IP Library Granted Patent US 7,571,962
Granted Patent B2
US 7,571,962 · App. 11/654,825 · Granted Aug 11, 2009

Fitting for a vehicle seat

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,571,962
App. No.
11/654,825
Granted
Aug 11, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

In the case of a fitting ( 10 ) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part ( 11 ), a second fitting part ( 12 ) in geared connection with the first fitting part ( 11 ), and a rotatably mounted eccentric ( 26, 27 ) driven by a driver ( 21, 26 ) to cause relative rolling between the first fitting part ( 11 ) and the second fitting part ( 12 ), the first fitting part ( 11 ) and the second fitting part ( 12 ) together form a disc-shaped unit held together by a clamping ring ( 51 ), and a third fitting part ( 74 ) can be both pivoted relative to the first fitting part ( 11 ) and locked with respect to the first fitting part ( 11 ).

Claims (120)

1. A fitting for a vehicle seat, the fitting comprising:

a disc-shaped unit comprising a first fitting part and a second fitting part, wherein there is geared connection between the first fitting part and the second fitting part so that there can be relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part;

a clamping ring that holds the disc-shaped unit together;

a rotatably mounted eccentric for being driven, and for causing the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part in response to the eccentric being driven;

a driver for driving the eccentric so that the eccentric causes the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part;

a third fitting part mounted for being pivoted relative to the first fitting part for enabling centered, free pivoting of a backrest of the vehicle seat relative to the first fitting part, wherein

the third fitting part being mounted for being pivoted relative to the first fitting part comprises the third fitting part being pivotably mounted on a bearing ring, and

the bearing ring is fixedly connected to the first fitting part; and

a locking mechanism for providing locked and unlocked states of the third fitting part, wherein

the third fitting part is at least indirectly locked with respect to the first fitting part during the locked state of the third fitting part, and

the third fitting part can be pivoted relative to the first fitting part during the unlocked state of the third fitting part.

2. The fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the fitting is configured so that there is a superimposed wobbling motion during the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part.

3. The fitting according to claim 1 , wherein:

the driver comprises a driving bushing made of plastic and a driving ring made of metal, and

the driving bushing and the driving ring are connected to each other with a positive fit by way of a transmission profile.

4. The fitting according to claim 3 , wherein:

the transmission profile comprises a transmission profile of the driving bushing; and

material of the transmission profile of the driving bushing is displaced during assembly of the driver.

5. The fitting according to claim 3 , wherein the driving bushing has a receptacle for receiving a motor-driven drive shaft in a rotationally fixed manner.

6. The fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the fitting is operative for steplessly adjusting inclination of a backrest of the vehicle seat by way of the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part, which occurs in response to the eccentric being driven.

7. The fitting of claim 1 in combination with the vehicle seat, wherein the fitting is operative for at least both:

adjusting inclination of a backrest of the vehicle seat by way of the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part, which occurs in response to the eccentric being driven; and

enabling free pivoting of the backrest of the vehicle seat relative to both the first fitting part and the second fitting part.

8. The fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the bearing ring being fixedly connected to the first fitting part comprises:

the bearing ring being welded to the first fitting part.

9. A fitting for a vehicle seat, the fitting comprising:

a disc-shaped unit comprising a first fitting part and a second fitting part, wherein

there is geared connection between the first fitting part and the second fitting part so that there can be relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part, and

the first fitting part includes a collar element;

a clamping ring that holds the disc-shaped unit together;

a rotatably mounted eccentric for being driven, and for causing the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part in response to the eccentric being driven;

a driver for driving the eccentric so that the eccentric causes the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part, wherein

the driver comprises a driving bushing made of plastic and a driving ring made of metal,

the driving bushing and the driving ring are connected to each other with a positive fit by way of a transmission profile,

the driving ring is mounted on the collar element, and

the driving bushing is mounted in the collar element with play;

a third fitting part mounted for being pivoted relative to the first fitting part; and

a locking mechanism for providing locked and unlocked states of the third fitting part, wherein

the third fitting part is at least indirectly locked with respect to the first fitting part during the locked state of the third fitting part, and

the third fitting part can be pivoted relative to the first fitting part during the unlocked state of the third fitting part.

10. The fitting according to claim 9 , wherein the eccentric comprises:

a part of the driving ring which is mounted on the collar element, and

two oppositely tensioned wedge segments.

11. A fitting for a vehicle seat, the fitting comprising:

a disc-shaped unit comprising a first fitting part and a second fitting part, wherein there is geared connection between the first fitting part and the second fitting part so that there can be relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part;

a clamping ring that holds the disc-shaped unit together;

a rotatably mounted eccentric for being driven, and for causing the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part in response to the eccentric being driven;

a driver for driving the eccentric so that the eccentric causes the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part;

a third fitting part mounted for being pivoted relative to the first fitting part; and

a locking mechanism for providing locked and unlocked states of the third fitting part, wherein

the third fitting part is at least indirectly locked with respect to the first fitting part during the locked state of the third fitting part,

the third fitting part can be pivoted relative to the first fitting part during the unlocked state of the third fitting part,

the locking mechanism comprises a detent element for at least indirectly locking the third fitting part to the first fitting part, and

the detent element is formed separately from the first fitting part.

12. The fitting according to claim 11 , wherein the detent element is at least indirectly fixedly connected to the first fitting part.

13. The fitting according to claim 11 , wherein:

the locking mechanism comprises a pawl;

the pawl is carried by the third fitting part; and

the pawl is in locking engagement with the detent element during the locked state of the third fitting part.

14. The fitting according to claim 13 , further comprising a spring-loaded securing element, wherein during the locked state of the third fitting part, the spring-loaded securing element secures the pawl in the locking engagement with the detent element.

15. The fitting according to claim 14 , wherein the securing element can be pivoted relative to the pawl by moving an unlocking pin connected with the securing element.

16. The fitting according to claim 13 , wherein:

a bearing ring is fixed with respect to the first fitting part;

the third fitting part is pivotably mounted on the bearing ring; and

the detent element is fixed with respect to, and carried by, the bearing ring.

17. The fitting according to claim 11 , wherein the detent element is at least indirectly fixedly connected to the first fitting part.

18. The fitting according to claim 11 , wherein:

the clamping ring is engaged radially outwardly over the first fitting part, and

the clamping ring extends circumferentially completely around the first fitting part.

19. The fitting according to claim 18 , wherein the third fitting part is for enabling centered, free pivoting of a backrest of the vehicle seat relative to the first fitting part.

20. The fitting according to claim 19 , wherein the third fitting part being mounted for being pivoted relative to the first fitting part comprises:

the third fitting part being pivotably mounted on a bearing ring.

21. The fitting according to claim 20 , wherein the bearing ring is fixedly connected to the first fitting part.

22. A fitting for a vehicle seat, the fitting comprising:

a disc-shaped unit comprising a first fitting part and a second fitting part, wherein there is geared connection between the first fitting part and the second fitting part so that there can be relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part;

a clamping ring that holds the disc-shaped unit together;

a rotatably mounted eccentric for being driven, and for causing the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part in response to the eccentric being driven;

a driver for driving the eccentric so that the eccentric causes the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part;

a third fitting part mounted for being pivoted relative to the first fitting part for enabling centered, free pivoting of a backrest of the vehicle seat relative to the first fitting part, wherein the third fitting part being mounted for being pivoted relative to the first fitting part comprises the third fitting part being pivotably mounted on a bearing ring; and

a locking mechanism for providing locked and unlocked states of the third fitting part, wherein

the third fitting part is at least indirectly locked with respect to the first fitting part during the locked state of the third fitting part, and

the third fitting part can be pivoted relative to the first fitting part during the unlocked state of the third fitting part,

a preassembled component comprises the third fitting part and at least a portion of the locking mechanism,

the locking mechanism comprises a detent element for at least indirectly locking the third fitting part to the first fitting part,

the detent element is formed separately from the first fitting part, and

the detent element is fixedly connected to the bearing ring.

23. The fitting according to claim 22 , wherein the bearing ring is fixedly connected to the first fitting part.

24. A fitting for a vehicle seat, the fitting comprising:

a disc-shaped unit comprising a first fitting part and a second fitting part, wherein there is geared connection between the first fitting part and the second fitting part so that there can be relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part;

a clamping ring that holds the disc-shaped unit together;

a rotatably mounted eccentric for being driven, and for causing the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part in response to the eccentric being driven;

a driver for driving the eccentric so that the eccentric causes the relative rolling between the first fitting part and the second fitting part;

a third fitting part mounted for being pivoted relative to the first fitting part, wherein

the third fitting part is for enabling centered, free pivoting of a backrest of the vehicle seat relative to the first fitting part,

the third fitting part being mounted for being pivoted relative to the first fitting part comprises the third fitting part being pivotably mounted on a bearing ring; and

a locking mechanism for providing locked and unlocked states of the third fitting part, wherein

the third fitting part is at least indirectly locked with respect to the first fitting part during the locked state of the third fitting part, and

the third fitting part can be pivoted relative to the first fitting part during the unlocked state of the third fitting part,

the locking mechanism comprises a detent element for at least indirectly locking the third fitting part to the first fitting part,

the detent element is formed separately from the first fitting part, and

the detent element is carried by, and fixed with respect to, the bearing ring.

25. A fitting for a vehicle seat having a backrest whose inclination can be adjusted, the fitting comprising:

a disc-shaped unit comprising a first fitting part and a second fitting part, wherein there is geared connection between the first fitting part and the second fitting part so that the first fitting part can roll relative to the second fitting part;

a clamping ring that holds the disk-shaped unit together;

a rotatably mounted eccentric for being driven, and for causing the first fitting part to roll relative to the second fitting part in response to the eccentric being driven;

a driver for driving the eccentric so that the eccentric causes the first fitting part to roll relative to the second fitting part;

a third fitting part for guiding movement of the backrest, wherein the third fitting part is mounted so that

the third fitting part can be freely pivoted relative to the first fitting part during an unlocked state of the third fitting part, and

the third fitting part moves with the first fitting part when the first fitting part rolls relative to the second fitting part during an unlocked state of the third fitting part; and

a detent element, wherein

the detent element at least indirectly locks the third fitting part to the first fitting part during the locked state of the third fitting part, and

the detent element is formed separately from the first fitting part.

26. A fitting according to claim 25 , wherein:

a bearing ring is fixed with respect to the first fitting part, so that the bearing ring moves with the first fitting part when the first fitting part rolls relative to the second fitting part;

the third fitting part is pivotably mounted on the bearing ring;

the detent element is fixed with respect to, and carried by, the bearing ring;

a pivotably mounted pawl is carried by the third fitting part; and

the pawl is in locking engagement with the detent element during the locked state of the third fitting part.

27. The fitting of claim 26 in combination with the vehicle seat, wherein the backrest of the vehicle seat is fixedly attached to the third fitting part so that, by way of the third fitting part:

the backrest can be freely pivoted during the unlocked state of the third fitting part, and the backrest moves with the first fitting part when the first fitting part rolls relative to the second fitting part during a locked state of the third fitting part.

Assignments (6)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jul 30, 2021
From: ADIENT YANFENG SEATING MECHANISM CO., LTD
To: KEIPER SEATING MECHANISMS CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 057037/0905 →
NUNC PRO TUNC ASSIGNMENT Recorded Jul 30, 2021
From: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.À.R.L.
To: ADIENT YANFENG SEATING MECHANISM CO., LTD
Reel/Frame 057037/0931 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS METALS HOLDING LTD. & CO. KG
To: ADIENT LUXEMBOURG HOLDING S.A R.L.
Reel/Frame 055170/0455 →
MERGER Recorded Jan 11, 2021
From: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS METALS HOLDING LTD. & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 055001/0193 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Nov 25, 2020
From: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
To: JOHNSON CONTROLS COMPONENTS GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 054700/0367 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2007
From: THIEL, PETER; FLESCH, RALF; STILLEKE, MARTIN; FERENC, TONY; WEIR, RAY
To: KEIPER GMBH & CO. KG
Reel/Frame 018930/0113 →