Fitting for a vehicle seat

[0002] The present invention relates to a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part which defines an at least partially closed structural space, a second fitting part which can be pivoted relative to the first fitting part, two locking elements which are effective between the fitting parts, and a control element which is assigned to the second fitting part and is arranged within the structural space, for controlling the interaction between the locking elements.

[0003] EP 0 928 717 A1 discloses a fitting which is locked in the various seat positions of the backrest by interaction of a toothed rim on the fitting upper part and a pivotable blocking pawl on the fitting lower part. The toothed rim does not extend to such an extent that the blocking pawl is able to engage in the toothed rim in a table position of the backrest, in which it is pivoted forward. Instead, a plate which is fixed on the fitting upper part is supported by a sensing element which simultaneously controls the floor-locking means for transfer into a package position.

[0004] In order, for example, also to permit locking in a table position, in the case of a fitting of the type mentioned at the beginning, the plate is developed as a control element which controls the interaction of the locking elements in all of the possible positions of the backrest.

[0005] One aspect of the present invention is the provision of an improved fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the fitting includes a first fitting part which defines an at least partially closed structural space (e.g., an at least partially closed chamber), a second fitting part which can be pivoted relative to the first fitting part, locking elements which are effective between the fitting parts for selectively allowing and restricting pivoting of the second fitting part relative to the first fitting part, and a control element which is assigned to the second fitting part and is arranged within the structural space for controlling interaction between the locking elements. In accordance with this aspect, in a partially-assembled state of the fitting, the control element can be placed from outside the fitting into the structural space and can be attached to the second fitting part.

[0006] Because it being possible, in a partially-assembled state of the fitting, to place the control element from outside the fitting into the structural space and to attach it to the fitting part assigned to it, the production of the fitting up to the partially-assembled state can proceed in an identical manner for all of the applications, i.e. with the same production line. This reduces the cost of production of the fitting. The control element, which is put in at the end, is then coordinated to the application, i.e. preferably a plurality of interchangeable control elements are produced which are of identical design with regard to the possibility of attaching them to the fitting part, but differ in their active surfaces, for example in the outer circumference, with the result that the fitting can be used for different types of vehicle seats.

[0007] The control element is, for example, a control plate which is attached to the second fitting part and is arranged at least partially around the backrest bolt, it being possible for the second fitting part to be pivoted relative to the first fitting part by means of the backrest bolt. For a form-fitting bearing against the backrest bolt, an outwardly open socket is preferably provided, which socket extends in the radial direction from the outer circumference of the control plate as far as its center. The control plate can then be pushed through an opening in the structural space onto the backrest bolt, for example adjacent to the second fitting part.

[0008] As a guiding aid during installation and for transmitting torques between the second fitting part and the control plate, steps, grooves or other depressions and guide elevations, knobs, lumps, projections or other elevated portions interacting therewith may be provided. The rotationally fixed and displacement-secure fastening of the control plate to the second fitting part preferably takes place by means of fastening means, for example grooved drive studs or expanding rivets, which can be placed into the structural space, for example through an installation opening of the first fitting part.

[0009] The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to two exemplary embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a section through the first exemplary embodiment,

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a perspective illustration of the first exemplary embodiment before installation of the control plate,

[0012] FIG. 3 shows a perspective illustration of the control plate and of the fitting upper part of the second exemplary embodiment, and

[0013] FIG. 4 shows a schematic illustration of a vehicle seat.

[0014] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

[0015] A vehicle seat 1 for a motor vehicle has a seat part 3 and a backrest 4. The alignment of the vehicle seat 1 in the motor vehicle and the customary direction of travel thereof determine the directional data used below. On both vehicle seat sides, the backrest 4 is attached to the seat part 3 by means of a fitting 5 and can be adjusted in its inclination.

[0016] The fitting 5 according to the first exemplary embodiment has a fitting lower part 7, which is fixed on the seat part, and a fitting upper part 8, which is fixed on the backrest and is mounted in a manner such that it can be pivoted relative to the fitting lower part 7 by means of a backrest bolt 10. The fitting lower part 7 comprises two flat, elongated, spaced-apart parts which are connected to each other at the longitudinal edge and define between them a structural space 7′ (e.g., an at least partially closed chamber) for receiving the fitting upper part 8 and various locking and securing elements. On the side facing upward, the fitting lower part 7 is designed to be largely open, which is referred to in the following as an opening 11. During installation, the fitting upper part 8 is introduced into this opening.

[0017] For the locking of the fitting 5, there is formed on the fitting upper part 8, in the region arranged below the backrest bolt 10, a toothed rim 12 which is curved around the backrest bolt 10 and interacts with a blocking pawl 15, which is mounted pivotably on the fitting lower part 7. On that side of the blocking pawl 15 which faces away from the toothed rim 12, an intercepting element 17 which, in the event of a crash, supports the blocking pawl 15 is mounted pivotably on the fitting lower part 7. A spring-loaded clamping element 19, which is likewise mounted pivotably on the fitting lower part 7 and is of eccentrically curved design, normally secures the blocking pawl 15 in the locked position. For this purpose, the clamping element 19 bears against a control cam 21 which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the locking pawl 15.

[0018] The control cam 21 is provided at the same time with a control finger 23 which interacts with a control plate 24 attached to the fitting upper part B. The control plate 24 is designed as an interrupted ring which is interrupted by a socket 26 which extends from the outer circumference of the control plate 24 into its center and is intended for the backrest bolt 10. The socket 26 has a semicircularly curved base and parallel flanks adjoining the base tangentially, with the distance between the flanks of the socket 26 corresponding to the diameter of the backrest bolt 10 and, in the fully assembled state, the backrest bolt 10 being arranged on the base of the socket 26 in the center of the control plate 24. Along its outer circumference, the control plate 24 has regions which differ in extent in the radial direction and which correspond to different positions of the backrest 4. In response to interaction between the control plate 24 and the control finger 23, the blocking pawl 15 is able to be engaged or not engaged, and the pivoting region of the fitting upper part 8 is restricted.

[0019] The control plate 24 is coordinated individually to the application and, according to the invention, is fitted as the last component into the partially-assembled fitting 5, which is of identical construction for all of the applications. For this purpose, the control plate 24 is introduced from above along the fitting upper part 8 into the opening 11 in the fitting lower part 7, the socket 26 being pushed over the backrest bolt 10 until the backrest bolt bears against the base of the socket 26. Provided in an upper region of the fitting lower part 7, at a small distance from the backrest bolt 10, is an installation opening 27, through which three grooved drive studs 28 can be introduced one after another, after the fitting upper part 8 has been pivoted. The grooved drive studs 28 reach through holes 30 in the control plate 24 and are placed into the fitting upper part 8 in such a manner that the control plate 24 is connected to the fitting upper part 8 in a rotationally fixed and non-displaceable manner. Thus the fully-assembled state of the fitting 5 is reached.

[0020] The second exemplary embodiment corresponds, insofar as it is not described differently below, with the first exemplary embodiment; therefore, parts which are identical and act in an identical manner bear reference numbers which are increased by 100. The control plate 124 has a respective groove 130 on both sides of its socket 126 parallel to the flanks thereof. The two grooves 130 are used for receiving two guide elevations 132 which are integrally formed on the fitting upper part 108. During the fitting of the control plate 124, the guide elevations 132 are used as a means of facilitating installation and, during use, are used for the rotationally fixed connection between the fitting upper part 108 and the control plate 124. As a further installation aid, in particular if the backrest bolt is only fitted at a later point, a latching knob 134 is formed, for example is pushed out, on the control plate 124 and interacts in a form-fitting manner with a latching cavity 136 on the fitting upper part 108 when the control plate 124 is fitted.

[0021] The fitting of the control plate 124 takes place in a similar manner as in the first exemplary embodiment, by introduction along the fitting upper part 108 into the partially-assembled fitting (not illustrated in detail) until the socket 126 bears against the backrest bolt or the latching knob 134 enters into the latching cavity 136. For axially holding the control plate 124 and fitting upper part 108 together, a region which protrudes upward in a tab-like manner over the fitting lower part and in which a hole 138 is provided is integrally formed on the upper end of the control plate 124. A suitable fastening means, for example a grooved drive stud, can then be inserted through this hole 138 and placed into the fitting upper part 108, for example into a depression 140 or a blind hole.

[0022] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.