WO2005044617A1

WO2005044617A1 - Joint fitting comprising at least two locking arms

Info

Publication number: WO2005044617A1
Application number: PCT/DE2004/002198
Authority: WO
Inventors: Burckhard Becker; Wilfried Beneker; Alexei Ovseenko
Original assignee: C. Rob. Hammerstein Gmbh & Co. Kg
Priority date: 2003-10-31
Filing date: 2004-10-01
Publication date: 2005-05-19
Also published as: DE112004001173B4; DE112004001173D2

Abstract

The invention relates to a joint fitting for vehicle seats, comprising an articulated pin (20) and a first joint part (24) which has internal toothing (28) which is concentric in relation to the articulated pin (20). Said joint fitting also comprises a second joint part (30) which can be rotated about the articulated pin (20) in a release position of the joint fitting in relation to the first joint part (24) and which can be displaced in a locked position of the joint fitting with no relation to the first joint part (24). Said joint fitting further comprises at least two locking arms (32-34) respectively comprising a toothed region (38) which co-operates with the internal toothing (28), said locking arms being arranged in a pivotable manner about a locking arm pin (56) which is arranged on the second joint part (30), and said locking arms respectively have actuating regions (42). The joint fitting also comprises an actuating part (36) which can be displaced between a locking position and a release position. The actuating part (36) in the locking position keeps the toothed region (38) of the locking arms (32-34) in contact with the internal toothing (28) and the actuating part (36), in a release position, releases the toothed region (38) of the locking arms (32-34) from the internal toothing, (28) enabling the first articulated arm (48) to be adjusted in relation to the second articulated arm (49). In the at least two locking arms (32-34), at least one (32) is a left-handed locking arm and at least one (34) is a right-handed locking arm. The toothed region (38) protruding from the locking arm pin (56) is disposed in the direction of rotation, counter to an anticlockwise direction, in the left-handed locking arm (32).

Description

Description: Articulated fitting for motor vehicle seats with at least two locking arms

The invention relates to a hinge fitting for motor vehicle seats with a hinge axis, with a first hinge part that has an internal toothing that is central to the hinge axis, with a second hinge part that is rotatable about the hinge axis in a release position of the hinge fitting and that in a locking position of the hinge fitting is not movable relative to the first hinge part, with at least two locking arms, each having a tooth area that cooperates with the internal toothing, which are each pivotably arranged about a locking arm axis, which is arranged on the second hinge part, and each Have actuating flanks and with an actuating part that is movable between a blocking position and a release division, the actuating part in the blocking position holding the toothed areas of the locking arms in engagement with the internal toothing and the actuating part in the released position the toothed areas of the S Perrarme has cleared of the internal teeth and an adjustment of the first articulated arm relative to the second articulated arm is possible.

Such a joint fitting is known from FR 916 027 (1 347 823). The known hinge fitting has two identical locking arms, which are arranged offset by 180 ° in the interior of the internal toothing. They can each be pivoted about a pivot axis. The swivel axes have a round cross-section and are located near the internal teeth. The locking arms each have an actuating flank opposite the tooth area. At the actuating flanks there is an actuating part which has approximately the shape of an oval. By rotating the actuating part, which is pivotally mounted about the hinge axis, in one direction of rotation, the two locking arms are brought into a locked state. By turning in the opposite direction, they are moved from the locked state into a release position moved. A spring is provided which engages the actuating part and preloads the actuating part in such a way that it presses the locking arms into the locking position.

Such joint fittings have proven themselves fundamentally, they are still in use today. However, it has been shown that such joint fittings lock significantly better in one direction of rotation than in the other direction of rotation. While in one direction of rotation, in which an external torque is applied, the locking forces are more or less directly introduced into the locking arm axes, this is not the case in the other direction of rotation.

This is where the invention comes in. It has set itself the task of developing the joint fitting of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that it has good blocking properties in both directions of rotation, in which torques can act from the outside. In particular, it should be possible to better predict the moments to be recorded in each case and to be able to design the joint fitting accordingly.

This object is achieved on the basis of the articulated fitting of the type mentioned at the outset that at least one locking arm is a left-handed locking arm and at least one locking arm is a right-handed locking arm, that in the left-handed locking arm the tooth area in a left-handed locking arm is aligned in one direction Direction of rotation is counterclockwise and that with the right-handed locking arm, starting from the locking arm axis, the tooth area is in a clockwise direction of rotation.

In contrast to the joint fitting of the type mentioned, which has only right-handed locking arms in the embodiment shown, the joint fitting according to the invention has at least one left-handed and at least one right-handed locking arm. Regardless of the direction of a torque acting from the outside, a locking arm is always optimally used. The locking forces occurring at its tooth area are essentially introduced directly into the locking axis.

The joint fitting can be designed so that at least one locking arm is always self-locking, regardless of the direction of rotation. In contrast to the articulated fitting according to the prior art, the actuating part is therefore no longer necessary and responsible for blocking in one direction of rotation, but rather there is a mixing behavior in both directions of rotation, because at least one locking arm is independent of the direction of rotation of an attacking torque in an automatic, preferably self-locking state and only the at least one other locking arm of the other type must be kept in its locking position by the actuating part. The hinge fitting according to the invention therefore behaves more evenly with regard to torques acting from the outside and is more independent of the direction of rotation. In contrast to the previously known hinge fitting, it has no good direction of rotation and no bad direction of rotation.

The number of locking arms is adapted to the requirements. It is envisaged and preferred to provide more than two locking arms. The minimum number of locking arms is two. For example, if three locking arms are used, two can be left-handed and one right-handed, or vice versa. The number of right-handed locking arms, which is at least one, is preferably not equal to the number of left-handed locking arms, of which at least one is also provided in each case.

In a preferred development, the actuating part has arms, namely it has one arm for each locking arm. One arm each works with the actuating flank of the associated locking arm. It is at least one first arm is provided which is provided for the actuating flank of a left-handed locking arm and at least one second arm is provided which interacts with the actuating flank of a right-handed locking arm. The first arms can have a different shape than the second arms. They generally have a different shape.

In a particularly preferred development, the locking arm axes are out of round. Seen in cross section, they have a projection that is on the one hand as close as possible to the internal toothing and on the other hand is as far as possible from the tooth area of the associated locking arm. The non-circular cross-section makes it possible to arrange the actual pivot point of the locking arms relatively close, at least as close as possible, to the internal toothing without the region of the locking arm between its axis and the internal toothing having to be made so thin that it causes problems during production , The cross section of the locking arm axis is preferably triangular with triangular sides rounded outwards.

In operation, the pivoting angle of the locking arm between the locking position and the release position is relatively small. A complete rotation of the locking arm around the locking arm axis, which can be achieved by a locking arm axis which is round in cross section, is not necessary. The swivel angle is less than 5 degrees.

The projection enables the pivot point of the locking arm to be brought relatively close to the internal toothing without mechanically weakening the locking arm too much. The positioning of the pivot point in the vicinity of the internal toothing has the advantage that favorable geometrical conditions are present when the tooth region is pivoted into the internal toothing and also when swiveling out. Undercuts are avoided.

A cross-section of the locking arm axis has proven to be particularly advantageous, in which the projection towards the internal toothing is delimited by a relatively flat arc, the radius of which is greater than the radius of the internal toothing.

Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from the remaining claims and the following description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, which is not to be understood as restrictive, and which is explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing. In this drawing:

1 is a perspective view in the form of an assembly picture of a hinge fitting,

2: a top view of the assembled hinge fitting in the direction of arrows II-II in FIG. 1 and mirrored, the hinge fitting is in the locked state,

3: a representation like FIG. 2, but the hinge fitting is now in the release division,

4: a plan view of a section with a viewing direction as in FIG. 2 and for a second embodiment, and

Fig. 5: a plan view similar to Fig. 2, but with a different design of the elastic means, the fitting is actively held against the action of the elastic means in the release position.

The first exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is discussed below, the further exemplary embodiments are subsequently discussed and only to the extent that they differ from the first exemplary embodiment. As can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 3, the hinge fitting has a hinge axis 20 which is centered on an axis line 22. The hinge axis 20 is hexagonal in cross section. Furthermore, a first joint part 24 is provided, which in the exemplary embodiment shown is essentially a circular disk. A blank in the form of a circular disk is machined, in particular embossed, in such a way that a central area is offset from an edge area 26. In this case, an internal toothing 28 is formed, which limits the edge region 26 towards the inside. In addition, a second joint part 30 is provided, which is also essentially designed in the form of a circular disk. Both joint parts 24, 30 have means for connecting them to parts of a motor vehicle seat (not shown) that are to be adjusted relative to one another. This will be discussed later. In the assembled state, both joint parts 24, 30 delimit a cavity which essentially has the shape of a flat cylinder. In this cavity there are three locking arms 32, 33, 34 and an actuating part 36, as well as other parts that will be discussed.

Of the three locking arms 32, 33, 34, two are identical, namely the left-handed locking arms 32, 33. The locking arm 34 is right-handed and has a somewhat different design. Each locking arm 32-34 each has a tooth region 38 which is adapted to the internal toothing 28. The tooth region 38 extends over approximately 35 degrees, as seen from the axis line 22, and has a large number of teeth, as shown in particular in FIGS. 2 and 3. In the right-handed locking arm 34, the tooth region 38 is located at one end of the locking arm, which in the assembled state is in a clockwise direction of rotation. In the case of the left-handed locking arm, the tooth region 38 is located at one end of the locking arm, which in the assembled state is in a counterclockwise direction of rotation.

Overall, a locking arm occupies a sector of approximately 80 degrees, so that A total of four locking arms can in principle be accommodated in the embodiment shown. Offset to the tooth area 38, each locking arm 32- 34 has a bearing which, in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, is on the one hand a hole and on the other hand non-round, it has a triangular shape with rounded corners and convex side lines. 4, the bearing is designed as a recess or bay open to the internal toothing 28 and is also limited by curves. Finally, each locking arm 32-34 has an actuation area 42. On the one hand, the actuation area 42 includes a clamping flank 44 and a release flank 46.

The actuating part 36 has a hexagon hole which is adapted to the hinge axis 26. It is connected to this hinge axis 26. In the embodiment shown, the actuating part 36 has three arms 48, 49, 50, namely one arm for each locking arm 32-34. Adapted to the locking arms, there are two identical first arms 48, 49 and a second arm 50. The latter works together with the right-handed locking arm 34. It can be seen that the clamping flanks 44 of the locking arms 32-34 essentially match and lie on the same radius, but the release flanks 46 differ. The arms that are adjusted differ accordingly. These have edges which are assigned to the edges 44, 46. This is particularly evident from the clamped state, as shown in FIG. 2, where the clamping flanks 44 are active, and from the released state, as shown in FIG. 3.

As can be seen from FIG. 3, the arms 48-50, like a head, engage in recesses, which are each formed in the locking arms 32-34, and form a type of joint.

By rotating clockwise, all three locking arms 32-34 are released from the internal toothing 28 at the same time. By rotating the hinge axis 20 in the opposite direction, the arms 48-50 come on respective clamping flanks 44, thereby all locking arms 32-34 move into the locking position.

An elastic means 52 is provided, which in the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3 is realized by two identical, corrugated springs 52. 5, it is realized by a leg spring 52. This elastic means 52 elastically loads the actuating part 36 in such a way that it is turned into the locking position.

As can be seen from the figures, the locking arms 32-34 and the actuating part 36 are designed as flat stamped parts, in particular they are made from sheet steel, but they can also be sintered parts. In any case, their overall height is such that they fit into the cavity which is delimited by the two joint parts 24, 30. In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, the two corrugated springs 52 are also designed so flat that they fit into said space. The springs 52 are supported on the one hand in notches which are provided in the actuating part 36. On the other hand, they are supported on pronounced elevations 54 which protrude from the second joint part 30 into the cavity and which, with an outer, rounded edge, lie in the immediate vicinity of the internal toothing 28, see FIGS. 2 and 3. This results in the mutual positioning of the joint parts 26 , 30 to each other and the assembly of the fitting easier.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, locking arm axes 56 are provided which engage in the bearings 40. They are connected to the second joint part 30. They are designed as cones. They are connected to the second joint part 30. They have a triangular cross-sectional area which interacts with the bearing 40. This too has an essentially triangular shape. Triangle is always understood to mean a triangle with rounded corners and triangular sides curved outwards, as can be seen from the figures. The storage 40 has, in particular 2 and 3 show, locally and selectively, an excess compared to the triangular cross section of the locking arm axes 56, thereby enabling a pivoting movement about the described small pivoting angle. One of the round corners of the triangle forms a projection 60. This is located in the vicinity of the internal toothing, furthermore it is relatively far away from the tooth area 38. The pivoting movement of the respective locking arm 32-34 is essentially determined by this projection 60, the locking arms pivot about a pivot axis 62, which is shown in FIG. 2 by a point. The cross-sectional shape of the locking arm axis 56 and the corresponding shape of the bearing 40 are selected such that in the locked state of the joint (FIG. 2) there is as large a support as possible between the locking arm axis 56 and the bearing 40, which also runs across a straight line as far as possible which runs through the pivot axis 62 and through the tooth region 38. In other words, in the event of a lock, the locking force should be transmitted from the locking arm 32-34 to the locking arm axis 56 as far as possible over a large contact surface.

Fig. 4 shows a locking arm 32, the storage 40 is open to the internal teeth 28 out. In this embodiment, the storage is limited towards the inside by a semicircle and the cross section of the locking arm axis 56 is round. The locking arm axis 56 can now be arranged relatively close to the internal toothing 28. Suitable means are provided to prevent the locking arm 32 from moving inward relative to its locking arm axis 56. This can be done by a suitable design of the actuating part 36 or an elastic means which presses the corresponding area of the locking arm 32 to its locking arm axis 56.

1 finally shows that the housing formed by the two joint parts 24, 28 is closed to the outside by an outer ring 64. This ring holds the two pivot parts 24, 30 together. He's holding her probably in position in the axial direction as well as in the radial direction. The ring 64 is crimped or otherwise deformed to perform its function.

The fitting is preferably intended for connecting a seat frame to a backrest, that is to say as a so-called backrest fitting. 1 shows how the connection to the other parts of the seat structure (not shown) can take place. As can be seen in Fig. 1, the locking arm axes 56 are provided with threaded areas or extended by them. The threaded areas protrude outside the second joint part 30 in the assembled state. A structural part, for example a seat support, is attached to these projections. The connection is made by means of the nuts 66. The first joint part 24 is also fastened, for example on the backrest. The first joint part 24 has six knob-like features 68 which engage in corresponding holes in the backrest frame (not shown) and ensure better transmission of the torque. The actual connection is made via three bolts 70 and associated nuts 72 J

It is also possible to simultaneously arrange a left-handed locking arm 32 and a right-handed locking arm 34 on a locking arm axis 32, which then protrude in the opposite direction from the locking arm axis.

In the embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 3, three locking arms 32-34 are provided. It is possible and very advantageous to house a total of four locking arms in the cavity, since each locking arm can be accommodated in a sector of 90 degrees. In a version with four locking arms, two locking arms of all types are provided. If four locking arms are provided, it is difficult to accommodate the at least one spring 52 in the same plane as the locking arms 32-34. The elastic means can be arranged in a different plane. Fig. 5 shows an elastic means 52 in the form of a leg spring, which is located above the actuating part 36. she can be replaced by another suitable torsion spring, for example a spiral spring. A lever arm can also engage on the articulated axis 20 and this lever arm can be loaded by a tension spring or another spring.

Claims

claims

1. hinge fitting for motor vehicle seats with a hinge axis (20), with a first hinge part (24) which has an internal toothing (28) which is central to the hinge axis (20), with a second hinge part (30) which in a release position of the Joint fitting can be rotated relative to the first joint part (24) about the joint axis (20) and that in a locked position of the joint fitting cannot be moved relative to the first joint part (24), with at least two locking arms (32-34), each of which has a tooth area (38 ) which cooperates with the internal toothing (28), which are each pivotable about a locking arm axis (56), which is arranged on the second joint part (30), and which each have actuation areas (42) and an actuation part (36), which is movable between a blocking position and a release division, the actuating part (36) holding the tooth regions (38) of the blocking arms (32-34) in engagement with the internal toothing (28) in the blocking position and the actuating part (36) in the release position has cleared the tooth regions (38) of the locking arms (32-34) from the internal toothing (28) and an adjustment of the first articulated arm (48) relative to the second articulated arm (49) is possible, characterized in that that of the at least two locking arms (32-34) at least one locking arm (32) is a left-handed locking arm and at least one locking arm (34) is a right-handed locking arm, that in the left-handed locking arm (32) the tooth area (38) starts from the Lock arm axis (56) in one direction of rotation against clockwise and that in the case of the right-handed locking arm (34), starting from the locking arm axis (56), the tooth region (38) is in a clockwise direction of rotation.

2. Joint fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the number of right-handed locking arms (34) is not equal to the number of left-handed locking arms (32, 33).

3. Joint fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the one locking arm (32-34) each has only one tooth area (38).

4. Joint fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that an elastic means (52) is provided, the at least one of the locking arms (32-34), preferably all locking arms, elastically preloaded into engagement with the internal toothing (28), and that resilient means either located in the same plane as the locking arms (32-34) or outside this plane.

5. Hinge fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking arm axes (56) each have a non-circular cross-section, and that the locking arm axes (56) have a projection (60) which is as close as possible to the internal toothing (28).

6. Hinge fitting according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the locking arm axis (56) has a non-circular cross-section, which is preferably polygonal and which is most preferably designed similar to a triangle with rounded corners and with rounded sides.

7. Joint fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the first joint part (24) and the second joint part (30) are each flat sheet metal parts, in particular are embossed sheet metal parts.

8. Joint fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating part (36) has arms which point to the locking arms (32-34) and that at least one first arm (48) for the at least one left-handed locking arm (32) and at least one second arm (50) for the at least one right-handed locking arm (34) are provided.

9. joint fitting according to claim 8, characterized in that the first arm (48) has a different shape than the second arm (50).

10. Articulated fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating part (36) is pivotally arranged with play about the articulation axis (20) and that the actuating part (36) is supported essentially on the locking arms (32-34) in the locked state of the articulated fitting and is supported as little as possible on the hinge axis (20).

11. Hinge fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking arm axes (56) have threaded areas and that these threaded areas in the assembled hinge fitting project outwards, outside the second hinge part (30).

12. Hinge fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge parts (24, 30) are substantially disc-shaped and that a ring (64) is provided which engages around the outer edges of these hinge parts (24, 30) and which the hinge parts (24, 30) holds together.

13. Joint fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking arms have a bearing (40) and that the bearing (40) is either closed or is open towards the internal toothing (28).

14. Joint fitting according to claim 1, characterized in that the first joint part (24) and the second joint part (30) delimit a cavity in which the locking arms (32-334) are located and which has the shape of a flat cylinder.