CLAIM OF PRIORITY

[001] This application claims priority to United States Application Serial Number 61/364,176 titled "RECUNER MECHANISM" filed July 14, 2010, the entire contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference.

Background art

[002] The present invention relates generally to the field of vehicle seating. More specifically this invention relates to a recliner mechanism for use in connection with reclining a vehicle seat. The present invention further relates to a method to assemble a recliner mechanism.

[003] It is generally known to provide a vehicle seat having a recliner mechanism so that a seat occupant may selectively adjust a seat back relative to the seat base to provide different seat back positions depending on the desired position of the occupant. A generally puck- or donut-shaped, internally-toothed, rotary style recliner mechanism may be employed to provide the recline functionality. These rotary recliner mechanisms use an internal cam mechanism to selectively lock and release the seatback relative to the seat base. Such recliners are, for example, known from US 6,843,533.

[004] The recliners disclosed in the state of the art are, however, difficult to assembly, rather heavy and/or have too much play.

[005] A first objective of the present is to provide a recliner mechanism that comprises few parts and is easy to assemble.

[006] A second objective of the present invention is to provide a recliner mechanism with reduced play. [007] A third objective of the present invention is to provide an improved assembly- method

Disclosure of the invention

[008] The objectives are attained with a reciiner mechanism to adjust the angle of rotation of a seat back relative to a seat base comprising:

[009] a fixed part fixedly connected to the seat base,

[0010] a rotating part fixedly connected to an axis of rotation of the seat back,

[0011] locking means to reieasably lock the rotating part in its angular position relative to the fixed part by moving the locking means from a locking- to a releasing position and back, whereas the locking means are moved essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the seat back.

[0012] The reciiner mechanism according to the present invention comprises a fixed part, which is connected to the seat base and a rotating part, which is fixedly connected to an axis of rotation of the seat back. The inventive reciiner mechanism further comprises locking means, preferably a multitude, more preferably two or three pawls, which reieasably lock the rotating part in its desired angular position relative to the fixed part. These locking means can be moved from a locking position, in which the angular position of the seat backs is fixed relative to the seat base, to a releasing position, in which the angular position of the seat back can be adjusted relative to the seat base, and back. According to the present invention, these locking means are moved essentially parallel to the axis of rotation of the seat back.

[0013] Preferably, the inventive reciiner comprises a cam to actuate the locking means from its locking to its releasing position and back. Preferably, the releasing cam is rotated. This rotation of the cam causes in the axial movement of the locking means.

[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cam comprises at least one contact surface per locking means, which secures the locking means in its locking position and at least one release surface per locking means, which drives the locking means axiaily from its locking to its release position.

[0015] Preferably, the locking means comprises form-fit-means on its outer side and form-fit-means on its inner side. These form-fit-means secure the fixed part and the rotating part in their relative angular position, when the locking means is in its locking position.

[0016] in a preferred embodiment, at least one of these form-fit-means is tapered it its radial extension. This preferred embodiment of the present invention reduces the play of the recliner mechanism.

[0017] Another subject matter of the present invention is a vehicle seat with a seat back and seat base, whereas the angle of inclination of the seat back relative to the seat base is adjustable by a recliner mechanism according to the present invention.

[0018] Yet another subject matter of the present invention is a method for assembling the recliner mechanism according to the present invention. The method comprises the following steps:

[0019] fixing the rotating part to the axis of rotation of the seatback,

[0020] placing the fixed tube part around the rotating part,

[0021] inserting the looking means between the rotating part and the fixed tube part,

[0022] installing a cam,

[0023] installing a spring and

[0024] preferably attaching a base plate to the tube part.

Brief description of the drawings:

[0025] Figure 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the inventive recliner mechanism

[0026] Figure 2 depicts details of the cam

[0027] Figure 3 depicts the pawl [0028] Figures 4, 5 show the pawl in its locking position

[0029] Figure 6 shows the inventive reciiner mechanism fixed to a tube

702

[0030] Figures 7, 8 depict the seat back of the inventive seat

[0031] Figures 9a - 12 show the assembly of the inventive reciiner mechanism

Detailed description of the drawing, beet mode for carrying out the invention.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows an exploded perspective view of the inventive reciiner mechanism 100. This reciiner mechanism comprises a fixed part 102, here a base plate, which is normally connected to the seat base. The inventive reciiner mechanism 100 further comprises a rotating part 108 which is fixedly connected, preferably welded, more preferably laser welded or braced to the axis of rotation 702 of the seat back. As can be e.g. seen from figures 4 and 5, the rotating part 108 comprises form fit means 502 at its outer circumference. Around the outer circumference of the rotating part 108, a tubular part 107 is arranged, which is fixedly connected to the base plate 102 and thus also fixed to the seat base of the vehicle seat. At its inner circumference, tube part 107 comprises form-fit-means 501.

Between the rotating part 108 and the tube part 107, a multitude of locking means, here 3 pawls 105, 106, 110 are provided which can be displaced axiaily, i.e. parallel to the center axis of the reciiner and/or the axis of rotation of the seat back 702, from a locking- to a releasing position and back. In its locking position, the locking means 105, 106, 110 fix the parts 107, 108 relative to each other in their selected angular position. In the releasing position, the rotating part 108 and thus the seat back, can rotate relative to the fixed part 107. The locking means 105, 106, 110 are axiaily shifted by rotating a cam 104, which is driven by a release gear 900, as can be particularly seen in figure 11b. The rotation of the cam in one direction shifts the locking means axiaily into their locking position and the rotation in the reverse direction moves the locking means into their releasing position. Between the base plate 102 and the cam 104, a spring 103, here a torsion spring is provided to pretension cam 104 into its locking position. The tube part 107 and thus the entire reciiner mechanism 100 is secured to the axis of rotation 702 of the seat back by a ring 109, which during assembly of the rediner mechanism is welded to the tube part 107, which is on its other side is fixed, particularly welded to the base plate 102. The person skilled In the art understands that the axis 702 can rotate relative to ring 109. In the looking position, the locking means 105, 106 , 110 are in shear with parts 107, 108, respectively.

[0033] Fig.2 shows details of the cam 104. Per each locking means 105, 106, 110, the cam comprises at least one, here two contact surfaces 200, 202, which secure the locking means 105, 106, 110 in their locking position. This surface 200202 is tapered in order to reduce play of the recliner mechanism. Furthermore, the cam 104 comprises per each locking means at least one, here two release features 201 , 203, which, for releasing purposes, draw the locking means backwards during rotation of cam 104 and thus release pawl 105 smoothly.

{0034] Fkj.3 shows details of a locking means 105, here a pawl. The pawl comprises on its outer side 402 form-fit-means 401, which interacts with the form-fit-means 501 of the tube part 107. At its inner side 404 each pawl also comprises form-fit-means 403, which interacts with the form-fit-means 502 of the rotating part 108, when the pawl is in its locking position. The movement of the locking means 105 from its locking- to its releasing position is depicted by the double-arrow.

[0035] Figs.4 and 5 show the interaction of the locking means 105, 106, 110 in its locking position, respectively. The form-fit-means 401, 403 on both sides of the locking means 105, 106, 110 interact with the form-fit-means 501 , 502 of the tube part 107 and the rotating part 108, respectively and thus fix these two parts in their position relative to each other. As can be particularly seen from figure 5, the form-fit- means 401 and 403 at the outside and the inside of pawl 105 are at least partially tapered. Additionally, the form-fit-means 502 of the rotating part 108 are tapered as depicted by reference sign No.500. The each tapering reduces the play of the inventive recliner mechanism. Particularly the tapering 400 at the outer band of the pawl drives the form-fit-means of the pawl and part 108 into engagement when loaded [0036] Fig. 6 shows the attachment of the rotating part 108 and the ring 109 to the axis of rotation, here a tube of the seat back. While the rotating part 108 is fixedly connected, preferably welded, more preferably laser welded or brazed, to the tube 702. The ring 109 is only flipped over tube 702, so that the tube 702 can rotate relative to the ring 109.

[0037] Figs. 7 and 8 show partially the frame of the seat back of the inventive seat This seat back comprises two side members 700, 701 , which are, at their base, connected by a tube 702, The connection of the side members at the top is not depicted. At the left hand side of this tube 702 the inventive recliner mechanism is provided. At the right hand side, a bushing 800 is provided between the tube 702 and the base plate in order to allow rotation of the seat back relative to the seat base. The person skilled in the seat back may comprise a recliner mechanism at both side members. Two recliner mechanisms provide more torsional strength and/or limit the size of the individual recliner 100.

[0038] Figs. 9a to 12 show the assembly of the inventive recliner mechanism. Firstly, a ring 109 is slipped over the tube 702. As can be particularly seen from figures 9a and 9b, secondly, the rotating part 108 is fixed, preferably welded or brazed to the axis of rotation 702 of the seat back. As can be particularly seen from figure 9b, the axis of rotation 702 can entirely extend through part 108. The rotating part 108 comprises, in the present case, at its front edge three rotation delimiters 600, which each interact with one locking means 105, 106, 110 and thus limit the degree by which the seat back can be rotated.

[0039] Before part 108 is welded to tube 107, ring 109 must be slipped over the axis of rotation 702. The ring 109 is subsequently fixed, here welded, to tube part 107, which extends around the rotating part 108. Subsequently, three pawls 105, 106, 110 are inserted between the parts 107, 108 (please compare figure 11a) and

subsequently, cam 104 and release gear 108 are connected to the recliner mechanism. After spring 103 has been connected to cam 104, the base plate 102 is welded to the tube part 107. List of reference signs: 100 recliner mechanism

102 fixed part, base plate

103 spring

104 cam

105 locking means, pawl

106 locking means, pawl

107 fixed part, tube part

108 rotating part fixed to the axis of rotation 109 ring

110 locking means, pawl

200 contact surface

201 release feature

202 contact surface

203 release feature

400 taper on outer band of pawl

401 form-fit-means

402 outer side

403 form-fit-means

404 inner side

500 taper on tooth plate of the rotating part 108

501 form-fit-means of the fixed part 107

502 form-fit-means of the rotating part 108 600 rotation delimiter

700 side member of the seat back

701 side member of the seat back

702 axis of rotation, tube of the seat back 800 bushing

900 release gear

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