EP3092152A1

EP3092152A1 - Vehicle seat having a driving device and method for attaching a driving device in a play-free manner

Info

Publication number: EP3092152A1
Application number: EP15700033.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thorsten Klein-Hitpass; Hilmar Wahlen; Ulli GENUTT
Original assignee: Johnson Controls GmbH
Current assignee: Adient Luxembourg Holding SARL
Priority date: 2014-01-07
Filing date: 2015-01-05
Publication date: 2016-11-16
Also published as: CN105899403A; DE102014207529A1; JP6293302B2; WO2015104228A1; KR20160105522A; JP2017502881A; US20160325643A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a vehicle seat (1) having a driving device (20), which driving device comprises a pinion (25), which is in tooth engagement with a set of teeth (95) of an adjustment kinematic system, wherein the driving device (20) is fastened to a structural part (100) of the vehicle seat (1), wherein at least one spring element (110) applies a force to the driving device (20) in the direction of the tooth engagement. The invention further relates to a method for attaching a driving device (20) to a structural part (100) of a vehicle seat (1) in a play-free manner, wherein the driving device (20) comprises a pinion (25), which is in tooth engagement with a set of teeth (95) of an adjustment kinematic system, in particular a height adjustment kinematic system (5), of the vehicle seat (1), wherein a) a force is applied to the the driving device (20) in the direction of the tooth engagement by means of at least one spring element (110) in such a way that a possible play between the pinion (25) and the set of teeth (95) is eliminated, and b) in a further step, the position of the driving device (20) in relation to the structural part (100) is secured.

Description

VEHICLE SEAT WITH A DRIVE DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GAME-FREE CONNECTION OF A DRIVE DEVICE

The invention relates to a vehicle seat with a drive device comprising a pinion with a toothing of a setting kinematics of

Vehicle seat is in tooth engagement, wherein the drive device to a

Structured part of the vehicle seat is attached. The invention also relates to a method for play-free connection of a drive device to a structural part of a vehicle seat, wherein the drive device comprises a pinion, which with a toothing of a setting kinematics, in particular a

Height adjustment kinematics of the vehicle seat is in meshing engagement. State of the art

Both vehicle seat height adjuster and back adjuster drive devices for operating or adjusting the seat function are known. These are often electrical drives or mechanical, bidirectional stepping devices whose operating angle is usually 15 to 30 °, and which forward only the respective operating direction and are decoupled on the way back from the output. Such mechanisms are common as load-bearing systems in height adjusters. When used as Lehneneinsteller usually takes over the driven, designed as a gear fitting, backrest fitting the utility and Crashlasten. Known Drive devices are for example in DE 197 09 852 A1 and

DE 19540631 A1 discloses.

A drive device known by use includes a pinion geared to a rack of a height adjustment kinematics of the vehicle seat, the drive device being fixed to a structural member of the vehicle seat. During assembly of the drive device this is from

Fitter pressed in the direction of meshing and initially held manually in this position. The fitter can release the drive device only when he has secured the position of the drive device relative to the structural part by means of several screws. Inattentiveness during the assembly process, the position of the drive device can again

move before the screws are fully tightened. Component tolerances and assembly inaccuracies cause the risk of improper location of the gears of pinion and Höheneinstellkinematik to each other. If the teeth are too close to each other, assembly is difficult. By contrast, play between the teeth can lead to noises and reduces the forces which can be transmitted via the tooth engagement point.

task

The invention is based on the object, a vehicle seat with a

To provide drive device available that can be easily and inexpensively mounted and also a low-backlash or backlash-free meshing between a pinion of a drive device and a toothing of a

Setting kinematics, in particular a Höheneinstellkinematik, the vehicle seat has.

The invention is also based on the object to provide a method for play-free connection of a drive device to a structural part of a vehicle seat and thus a vehicle seat according to the invention. solution

This object is achieved by a vehicle seat with a drive device comprising a pinion, which is meshed with a toothing of a Einstellkinematik the vehicle seat, wherein the

Drive device is attached to a structural part of the vehicle seat, wherein at least one spring means acts on the drive device in the direction of the tooth engagement with a force.

Due to the fact that at least one spring means acts on the drive device in the direction of the tooth engagement with a force, during assembly of the

Vehicle seat a possibly existing game between the pinion of the

Drive device and the teeth of the adjustment kinematics automatically eliminated. In addition, the pinion is always applied during assembly with a defined force, so that too high a force between pinion and teeth is avoided.

Advantageous embodiments, which can be used individually or in combination with each other, are the subject of the dependent claims. The adjustment kinematics may be a height adjustment kinematics of the vehicle seat. By means of the height adjustment kinematics, the height of a seat cushion of the

Vehicle seat or the height of the entire vehicle seat to be changed in the vehicle. Preferably, the at least one spring means, in particular directly attached to the structural part. The structural member to which the spring means is attached may be the same structural member to which the driving device is attached.

The spring means is advantageously formed integrally with the structural part,

for example, with the structural part of a sheet, preferably a

Sheet steel formed. Usually used in vehicle seats

Sheet steel alloys have sufficient elasticity to a To form spring means.

At least the spring means is preferably made of sheet metal, in particular sheet steel. However, the structural part can also be made of a different material, for example a fiber-reinforced plastic. The

Spring element can then be introduced as an insert in the fiber-reinforced plastic and partially protrude from this.

The at least one spring means preferably acts with a resulting spring force on a housing of the drive device. The resulting

Spring force preferably acts in the direction of the toothing. At least one component of the resulting spring force acts in the direction of the toothing. The component oriented in the direction of the toothing preferably acts on the housing of the drive device.

Preferably, exactly two spring means act on the drive device. As a result, the drive device is fixed statically determined between the two spring means and the tooth engagement prior to attachment to the structural part in the manner of a tripod. The resulting spring force preferably acts in the direction of the toothing. At least one component of the resulting spring force acts in the direction of the toothing.

In a preferred embodiment, the vehicle seat according to the invention has a

Structural part for connecting the drive device, which as a

Seat frame side part of a seat frame of the vehicle seat is formed. The seat frame may have two seat frame side panels and two cross tubes connecting them. The drive device can serve to drive a height adjustment kinematics of the vehicle seat. The drive device may comprise a housing. A part of this housing may pass through an opening in the structural part. Preferably, the dimensions of the opening and of the part of the housing, the extends through the opening, matched to one another such that the drive device can be slightly moved in the direction of the meshing engagement before being fixed to the structural part. For example, the part of the housing which passes through the opening in the structural part, may be formed circularly with a first diameter and the opening in the structural part also be formed substantially circular with a second diameter, wherein the second diameter is slightly larger than the first diameter is. The

Diameter difference between the first diameter and the second

Diameter is then preferably twice as large as the tolerances to be compensated to ensure an optimal tooth engagement between the pinion and the teeth of the adjustment kinematics.

Preferably, the at least one spring means is formed as a tab, which extends from an edge region of the opening in the direction of the center of the opening. The tab can rest against the housing and this with a force

apply. A resulting force acts favorably in the direction of

Tooth engagement. This can be achieved, for example, by the fact that exactly one tab is provided, which acts in the direction of the tooth engagement, or exactly two tabs are provided which provide a resultant force in the direction of the

Generate meshing. However, it is sufficient if at least one tab, or more generally a spring means, exerts a force on the drive device, and this force has a force component in the direction of the tooth engagement.

The object is also achieved according to the invention by a method for play-free connection of a drive device to a structural part of a

Vehicle seat, wherein the drive device comprises a pinion, which is meshed with a toothing of a setting kinematics, in particular a Höheneinstellkinematik of the vehicle seat, wherein the drive device is acted upon by means of at least one spring means in the direction of tooth engagement with such a force that a possible play between the Pinion and the

Gearing is highlighted, and in a further process step, the position of the drive device is secured relative to the structural part. Preferably the fuse is made by means of a screw, insbesindere with three screws.

The vehicle seat according to the invention and the method according to the invention effect an automatic clearance compensation, by pinion and (counter)

Teeth are always positioned at the correct distance from each other.

The number of spring means is basically not limited. For space and cost reasons, however, a number of one or two spring means is preferred.

Figures and embodiments of the invention

In the following, the invention is explained in more detail with reference to advantageous embodiments shown in the figures. However, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Show it:

1 is a schematic side view of the vehicle seat,

2 is a perspective detail view of a known from the prior art vehicle seat, wherein a drive device of the

Vehicle seat is shown offset in the manner of an exploded view to the rest of the vehicle seat, a seat frame side part of the known from the prior art vehicle seat of Fig. 2,

4: a side view from the direction of the center of the seat on a part of a

Höheneinstellkinematik of the vehicle seat of FIG. 2,

Fig. 5: a Fig. 2 corresponding view according to a first

Embodiment of a vehicle seat according to the invention, 6 shows a seat frame side part of the vehicle seat from FIG. 5, FIG.

FIG. 7 is a view of a part of the elevational view kinematic according to the first embodiment. FIG

Embodiment,

8 shows a seat frame side part according to a second exemplary embodiment of a vehicle seat according to the invention and FIG

Fig. 9: a Fig. 7 corresponding view of the second embodiment.

In the figures 1 to 4 a known from the prior art vehicle seat 1 is described below. The vehicle seat 1 for a motor vehicle is provided with a base 3, for example two seat rail pairs, on the vehicle floor of the vehicle

Motor vehicle attached. A Hoheneinstellkinematik 5 of the vehicle seat 1 has on both sides of the vehicle seat each a four-bar arrangement, which is formed from the base 3, a front rocker 7, a rear rocker 9 and a seat frame side member 100 of a seat frame 10, which are each interconnected by means of hinges. The seat frame 10 comprises in a known manner on both

Vehicle seat sides per a seat frame side part 100. The two

Seat frame side parts 100 are connected to each other by two transverse tubes 1 1, which extend substantially perpendicular to the extension of the seat frame side parts 100.

By means of Hoheneinstellkinematik 5, the height of the seat cushion 12 and in this case at the same time the back 14 of the vehicle seat 1 above the vehicle floor (and thus on the base 3) adjustable.

For driving and locking the Hoheneinstellkinematik 5 at least one drive device 20 is provided, which on a vehicle seat side between two gear members of the local four-joint is effective, in this case between one of the two seat frame side parts 100 and a toothed segment 90 which is fixedly connected to one of the two rear wings 9. The toothed segment 90 is presently an L-shaped sheet metal part with two legs, which enclose an angle of approximately 90 ° between them. The two opposite ends of the legs are firmly connected to one of the two rear wings 9, riveted in this case. One of the two legs of the toothed segment 90 has a toothing 95. The the

Teeth 95 having legs is curved around the hinge point between the rear rocker 9 and the seat frame side member 100, so that the teeth 95 is formed correspondingly, in this case convex, curved. The toothed segment may also be a straight or a curved rack in a modification of the embodiment.

The drive device 20 has a manually drivable pinion 25 which is in meshing engagement with the toothing 95 of the toothed segment 90. The drive device 20 is connected by means of several screws 30 to the associated

Seat frame side part 100 screwed. Such a drive device is known, for example, from DE 10 2009 014 651 A1. In a modification of the embodiment, the pinion 25 is part of an electromotive drive device, as is known for example from DE 197 09 852 A1. If the drive device 20 is driven, it pivots the two associated transmission elements, in this case the seat frame side part 100 and the rear rocker 9 relative to one another, so that the height of the seat cushion 12 and the back 14 is changed via the height adjustment kinematics 5. The drive device 20 comprises a housing 22 which is arranged largely on the side remote from the seat center side of the seat frame side member 100. A presently circular portion of the housing 22, the one with the pinion 25 connected output shaft of the drive device 20 encloses, passes through a likewise circular opening 105 of the seat frame side member 100, so that the pinion 25 is disposed on the seat center side facing the seat frame side member 100. The diameter of the opening 105 is slightly larger than the diameter of the part of the housing 22 which passes through the opening 105.

This allows component tolerances and position tolerances during assembly of the drive device 20 to the seat frame side member 100 and before tightening the screws 30 compensate, so that the pinion teeth of the pinion 25 without play engages the toothing 95 of the toothed segment 90.

In the figures 5 to 7, a first embodiment of a

Inventive vehicle seat 1 shown, which corresponds to the prior art described above except for the invention described below essential differences.

Along the circumference of the opening 105 are two tabs 1 10, in particular of the material of the seat frame side member 100, is formed. The tabs 1 10 interrupt a circular contour of the circumference of the opening 105 and protrude slightly beyond the rest of the contour curve radially inward, that is in the direction of the center of the opening 105th

Each of the two tabs 1 10 comprises a first tab portion 1 1 1 and a second tab portion 1 12. The first tab portion 1 1 1 is connected in the region of a free cut 1 15 to the material surrounding the opening 105 of the seat frame side member 100 and extends largely from there parallel to the seat frame side part 100 and in the direction of the center of the opening 105. The first tab portions 1 1 1 each extend at a, preferably acute, angle α to a connecting line 120 between the axis of rotation of the pinion 25 and the meshing engagement between the pinion 25 and

Gearing 95. In the present case, the angle α is approximately 40 °. At the end regions of the first tab sections 11 1 pointing in the direction of the center of the opening 105, each of the first tab sections 11 1 passes over into a second tab section 12. The second tab portion 1 12 is angled relative to the first tab portion 1 1 1 and extends within an imaginary circular cylinder through the largely circular

Contour profile of the circumference of the opening 105 is defined. The second

Tab section 1 12 runs in the direction of the seat center. In the present case, the second tab portion 1 12 and the first tab portion 1 1 1 form an angle of approximately 90 ° between them. A transition region between the first tab portion 1 1 1 and the second tab portion 1 12 is defined herein by a bending radius. However, the first tab portion 1 1 1 can also pass sharp-edged into the second tab portion 1 12.

The tabs 1 10 are elastic and act as a spring means on the part of the housing 22, which passes through the opening 105. The lugs formed as spring means 1 10 act on the drive device 20 in the direction of

Tongue engagement by the tabs 1 10 slightly resilient when inserting the housing 22 into the opening 105 radially outward. The tabs 1 10 are distributed over the circumference of the opening 105 such that the tabs 10 act on the housing 22 with a resulting spring force, which acts in the direction of the toothing 95.

During further assembly of the drive device 20 to the

Seat frame side member 100 moves the force exerted by the tabs 1 10 on the housing 22 resulting spring force the drive device 20 so far in the direction of the teeth 95 until the pinion 25 engages without play in the toothing 95. This relative position between the drive device 20 and the

Seat frame side member 100 is secured by tightening the screws 30. In this way, the aforementioned tolerances are balanced and it is a largely backlash-free and thus quiet drive the

Height adjustment kinematics 5 available. FIGS. 8 and 9 show a second exemplary embodiment of a vehicle seat 1 according to the invention, which corresponds to the previously described first exemplary embodiment except for the differences described below.

In the second embodiment, the tabs 1 10 prior to assembly, that is, prior to insertion of the housing 22 into the opening 105, in each case only a first tab portion 1 1 1, which extends in the direction of the center of the opening 105 and in this direction in the Opening 105 protrudes into it, more precisely in the imaginary circular cylinder of the opening 105 protrudes. During the

Inserting the housing 22 into the opening 105 become the first

Tab portion 1 1 1 elastically and plastically deformed, so that a first radially inwardly facing portion of the first tab portion 1 1 1 is bent in the direction of insertion of the housing 22 of the housing 22, in the direction of the center of the seat. The bent areas of the

Tab portion 1 1 1 act against a disassembly of the housing 22 from the opening 105 as barbs. Thereby acting between the ends of the tab portions 1 1 1 and the housing 22, a high friction against the disassembly of the housing 22 from the opening 105. This high friction causes during assembly an additional axial securing of the housing 22 in the opening 105, so that a unwanted leakage of the housing 22 from the opening 105 is prevented even before screwing and tightening the screws 30. During assembly of the drive device 20 to the seat frame side member 100 moves through the tabs 1 10 exerted on the housing 22 resulting spring force the drive device 20 so far in the direction of the teeth 95 until the pinion 25 engages without play in the teeth 95. This relative position between the drive device 20 and the seat frame side member 100 is secured by tightening the screws 30. In this way, as in the first

Embodiment, the tolerances balanced and it is a largely play-free and thus quiet drive the height adjustment kinematics 5 available.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the drawings may be of importance both individually and in combination for the realization of the invention in its various forms.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

vehicle seat

Base

Höheneinstellkinematik

front swingarm

rear swingarm

seat frame

transverse pipe

seat cushions

rest

driving device

casing

pinion

screw

toothed segment

gearing

Structural part, seat frame side part

opening

Spring means, tab

(first) tab section

second tab section

Clear cut

connecting line

angle

Claims

claims

Vehicle seat (1) with a drive device (20), which comprises a pinion (25), which with a toothing (95) of a setting kinematics of

Vehicle seat (1) is in tooth engagement, wherein the drive device (20) on a structural part (100) of the vehicle seat (1) is fixed,

characterized in that

at least one spring means (1 10) acts on the drive device (20) in the direction of the tooth engagement with a force.

Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Drive device (20) for driving a Höheneinstellkinematik (5) of the vehicle seat (1) is used.

Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the at least one spring means (1 10) is attached to the structural part (100).

Vehicle seat (1) one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one spring means (1 10) is formed integrally with the structural part (100).

Vehicle seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one spring means (1 10) made of sheet metal, in particular

Sheet steel, is formed.

Vehicle seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one spring means (1 10) made of sheet steel, is formed.

Vehicle seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the at least one spring means is a tab (1 10).

8. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the structural part is a seat frame side part (100) of a seat frame (10) of the vehicle seat (1).

9. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that exactly two spring means (1 10), the drive device (20)

apply.

10. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the at least one spring means (1 10) a housing (22) of the

Drive device (20) acted upon by a resultant spring force which acts in the direction of the toothing (95).

1 1. Vehicle seat (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized

characterized in that the drive device (20) comprises a housing (22) and a part of the housing (22) through an opening (105) in the

Structural part (100) passes therethrough.

12. Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the

Dimensions of the opening (105) and of the part of the housing (22) passing through the opening (105) are matched to one another such that the drive device (20) before fixing to the

Can move structural part (100) in the direction of meshing.

13. Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that the

at least one spring means as a tab (1 10) is formed, which extends from an edge region of the opening (105) in the direction of the center of the opening (105) on the housing (22) and this with a force

applied.

14. A method for the play-free connection of a drive device (20) to a structural part (100) of a vehicle seat (1), wherein the drive device (20) comprises a pinion (25) with a toothing (95) of a Einstellkinematik, in particular a Höheneinstellkinematik ( 5) of the vehicle seat (1) is in meshing engagement,

characterized in that

a) the drive device (20) is acted upon by means of at least one spring means (1 10) in the direction of the tooth engagement in such a way that a possible clearance between the pinion (25) and the toothing (95) is exposed, and

b) in a further method step, the position of the drive device (20) relative to the structural part (100) is secured.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the position of the drive device (20) relative to the structural part (100) is secured by means of at least one screw connection.