Adjusting motor for automobile seats

Abstract

A control circuit within a control housing that is powered by means of a pluggable plug device may be plugged into an adjusting motor including a motor housing. The control housing may be affixed to the motor housing using a form or friction fit. The motor housing includes a plug device for optional connection with a matching plug device to supply power via a cable or from the output of the control circuit, whereby the control circuit includes a plug device matching the plug device on the motor housing and the plug device forming the output.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to an adjusting motor and more particularly, to an adjusting motor having a control circuit or unit which interconnects with the adjusting motor my means of corresponding or matching plugs.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] An adjusting motor of the known type disclosed in EP 05 77 201 A1 that is particularly intended to drive auxiliary devices in automobiles, such as in automobiles seats, includes an electronic control device that may be plugged into adjusting-motor contact pins located on the exterior of the adjusting motor. A power supply element is connected to the control unit using a plug connector. This configuration is intended to simplify installation of various models of adjusting motors. The adjusting motor cannot be operated without the control unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Based on this state of the art, it is the task of the invention to provide an adjusting motor of the known type in such a manner that it may be optionally powered and controlled either by a central device or by a control circuit dedicated to the individual adjusting motor. In a special embodiment, the spatial assignment of the control unit housing of the central control circuit to the motor housing must be as adaptable to the most varying application, situations and installation situations as possible.

[0004] The solution of this task results from the properties of an adjusting motor including a motor housing into which a control circuit mounted in a control housing may be plugged, that may be supplied with power by means of a connectible plug device. The control housing includes a securing area form-fit to the motor housing, and wherein the motor housing includes a plug connection for optional connection with a matching plug device for power supply by means of a cable or from the output of the control circuit. The control circuit includes a plug device matching the plug device on the motor housing, and the plug device forming the output.

[0005] The same connection on the motor housing is used in any case to provide power and control signals. The control circuit dedicated to the adjusting motor fits in a space saving manner to the motor housing. It is easy to install because the plug connection is always standard even for varying circuits and varying contact pin configuration.

[0006] In an alternative embodiment in which the control housing is connected with the motor housing by means of a securing strap surrounding the motor, a simple and quick securing option exists that also allows adaptation to the most demanding installation situations.

[0007] Further advantageous embodiments result from the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0008] It is of particular advantage to provide two parallel but separated securing straps that are preferably in the form of cable ties. Cable ties are a low cost and particularly quickly installable securing element. A cable tie is a cheap mass-produced item that ensures a strong, reliable connection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjusting motor with control circuit in accordance with the present invention;

[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adjusting motor in FIG. 1 viewed obliquely from behind;

[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjusting motor in FIG. 1 with the control circuit removed from the motor; and

[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second advantageous embodiment of the adjusting motor with control circuit in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] In the illustrations, identical or corresponding parts are identified using the same reference index. If necessary, they are distinguished from each other using apostrophes.

[0014] Regarding the embodiment example in FIGS. 1 through 3, an adjusting motor 1 includes a motor housing 1a in which a drive shaft id is mounted on an axis le so that it may rotate about it, to which motor housing a control circuit 2 with a control housing 2a is attached. A securing area 2c of the control housing 2a formed, in the disclosed embodiment, as a holding bracket, serves for attachment. This securing area 2c completely surrounds the motor housing 1a in cooperation with the lower side of the control housing 2a. The securing area 2c and the exterior surface of the control housing 2a completing it form an interior shaped surface whose cross section corresponds to the exterior surface of the motor housing 1a. The control circuit 2 thus may be easily pushed onto the motor housing 1a along the direction of the rotation axis le, and is held against it so that it may not rotate by securing area 2c.

[0015] The adjusting motor 1 bears a plug connection device 1b on its rear side, by means of which the motor may be supplied with power and control signals. When the control circuit 2 is pressed into place, a matching plug connection device 2d firmly attached to the control circuit 2 is forced into the plug connection device 1b of the motor. The matching plug connection device 2d includes a spring-loaded securing device 2e that fits into a matching recess 1c on the plug connection device 1b. The securing device 2e may be moved by means of a releasing lever 2f into a released position in which the securing of the control housing 2a to the motor housing 1a along the direction of the rotation axis is cancelled.

[0016] On its side opposing the matching plug connection device 2d, the control housing 2a bears a plug device 2b into which a matching plug device 2b (not shown) may be inserted. This matching plug device essentially corresponds to the matching plug device 2d provided on the control housing 2a, and connects the control circuit 2 with a power source or with a central control unit. It is therefore worthwhile for the plug devices 1b and 2b on control housing 2a and motor housing 1a to be identical. They may, of course, be distinguished from each other by the contact pin configuration. A matching plug device separated from the control circuit 2 may optionally be inserted into either the plug device 1b or 2b, whereby its securing device fits into either the matching recess 1c or 2g.

[0017] The two compatible components of a plug device and matching plug device are furnished with reference indices in this description and in the Patent claims. Each component may thus be spoken of colloquially as a “socket” or a “plug.”

[0018] Regarding the embodiment example in FIG. 4, the basic design corresponds to that of the first embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The difference is merely the connection between the control circuit 2 and the matching plug device 2d. In the second embodiment example, this is by means of a cable 2h. The flexibility of the cable 2h allows securing the control circuit 2 with respect to the motor housing 1a in various positions about the outer circumference of the motor housing 1a. Securing it in various positions about the outer circumference of the motor housing 1a is achieved using two separated securing straps 2c′. The securing straps may be secured to the control housing 2a of the control circuit 2 in various ways. It is thus possible, for example, to pass these securing straps 2c′ that are provided at an axial separation from each other and parallel to each other through an aperture (not shown) on the underside of the control housing 2a. In such a solution, the securing straps 2c′ may be displaced longitudinally with respect to the control housing 2a. It is also possible to attach the securing straps 2c′ to the control housing 2a so that they may not be displaced longitudinally. The securing strap is wound around, closed, and secured. A particularly simple and worthwhile manner of attaching using securing straps is to use cable ties, which are low-cost mass-produced items that completely correspond to the challenges posed by this application.

[0019] In the second embodiment example, the underside of the control housing 2a is drawn tightly to the motor housing 1a by means of the securing straps 2c′. This manner of securing allows positioning the control housing 2a at any point along the circumference and in any position between the rear surfaces of the motor housing 1a.

[0020] Modifications and substitutions by one of ordinary skill in the art are considered to be within the scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except by the claims which follow.

Claims

1. An adjusting motor including a motor housing into which a control circuit mounted in a control housing may be plugged, that may be supplied with power by means of a connectible plug device, wherein the control housing (2a) includes a securing area (2c) form-fit to the motor housing, and wherein the motor housing includes a plug connection for optional connection with a matching plug device for power supply by means of a cable or from the output of the control circuit, and whereby the control circuit includes a plug device matching the plug device on the motor housing, and the plug device forming the output.

2. The adjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein the control housing may be locked into a fixed position on the motor housing.

3. The adjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein locking between the plug device of the motor housing and the matching plug device of the control housing is provided.

4. The adjusting motor as in claim 3, wherein the locking is achieved using a spring-loaded securing device that is shaped to engage with a matching recess.

5. The adjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein the plug device of the motor housing and the matching plug device of the control housing are arranged in a fixed configuration with respect to each other.

6. The adjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein the securing area includes a holding bracket that at least partially surrounds the motor housing.

7. The adjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein the plug device of the motor housing and the plug device of the control housing point in opposite directions when in a connected condition.

8. The adjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein the control housing with its securing area may be inserted onto the motor housing in the direction of the rotational axis of the adjusting motor, and whose matching plug device may be inserted into the plug device of the motor housing when it is installed.

9. The adjusting motor as in claim 1, wherein an interior shaped surface of the securing area and an adjacent area of the control housing matches an exterior shaped surface of the motor housing.

10. An adjusting motor including a motor housing into which a control circuit mounted in a control housing may be plugged, that may be supplied with power by means of a connectible plug device, wherein the control housing (2a) includes a securing area (2c) form-fit to the motor housing, and wherein the motor housing includes a plug connection for optional connection with a matching plug device for power supply by means of a cable or from the output of the control circuit, and whereby the control circuit includes a plug device matching the plug device on the motor housing, and the plug device forming the output, and wherein an interior shaped surface of the securing area and an adjacent area of the control housing matches an exterior shaped surface of the motor housing.

11. An adjusting motor for automobile seats with a motor housing onto which a control circuit mounted in a control housing may be plugged, that may be supplied with power by means of a pluggable plug device:

wherein the control housing may be affixed to the motor housing in any position by means of a securing strap surrounding the motor housing, and wherein the motor housing includes a plug device for optional connection with a matching plug device to supply power by means of a cable or from the output of the control circuit, whereby the control circuit includes a plug device matching the plug device on the motor housing, as well as the matching plug device connected with the control circuit by means of cable.

12. The adjusting motor as in claim 11, wherein the control housing may be affixed to the motor housing using two parallel, separated securing straps.

13. The adjusting motor as in claim 11, wherein the securing straps are cable ties that include a securing aperture on one end and a toothed engaging area that passes through the aperture and cannot be pulled out against the insertion direction.