JP4221395B2 - Hinge mechanism and vehicle seat including such a mechanism - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hinge mechanism and a vehicle seat including such a mechanism.

More particularly, the present invention relates to a hinge mechanism that allows the first and second portions of the seat to be angle adjustable relative to each other, the mechanism being connected to each of the first and second portions. Including a second rigid support member (directly or vice versa), wherein the first and second support members are connected to each other by a coupling device that causes the first and second support members to pivot together, the coupling device comprising: Including at least first and second dentitions mechanically coupled to the first and second support members, respectively (directly or indirectly), each of the first and second dentitions being , Including a plurality of teeth meshing with each other. Document FR-A-2759333 describes an example of a fully satisfactory hinge mechanism.
FR-A-2759333

  A detailed object of the present invention is to further improve the strength of the hinge mechanisms as described above and / or to obtain high strength performance without reducing their operational accuracy.

  The present invention according to claim 1 is a hinge mechanism that allows the angle of the first and second parts (2, 5) of the seat to be adjusted relative to each other, wherein the mechanism comprises the first and second parts. A coupling device comprising first and second rigid support members (8, 9; 108, 109) connected to each, wherein the first and second support members pivot the first and second support members relative to each other (10; 110) connected to each other, the coupling device is at least a first dentition (11; 111) mechanically coupled to at least the first and second support members (8, 9; 108, 109), respectively. ) And a second dentition (12; 112), each of the first and second dentitions including a plurality of teeth (11a, 12a; 111a, 112a) meshed with each other, the hinge mechanism comprising: And the first dentition (11; 11) including at least one reinforcing member (21; 121), which is fixed to 11), the reinforcing member comprising a plurality of reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a), each of the reinforcing teeth being a tooth of the first dentition The teeth (12a; 112a) of the second dentition are superposed on (11a; 111a), and the teeth (11a; 111a) of the first dentition are engaged with each other between the reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a) during normal operation. The reinforcing teeth are arranged slightly behind the teeth (11a; 111a) of the first dentition so that they only come into contact with the teeth (11; 29; 121). A hinge mechanism characterized by being made of a material stronger than the above materials.

  The present invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the reinforcing member (21; 121) is made of a metal that is hardened by at least heat treatment, and the first dentition (11; 111) is made of a metal that is not hardened by the heat treatment. The hinge mechanism according to 1.

  The invention according to claim 3 provides that the reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a) are relative to the teeth (11a; 111a) of the first dentition by a distance (h) in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm. The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism is disposed rearward.

  According to the present invention, the teeth (11a; 111a) of the first dentition have a constant height (H), and the reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a) are teeth of the first dentition. The hinge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is arranged rearward relative to the teeth of the first dentition by a distance (h) in the range of 0.2% to 3% of the height of mechanism.

  According to the present invention, the first dentition (11; 111) forms a complete circle, and the reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a) also form a complete circle concentric with the first dentition. The hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

  In the present invention according to claim 6, the reinforcing member (21; 29; 121) is a flat ring having an outer edge (23; 123) having a shape that is not circularly symmetric, and the ring is a first support member. The hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hinge mechanism meshes with a recess (19; 31; 119) of a corresponding shape provided in (8; 108).

  According to the present invention, the number of reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a) is the same as the number of teeth (11a; llla) of the first dentition, and each tooth of the first dentition is The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism is arranged in accordance with the reinforcing teeth.

  In the present invention according to claim 8, the first and second tooth rows (11, 12) are circular, form an inner cycloid gear, the hinge mechanism further includes a first rotation shaft (Yl). Second pivotally mounted with respect to the first support member (8) with respect to the first axis, the second axis being turned with respect to the first axis and eccentrically offset relative to the first axis. Hinging mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an eccentric drive member (13) for rotationally driving the second dentition (12) about its axis (Y2).

  The present invention as set forth in claim 9 is characterized in that the first and second tooth rows (11, 12) are respectively fixed to the first and second support members (8, 9). Hinge mechanism.

  According to the present invention, the first tooth row (11) is fixed to the first support member (8), the second tooth row (12) is circular, and the second tooth row (12) is the second tooth row (12). It is fixed to the planetary gear (25) that carries a third tooth row (27) that is concentric with the tooth row (12), and the third tooth row forms an inner cycloid gear, thereby forming the first tooth row ( The hinge mechanism according to claim 8, which meshes with a fourth circular tooth row (28) concentric with 11).

  According to the present invention of claim 11, the first tooth row (11) is fixed to the first support member (8), the second tooth row (112) is fixed to the slug (113), The slug is mechanically coupled to the second support member (109), wherein the second tooth (112a) is engaged with the first tooth (111a), and the second tooth. The row of teeth is mounted for movement between an unlocked position that does not mesh with the teeth of the first row of teeth, and the hinge mechanism is further selectively between the locked position and the unlocked position, and the slug (113 The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, comprising a control device having cams (115, 116, 117) that move the head.

  The invention according to claim 12 comprises first and second parts (2, 5) adjustable in angle by at least one hinge mechanism (6; 106) according to any of claims 1-11. Including a vehicle seat.

  With these configurations, the reinforcing dentition increases the strength of the hinge, and without reducing the meshing accuracy between the first and second dentitions, the first dentition (for example, the reinforcing dentition is heat treated). Reinforcing dentitions can be formed with tolerances that are not as strict as manufacturing tolerances required (if they are hardened parts). In this way, the operation accuracy of the hinge mechanism is not reduced.

  In particular, the reinforcing dentition can be a part that hardens at least by heat treatment, and despite the deformations produced by such a process, the tooth shapes usually mesh with each other with very high accuracy. Is obtained. Thereby, a highly accurate mechanical connection between the first and second support members can be obtained.

  When the hinge mechanism is required to receive exceptional rotational force, for example, when a vehicle provided with a seat collides, the second tooth row contacts both the first tooth row and the reinforcing tooth row. Until then, the first dentition is deformed. As a result, the hinge mechanism can withstand the rotational force by the reinforcing tooth row.

  According to the invention, the exemplary hinge mechanism in question further comprises at least one reinforcing member fixed to the first dentition, the reinforcing member comprising a plurality of reinforcing teeth, the reinforcing teeth Each of which is superposed on the teeth of the first dentition, so that during normal operation, the teeth of the second dentition are engaged only between the teeth of the first dentition while being engaged between the reinforcing teeth, The reinforcing teeth are arranged slightly behind the teeth of the first dentition, and the reinforcing member is made of a material stronger than the material of the first dentition.

It should be noted that the reinforcing member can be, for example, as follows.
The separation ring or plate is attached to the side plate constituting the first support member, and the side plate itself is directly fixed to the first seat portion.

  The first support member itself constitutes, for example, a side plate fixed to the first seat part, and the first dentition is then applied to, for example, a separation ring or plate mounted on the side plate. It is formed.

  The separation ring or plate is mounted on a planetary gear having two teeth that mesh with the teeth on the first support member by forming an inner cycloid gear, the first teeth are then One of the plurality of dentitions.

  Or alternatively, in a hinge mechanism having a planetary gear, the reinforcing member can be the planetary gear itself, and the first dentition is then a separation dentition mounted on the planetary gear.

  With these configurations, the reinforcing dentition increases the strength of the hinge, and without reducing the meshing accuracy between the first and second dentitions, the first dentition (for example, the reinforcing dentition is heat treated). Reinforcing dentitions can be formed with tolerances that are not as strict as manufacturing tolerances required (if they are hardened parts). In this way, the operation accuracy of the hinge mechanism is not reduced.

  In particular, the reinforcing dentition can be a part that hardens at least by heat treatment, and despite the deformations produced by such a process, the tooth shapes usually mesh with each other with very high accuracy. Is obtained. Thereby, a highly accurate mechanical connection between the first and second support members can be obtained.

  When the hinge mechanism is required to receive exceptional rotational force, for example, when a vehicle provided with a seat collides, the second tooth row contacts both the first tooth row and the reinforcing tooth row. Until then, the first dentition is deformed. As a result, the hinge mechanism can withstand the rotational force by the reinforcing tooth row.

  In various embodiments of the hinge mechanism of the present invention, one or more of the following conditions may optionally be used.

  The reinforcing member is made of at least a metal that is hardened by heat treatment, and the first dentition is made of a metal that is not hardened by heat treatment.

  The reinforcing teeth are arranged behind the teeth of the first dentition by a distance in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm.

  The teeth in the first dentition have a constant height, and the reinforcing teeth are in the first dentition by a distance in the range of 0.2% to 3% of the height of the teeth in the first dentition. Located behind the teeth.

  The first dentition forms a complete circle, and the reinforcing teeth also form a complete circle that is concentric with the first dentition. The reinforcing member is a flat ring having an outer edge having a shape that is not circularly symmetric, and the ring meshes with a correspondingly shaped recess provided in the first support member.

  The number of reinforcing teeth is the same as the number of teeth in the first dentition, and each tooth in the first dentition is arranged in accordance with the reinforcing teeth.

  The first and second dentitions are circular and form an inner cycloid gear, and the hinge mechanism is further mounted to pivot relative to the first support member with respect to the first rotational axis, and the second The shaft includes an eccentric drive member that is transposed with respect to the first axis and rotationally drives the second dentition about a second axis that is eccentrically offset relative to the first axis.

The first and second tooth rows are fixed to the first and second support members, respectively.
The first tooth row is fixed to the first support member, and the second tooth row is fixed to a planetary gear carrying a third tooth row that is circular and concentric with the second tooth row, The third tooth row meshes with a fourth circular tooth row concentric with the first tooth row by forming an inner cycloid gear.

  The first dentition is fixed to the first support member, the second dentition is fixed to the slug, and the slug is mechanically coupled to the second support member. The hinge mechanism is further mounted for movement between a locked position that meshes with the teeth of the first dentition and then an unlocked position where the teeth of the second dentition do not mesh with the teeth of the first dentition And a control device having a cam that moves the slug selectively between a locked position and an unlocked position.

  The invention further provides a vehicle seat that includes first and second portions that are angle adjustable by at least one hinge mechanism as defined above.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these examples.

  FIG. 1 shows an automobile seat 1, for example a front seat, which includes a seat seat 2 attached to a vehicle floor 3 by, for example, a runner 4.

  The seat 1 further includes a seat back 5 that is attached to the seat 2 so as to pivot about a horizontal axis Y1, for example by at least one hinge mechanism 6 controlled by a rotary handle 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the hinge mechanism 6 includes first and second support members 8 and 9, which are, for example, perpendicular to the axis Y1 and contact one with the other. It can be set as the form of the two steel plate side plates arrange | positioned in this way, and it can fix to the framework of the seat backrest part 5, and the framework of the seat seat part 2, respectively.

The side plates 8, 9 are secured by corrugated tabs (not shown) or any other known means that allows the two side plates to rotate relative to each other.
The side plates 8 and 9 are connected to each other by a coupling device 10 having a plurality of tooth rows, and in this embodiment is constituted by a single row inner cycloid gear having two tooth rows 11 and 12.

  The first tooth row 11 is formed in an arc shape centered on the axis Y1, and the first tooth row forms a complete circle in this embodiment, is centered on the axis Y1, and is radially inward. Look to the side. In this embodiment, the first dentition is formed integrally with the first side plate 8, which is the first side plate 8 as described in document FR-A-2759333. And can be formed inside a gear fixed thereto.

  The second dentition 12 is a circular dentition centered on a laterally horizontal axis Y2 that is slightly offset with respect to the axis Y1, and in this embodiment, the second dentition 12 is the second dentition 12 The side plate 9 is integrally formed and faces radially outward. The second tooth row meshes with the first tooth row 11 and has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the first tooth row 11.

  The hinge mechanism 6 further includes an eccentric drive member 13, and in this embodiment, the drive member 13 is formed by a rigid cam fixed to the handle 7 by a control shaft 14. The cam 13 includes a bearing surface 15 and a bearing surface 17.

  The bearing surface 15 is a first circular symmetry mounted for rotation about a bearing 16 that is centered about the axis Y 1 and is part of the first side plate 8.

  The bearing surface 17 is in the form of a second circular cylinder mounted for rotation on the bearing 18 of the second side plate 9 about the axis Y2.

  Thus, as is known per se, when the movement of these side plates is seen in a reference frame that is stationary with respect to the first side plate 8, turning the handle 7 and the cam 13 causes the shaft Y2 rolls about the first axis Y1, and the side plate 9 pivots with respect to the side plate 8.

  As can be seen in FIGS. 2 to 5, in order to increase the strength of the hinge mechanism 6, a circular groove 19 with a serrated outer edge 20 is formed in the first side plate 8 on the first dentition. 11, a reinforcing member 21 in the form of a serrated ring is fitted in the groove. The reinforcing member 21 extends in a plane parallel to the first side plate 8, which has a reinforcing tooth row 22 inside and a sawtooth shape having a shape corresponding to the serrated edge 20 on the outside. The projection 23a of the serrated outer edge 23 meshes with the corresponding recess 20a in the edge 20 (FIG. 5).

As shown in FIG. 2, the reinforcing tooth row 22 is superimposed on the first tooth row 11, and the thickness e <b> 1 of the second tooth row 12 is the thickness e <b> 2 of the reinforcing tooth row 22 and the thickness of the first tooth row 11. Is substantially equal to the sum of The thickness e2 of the reinforcing tooth row 22 can be, for example, in a range of 0.2 to 0.4 times the thickness e1 of the first tooth row 11 , and, for example, about 1/3 of the thickness e1. It is.

Further, as shown in more detail in FIG. 5, the reinforcing teeth 22 a of the tooth row 22 are arranged adjacent to each of the teeth 11 a of the first tooth row 11. The number of teeth 22a may be smaller than the number of teeth 11a. However, in the embodiment shown in the drawing, the number of teeth 22a of the reinforcing dentition is equal to the number of teeth 11a of the first dentition 11, and the teeth are arranged together.

  The reinforcing teeth 22a of the dentition 22 are arranged slightly behind the teeth 11a of the first dentition, so that during normal use of the sheet 1, the reinforcing teeth 22a are arranged in the second dentition. The teeth 12a are not touched.

  The arrangement h behind the reinforcing teeth 22a with respect to the teeth 11a can be, for example, in a range of approximately 0.2% to 3% of the height H of the teeth 11a, 12a. For example, the rear placement h can be approximately in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm, for example about 0.05 mm.

  The reinforcing member 21 is made of a material having a strength (particularly hardness) greater than the strength of the material forming the first side plate 8. For example, the first side plate 8 can be made of high elastic limit steel that is not thermochemically hardened, while the reinforcing member 21 can be made of thermochemically treated steel. In that case, despite the deformation caused by the thermochemical treatment, the teeth 12a of the second dentition are normally only in contact with the teeth 11a of the first dentition, so the inner cycloid gear 10 is excellent. Maintain high accuracy.

  When the hinge mechanism 6 is required to receive an exceptional rotational force, for example in an automobile collision accident, the teeth 11a of the first dentition become slightly flat, so that the second teeth The teeth 12a of the row contact both the teeth 11a and the reinforcing teeth 22a of the reinforcing tooth row. The reinforcing tooth row 22 can then receive the exceptional rotational force described above, thereby allowing the hinge mechanism 6 to withstand extreme conditions.

  It should be noted that by means of a reinforcing tooth row similar to the reinforcing tooth row 22 (as an alternative to the reinforcement of the first tooth row 11 or optionally in addition to such reinforcement), the second The dentition 12 itself can be reinforced, and as a result, the reinforcement dentition is fixed to or integrated with a ring fixed to the second side plate 9, It acts in the same way as the reinforcing tooth row 22.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, instead of being a ring fitted in the groove 19, the reinforcing member 21 can be a steel plate, for example, substantially the first side plate 8. Can be welded to it by, for example, laser welding. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, it is welded by a transparent weld.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the reinforcing member comprises a hole 21a through which the stamped portion 8a of the first side plate passes and / or a hole 21b through which the embedded bolt 8b on the first side plate passes. The punched portion and / or the embedded bolt are welded to the reinforcing member 21. The gusset plate 24 can also be welded to the punched portion 8 a while holding the reinforcing member 21 between the gusset plate and the first side plate 8.

  Further, the reinforcing tooth row 22 can be further arranged in the axial direction from the first tooth row 11 toward the outside of the mechanism.

  The reinforcing tooth row 22 is formed integrally with the first side plate 8 constituting the reinforcing member, and the first tooth row is formed on a separation plate or ring attached to the first side plate. Because.

  Alternatively, the reinforcing tooth row 22 and the first tooth row 11 belong to two respective saw-toothed rings or plates that are superimposed and fixed on each other and the first side plate 8, the saw-toothed ring 10 being This is because the first tooth row 11 disposed between the second side plate 9 and the saw-toothed ring including the reinforcing tooth row 22 is provided.

  In the variant shown in FIG. 8, the connecting device 10 for connecting the first and second side plates 8, 9 to each other is an in-planet cycloid, fitted to the cylindrical bearing surface 17 of the cam 13, and the shaft It has a planetary gear 25 with an internal bearing 26 centered on Y2.

The planetary gear 25 has two tooth rows outside.
The dentition is concentric with the second dentition 12 and the second dentition 12 that is not fixed or integral with the second side plate 9, but is of a different diameter and is considered here. In this embodiment, the third tooth row 27 has a larger diameter.

  The third tooth row 27 meshes with the fourth tooth row 28 formed on the second side plate 9, faces inward in the radial direction, and has an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the third tooth row 27. .

  The fourth tooth row 28 is concentric with the first tooth row 11 similarly to the first tooth row, and can be reinforced by the ring-shaped reinforcing member 29. The reinforcing member 29 is provided with a reinforcing tooth row 30 therein, for example, in contact with the first side plate 8 and / or the reinforcing member 21 of the first side plate, and the second side plate. It is fixed to the second side plate 9 by closely engaging the groove 31.

  The reinforcing member 29 and the reinforcing tooth row 30 are similar to the reinforcing member 21 and the reinforcing tooth row 22 of the first side plate 8, and all of the above described regarding the reinforcing member 21 and its reinforcing tooth row 22 The reinforcing tooth row 30 is applied.

  It should be noted that the reinforcing tooth row can be arbitrarily fixed to the planetary gear 25 in the modification shown in FIG. In that case, the reinforcing tooth row can be formed integrally with the ring mounted on the planetary gear 25 or can be formed integrally with the planetary gear 25. The reinforcing dentition is located behind the “normal” dentition to the planetary gear (formed integrally with or attached to the planetary gear).

  In the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the vehicle seat 1 is as described above. However, even if the handle 107 (FIG. 9) is operated, the seat back portion 5 is positively activated. No significant angular displacement is caused. When the handle 107 is actuated, the seat back portion 5 is released only to be able to turn, and as a result, the angle is directly adjusted by the user's action on the seat back portion.

  In that case, the hinge mechanism 106 actuated by the handle 107 can be of the type shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, for example, which includes a first side plate 108 and a second side plate 109. And a coupling device 110.

  The first side plate 108 is made of a steel plate, has a general circular shape, and is perpendicular to the rotation axis Yl.

  The second side plate 109 is also a general circle made of a steel plate and is perpendicular to the axis Y1, and the first and second side plates are, for example, corrugated over the circumference of the two side plates. The metal ring 109a is attached so as to pivot with respect to the other with respect to the axis Y1.

The coupling device 110 connects the first and second side plates 109 and 110.
The coupling device 110 is a coupling device having a slug and including a first tooth row 111, one or a plurality of slugs 113, and a cam control device.

  The first tooth row 111 is fixed to the first side plate 108 centered on the axis Yl, and is integrally formed with the first side plate 108 in this embodiment.

The one or more slugs 113 carry a second tooth row 112, each facing radially outward, and each slug 113 has a second side plate 109 between the locked position and the unlocked position. Attached to move against
In the locked position, the slug tooth row 112 meshes with the first tooth row 111 of the first side plate 7 (not shown),
In the unlocked position (shown in FIGS. 10 and 11), the slug teeth 112 do not mesh with the first teeth 111, and in the embodiment considered here, each slug 113 is on the second side. A guide 114 formed integrally with the part plate 109 is attached so as to slide in the radial direction.

  First, the cam control device includes a cam 115 fixed to or integrally with the control shaft 107 a and fixed to the handle 107, and optionally a control plate 116. The control plate 116 is fixed to the cam 115. The cam 115 is resiliently biased by one or more springs 117 to a stationary position where the cam pushes the slag 113 radially outward until the slag is in the locked position. The control ring 116 includes an internal notch 116a that faces the respective slag, and the notch that is part of the corresponding slag 113 meshes with the embedded bolt 118. The outer edge of the notch 116a is formed to act on the embedded bolt 118 by replacing the corresponding slug 113 until the unlocked position is reached when the handle 107 is actuated.

  Such a hinge mechanism 106 is known per se and is described in numerous documents, for example FR-A-2740406.

  In the present invention as shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the reinforcing member 121 is also fixed to the first tooth row 111, and itself has a reinforcing tooth row 122 facing radially inward. In the embodiment shown in the drawing, the reinforcing member 121 is constituted by a flat circular ring extending in a plane perpendicular to the axis Yl and is arranged on the first side plate 109 facing the second side plate 109. It fits snugly into a groove 119 formed on the surface of the plate 108. The close engagement of the reinforcing member 121 with the groove 119 is formed on the outer edge 123 of the reinforcing member as in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, and the protrusion 123 a that engages with the corresponding recess 120 a of the outer edge 120 of the groove 119. Can be obtained by:

  However, the reinforcing member 121 can be fixed to the first tooth row 111 by other known means, for example, welding.

  The thickness of the reinforcing tooth row 122 is, for example, 0.2 times the thickness of the tooth row 112 on the slag to 0.4 times the thickness of the tooth row on the slag as measured along the axis Yl. For example, approximately one third of the thickness of the dentition on the slag.

  Further, as shown in more detail in FIG. 12, each of the reinforcing teeth 122a of the dentition 122 is arranged with the teeth 111a of the first dentition, and their number can be, for example, the first teeth It can be equal to the number of teeth in the row. The reinforcing teeth 122a are arranged slightly behind by a distance h relative to the teeth 112a of the first dentition, so that the plurality of dentition teeth 112a on the slag are typically of the first dentition. It contacts only the tooth 111a. The arrangement h behind the reinforcing teeth 122a with respect to the teeth 111a can be, for example, in the range of approximately 0.2% to 3% of the height H of the teeth 111a, 112a, in particular, approximately 0.01 mm to 0. It can be in the range of 1 mm, for example about 0.5 mm.

  The reinforcing member 121 is made of a material stronger than the material forming the first side plate 108. For example, the first side plate 108 may be formed of high-strength steel that is not thermochemically hardened, while the reinforcing member 121 may be formed of thermochemically treated steel. Good. In this case, despite the deformation caused by the thermochemical treatment, the locking device 110 maintains excellent accuracy because the teeth 112a on the slag normally only contact the teeth 111a of the first dentition. . Only when the hinge mechanism 106 must accept an exceptional rotational force, when the first dent tooth llla is slightly flattened by the exceptional rotational force, the slug tooth 112a is reinforced by the reinforcing tooth 122a. Contact with. As a result, the reinforcing tooth row 122 can receive the rotational force, so that the hinge mechanism 106 can withstand an extreme situation.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a vehicle seat using the first embodiment of the hinge mechanism of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a hinge mechanism that can be equipped with the seat of FIG. 1 in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of one of the side plates of the hinge mechanism of FIG. 4 is a plan view of the reinforcing member fixed to the side plate of FIG. FIG. 5 is a detailed cross-sectional view showing the meshing of teeth of the hinge mechanism of FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a first side plate of a hinge mechanism having a reinforcing member in two modifications of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a first side plate of a hinge mechanism having a reinforcing member in two variations of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 in the third modification of the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 1 in the second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a cutaway view of a hinge mechanism that can be equipped with the seat of FIG. 9, respectively. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a hinge mechanism that can be equipped with the seat of FIG. 9, respectively. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing details of a plurality of tooth row portions of the mechanism of FIGS.

Claims (12)

A hinge mechanism for adjusting the angle of the first and second parts (2, 5) of the seat relative to each other,
The mechanism includes first and second rigid support members (8, 9; 108, 109) made of a metal material connected to each of the first and second portions;
The first and second support members are connected to each other by a coupling device (10; 110) that pivots the first and second support members relative to each other;
The coupling device includes at least a first dentition (11; 111) and a second dentition (12; which are mechanically coupled to the first and second support members (8, 9; 108, 109), respectively. 112),
Each of the first and second dentitions includes a plurality of teeth (11a, 12a; 111a, 112a) that mesh with each other, wherein at least one of the first and second dentitions is substantially the first The center is set at the axis of the rotation axis (Yl),
The hinge mechanism further includes a reinforcing member (21; 121) made of at least one metal material fixed to the first tooth row (11; 111).
The reinforcing member includes a plurality of reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a),
Each of the reinforcing teeth is adjacent to the teeth (11a; 111a) of the first dentition, and in normal operation, the teeth (12a; 112a) of the second dentition are engaged between the reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a). However, the reinforcing teeth are offset in the axial direction from the teeth (11a; 111a) of the first dentition so as to come into contact only with the teeth (11a; 111a) of the first dentition. Arranged slightly behind in the radial direction with respect to the teeth (11a; 111a) of the row,
The reinforcing mechanism (21; 29; 121) is made of a material stronger than the material of the first dentition.   The hinge mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member (21; 121) is made of a metal that is hardened by at least heat treatment, and the first tooth row (11; 111) is made of a metal that is not hardened by the heat treatment.   Reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a) are arranged behind the teeth (11a; 111a) of the first dentition by a distance (h) in the range of 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm. The hinge mechanism according to 1 or 2.   The teeth (11a; 111a) of the first dentition have a constant height (H), and the reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a) are 0.2% to 3% of the height of the teeth of the first dentition. The hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hinge mechanism is arranged rearward relative to the teeth of the first dentition by a distance (h) in the range of%.   The first tooth row (11; 111) forms a complete circle, and the reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a) also form a complete circle concentric with the first tooth row. The hinge mechanism described in 1.   The reinforcing member (21; 29; 121) is a flat ring having an outer edge (23; 123) having a shape that is not circularly symmetric, said ring corresponding to being provided on the first support member (8; 108). The hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hinge mechanism meshes with a concave portion (19; 31; 119) having a shape.   The number of reinforcing teeth (22a; 122a) is the same as the number of teeth (11a; llla) of the first dentition, and each tooth of the first dentition is arranged according to the reinforcing teeth. The hinge mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The first and second tooth rows (11, 12) are circular and form an inner cycloid gear, and the hinge mechanism is further connected to the first support member (8) with respect to the first rotation axis (Yl). A second tooth with respect to a second axis (Y2) eccentrically offset with respect to the first axis, wherein the second axis is pivoted with respect to the first axis. Hinging mechanism according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an eccentric drive member (13) for driving the row (12) in rotation.   The hinge mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the first and second tooth rows (11, 12) are fixed to the first and second support members (8, 9), respectively. The first tooth row (11) is fixed to the first support member (8),
The second tooth row (12) is fixed to a planetary gear (25) carrying a third tooth row (27) that is circular and concentric with the second tooth row (12),
The hinge mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the third tooth row meshes with a fourth circular tooth row (28) concentric with the first tooth row (11) by forming an inner cycloid gear. The first tooth row (11) is fixed to the first support member (8),
The second dentition (112) is fixed to the slag (113), the slag is mechanically coupled to the second support member (109), and the teeth (112a) of the second dentition are the first. Attached to move between a locked position that meshes with the teeth (111a) of the dentition and an unlocked position where the teeth of the second dentition do not mesh with the teeth of the first dentition;
The hinge mechanism further includes a controller having a cam (115, 116, 117) that moves the slug (113) selectively between a locked position and an unlocked position. The hinge mechanism according to one.   Vehicle seat comprising first and second parts (2, 5), adjustable in angle by at least one hinge mechanism (6; 106) according to any of the preceding claims.

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