WO2015052414A1

WO2015052414A1 - Releasable hinge assembly for a motor vehicle seat

Info

Publication number: WO2015052414A1
Application number: PCT/FR2014/052511
Authority: WO
Inventors: David HAYAT; Frederic PINTO TEIXEIRA
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa
Priority date: 2013-10-08
Filing date: 2014-10-03
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: FR3011513B1; EP3055162A1; FR3011513A1; CN105636826A; CN105636826B

Abstract

The present invention concerns a releasable hinge assembly comprising a first flange (2) comprising an inner toothing, a second flange (3), an eccentric mechanism linking said inner toothing to an outer toothing (81), a release disc (6) linked in rotation to said second flange (3), a release member (5) that can be actuated in rotation and is capable of driving said release disc (6) in axial translation in order to shift said hinge assembly from a locked configuration in which said outer toothing (81) and said second flange (3) are linked in rotation, to an unlocked configuration in which they are detached, said axial translation being obtained by the engagement of at least one boss (65) and a complementary recess located respectively on said release disc (6) and on said release member (5), said boss (65) extending symmetrically to either side of a diametral plane passing through the axis of said second flange (3), according to a curved circumferential profile.

Description

DEBRAYABLE JOINT ASSEMBLY FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT.

Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to articulation assemblies for adjusting the inclination between the backrest and the seat of a motor vehicle seat, and aims in particular those of "continuous" type allowing a fine adjustment of this inclination.

Background of the invention

Such a "continuous" articulation assembly which is described, for example, in the French application FR 2743032, conventionally comprises:

a first flange bound in rotation with an external toothing having a first axis;

- A second flange connected in rotation with an internal toothing having a second axis parallel and remote from said first axis, said first and second flanges being provided to be respectively fixed to the seat and back of the seat;

an eccentric mechanism connecting said inner and outer teeth, and

- A control member for rotating the eccentric mechanism and cause the rotation of the outer toothing in the internal toothing to vary the relative angular position between said seat and said backrest.

This type of articulation which allows a fine adjustment of the angle of inclination between the seat and the seat back, however has the disadvantage of preventing the user to quickly move the folder from its raised position to a folded position allowing access to the rear seats of the vehicle. Also known "discontinuous" type articulation assemblies for performing such a rapid tilting of the folder.

However, these sets of "discontinuous" type allow only a rough angular adjustment of the orientation of the backrest relative to the seat, which does not allow the user to obtain the same degree of comfort as that obtained with "continuous" type sets.

Object and summary of the invention

The present invention therefore aims to provide an economic assembly of articulation to the manufacture which provides a fine adjustment of the angle of inclination between the seat and the back of the seat, while also allowing to quickly move this folder between his raised position and a lowered position allowing access to the rear seats of the vehicle.

It proposes for this purpose, a detachable joint assembly for a motor vehicle seat comprising:

a first flange comprising an internal toothing centered on its axis;

- A second flange having an axis parallel and slightly spaced from the axis of said first flange, said first and second flanges being provided to be respectively fixed to the seat and back of the seat or vice versa;

an eccentric mechanism connecting said internal toothing to an external toothing centered on the axis of said second flange, and comprising a number of teeth at least one tooth lower than that of said internal toothing,

a control member for rotating said eccentric mechanism and causing the rotation of said external toothing in said internal toothing;

said hinge assembly being characterized in that said external toothing is mounted on a pinion, and in that it further comprises a disengaging disc rotatably connected to said second flange, and a disengaging member operable in rotation and adapted to drive said disengagement disc in axial translation to pass said articulation assembly of a locked configuration in which complementary coupling means located on said clutch disc and said pinion cooperate to rotate said gear teeth outer and said second flange, in an unlocked configuration in which said complementary coupling means are spaced apart from each other so that said external toothing and said second flange are disengaged in rotation;

the axial translation of said clutch disc being obtained by the cooperation of at least one camming boss and a complementary recess situated respectively on said clutch disc and on said disengaging member or vice versa;

said cam path protrusion extending symmetrically on either side of a diametral plane passing through the axis of said second flange, and following a circumferential goggle hat profile.

Thanks to the presence of this disengaging member which makes it possible to establish or eliminate the rotational connection between the external to the second flange by controlling the axial displacement of the clutch disc, the hinge assembly according to the invention can very easy to move from a "continuous" type configuration in which the user can fine-tune the angle of inclination between the seat and the backrest of the seat, to a configuration of "discontinuous" type in which the two flanges can rotate freely around each other so that the user can quickly vary this angle of inclination, in particular to allow access to the rear seats or to make a tablet of this folder .

In addition, the fact that the bosses forming cam paths (as well as the indentations complementary thereto) extend symmetrically on either side of a diametral plane passing through the axis of the second flange, makes it possible to to get rid of a different referencing of these two parts for each of the two lateral sides of the seat. The hinge assembly according to the invention can thus be mounted indifferently on both sides of the seat, which generates a significant reduction in its cost price by volume effect.

According to preferred features of the hinge assembly, taken alone or in combination:

said cam path boss comprises two downward bearing ramps which extend on either side of a raised platform;

said cam path boss and said complementary cavity are respectively located on said clutch disc and on said disengaging member;

said boss forming a camming path protrudes axially from an annular recess formed in said disengaging disc and intended to receive, in said locking configuration, a flange which comprises said disengaging member and in which said cavity is formed;

said boss forming a cam path and said complementary cavity are situated respectively on said disengaging member and on said disengaging disk;

said articulation assembly comprises three said bosses and three said complementary indentations angularly distributed in a regular manner;

said complementary coupling means comprise an octagonal rib extending from said pinion and intended to cooperate with a complementary octagonal groove formed in said disengaging disk;

said articulation assembly comprises resilient biasing means located between said second flange and said clutch disc, and continuously urging the latter in the direction of said pinion; and or

said elastic return means are formed by a corrugated washer sandwiched between said second flange and said clutch disc. The present invention also aims in a second aspect, a motor vehicle seat comprising two such articulation assemblies extending symmetrically vis-à-vis the median plane of said seat.

Brief description of the drawings

The description of the invention will now be continued by the detailed description of an exemplary embodiment, given below by way of illustration but without limitation, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of three quarters before the components of articulation assembly according to the invention;

- Figure 2 shows an exploded perspective view of three quarter of the constituent elements of the hinge assembly;

FIG. 3 represents a perspective view of the disengaging disk that comprises the hinge assembly according to the invention;

- Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the hinge assembly according to the invention occupying its locking configuration; and

- Figure 5 shows a view similar to Figure 4 in which the hinge assembly according to the invention occupies its unlocking configuration.

Detailed description of an embodiment

The hinge assembly 1 shown in the figures is integrated into a motor vehicle seat (not shown) and allows to adjust the relative inclination between the backrest and the seat of this seat.

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the hinge assembly 1 comprises a first flange 2 and a second flange 3 respectively fixed to the backrest and the seat of the seat or vice versa, preferably by welding. The peripheral flanges 21, 31 of the two flanges 2 and 3 are held contiguous to each other by means of an annular retaining ring 4.

Each flange 2, 3 has a respective central opening 22, 32 of circular shape.

The flange 2 has on the inner face an internal toothing 23 centered on its axis.

The flange 3 has an axis parallel and slightly distant from that of the flange 2, as is clearly visible in Figures 4 and 5.

The two flanges delimit a space inside which are positioned a disengaging member 5, a disengaging disc 6, a wave washer 7 forming a spring, a pinion 8, an eccentric mechanism (not shown for the sake of simplification of the figures) , and an eccentric control member 9.

The disengaging disc 6 has a circular central opening 61 of the same diameter as the opening 32 of the flange 3, and centered on the axis of this flange 3.

It is slidably mounted in a housing 33 of corresponding shape machined on the inner side of the flange 3 (FIG. 2). As illustrated in the figures, it comprises three radial peripheral protrusions 62 angularly distributed in a regular manner, which are housed in three corresponding indentations 36 located at the periphery of the housing 33, so that the disc 6 and the flange 3 are integral in rotation.

The disengaging disc 6 also has on its face facing away from the flange 3 and towards the disengaging member 6, an annular recess 63 extending around the periphery of its opening 61, as well as an octagonal groove 64 s extending near its peripheral edge.

As can be seen more clearly in FIG. 3, three arcuate bosses 65 protrude axially from the annular recess 63.

These bosses 65, angularly distributed regularly, take root along the circumference of an imaginary circle located near the outer edge of this annular recess 63. They extend symmetrically on either side of a diametral plane passing through the axis of the flange 3, and following a circumferential profile in a gendarme hat. Each boss 65 thus forms a cam path constituted by two downward bearing ramps 65A, 65C which extend on either side of a raised plate 65B.

The corrugated spring washer 7 also has a circular central opening 71 of the same diameter as the opening 32 of the flange 3, and centered on the axis of this flange 3.

As illustrated in the figures, this washer 7 is sandwiched inside the housing 33 between the flange 3 and the clutch disk 6, so that it constantly stresses the clutch disk 6 in the direction of the pinion 8.

The disengaging member 5 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 51 centered on the axis of the flange 3, which extends from a collar 52 and successively passes through the clutch disc 6, the corrugated washer 7 and the flange 3 via their respective openings 61 , 71 and 32.

The free end 51A of the sleeve 51 protruding from the flange 3 (FIGS. 3 and 4) is intended to receive a drive rod mechanically connected to a control wheel (not shown in the figures) whose rotation causes the control wheel to rotate. release member 5.

The flange 52 whose shape is complementary to the annular recess 63 formed in the clutch disc 6, has on its face oriented opposite the clutch member 6, three cavities 53. These indentations 53, angularly distributed regularly, take root along the circumference of an imaginary circle located near the outer edge of the flange 52, and are complementary to the three bosses 65 of the clutch disc 6 with which they are intended to cooperate.

The pinion 8 has an external toothing 81 and a central opening 82 centered on the axis of the flange 3, this opening 82 having a diameter slightly greater than that of the flange 52 of the release member 5. This pinion 8 also has on its face facing away from the flange 2, an octagonal rib 83 extending close to its peripheral edge and which is complementary to the octagonal groove 64 of the clutch disc 6 with which it is intended to cooperate.

The external toothing 81 which has a number of teeth less than one tooth to that of the internal toothing 23 of the flange 2, is engrained with the latter.

An eccentric mechanism known per se and not shown in the figures for the sake of simplification, is disposed inside the central opening 82 made in the pinion 8.

The eccentric control member 9 of this mechanism is made in one piece and comprises two cylindrical hubs 91, 92 extending on either side of a notched disc 93 housed in the opening 82 of the pinion 8, and having drive fingers 94 axially projecting towards the first flange 2.

The cylindrical hubs 91, 92 are respectively centered on the axis of the first flange 2 and that of the second flange 3.

On the other hand, the first cylindrical hub 91 is received inside the opening 22 of the first flange 2 while the second cylindrical hub 92 is received inside the sleeve 51 of the clutch disc 6.

The first hub 91 also has a central recess 95 provided for receiving a drive rod connected to a second control wheel.

The actuation in rotation of this second wheel causes the transmission of a torque to the eccentric control member 9 which will rotate the eccentric mechanism and cause an eccentric movement of the pinion 8 relative to the internal toothing 23 of the flange 2 .

We will now briefly describe the operation of the hinge assembly 1 according to the invention.

This articulation assembly has a first locking configuration, illustrated in FIG. 4, in which the clutch disk 6 is pressed by the action of the wave washer 7 forming spring, against pinion 8; with the octagonal rib 83 of this pinion which is housed in the complementary groove 64 of the disengaging disk 6, so that the flange 3, the disengaging disk 6 and the pinion 8 are all integral in rotation.

In this configuration, the flange 52 of the release member 5 is housed in the annular recess 63 formed in the clutch disc 6, with the three bosses 65 of this clutch disc 6 which coincide with the three complementary indentations 53 of this release member 5.

In this locking configuration, when a rotation torque is transmitted to the eccentric control member 9 via the second control wheel, the two flanges 2 and 3 pivot relative to each other continuously, this which makes it possible to precisely adjust the inclination of the backrest relative to the seat cushion.

When the user actuates in rotation the first control wheel mechanically connected to the release member 5, the latter is rotated about the axis of the flange 3.

The rotation of this disengaging member 5 and thus of the indentations 53, causes the ramps 65A (or 65C in the direction of rotation printed on this disengagement member 5) to slide off the bosses 65 along the corresponding counter ramps of the indentations 53, and until each of the bosses 65 emerges completely from the footprint 53 in which it was contained, with its raised plate 65B which rests against a flat portion of the flange 52 located in the extension of this footprint 53.

This cooperation between the bosses 65 and the indentations 53 during the rotation of the release member 5, thus causes an axial translation of the release disc 6 towards the flange 3 causing the compression of the corrugated washer 7.

This axial translation of the disengaging disc 6 has the effect of detaching it in rotation (and the flange 3) vis-à-vis the pinion 8, the octagonal rib 83 of this pinion 8 is no longer housed in the groove 64 of this disengaging disc 6). The hinge assembly 1 is then in unlocked configuration in which the two flanges 2 and 3 can rotate freely relative to each other, which allows in particular to pass very quickly the record of a raised position in an intermediate or fully lowered position allowing access to the rear seats of the vehicle or the tablet of this folder.

When the back is approaching the desired inclination, it is sufficient for the user to rotate the first wheel connected to the disengagement member 5 in the opposite direction, so that the bosses 65 of the disengagement disc 6 are inserted in the footprints 53 of the disengagement member 5 thus making the flange 3, the disengaging disc 6 and the pinion 8 integral in rotation. The hinge assembly 1 then again occupies its locking configuration.

Preferably, the hinge assemblies according to the invention are intended to be mounted in pairs on a motor vehicle seat: each hinge assembly being disposed on a corresponding lateral side of this seat.

In this case, the two articulation assemblies extend symmetrically vis-a-vis the median plane of the seat and synchronized with each other so that the actuation of one of the two control wheels causes the two eccentric control members 9 or the two disengaging members 5 to rotate simultaneously.

Due to the symmetrical arrangement of the two articulation assemblies, this simultaneous rotation of the two disengaging members 5 is carried out for one in the clockwise direction and for the other in the opposite direction. It is the same for the two eccentric control members 9.

Note that the fact that the bosses 65 of the clutch disc 6 (and the complementary indentations 53 of the clutch member 5 which are complementary thereto) extend symmetrically on either side of a diametrical plane. , makes it possible to overcome a different referencing of these two parts for each of the two lateral sides of the seat. The hinge assembly according to the invention can thus be mounted indifferently on both sides of the seat, which generates a significant reduction in its cost price by volume effect.

According to alternative embodiments not shown, the number of 65-cavity bosses 53 is different from three and equal for example to 2 or 4.

According to other variants of embodiment not shown, the arrangement of the bosses 65 forming cam paths and cavities 53 is reversed: the bosses rooted on the flange 52 of the clutch member 5 while the fingerprints are formed at the level of the annular recess 63 of the clutch disc 6.

According to still other embodiments not shown:

- The means for securing in rotation the disengaging disc and the pinion comprise instead of the octagonal rib 83 and the groove 64, a protuberance adapted to cooperate with a complementary cavity;

the means for ensuring the axial sliding assembly of the disengaging disc 6 inside the flange 3 are also different: the radial peripheral protrusions 62 cooperating with the three corresponding indentations 36 situated on the periphery of the housing 33 being replaced by a protuberance adapted to cooperate with a complementary imprint of greater depth; and or

the corrugated washer is replaced by another elastic return means such as a helical spring.

In general, it is recalled that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any variant embodiment.

Claims

1. Disengageable hinge assembly for a motor vehicle seat comprising:

a first flange (2) comprising an internal toothing (23) centered on its axis;

- A second flange (3) having an axis parallel and slightly spaced from the axis of said first flange (2), said first and second flanges (2, 3) being provided to be respectively fixed to the seat and back of the seat Or vice versa ;

an eccentric mechanism connecting said internal toothing (23) to an external toothing (81) centered on the axis of said second flange (3),

- a control member (9) for rotating said eccentric mechanism and causing rotation of said outer toothing (81) in said internal toothing (23);

said hinge assembly being characterized in that said external toothing (71) is mounted on a pinion (8), and in that it further comprises a disengaging disc (6) rotatably connected to said second flange (3). ), and a clutch member (4) operable in rotation and adapted to drive said disengaging disc (6) in axial translation to pass said articulation assembly of a locked configuration in which complementary coupling means (83, 64) located on said clutch disc (6) and on said pinion (8) cooperate so as to link in rotation said external toothing (81) and said second flange (3), to an unlocked configuration in which said means complementary coupling (83, 64) are spaced from each other so that said outer toothing (81) and said second flange (3) are disengaged in rotation;

the axial translation of said disengaging disc (6) being obtained by the cooperation of at least one camming boss (65) and a complementary recess (53) respectively located on said camming disc (6); disengaging disk (6) and on said disengaging member (5) or vice versa;

said cam path boss (65) extending symmetrically on either side of a diametral plane passing through the axis of said second flange (3), and following a circumferential goggle hat profile.

2. hinge assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said cam path boss (65) comprises two downward bearing ramps (65A, 65C) which extend on either side of a plate raised (65B).

3. hinge assembly according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said boss forming cam path (65) and said complementary cavity (53) are located respectively on said clutch disc (6) and on said disengaging member (5).

4. hinge assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said boss forming cam path (65) projects axially from an annular recess (63) formed in said clutch disc (6) and intended to accommodate, in said configuration locking, a flange (52) that comprises said disengaging member (5) and wherein is formed in said cavity (53).

5. hinge assembly according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said boss camming path (65) and said complementary cavity (53) are located respectively on said disengagement member (5) and on said clutch disc (6).

6. Articulation assembly according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises three said bosses (65) and three so-called additional imprints (53) angularly distributed regularly.

7. hinge assembly according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that said complementary coupling means comprise an octagonal rib (83) extending from said pinion (8) and intended to cooperate with an octagonal groove complementary (64) formed in said clutch disc (6).

8. hinge assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it comprises elastic return means (7) between said second flange (3) and said clutch disc (6), and solicitant continuously the latter in the direction of said pinion (8).

9. hinge assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that said elastic return means are formed by a corrugated washer (7) sandwiched between said second flange (3) and said disengaging disc (6).

10. Motor vehicle seat comprising two sets of articulation according to one of claims 1 to 9 and extending symmetrically vis-à-vis the median plane of said seat.