IP Library Granted Patent US 8,870,288
Granted Patent B2
US 8,870,288 · App. 13/263,387 · Granted Oct 28, 2014

Locking apparatus 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 8,870,288
App. No.
13/263,387
Granted
Oct 28, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A locking apparatus for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, includes a locking mechanism ( 23 ) for mechanically locking a moveable catch ( 31 ) of the locking mechanism ( 23 ) with a counter element (B), and an actuator device ( 24, 50 ) for actuating the catch ( 31 ) via a drive. A housing ( 20 ) is provided in which the locking mechanism ( 23 ) is arranged and housed. Improved safety against injuries of vehicle passengers that occur due to non-locked backseat backrests is provided with a motor-driven device for creating a lock of the locking mechanism ( 23 ).

Claims (24)

1. A locking apparatus for a vehicle seat, particularly for a motor vehicle seat, the locking apparatus comprising:

a locking mechanism for mechanically locking a moveable catch of the locking mechanism with a counter element, and comprising an actuator device for actuating the catch by means of a drive, and comprising a housing in which the locking mechanism is arranged and housed;

a motor-driven means for creating a lock of the locking mechanism and a flux of force on the locked locking mechanism, by which the motor-driven means are load-free;

a sensor device; and

means by which position-dependent signals generated by the sensor device are able to be used for actuating the actuator device.

2. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator device acts directly on the catch.

3. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least one securing element for securing a locked position of the catch against opening.

4. A locking apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein said securing element is constructed as a catching and/or tensioning eccentric.

5. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the flux of force of the locking mechanism with a load introduced via the counter element is such that the actuator device is free of the flux of force.

6. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator device for actuating the catch by means of a drive comprises a first actuator device for the unlocking of the locking mechanism, and a second actuator device for the locking of the locking mechanism.

7. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator device comprises a spindle gear and/or a planetary gear.

8. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a stop able to be driven by the actuator device by means of a lifting movement and acting on the locking mechanism, which leads to a closing movement of the catch.

9. A locking apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the stop carries out an at least substantially rectilinear lifting movement and in so doing entrains a carrier which is functionally connected with the catch, and the carrier sets the catch into a rotary movement.

10. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said actuator device for the locking of the locking mechanism achieves a locking of the catch based on a rotary movement produced by the motor, without transformation of the rotary movement into a rectilinear movement.

11. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a resetting element for resetting the actuator device into an initial position after a locking of the catch has been completed.

12. A locking apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the resetting element is arranged in a gear of the actuator device.

13. A locking apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the resetting element is constructed as an energy store which is able to be charged by a drive movement of the actuator device.

14. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said motor-driven means comprises a drive of a backrest inclination adjusting device.

15. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor device is provided with means through which signals are able to be generated as a function of at least one position of components of the locking mechanism and/or of a backrest of the vehicle seat.

16. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the flux of force of the locking mechanism with a load introduced via the counter element, in which the actuator device is free of the flux of force the catch or the counter element are arranged in a pivotable backseat backrest and the respectively other of the two elements are arranged fixed to the vehicle on a vehicle structure.

17. A locking apparatus according to claim 15 , further comprising a detection means of the sensor device for detecting a locking final position of the catch.

18. A locking apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising a display means, by means of which a locking final position, recognized by the detection means, is able to be displayed.

19. A locking apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for feeding signals of the detection means to a control of the actuator device.

20. A locking apparatus according to claim 16 , further comprising a detection means of the sensor device for detecting a locking final position of the catch.

Assignments (5)
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 →