FR3067989A1 - ANGULAR ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an angular adjustment mechanism comprising: - a fixed gusset (16), adapted to be connected to a fixed element (11) - a fixed flange (20) connected to the fixed gusset (16) by a screwed connection (60 , 70) - a movable flange (19) adjacent to the fixed flange and adapted to receive an element (17) adjustable angularly - a mechanical system internal to the two flanges (19,20) allowing the rotation of a flange relative to the another - a closure ring (23) providing the axial retention of a flange on the other angular adjustment mechanism characterized in that the closure ring (23) is connected to the fixed gusset and the fixed flange by the screwed connection ( 60,70). The internal mechanical system with the two flanges can be a system with continuous drive or discontinuous notching.

Description

The present invention relates to an angular adjustment mechanism, applied for example to an angular adjustment of a car seat backrest.

This mechanism is, in this case, interposed between the fixed seat of a seat and the backrest that one wishes to adjust. This angular adjustment mechanism comprises a fixed gusset, capable of being connected to the seat, a fixed flange connected to the fixed gusset by a screw connection, a mobile flange adjacent to the fixed flange and receiving the backrest, an internal mechanical system in the two flanges allowing the rotation of the movable flange relative to the fixed flange, and a closure ring ensuring the axial retention of the movable flange on the fixed flange.

Document FR 2 578 601 shows, in its fig.l, an angular adjustment mechanism comprising all these elements, namely a fixed gusset (1), a fixed flange (3) connected to a fixed base by a screw connection (4 ), a movable flange (20), an internal mechanism system allowing rotation, and a closing ring (27). In this document, the closing ring is not connected to the fixed gusset. It is first crimped onto the two flanges, then this flange-ring assembly is mounted and assembled on the fixed gusset by screwing.

This adjustment mechanism has drawbacks. The crimping operation of the closing ring is a delicate operation because the manufacturing tolerances are very reduced so that the movable flange can rotate easily, but without lateral play. In addition, once mounted, it is no longer possible to dismantle this flange-ring assembly. In addition, the assembly requires a second operation, that is to say the mounting of the flange-closure ring assembly on the fixed gusset by a screw connection.

The present invention aims to simplify the mounting of the mechanism and also allow complete disassembly of the mechanism while securing the strength and the geometry of the fixed flange.

To this end, in the mechanism according to the invention, the closure ring is connected to the fixed flange by a screw connection, this connection thus connecting together the fixed gusset, the fixed flange and the closure ring.

The present invention therefore relates to a mechanism for angular adjustment of a movable element with respect to a fixed element, comprising:

a fixed gusset, able to be connected to the fixed element a fixed flange connected to the fixed gusset by a screw connection a mobile flange adjacent to the fixed flange and connected to the mobile element, a mechanical system, internal to the two flanges allowing rotation of the movable flange, a closing ring ensuring the axial retention of a flange on the other angular adjustment mechanism characterized in that the closing ring is also connected to the fixed gusset and to the fixed flange by the screw connection.

In various embodiments, the mechanism according to the invention can have the following characteristics:

it comprises, between the movable flange and the movable element, a movable gusset fixed on a shoulder of the movable flange, the screw connection is ensured by at least one bolt or at least one screw engaged in a threaded bore of the fixed gusset

The head of at least one bolt or screw passes through the space occupied by the movable flange to serve as an angular stop for this same flange.

The closure ring may have a raised edge over its entire circumference to increase the strength of the ring.

The ring can be in one piece or in several parts

Finally, the internal mechanical displacement system can be a continuous drive or discontinuous notching system.

Other aspects, aims and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of several embodiments, given by way of non-limiting example. The invention will also be better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side view of an angular adjustment mechanism according to the invention, used in the angular adjustment of a car seat backrest.

FIG. 2 represents a cutaway front view of the adjustment mechanism of FIG. 1, in partial section along the line III-III of FIG. 3, and in which the internal mechanical system allowing the rotation of the backrest is a continuous drive system .

FIG. 3 represents a sectional view along a line 11a-11a of FIG. 2.

4 shows a sectional view along a line lla-lla of Figure 2 in which an elongated screw head acts as a stop for the movable gusset.

FIG. 5 represents a top view of FIG. 4.

6 shows a sectional view along line lla-lla of Figure 2 of a variant of the mechanism in which the retaining ring has an outer raised edge and the screw connection is provided by screws cooperating with threads formed in the fixed gusset.

FIG. 7 represents a front view of a one-piece retaining ring, without raised edge.

FIG. 8 represents a front view of a variant of the retaining ring, comprising a number of fixing holes greater than four.

Figure 9 shows a two-part fixing ring.

FIG. 10 represents a single part of the fixing ring of FIG. 9,

Figure 11 also shows a closure ring in two parts, but different from that of Figure 9

Figures 11a, 11b, 11c show details of Figure 11,

FIG. 12 represents a mechanism provided with a closure ring in two parts, in another embodiment,

FIG. 13 represents the closing ring of FIG. 12,

Figures 13a, 13b, 13c show details of Figure 13,

FIG. 14 represents a cutaway front view of a mechanism, in partial section along the line IIIb-IIIb of FIG. 15, in which the internal mechanical system is a discontinuous notching system.

FIG. 15 represents a sectional view along line llb-llb of FIG. 14.

In the various figures, the same references designate identical or similar elements.

Figure 1 very schematically shows a seat (10), for example automobile, which comprises a seat (12) mounted on a fixed frame (11) and a backrest (14) adapted to pivot about a transverse axis X via an angular adjustment mechanism (15). This mechanism comprises a fixed gusset (16) integral with the seat (12), a movable gusset (17) connected to the backrest (14), and a control member (18).

Figures 2 and 3 show an adjustment mechanism in which the internal mechanical system allowing the rotation is a continuous drive system and, in this case, the control member is a button. The two gussets (16) and (17) can be made of sheet steel or an alloy and they are arranged one opposite the other perpendicular to the transverse axis X of the seat and they are respectively connected to the frame of the seat (12) and the frame of the backrest (14).

The fixed gusset (16) of sheet steel or aluminum alloy, has a first elongated end intended to be fixed to the seat (12) and in the center a circular shaped hole (16a) intended to be engaged on a central shoulder (20a) of a fixed flange (20). The fixed gusset has smooth fixing holes corresponding to the fixing holes (56) of the fixed flange (20) and this fixed gusset (16) is secured to the fixed flange (20) by at least four fixing screws (60).

The movable gusset (17) is arranged perpendicular to the X axis and it has on the one hand an elongated shape intended to be fixed to the backrest (14) and on the other hand a circular central recess (17a) centered and welded on the external part of the shoulder (19a) of a movable flange (19) by a weld (not shown) which can be Laser or by conventional process. The mobile flange (19) secured to the mobile gusset (17) has a generally circular shape perpendicular to the X axis. This flange has the shoulder (19a) and in its peripheral zone a crown (19b) of thickness varying from 1.5 to 3mm. This crown, obtained by a machining or stamping process, is intended to cooperate with the retaining ring (23) to hold the two flanges against each other.

The angular adjustment mechanism further includes a retaining ring (23) made of stamped sheet steel, the thickness of which varies from 1 to 2mm. This retaining ring has the form of a ring which is detachably fixed to the fixed flange (20). This ring has a shoulder (23a) in contact with the fixed flange, and a central part (23b) in contact with the crown of the mobile flange to ensure the maintenance of the mobile flange against the fixed flange.

In the alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, the internal mechanical system is a continuous drive system of the monotrain hypocycloidal type, known and already described in patent FR 2578601.

This monotrain hypocycloid system includes:

a metal pinion (26) integral with the fixed flange (20) and having an external toothing (26a). It can be secured to the fixed flange (20) by a weld (not shown) of the Laser type by transparency or the like.

an eccentric cam (40) parallel to the X axis, mounted in a bore in a bore (41) of the movable flange (19) and having a protruding part (42) making it possible to secure a control member (not shown) or a hole square central (43) for driving said eccentric cam (40) by a central control bar not shown.

a sliding ring, or a bearing (4,) positioned between the inside diameter of the pinion (26) and the inside diameter of the fixed flange (20a) and, internally, on the outside diameter of the eccentric cam (40).

a toothing (19c) formed on the inner radial face of the movable flange (19) and oriented radially inward. This toothing has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the toothing of the pinion.

The rotation of the eccentric cam (40) driven by a control handle or by a traversing central axis, causes a rotation of the movable flange (19) with a nutation movement relative to the pinion (26) integral with the fixed flange (20) .

In an operation without lateral stresses, a functional lateral clearance of 1 to 3/10 of mm exists between the movable flange and the ring in order to ensure free operation in rotation.

The external part (23a) of the retaining ring (23) identical to the external zone of the fixed flange (20) has four holes (50) and is joined by at least four fixing bolts (60) passing through the retaining ring , the fixed flange and the fixed gusset. The bolts (60) are intended to receive nuts (62) ensuring a rigid connection between these three elements. Disassembly of the various elements of the joint can be carried out by loosening the nuts (62).

In FIG. 3, the heads of the bolts (61) have reduced heights allowing the passage of the movable gusset, thus ensuring free rotation of this movable gusset (17) integral with the movable flange (19).

Figures 4 and 5 show an alternative embodiment in which a bolt head (61b) has a greater height than the heads (61a), to act as backrest travel stop. This high head bolt can of course be positioned in another location depending on the desired stop angle.

Figure 6 shows another variant in which the retaining ring (23) has a raised edge (23c) locally or partially surrounding the outer edge of the flange, improves the rigidity and resistance of the assembly. Another variant presented in this FIG. 6 shows screws (70) engaged in threads (16a) formed directly in the sheet of the fixed gusset (16), which makes it possible to reduce costs and facilitate assembly.

Figures 7 to 13 show different embodiments of the closure ring.

Figure 7 shows a simple ring with four fixing holes (50)

Figure 8 shows a ring with eight mounting holes (54). In the case presented the number is eight but it can vary from four to twelve depending on the areas where the stiffness of the ring must be improved. In this example the same external shape and the same holes (54) necessary for the passage of the screws are made on the fixed flange (20) and the fixed gusset (16).

In Figure 9, the retaining ring (23) is made of two symmetrical elements (231). This configuration allows easier mounting and dismounting of said retaining ring while retaining the mechanical and functional characteristics.

Figure 10 shows one of two elements.

FIG. 11 shows a closure ring (23) in two identical elements (232), each element (visible in FIGS. 11a and 11b) comprising two ears (233), each offset by semi-cutting a half thickness with respect to the thickness of the outer periphery (234) of the ring (visible in FIG. 11c). Thus, as can be seen in FIG. 11b, one ear of one element overlaps the ear of the other element, this fixing ensuring better hold than a ring described in FIGS. 9 and 10.

Figures 12 and 13 show another embodiment of a ring in two identical parts. Each part (235) (visible in FIGS. 13a, 13b) also has overlapping ears (237), as shown in FIG. 13c. In this case, the offset between the two ears is obtained, on each part, not by semi-cutting but by stamping (238).

The invention can also be applied to another type of internal mechanical system, called discontinuous notching. This type of mechanism is described in particular in patent FR-A-2,578,602.

Figures 14 and 15 show such a discontinuous notching system. This includes:

an internal toothing (80) integral with the movable flange (19), centered on the transverse axis X and in this case formed in one piece with this movable flange.

one or more grains (100) each carrying a toothing (101) oriented radially outward, each grain being slidably mounted in guides (102) formed in one piece in the fixed flange (20).

a cam control device, comprising a cam (103) and a control shaft (104), integral with the cam and fixed to a lever (not shown).

This mechanical system thus has a locking position in which the cam, urged elastically by one or more springs (105) pushes the grains radially outwards, these grains then coming into engagement with the teeth (80) of the movable flange (19 ), and also has an unlocking position, after actuation of the lever by the seat user, in which the teeth of the grains are not engaged with the teeth of the movable flange (19).

In FIG. 15, which is a view in longitudinal section along the axis llb-llb of FIG. 14, it can be seen that the assembly fixed gusset, movable gusset, fixed flange, movable flange, closure ring, bolts, is similar to that described in Figures 2 and 3.

Claims (10)

1. Mechanism for angular adjustment of a movable element (14) relative to a fixed element (12), comprising: a fixed gusset (16), capable of being connected to the fixed element (12) a fixed flange (20) connected to the fixed gusset (16) by a screw connection (60,70) a movable flange (19) adjacent to the flange fixed and connected to the mobile element, a mechanical system, internal to the two flanges (19,20) allowing the rotation of the mobile flange, a closure ring (23) ensuring the axial retention of a flange on the other mechanism angular adjustment characterized in that the closing ring (23) is also connected to the fixed gusset and to the fixed flange by the screw connection (60,70). 2. Mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, between the movable flange (20) and the movable element (14), a movable gusset (17) fixed on a shoulder (19a) of the movable flange (19 ). 3. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that ia screw connection is provided by a bolt (60) passing through the closure ring, the fixed flange and the fixed gusset. 4. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the screw connection is provided by a screw (70) engaged in a thread (16a) formed directly in the sheet of the fixed gusset. 5. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one screw head (61b) of the screw connection, has a greater height than the screws (61a) to act as an angular travel stop of folder. 6. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the closure ring (23) has a raised edge (23c) over its entire circumference. 7. Mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that ia closure ring is in one piece. 8. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the closure ring is in several parts. 9. Mechanisms according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the mechanical system internal to the two flanges is a continuous drive system comprising a cam (40) driven by a control handle which causes rotation of the movable flange (19) with a nutation movement relative to the pinion (26) integral with the fixed flange (20). 10. Mechanism according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the mechanical system internal to the two flasks is a discontinuous notching mechanism comprising at least one toothed grain (100) and a cam (103) controlled by a lever via a control shaft (104) whose actuation makes it possible to pass from a position of engagement of the grain in the toothing (80) of the movable flange (19) said to be locking to a position where the grain is not engaged in the movable flange called unlocking.