WO2016116674A1

WO2016116674A1 - Disengageable hinge assembly for the seat of a motor vehicle.

Info

Publication number: WO2016116674A1
Application number: PCT/FR2015/053680
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent Fevrier; Frederic PINTO TEIXEIRA; David HAYAT; Marc TRANNOY; Chuanlang FU
Original assignee: Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa
Priority date: 2015-01-22
Filing date: 2015-12-21
Publication date: 2016-07-28
Also published as: EP3247583A1; FR3031942B1; CN107428266A; FR3031942A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a disengageable hinge assembly comprising a first end plate (2) rotatably connected with outer teeth (45), a second end plate (3), a control unit (8) for rotating a cam mechanism and rotating said outer teeth (45) in said inner teeth (55), a rotatably actuatable disengagement member (6) and at least one radially slidably mounted disengagement bush (7), the rotation of said disengagement member (6) radially translating the bush (7) to shift the hinge assembly from a locked configuration wherein the bush (7) rotatably connects said inner teeth (55) and said second end plate (3), to a first unlocked configuration wherein said inner teeth (55) and said second end plate (3) are disconnected, each bush (7) comprising a lug (71) capable of moving in said first unlocked configuration along a first semi-closed guide track provided on said second end plate (3) and extending across a predetermined angular sector.

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 partially folded position allowing access to the rear seats of the vehicle or to a tablet position providing an optimized loading volume. In order to overcome this drawback, the French patent application FR 3003 818 proposes a disengageable joint assembly for a motor vehicle seat comprising:

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

- A second 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 external toothing to an internal toothing having a second axis parallel and slightly spaced from said first axis, and having a number of teeth greater than at least one tooth to that of said external toothing,

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

- Disengagement means comprising a disengagement member actuatable in rotation via a control lug and release claws provided with teeth and mounted to slide radially along corresponding impressions provided on the second flange.

The rotation of said disengaging member causes said disengagement grains in radial translation along said indentations and passes said articulation assembly of a locked configuration in which teeth located on the disengagement grains bite the peripheral notched strip of a cup housing the inner toothing to rotate said inner toothing and said second flange to an unlocked configuration wherein said teeth are away from the toothed belt so that said toothing and said second flange are disengaged in rotation.

Thanks to the presence of these disengaging means which make it possible to establish or eliminate the connection in rotation between the internal toothing and the second flange, this type of articulation assembly can thus easily pass from an operating mode of the type "Continuous" in which the user can fine-tune the angle of inclination between the seat and the back of the seat, to a "discontinuous" type of operating mode in which the two flanges can rotate freely around each other so that the user can do vary this angle of inclination rapidly, in particular to allow access to the rear seats (APA) or to put a tablet (MET) of this folder.

However, the hinge assembly ironing in its locked configuration as soon as the control tab is released, the user is therefore forced to maintain the actuated control tab until the file reaches the desired inclination.

Object and summary of the invention

The present invention therefore aims to provide a more functional disengageable joint assembly ensuring both a fine adjustment of the angle of inclination between the seat and the seat back, and a quick adjustment to a tilt allowing access in the rear seats of the vehicle or a shelf tablet.

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

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

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

- Disengagement means comprising a release member operable in rotation and at least one disengagement grain radially sliding, the rotation of said disengaging member driving the at least said clutch release in radial translation to pass said hinge assembly of a locked configuration in which the at least said disengagement grain rotates said inner toothing and said second flange, at least a first unlocked configuration in which said internal toothing and said second flange are disengaged in rotation;

characterized in that each at least one clutching grain comprises a nipple able to circulate, in said first unlocked configuration, along a corresponding semi-closed first guide track provided on said second flange and extending over an angular sector. predetermined.

The presence of the guide track in which the stud of the disengaging grain circulates makes it possible to retain this grain radially so that the user no longer needs to keep actuating the control member causing rotation of the disengagement member so that the hinge assembly remains in its unlocking configuration.

The fact that the guide track extends only over a predetermined angular sector also makes it possible to limit the rotation of the second flange with respect to the first flange in the unlocked configuration (the grain abutting against the closed end of the track) and therefore to prevent further pivoting of the seat backrest when the latter reaches a predetermined inclination corresponding for example to a position of access to the rear seats (APA) or tabling (MET).

Such automatic locking of the backrest allows APA position to provide a fulcrum assisting the user when accessing the rear seats, while it allows the MET position to prevent the folder from compressing the padding of the seat.

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

said first guide track extends over an angular sector comprised between 30 and 45 °; said articulation assembly has a second unlocked configuration in which the stud of each at least said release seed is able to circulate along a second corresponding guide track provided on said second flange and extending over an angular sector. predetermined different from that of said first track;

said second guide track extends over an angular sector between 75 and 90 °;

said clutch member operable in rotation is constituted by a ring on the outer edge of which the said at least one clutching grain rests, said ring comprising at least one angular portion whose outer diameter is smaller than the nominal outside diameter of this ring and on which rests the at least said disengagement grain in said first unlocked configuration;

said ring comprises at least one other angular portion whose outside diameter is smaller than that of said angular portion and on which the at least said release grain rests in said second unlocked configuration;

- Said disengagement means comprise resilient biasing means continuously urging the at least said clutch slidable to the axis of said ring;

- Said disengagement means further comprise an intermediate disk disposed between said flanges and comprising an axial sleeve carrying said internal toothing, said at least one disengaging grain being slidably mounted along at least one corresponding indentation formed on said intermediate disk;

- Said disengagement means comprises two disengagement grains slidably mounted along two symmetrical cavities with respect to the axis of said intermediate disk; and or

the at least one disengagement bead comprises teeth capable of cooperating in said locked configuration with a notched annular rim carried by said second flange, so as to link in rotation said internal toothing and said second flange. 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 a cross sectional view of the hinge assembly according to the invention occupying its locking configuration;

- Figure 2 is a front view of the hinge assembly of Figure 1 in its locking configuration, on which some elements have been omitted to facilitate understanding of the invention;

- Figures 3 and 4 are similar to Figures 1 and 2 but illustrate the hinge assembly according to the invention in its tablet configuration;

- Figures 5 and 6 are similar to Figures 1 and 2 but illustrate the hinge assembly according to the invention in its rear access configuration;

- Figure 7 is a front view of the tablet control member that comprises the hinge assembly according to the invention; and

- Figures 8A, 8B and 8C are respectively views of the inner face, the edge and the outer face of the second flange of the hinge assembly according to the invention.

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.

This hinge assembly 1 comprises a first flange 2 and a second flange 3 respectively fixed to the backrest D and seat A of the seat or vice versa, preferably by welding. The peripheral flanges 2A, 3A of the two flanges 2 and 3 are held contiguous to each other by means of an annular retaining ring not shown in the figures.

The flange 2 has a central circular opening 21 delimited by an annular wafer fixed by welding on the side wall 41 of a cylindrical sheath 4 passing through this opening 21.

This sleeve 4 has at its outer end protruding from the flange 2, a bottom wall 42 in which is formed an opening 43 centered on the axis of the flange 3.

The sleeve 4 also comprises a flange 44 extending radially from the inner end of the side wall 41, and bearing an external toothing 45.

The flange 3 which is shown alone in FIGS. 8A to 8C, has an axis parallel and slightly distant from that of the flange 2.

It comprises a central circular opening 31 and carries near its inner periphery an annular ring 32 centered on its axis. This annular ring 32 is provided on its inner periphery with a notched band 33 extending over its entire circumference.

A bore 34, centered on the axis of the opening 31, is formed on the outer face of this flange 3.

The latter also has on its inner face two pairs of two guiding tracks 35, 36 in an arc of circle, the two pairs of tracks being disposed symmetrically to each other with respect to the axis of the flange 3.

Each guide track 35, of larger diameter, extends near the annular ring 32 about 90 °. It is delimited by two joined ribs 35A, 35B at one of their ends.

Each guide track 36, of smaller diameter, is contiguous to the track 35 but extends over a smaller angular sector of about 45 °.

It is delimited by the rib 35B and a third shorter rib 36A, one of whose ends joins this rib 35B. Two control lights arc 37, 38 are also provided in the central portion of the flange 3, the latter extending symmetrically with respect to its axis.

The flange 3 finally comprises an abutment pin 39 extending from its inner face 3C and in an axial direction.

Between the two flanges 2 and 3, the hinge assembly 1 comprises an intermediate disc 5, a clutch ring 6, two parallelepiped release claws 7, and an eccentric control member 8.

The intermediate disk 5 comprises a peripheral annular ring 51 extending from its oriented face toward the flange 3. The inner face of this annular ring 51 is pivotally fitted on the outer face of the annular ring 32 of the flange 3, so that that the intermediate disc 5 and the flange 3 are coaxial and can freely rotate relative to each other.

This intermediate disc 5 has a central circular opening 53 through which the side wall 41 of the cylindrical sleeve 4 and whose diameter is slightly greater than that of this side wall 41. The disc 5 is furthermore interposed between the flange 2 and the flange 44 the sheath 4 which prevent it from translating axially.

Its face oriented in the direction of the flange 3, has an axial sleeve 54 bearing an internal toothing 55 engrained with the external toothing 45 of the sleeve 4 which has a number of teeth greater than at least one tooth to that of the internal toothing 55.

The two sets of teeth 45, 55 respectively centered on the axis of the flange 2 and on that of the flange 3, are therefore slightly axially offset.

The face oriented in the direction of the flange 3, also has two rectangular guiding cavities 56, symmetrical to each other with respect to the axis of the intermediate disc 5, and extending between the annular peripheral ring 51 and the sleeve axial 54. The disengaging ring 6 has a central circular opening 61 pivotally fitted on the outer face of the axial sleeve 54 of the intermediate disc 5.

It comprises two angular portions 62 running about 30 °, symmetrical to each other with respect to its axis, and having an outside diameter D ₂ smaller than the nominal outside diameter Di.

The clutch ring 6 also comprises two other angular portions 63, symmetrical to one another with respect to its axis, and extending in the extension of the angular portions 62 by about 30 °. These two angular portions 63 have an outside diameter D ₃ still smaller than the outside diameter D ₂ of the angular portions 62.

The clutch ring 6 further comprises two pins 64, 65 arcuate section and extending symmetrically from one another relative to its axis.

The first pin 64 passes through the flange 3 at the control light 37, while the second 65 passes through the same flange 2 at the control light 38.

Each of the parallelepiped release claws 7 is disposed between the intermediate disk 5 and the flange 3, being partially received inside a rectangular cavity 56, so that it can slide radially along this cavity.

Elastic return means, not shown in the figures, constantly urge the grains 7 to slide towards the center of the clutch ring 6.

Each grain 7, which rests by its inner face on the outer edge of this clutch ring 6, has a guide pin 71 adapted to flow along a guide track 35 or 36.

In addition, the outer faces of these grains 7 have teeth 72 capable of cooperating with the peripheral notched strip 33 of the annular ring 32.

The eccentric control member 8 comprises a cylindrical hub 81, centered on the axis of the first flange 2, which passes through the central circular opening 31 of the flange 3 and is housed partially in the sleeve 4.

It also comprises a notched disc 83 housing an eccentric mechanism which extends radially from the outer end of the hub 81. Centered on the axis of the second flange 3, this notched disc 83 is further housed in the bore 34 flange 3.

The eccentric control member 8 also has a recess 85 passing through the hub 81 and the disc 83, and provided for receiving a drive rod 86 connected to a control wheel 88.

The actuation in rotation of this wheel 88 causes the transmission of a torque to the eccentric control member 8 which will rotate the eccentric mechanism and cause an eccentric movement of the external toothing 45 of the sleeve 4 (mechanically linked to the flange 2) relative to the internal toothing 55 of the intermediate disk 5.

The hinge assembly 1 according to the invention also comprises two control members, respectively tablet (MET) 9 and access to the rear seats (APA).

The control unit MET 9 shown frontally in FIG. 7 has a circular opening 92 through which it is pivotally mounted on the drive rod 86 between the flange 3 and the wheel 88. It also comprises an arcuate light. of circle 93 concentric with the opening 92 and traversed by the first pin 64 of the clutch ring 6.

This control member MET 9 further comprises an arm 94 extending radially and connected to a tablet making handle not shown in the figures,

The control member APA (not visible in the figures) is secured to the second pin 65 of the clutch ring 6.

We will now briefly describe the operation of the hinge assembly 1 according to the invention. This articulation assembly has a first locking configuration in which the flange 3 and the intermediate disk 5 are integral in rotation.

In this configuration, the inner faces of the two release races 7 rest on two symmetrical portions of the edge of the release ring 6 where the outside diameter of this ring is maximal (equal to Di), while the teeth of these same release beads 7 bite on the peripheral notched strip 33 of the flange 3 (Figures 1 and 2).

The latter is then mechanically connected in rotation to the intermediate disc 5 through the grains 7, guiding cavities 56 and the toothed belt 33.

In this locking configuration, when a rotational torque is transmitted to the eccentric control member 8 via the control knob 88, the two flanges 2 and 3 pivot relative to each other in a continuous manner. which makes it possible to precisely adjust the inclination of the backrest D relative to the seat A of the seat.

Since the locking configuration, the actuation in rotation of the control member MET 9 via the tablet handling handle firstly causes the only relative displacement of the first pin 64 along the arcuate light 93. When this first stud 64 abuts against one end of this slot 93, the further rotation of the control member MET 9 causes that of the release ring 6.

To be able to carry out the setting tablet seat, the rotation of the control member MET 9 must be continued until its radial arm 94 abuts against the pin 39 of the flange 3.

Due to the rotation of the ring 6 and the radial bias exerted by the elastic return means on the release beads 7, the inner faces of these grains 7 now rest on the edges of the two symmetrical angular portions 62 of the clutch ring 6, whose outer diameter D ₂ is smaller than the outside diameter Di on which they previously rested (Figure 4), so that the teeth of these same clutch grains 7 do not bite more on the peripheral notched strip 33 of the flange 3 which has the effect of separating in rotation the flange 3 of the flange 2 (Figure 3). In addition, the guide pins 71 of the release beads 7 are now opposite the inputs of the guide tracks 35 of the flange 3.

The hinge assembly 1 is then in a first unlocked configuration of tablet in which the flange 2 connected to the seat back can freely pivot backwards relative to the flange 3 connected to the seat on an angular sector approximately 90 ° corresponding to that of the guide tracks 35 (the pins 71 which circulate along these guide tracks 35 then abut against their closed ends, which prevents the further pivoting of the flange 2).

It will be noted that during the pivoting of the flange 2, the tenons 64, 65 of the clutch ring 6 slide along the slots 37, 38 of the flange 3.

Since the locking configuration, the actuation of the APA control member secured to the second pin 64 causes the rotation of the clutch ring 6 on a larger angular sector than for setting tablet.

Due to this rotation of the ring 6 and the radial stress exerted by the elastic return means on the release beads 7, the inner faces of these grains 7 now rest on the edges of the two symmetrical angular portions 63 of the clutch ring 6, whose outer diameter D ₃ is smaller than the outside diameter Di on which they previously rested (Figure 6), so that the teeth of these same clutch beads 7 no longer bite on the peripheral notched strip 33 of the flange 3 which has the effect of separating in rotation the flange 3 of the flange 2.

In addition, the guide nipples 71 of the release beads 7 are now opposite the entries of the guide tracks 36 of the flange 3.

The hinge assembly 1 is then in a second unlocked configuration of access to the rear seats in which the flange 2 connected to the seat back can freely pivot backwards by compared to the flange 3 bonded to the seat on an angular sector of approximately 45 ° corresponding to that of the guide tracks 36 (the pins 71 sliding along these guide tracks 36 then abut against their closed ends, which prevents continued flange 2).

According to alternative embodiments not shown, some elements of the hinge assembly according to the invention can be shaped differently. This is particularly the case of clutch grains whose shape, number and layout can be modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

In the same way, the number of guide tracks and / or their angular extent can vary. Preferably, the first guide track extends over an angular sector between 30 and 45 °, while the second extends over an angular sector between 75 and 90 °.

In general, it is recalled that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown, but encompasses any embodiment within the scope of those skilled in the art.

Claims

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

- a first flange (2) rotatably connected with an external toothing (45) having a first axis;

- A second flange (3), 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 external toothing (45) to an internal toothing (55) having a second axis parallel and slightly remote from said first axis, and comprising a number of teeth greater than at least one tooth to that of said external toothing; (45)

- a control member (8) for rotating said eccentric mechanism and causing rotation of said external toothing (45) in said internal toothing (55);

- Disengagement means comprising a disengaging member (6) operable in rotation and at least one disengaging pin (7) mounted radially sliding, the rotation of said disengaging member (6) driving the at least said disengagement grain (7) in radial translation for passing said articulation assembly of a locked configuration in which the at least said clutching grain (7) rotates said inner toothing (55) and said second flange (3), to at least a first unlocked configuration in which said internal toothing (55) and said second flange (3) are disengaged in rotation;

characterized in that each at least one clutching grain (7) comprises a pin (71) able to circulate, in said first unlocked configuration, along a first corresponding semi-closed guide track (35) provided on said second flange (3) and extending over a predetermined angular sector.

2. hinge assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that said first guide track (35) extends over an angular sector between 30 and 45 °.

3. hinge assembly according to one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it has a second unlocked configuration in which the stud (71) of each at least said clutch release (7) is able to circulate the along a second corresponding guide track (36) provided on said second flange (3) and extending over a predetermined angular sector different from that of said first track (35).

4. hinge assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that said second guide track (36) extends over an angular sector between 75 and 90 °.

5. hinge assembly according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that said release member (6) operable in rotation consists of a ring (6) on the outer edge of which rests the at least said grain disengaging device (7), said ring (6) comprising at least one angular portion whose outer diameter (D ₂ ) is smaller than the nominal outside diameter (D of this ring (6) and on which the at least said disengagement grain rests (7) in said first unlocked configuration.

6. hinge assembly according to claims 3 and 5, characterized in that said ring comprises at least one other angular portion whose outer diameter (D ₃ ) is smaller than (D ₂ ) of said angular portion and on which rests the at least said clutch seed (7) in said second unlocked configuration.

7. Articulation assembly according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said disengaging means comprise resilient biasing means continuously urging the at least said clutch release (7) slidable towards the axis of said ring (6).

8. hinge assembly according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said disengaging means further comprise an intermediate disk (5) disposed between said flanges (2, 3) and comprising an axial sleeve (54) bearing said internal toothing (55), said at least one disengaging seed (7) being slidably mounted along at least one corresponding indentation (56) formed on said intermediate disk (5).

9. Articulation assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that said disengaging means comprises two release beads (7) slidably mounted along two recesses (56) symmetrical to each other relative to the axis of said intermediate disk (5).

10. hinge assembly according to one of claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the at least said clutch release (7) comprises teeth (72) adapted to cooperate in said locked configuration with a notched annular ring (33). ) carried by said second flange (3), so as to link in rotation said inner toothing (55) and said second flange (3).