Patent Application
20060261657
The present invention relates to a mechanism with the function of adjusting the seat back angle as well as achieving fold of seat in sedans or other vehicles.
Products under Chinese patent no.ZL99237062.0 and ZL01250171.9 are depicted as core part of flat-spring recliner that feature in high strength, broad adaptability, small clearance and are free of repair, whereas, they can not meet the requirement to adjust the angle of seat back and fold the seat at the same time. A solution to the problem is found in another Chinese patented recliner core part no. ZL02139265.x, which, however, shows its own disadvantage in that the strength of major driven parts slider and cam is not enough to ensure a qualified static strength of recliner, nor are they capable of realizing central self aligning.
The object of the present invention is to provide a seat recliner with high strength, central self-aligning function and above all, the advantage of realizing fold and angle adjusting of seat back at the same time.
The structure of the present invention is made up of two major components: a double cam mechanism and a ratchet gear mechanism. The cams work to lock or unlock the seat back by driving the sliders to move inward or outward in translation. The ratchet gear work to lock or unlock the recliner through engagement or disengagement of gear teeth between the gear and slider.
The technical solution of the present invention includes a ratchet gear, cam unit, return spring which are packed together by the cover. The cam mechanism includes an unlocking cam, locking cam, runner plate and slider. The ratchet gear bears two layer of circle in it, one upper and the other lower in which lies the unlocking cam. Two sections inside the upper circle are toothed in a symmetrical position to achieve the seat angle adjustment, leaving two other symmetrical sections without teeth to realize the quick folding function of seat. The sliders are put on two ends of the slider groove which goes through center of the plate. Opposite to the center side on the sliders, there are gear teeth to function engagement with ratchet gear. Driven by the unlocking cam, the slider moves inward and outward in translation and can achieve self-locking when the sliders engage with the ratchet and unlock when disengaged.
With the above description, the present invention embodies in it the following features:
The locking cam is combined together with the unlocking cam with two bosses on the former fitted into correspondent holes in the latter.
The inner circle of runner plate matches with the outmost circular of the ratchet gear with a defined clearance, and the unlocking cam is allocated in the same way with the runner plate.
Within the self-locking section of locking cam, the friction angle always exceeds its lifting angle, ensuring a stable and reliable self-locking performance of the driving part.
The semi-pierced sink in the middle of runner plate is designed to locate the return spring with the purpose of reducing thickness of the whole core part. The return spring mentioned here is a scroll in shape, with the hooked head inserted into the hole in the runner plate and the other head winds around the square boss on the locking cam, the arrangement intends to tighten up the core setup. When working, the spring provides the force that sets the tendency for the slider and ratchet to engage with each other.
Adjusting increment is 1.93 degree/tooth.
The cover of the present invention also has two steps to act as the direct sheath for runner plate and ratchet gear respectively, and all the child parts are finally packed into a core part with the closing up of the cover.
The double cam mechanism provides a better solution to the imbalanced inner strengths.
When closed up with the cover, the core then becomes an integrated whole that cannot be taken apart and is free of repair. The core bears such high generality and stability that it can be fixed to various customer-specified mounting brackets in different vehicles. When fitted to auto seats, the recliner can stand much larger side torque.
Compared with other similar products, to sum up, this innovation features better in compact structure, small size, high strength, double sided unlocking capability, more precise angle adjusting as well as the ability to achieve center self aligning. Apart from the excellent angle setting function, this design also allows a quick fold of the seat back.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:
The following is a detailed description of the parts forming the present invention.
In the two pictures as the arrows indicate: there are two steps on the ratchet gear (2). In the upper one, there are two geared sections (24) and two other smooth sections (26) in symmetry position, and in the lower one (25) lies the unlocking cam (5), along with it (5), locking cam (13), runner plate (33) and slider (12) together build up the cam mechanism. The sliders (12) are set in grooves (22) of the runner plate (33) and slider side face (10) meets with groove side face (16), on the opposite side of slider the teeth (9) can engage with ratchet gear teeth. The sliders are designed with bosses (8) on the surface which match with the kidney slots (7) in the unlocking cam, and with self locking side (20) which is driven by the self locking side (19) on the locking cam to move outward in translation. The semi-pierced bosses (11) match with the holes (6) and they join the two cams (5 and 13) together. The semi-pierced sink (23) in the middle of runner plate is designed to locate the return spring (31), with the hooked head (30) inserted into the hole (15) in the runner plate and the other head coiled (28) to wind around the square boss on the locking cam. The external circle (14) matches with curve (21), and circle (4) matches with inner circle (18). The cover (1) has two steps to match with (17) and (4). All of the parts are finally packed into a core part with the closing up process of the cover.
When (9) engages completely with (24), (19) and (20) will lock up the core part and unlock otherwise.
The function process:
The semi-pierced bosses (3) on (2) are fixed to the upper bracket, which is then mounted to the seat back, while in the same manner, the 4 round bosses (32) on (33) are fixed to the lower bracket which is tied to the seat cushion. Apply torque, and the torque is transmitted through the square hole (29) in (13) to recliner core mechanism, where the cam (13) drives cam (5) to rotate clockwise, (5) pushes slider (12) to move center ward along (22) by the joint efforts of kidney slot (7) and the boss (8) which is located in (7). The movement continues till (9) and (24) declutch to enable (2) and (33) to turn freely along their matching surface, and that free movement helps to realize the seat angle adjustment; When the seat is positioned to a proper angle, stop application of torque, and now (31) will drive (13) to move clockwise, (19) touches (20) and with the force of their relative movement, (5) is pushed off centre along (22) till (9) completely engages with (24) and the lock formed between (19) and (20) helps fixing the seat at the chosen angle; Additionally, the recliner can also realize a fold-flat function when (9) is disengaged and is faced with the smooth section (26) where it can move freely without hindrance.
