread construction includes a certain slack between the nut and the threaded bolt which often causes jamming of the threaded bolt within the nut. This jamming leads to difficulties during adjusting the adjusting means or in fact to a complete blocking of the adjusting mechanism.

A further disadvantage follows from the large space consumption of the known adjusting mechanisms. This large space consuption follows from the fact that the different constructive components of the adjusting mechanism are arranged a- round the voluminous threaded bolt. The diameter of the threaded bolt is predetermined in the respective construction by the space required for the connection between the cable and the threaded bolt. Without changing the diameter and the dimension of the threaded bolt, it was merely tried to save material by construct- ing the threaded bolt as a hollow body. In spite of this hollow body construction, the adjusting mechanism of the prior art requires the same space as the other con- structions and it interferes in this manner with the arrangement and the configuration of other apparatus, for example in motor vehicles. Based on the complex construction of the adjusting mechanism, also a greater amount of material is connected thereto. Further disadvantages follow from the weight and the size of the adjusting mechanism leading to security risks, as for example during accidents of motor vehicles.

It is therefore the technical problem of the present invention to provide an adjusting mechanism compared to the prior art being more compact in its construction, requiring less space as well as reducing security risks, as for example in motor vehicles.

Summary of the invention

The above problem is solved by an adjusting mechanism according to the present invention as defined in independent claim 1.

The adjusting mechanism according to the present invention for adjusting means, particularly for Bowden cables in support structures of seats, comprises a rotata- bly mounted screw like pin element and a hollow cylinder shaped displacing element with inner threads to which the adjusting means is connectable wherein by rotating the pin element, the displacing element is displaced with respect to the pin element by screwing the displacing element onto the pin element or from the pin element.

Based on the construction according to the invention, an adjusting mechanism is provided having a small space consuption, low material consumption and low weight which minimizes the security risk, for example during an accident of a motor vehicle, based on these properties. The space saving construction of the adjusting mechanism is realized by the fact that the displacing element shifting the connecting cable is configured similarly to a hollow cylinder. This hollow cylin- der like shape enables the use of the space otherwise wasted within the displacing element, as for example in connection with the used threaded bolts of the prior art, for the arrangement and the engagement of a screw-like pin element adjusting the displacing element. This screw-like pin element is preferably according to the invention rotatably mounted so that the threads on its outside form a positive connection with the inner threads of the hollow cylinder like displacing element. During rotation of the pin element, this positive connection leads to an axial displacement of the displacing element. In this manner, the adjusting means connected to the displacing element, for example a cable or a Bowden cable, is shifted in axial direction of the displacing element. Based on the arrangement of the screw-like pin element respectively of the driving element generating the displacement of the displacing element within the hollow cylinder like displacing element, the adjusting mechanism of the present invention is more compact, smaller and lighter compared to known adjusting mechanisms of the prior art. Furthermore, the adjusting mechanism of the present invention provides a completely different mechanical principle than known adjusting mechanisms. In this principle, the driving constructions are arranged within the volume of the adjusting element which is only possible by means of the realization of the moving principle of the pin element and the adjusting means and their construction ac- cording to the present invention.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting mechanism further comprises a hollow cylinder shaped case guide in which the displacing element is non-rotatably guided.

The hollow cylinder shaped displacing element realizes preferably according to the invention two different functions. On the one hand, the displacing element comprises the above mentioned inner threads so that it is shifted in the one or the other direction by the interaction with the threads of the screw-shaped pin ele- ment. On the other hand, the hollow cylinder shaped displacing element serves for the mounting of the cable at its lower end. Only by this mounting, it is possible to also transmit the displacement of the displacing element to the connected cable. To enable on the one hand the screwing of the displacing element onto the pin element and on the other hand to prevent a damage or even a destruction of the connected cable, the displacing element is non-rotatably guided in the case guide. Therefore, it exclusively carries out a movement in the axial direction. Since the rotation of the displacing element is prevented, the rotation of the pin element in the one or the other direction is optimally transformed in a linear displacement of the displacing element. In this manner, a rotational movement, for example a manual or a motor-driven rotational movement of the screw-shaped pin element, is effectively transformed in to a linear shifting motion of the displacing element and, thus, of the connected cable by means of the adjusting mechanism according to the invention.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the case guide comprises at least one projection at its inner side guided in a recess of the displacing element.

The above mentioned non-rotatable arrangement and displacement of the displacing element in the hollow cylinder shaped case guide is realized by the coopera- tion of a projection and a recess. Since the projection is arranged at the inner side of the case guide and the recess is arranged at the outside of the displacing element, the rotation of the displacing element is locked by the engagement of the projection and the recess. Therefore, only a linear shifting of the displacing element within the hollow cylinder shaped case guide is possible, respectively a shif- ting predetermined by the course of the recess within the hollow cylinder shaped case guide. It is also preferred to arrange the projection at the displacing element and the recess at the case guide.

According to a further preferred embodiment, a guiding plane is arranged within the case guide opposite to the inner threads of the displacing element in order to guide the displacing element with approximately no slack within the case guide. By the preferred construction according to the invention of the adjusting mechanism, the displacing element is guided between the inner guiding plane of the case guide and the outer threads surface of the screw shaped pin element during the adjusting process. Even if the threads of the pin element and the corresponding inner threads of the displacing element are not configured as fine-pitch threads, a tilting and, thus, a jamming of the displacing element between the screw shaped pin element and the guiding plane of the case guide is prevented. In this manner, on the one hand an optimal operation of the adjusting mechanism according to the invention is realized since the threads of the pin element and the displacing ele- ment remain efficiently aligned to each other also if both elements are moving. On the other hand, a blocking of the adjusting mechanism according to the invention is prevented so that an adjusting movement of the connected adjusting means, for example a connected Bowden cable, is always possible.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pin e- lement is concentrically arranged within a case cover so that by rotating the case cover the pin element is rotated.

Preferably according to the invention, the adjusting mechanism is protected a- gainst outer influences by means of a case cover. This case cover is rotatably connected with the case guide, for example by means of snapping locks/latches. Within the case cover, the pin element is concentrically mounted so that the pin element is also moved by a rotation of the case cover applied from the outside. In this manner, the rotation of the case cover applied from the outside is directly transformed into a linear displacement of the displacing element and, thus, of the connected cable. During this rotation the displacing element can be moved into the case cover, such that the case cover provides a space saving construction for the adjusting mechanism, particularly with respect to its axial length. Preferably according to the invention, different functions are at the same time optimally combined with each other by the combination of the case cover and the pin element. On the one hand, the already above mentioned closing of the adjusting me- chanism according to the invention is realized. Furthermore, no additional case arrangements are required leading to a disadvantageous enlargement of the adjusting mechanism. Beside the closing function of the case cover, it is also used as a driving means for the adjusting movement. To this end, structures are preferably realized in the outer surface of the case cover, as for example ribs or projections at which preferably according to the invention a handwheel abuts or onto which a handwheel can be attached. According to a further preferred embodiment, the case cover with pin element is driven by a motor to achieve an adjusting movement. This adjusting movement is generated by a step motor or by a torque motor to give only a few examples.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the case guide comprises at least one opening through which the adjusting means is con- nectable to the displacing element.

Preferably according to the invention, it is not necessary to disassemble the adjusting mechanism for mounting the cable at the displacing element. This manner of construction reduces the installation effort of the adjusting mechanism according to the invention. To this end, an opening is realized in the case guide through which the thicker end of the cable is inserted in a corresponding mounting arrangement of the displacing element.

Preferably according to the invention, at least two adjusting means are mountable on the displacing element through one or two corresponding openings in the case guide.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the case guide comprises attachment clamps for the rotatable attachment of the case cover.

As already mentioned above, the case cover serves for the protection of the adjusting mechanism against outer influences as well as also for the transfer of the rotat- ing adjusting motion to the displacing element. In order to not release the case cover during this rotation, it is mounted to the case guide by means of attachment clamps. These attachment clamps overlap for example a circumferential projection or an edge of the case cover so that a displacement is prevented, but however a rotation is enabled.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the case guide comprises at least one support for the sheath of the Bowden cable. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting mechanism comprises an in- termediate ring arranged between the case guide and the case cover for reducing the friction.

This intermediate ring preferably realizes several functions. On the one hand, possible tolerances between the case guide and the case cover are compensated by means of this intermediate ring. In this manner, the case cover sufficiently encloses the adjusting mechanism without leaving a gap between the case guide and the case cover for the penetration of for example any contamination. Further, the intermediate ring serves as a friction reducing surface onto which the case guide and the case cover move. Based on this construction, the smooth running of the adjusting mechanism according to the invention is guaranteed.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adjusting mechanism comprises a hollow cylinder like handwheel mountable on said case cover by partly receiving said case cover.

Description of the accompanying drawing

In the following, the preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained with reference to the accompanying drawing. It shows: Figure 1 a perspective outer view of the adjusting mechanism, seen from the front (A) and from behind (B);

Figure 2 a perspective exploded view of the single components of the adjust- ing mechanism according to the invention according to a preferred embodiment;

Figure 3 a perspective exploded and sectional view of the single components of the adjusting mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 a sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the adjusting mechanism of the present invention in which the displacing means is minimally displaced; and

Figure 5 a sectional view of the adjusting mechanism according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a maximum displaced position of the connected adjusting means.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

In the Figures IA and B, an outer perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention is shown. This adjusting mechanism 1 serves for shifting a connected adjusting means 12. This adjusting means 12 is preferably a cable, a rigid element, as for example a rod or a spring element, and most preferably a Bowden cable 10. In the further description, it is referred to a Bowden cable 10 as a representative adjusting means 12.

Figure IA shows a preferred embodiment of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention seen from the side of the case guide 40. The case guide 40 serves for the mounting of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention on a frame, a housing or the same or generally on a rigid point. To this end, the case guide 40 comprises three spatially uniformly distributed loops or openings 47. These openings 47 are preferably used for the attachment of screws, rivets or o- ther mounting means having the same effect. Dependent on the size of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention, the number of the openings 47 is varied and the distribution or arrangement of the openings 47 is adapted to the respective conditions. It is further preferred to combine a lower number of openings 47, i.e. minimum one opening, with a latching mechanism at the case guide 40. Such a latching mechanism (not shown) is preferably formed by a latch or a hook engaging the frame or the rigid attachment point or which latches in the sa- me. By the combination of only one opening 47 and the above mentioned latching mechanism, a sufficient mounting of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention is ensured and at the same time a space saving arrangement is guaranteed. In case the adjusting mechanism 1 is used in spine supports of motor vehicles, a space saving arrangement follows from its configuration and mounting. The adjusting mechanism 1 mounted on the seat frame only minimally projects into the inner of the seat with the lower part of the case guide 40, i.e. the support 48. The remaining part of the adjusting mechanism 1 is preferably received according to the invention by the cushioning of the seat and, thus, it does not interfere with other components within the seat frame.

Further, the case guide 40 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a window 44. Through this window 44, the inner displacing element 20 can be seen which is described in more detail below. The displacing element 20 comprises in its lower portion directed to the case guide 40 a mounting arrangement 26 in order to connect the inner cable 12 of the Bowden cable 10 or generally to connect an adjusting means 12 to the displacing element 20. To this end, the inner cable 12 comprises a thicker mounting end 16 which is inserted in the mounting arrangement 26 of the displacing element 20 according to the invention and mounted therein. The preferred window 44 in the case guide 40 serves for the facilitated installation and deinstallation of the cable 12. Based on this arrangement, reduced maintenance and installation efforts in connection with the present invention are required compared to adjusting mechanisms of the prior art since for the change of the ca- ble 12 no deinstallation and installation of the adjusting mechanism 1 is required.

After insertion of the cable 12 via the window 44 in the displacing element 20, the cable 12 runs through an opening (not shown) in the case guide 40. The cable 12 is installed via a slot in the mentioned opening and an adjacent support 48 at the outside of the case guide 40. The support 48 preferably serves for receiving the outer sheath 14 of the Bowden cable 10. Dependent on the number of Bowden cables 10 to be controlled, it is also preferred to arrange two or more supports 48 at the outside of the case guide 40. Based on the above mentioned construction, a relative movement between the cable 12 and the sheath 14 of the Bowden cable 10 is generated during the adjusting process by shifting the preferred displacing element 20 with respect to the case guide 40.

The case guide 40 further comprises according to a preferred embodiment attachment clamps 46. These attachment clamps 46 rotatably attach a case cover 30. This case cover 30 serves on the one hand for covering the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention wherein further functions of the case cover 30 are described below in more detail. For the mounting of the case cover 30 at the case guide 40, the same comprises preferably an edge 34 (confer Figure 3) which is held by the attachment clamps 46. The connection between the attachment clamps 46 and the preferred edge 34 allows the already above mentioned rotating of the case cover 30 with respect to the case guide 40 wherein however no displacing of the case cover 30 in its axial direction is possible.

The rotating of the case cover 30 serves for the adjusting of the adjusting mecha- nism 1 according to the invention. To this end, the outside of the case cover 30 has a profile preferably formed according to the invention by axially running re- cesses and projections. The mentioned profile can preferably comprise also other shapes ensuring a positive connection with a handwheel 50 to be attached. The handwheel 50 preferably according to the invention is shown in the Figures 2 and 3. It comprises a hollow cylinder shaped opening 52 adapted in its size to the case cover 30. The inner side of the opening 52 comprises preferably ribs and recesses which latch in the profile of the outside of the case cover 30. In assembled condition, the handwheel 50 receives a great part of the case cover 30 in the hollow cylinder shaped opening 52 and the profile of the inner side of the opening 52 latches in the profile of the outside of the case cover 30. By this positive connec- tion, a rotating of the case cover 30 by means of the handwheel 50 is realized in a simple manner while the handwheel 50 can be released from the case cover 30 with low efforts or it can be attached to the same. Preferably according to the invention a space saving arrangement follows additionally from this construction even since the case cover 30 is almost completely accommodated by the hand- wheel 50.

Further components of the preferred adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention are shown in the perspective exploded illustration of the Figures 2 and 3. First, the window 44 of the case guide 40 can be seen once more in Figure 3 through which the cable 12 with the mounting end 16 is inserted through the case guide 40 in the displacing element 20. While inserting, the cable 12 is led through a slot to the support 48 in the centre of which then the cable 12 runs according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The case guide 40 is further adapted in its size to approximately snug fittingly receive the displacing element 20. The inner dimension of the case guide 40 is thus such configured that the displacing element 20 is received with a approximately no slack and guided in the case guide 40. The receiving of the displacing element 20 with no slack in the case guide 40 guarantees preferably an axial shift- ing and guiding of the displacing element 20 so that no jamming of the displacing element 20 in the case guide 40 occurs. Therefore, the dimensions with no slack of the case guide 40 and the displacing element 20 form the basis for a smooth running operation and for low actuating efforts of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention. By the adapted size of the above mentioned elements of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention, it is further guaranteed that no interfering noises are generated, for example by vibrations in motor vehicles. Additionally, the snug fit provides for low frictional losses and thereby a further increase of the necessary adjusting forces required for the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention is prevented.

In order to axially displace the preferred displacing element 20 with approximately no friction within the case guide 40, the case guide 40 comprises an inner guiding surface 43. To this end, the guiding surface 43 is configured as a smooth surface. The guiding surface 43 further comprises an axially extending projection 42 guided in a recess 24 of the displacing element 20. The projection 42 and the recess 24 form preferably according to the invention a positive connection so that the displacing element 20 is not rotated within the case guide 40 but only displaced along the predetermined path. The course of the path is preferably according to the invention defined by the cooperation of the projection 42 and the recess 24. The recess 24 in the displacing element 20 extends preferably linearly. It is, however, also preferred to realize a curvilinear course in case this supports the adjusting of the connected adjusting means 12 by means of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention. According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the projection 42 has not to extend along the whole length of the case guide 40. It is also sufficient if the projection 42 is arranged in a shortened shape at the end of the case guide 40 directed away from the support 48.

The displacing element 20 guided in the case guide 40 with no slack is shaped similarly to a hollow cylinder according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The lower end of the displacing element 20 directed to the support 48 of the case guide 40 serves for receiving and mounting the mounting end 16 of the Bowden cable 10. Additionally, the lower end preferably closes one side of the hollow cylinder shaped displacing element 20.

The inner side of the hollow cylinder shaped displacing element 20 has preferably according to the invention inner threads 22. This inner threads 22 is adapted to be screwed on the screw shaped pin element 32. The preferred pin element 32 according to the invention is rigidly arranged within the case cover 30 so that the displacing element 20 and the pin element 32 are axially aligned to each other. The outer threads of the pin element 32 and the inner threads 22 of the hollow cylinder shaped displacing element 20 are adapted to each other so that a displacing of the displacing element 20 is carried out with approximately no slack as soon as the pin element 32 is rotated by means of the case cover 30 in the one or the other direction. By adapting both above mentioned threads, a jamming of the case guide 40, the displacing element 20 and the pin element 32 is avoided. This forms the basis for an optimal operation of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention since the displacing element 20 is guided between the pin element 32 and the guiding surface 43 of the case guide 40. This guidance with no slack which is adapted to each other prevents a tilting, jamming and clattering of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention. Furthermore, the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention is more compact in this manner and thereby smaller compared to known adjusting mechanisms. In known adjusting mechanisms, the displacing elements is namely configured in the shape of a bolt wherein the inner of which is filled with material or it is hollow. Therefore, the displacing element of the prior art encloses an unused volume causing high space consumption and a high weight of the adjusting mechanism of the prior art.

In opposite thereto, the pin element 32 is arranged within the displacing element 20 in the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the present invention. In this manner, known outer space consuming arrangements for shifting the displacing ele- ment 20 are saved and the inner volume of the displacing element 20 is used. The adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention thereby realizes a completely different principle compared to known adjusting mechanisms of the prior art. Lower space consumption of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention follows therefrom. At the same time, this provides more space for other components whereby the security, for example in motor vehicles, can be enhanced. Ad- ditionally, the inventive arrangement leads to an adjusting mechanism with low weight, low material consumption and a facilitated operation since the different components efficiently cooperate.

In case the case cover 30 is rotated by means of the preferred handwheel 50 in the one or the other direction, thereby the displacing element 20 is screwed on the pin element 32 or from the pin element 32. The position of maximum displacement of the displacing element 20 and correspondingly of the connected cable 12 is according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention shown in Figure 5. The position of minimum displacement of the connected cable 12 is shown in op- posite thereto in Figure 4. It can be also seen in Figures 4 and 5 that the displacing element 20 is preferably according to the invention guided with approximately no slack and shifted between the outer threads of the pin element 32 and the guiding surface 43 of the case guide 40 while adjusting the displacing element 20.

In order to enable an adjusting of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention with approximately no friction, an intermediate ring 60 is arranged between an inner edge 36 of the case cover 30 and the edge of the case guide 40 directed to the case cover 30. This ring 60 serves for reducing the friction between the case cover 30 and the case guide 40. Further, this ring 60 serves for a resilient abutment between the case guide 40 and the case cover 13 in order to prevent clattering noises between the components of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention, for example induced by vibrations in motor vehicles. According to a further function, the ring 60 seals the inner of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention against outer influences by closing the gap between the case guide 40 and the case cover 30. This sealing function is however also used to prevent the leak of lubricant from the adjusting mechanism 1. Thereby, the soiling of for example the cushioning of motor vehicle seats is prevented. Additionally, it has not to be re-lubricated since the lubricate is permanently enclosed in the adjusting mechanism 1.

The adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention is preferably made of arbitrary materials, as for example metals and/or plastics. In the present embodiment, plastic material is preferred. By molding the plastic material, for example a channel 38 is formed in the preferred case cover 30 according to the invention (confer Figures 3, 4 and 5). Although the preferred configuration according to the inven- tion of the adjusting mechanism 1 already leads to a reduced space consumption compared to known adjusting mechanisms, the channel 38 can also be omitted in order to still further minimize the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention. It is additionally preferred according to the invention to adapt the dimension of the pin element 32 and its threads as well as the dimension of the displacing element 20 and its inner threads 22 to the regulating distances and loads to be achieved and to the rotations and torques to be applied by the operator of the adjusting mechanism. The consideration of these application conditions of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention can also lead to a further minimization of the present invention. This advantageous minimization respectively miniaturization leads to reduced space consumption, low material consumption and to a reduced weight of the adjusting mechanism 1 according to the invention. Also an increased security in the motor vehicle construction results therefrom since more space is available for other components.

Claims

1. An adjusting mechanism (1) for adjusting means (12), in particular for bow- den cables (10) in support structures of seats, comprising:

a) a rotatably mounted screw shaped pin element (32), and

b) a hollow cylinder shaped displacing element (20) with inner threads (22) on which the adjusting means (12) is mountable; wherein

c) by rotating the pin element (32), the displacing element (20) is displaceable with respect to the pin element (32) by screwing the displacing element (20) onto the pin element (32) or from the pin element (32).

2. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a hollow cylinder shaped case guide (40) in which the displacing element (20) is non- rotatably guided.

3. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 2, wherein the case guide (40) comprises at least one projection (42) at its inner side guided in a recess (24) at the displacing element (20).

4. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 2, wherein a guiding surface (43) is arranged within the case guide (40) opposed to the inner thread (22) of the displacing element (20) in order to guide the displacing element (20) with approximately no slack in the case guide (40).

5. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 1, wherein the pin element (32) is concentrically and rigidly arranged within the case cover (30) so that the pin element (32) is rotated by rotating the case cover (30).

6. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 2, wherein the case guide (40) comprises at least one opening (44) through which the adjusting means (12) is mountable on the displacing element (20).

7. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 6, wherein at least two adjust- ing means (12) are mountable on the displacing element (20) through corresponding openings (44) of the case guide (40).

8. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 5, wherein the case guide (40) comprises attachment clamps (46) for a rotatable fixing of the case cover (30).

9. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 6, wherein the case guide (40) comprises at least one support (48) for the sheath (14) of a bowden cable (10).

10. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 9, wherein the case guide (40) comprises at least two supports (48) for the sheath (14) of a bowden cable (10).

11. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 5, further comprising an intermediate ring (60) arranged between the case guide (40) and the case cover (30) for reducing the friction.

12. Adjusting mechanism (1) according to claim 5, further comprising a hollow cylinder shaped handwheel (50) mountable onto the case cover (30) by partly receiving the case cover (30).