Gear Train Patents (Class 297/362)
  • Publication number: 20090322137
    Abstract: A seat apparatus includes a reclining device and a power assist mechanism coupled to the reclining device through a coupling rod. The power assist mechanism includes a motor; a seat back-side bracket which is tiltably provided to move the seat back; an operational gear which is turnable depending on a rotational direction of the motor; a rod gear provided integrally with the coupling rod; and a lever gear having a gear part capable of being engaged with the rod gear and an engaging part capable of being engaged with the operational gear. The lever gear transmits the turning of the operational gear to the rod gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Imasen Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Kiyoyuki Kojima, Akira Sakoguchi
  • Publication number: 20090295210
    Abstract: The object is to provide a reclining device for a seat such as an automotive seat including a differential transmission mechanism (Taumel mechanism) which makes it possible to eliminate precision machining of the inner surface of an external gear into which a slide bearing is pressed, in which the freedom of design of the reclining device is not restricted by the standards of a bearing bush, and which can be manufactured at a low cost. The reclining device includes a differential transmission mechanism for adjusting the opening angle of a hinge through which the seating portion and the backrest portion of the seat are coupled together. The differential transmission mechanism includes an internal gear 1 and an external gear 2 having a slightly smaller number of teeth than the internal gear and meshing with the internal gear. An arcuate gap is defined between a shaft hole 3 of the external gear 2 and a small-diameter portion of a cam 5 integral with a shaft 4 of the internal gear 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2007
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Satoru Fukuzawa, Hirosho Niwa, Toshiaki Kato
  • Publication number: 20090284062
    Abstract: A seat driving apparatus includes: a gear transmission mechanism, preventing a backlash by means of the wedge member applied with a biasing force of a biasing member and transmitting a torque; an actuator, operating a seatback of a seat; and a control unit, controlling driving of the actuator. The control unit includes a seat operation mode in which the actuator is driven to operate the seatback at a predetermined speed and a creep mode in which the actuator is driven at a slower speed than a speed in the seat operation mode. The actuator is driven in the creep mode until a load for releasing the holding of the gear transmission mechanism is applied to the wedge member and subsequently the actuator is driven in the seat operation mode when the seatback is operated in an opposite direction from the previous operational direction thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Morio SAKAI, Toshiro MAEDA
  • Patent number: 7611204
    Abstract: A rotary adjustment mechanism is provided. The rotary adjustment mechanism has a first member, a second member, a first gear, a second gear, a locking gear, a spring, and a release. The first gear is rotationally attached to the first member. The second member is pivotally attached to the first member. The second gear is rotationally attached to the second member. The locking gear is moveable from a first position coupling the first gear with the second gear to a second position decoupling the first gear with the second gear. The spring biases the locking gear towards the first position. The release is coupled to the locking gear and selectively moves the locking gear to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Reed, Lyle E. York
  • Patent number: 7611436
    Abstract: In an angular position adjusting apparatus, tooth profiles of an internal gear 31 and an external gear 21 are formed according to loop shapes 74a and 84a of predetermined trochoid curves 74 and 84.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Sadao Ito
  • Patent number: 7607737
    Abstract: An inclination adjustment fitting for seat backs of vehicle seats includes two fitting parts that are connected in a swiveling manner relative to each other via a wobble mechanism driven by an eccentric. The eccentric is formed from an eccentric ring and two wedge segments that are arranged in mirror image and set apart from each other and that in regions cover the circumference of the eccentric ring. The wedge segments are pressed apart by a spring acting against their one end faces for increasing the eccentricity and which are capable of being acted upon against the force of the spring by driving elements between the other end faces. The spring is supported on the eccentric such that the wedge segments occupy a defined position relative to the eccentric ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Liebich, Christian Scheffler, Gunter Spey
  • Publication number: 20090243360
    Abstract: Disclosed is a seat reclining mechanism, which is designed to be mounted to a seat cushion and a seat back so as to allow the seat back to be reclined. The seat reclining mechanism comprises a guide bracket and an internal gear member coupled to the guide bracket in a rotatable manner about a rotation axis thereof with respect to the guide bracket and formed with internal teeth along a circle having a center on the rotation axis. A plurality of lock gear members is disposed between the guide bracket and the internal gear member. A fitting portion is provided in either one of the guide bracket and the internal gear member. A rotatable cam is rotatably supported by the fitting portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Tarusawa, Yasukazu Oki, Toshinori Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20090243361
    Abstract: A seat reclining mechanism comprises a guide bracket, and an internal gear member coupled to the guide bracket in a rotatable manner about a rotation axis thereof with respect to the guide bracket. A forwardmost-inclination stopper protrusion and a rearwardmost-inclination stopper protrusion are provided on either one of the guide bracket and the internal gear member. A stopper plate is fixed to a remaining one of the guide bracket and the internal gear member. The stopper plate has a forwardmost-inclination stopper portion adapted to be brought into contact with the forwardmost-inclination stopper protrusion when a seat back is at a forwardmost inclined position, and a rearwardmost-inclination stopper portion adapted to be brought into contact with the rearwardmost-inclination stopper protrusion when the seat back is at a rearwardmost inclined position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Tarusawa, Yasukazu Oki, Toshinori Hayashi
  • Publication number: 20090236884
    Abstract: A recliner adjustment system and method utilizing active material based actuation is adapted for use with a recliner defining an engaging surface and operable to adjust the angle of inclination of the surface, and includes a locking mechanism configured to selectively prevent the surface from pivoting, an unlocking actuator including at least one active material element configured to release the mechanism when activated or deactivated, a signal source operable to generate and deliver to the element an activation signal, and more preferably, a second adjusting actuator including a second active material element configured to rotationally displace the surface, so as to adjust the angle, when activated or deactivated and the mechanism has been released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jennifer P. Lawall, Diane K. McQueen, Nancy L. Johnson, Alan L. Browne, Paul W. Alexander
  • Publication number: 20090224589
    Abstract: A wobble joint fitting for an adjustment device of a motor vehicle seat, in particular for a seat back hinge fitting, comprises (a) a first fitting part comprising an internal ring gear, (b) a toothed eccentric gear that engages the internal ring gear and that has an eccentric hole, (c) an eccentric to which a rotatable drive part is associated and which comprises wedge segments, (d) a second fitting part that is adjustable with respect to the first fitting part, and (e) a wrap spring. The wrap spring is a flat open spring ring and extends over an angle of less than 360°. The eccentric gear comprises a collar for the spring ring to fit against.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Wilfried Beneker, Reinhard Vogel
  • Publication number: 20090224588
    Abstract: An automotive seat reclining device includes a first rotation member connected to one of a seat back and a seat cushion and having an internal gear and a bearing sleeve coaxial with the internal gear, a second rotation member connected to the other of the seat back and the seat cushion and having an external gear and a bearing bore coaxial with the external gear, a pair of wedge members disposed in a circular eccentric space between the bearing sleeve and the bearing bore and a drive member inserted in the eccentric space to move the mesh of the internal and external gears by pushing the wedge members and rotate the second rotation member relative to the first rotation member. Each of the wedge members has an inner circumferential surface formed with a recessed section and two contact sections for contact with an outer circumferential surface of the bearing sleeve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsumoto, Kunihisa Oishi
  • Publication number: 20090206644
    Abstract: A seat adjuster assembly includes an electric motor having an output shaft with a worm gear positioned in a gearbox, a spur gear meshing with the worm gear in the gearbox, a spindle shaft fixed to and driven by the spur gear coacting with a nut contained in a tube, and a linkage system connected to both a vertically movable upper vehicle seat part and a non-vertically movable lower vehicle seat part that positions vertically the upper vehicle seat part responsive to the position of the nut relative to the spindle shaft. At least one washer is provided on the spindle shaft. The spur gear is a plastic spur gear molded over the washer. A pair of leaf springs disposed in the gearbox bears against the spur gear and a wall of the gearbox.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Applicant: JOHNSON ELECTRIC S.A.
    Inventors: Yoshinori ISHII, Zhi Song WANG
  • Publication number: 20090200850
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a reclining device for seats in vehicles, which has improved engagement force between an upper tooth bracket and an operating part, improved overall strength and durability, and improved quality due to the improvement in the connection structure of pole gears and rear guide protrusions. Further, the reclining device provides improved ride comfort for the driver and passengers and prevents operational noise.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventor: Kyoung Heo
  • Patent number: 7571962
    Abstract: In the case of a fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) in geared connection with the first fitting part (11), and a rotatably mounted eccentric (26, 27) driven by a driver (21, 26) to cause relative rolling between the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12), the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12) together form a disc-shaped unit held together by a clamping ring (51), and a third fitting part (74) can be both pivoted relative to the first fitting part (11) and locked with respect to the first fitting part (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2009
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Peter Thiel, Ralf Flesch, Martin Stilleke, Tony Ferenc, Ray Weir
  • Patent number: 7566099
    Abstract: The invention provides a furniture chair seatback tilt limiter system for adjustably limiting the seatback recline of a chair. The seatback tilt limiter system includes a first gear toothed rotator with a full forward seatback upright endstop and a full recline seatback endstop. The seatback tilt limiter system includes a second gear toothed rotator having an adjustment endstop. The first rotator is free to rotate between the full forward seatback upright endstop and the full recline seatback endstop when the rotator gear teeth are disengaged and the second rotator adjustment endstop limits the rotation of the first rotator to an adjustable reclined seatback tilt limit when the gear teeth are engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Lord Corporation
    Inventors: David Catanzarite, Keith Ptak, Jim Maciak
  • Patent number: 7566100
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a seat recliner for vehicles. The seat recliner of the present invention includes a support bracket, which is mounted to a seat frame, a guide holder, which is coupled at a first end thereof to the support bracket, and a slide holder, which is rotatably coupled to the guide holder between the support bracket and the guide holder. The seat recliner further includes at least one rotating bracket, which is coupled to the slide holder, a clutch unit, which controls the engagement between the guide holder and slide holder, and a control unit, which controls the clutch unit. The slide holder has a stop unit, which protrudes towards the support bracket, and the support bracket has a stopper, which contacts the stop unit when the slide holder is rotated at a predetermined angle, thus limiting rotation of the slide holder within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Austem Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun-Sung Paing, Gun-Young Park
  • Patent number: 7543889
    Abstract: A gear-driven adjusting assembly for continuous adjustment of seat angle is disclosed. A external gear plate of the gear transmission mechanism is mounted in a internal gear plate with a eccentricity therebetween. An external cam of a gap removing mechanism is mounted between a central boss of the internal gear plate and the inner hole of the external gear plate. An internal cam is mounted between the inner hole of the external cam and the central boss of the internal gear plate, and a spring is mounted between the two cams, which form an eccentric cam mechanism. A central shaft of a driving mechanism is provided in the hole of the central boss of the internal gear plate, a driving block of the driving mechanism is provided between the internal cam and external cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Hubei Aviation Precision Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xing Huang, Qing Cui, Zhengkun Huang
  • Publication number: 20090127910
    Abstract: In the case of a fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) in geared connection with the first fitting part (11), and a rotatably mounted eccentric (27) driven by a driver (21) to cause relative rolling between the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12), a securing-ring (43) is clipped on a hub (22) of the driver (21) and surrounds a bead (22b) of the hub (22), wherein the bead (22b) has a non-constant radius.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2007
    Publication date: May 21, 2009
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Stilleke, Dirk Brassat, Bill Thaens, Tony Ferenc
  • Publication number: 20090102265
    Abstract: A compound fitting (18) for a vehicle seat, especially for an automotive seat, comprises two individual fittings (10, 50) that are arranged axially juxtaposed and in parallel in relation to the flow of force, and that each have at least two fitting parts (11, 12, 40, 51, 52) that can be rotated in relation to one another, the inner fitting parts being interlinkable and the outer fitting parts being interlinkable. One of the individual fittings is a adjusting fitting (10) for adjusting the compound fitting (8), and the other individual fitting is a locking fitting (50) for locking the compound fitting (8). Two fitting parts (11, 12) of the adjusting fitting (10) can be interlinked by way of a non-self-locking eccentric epicyclic gear. At least to a large extent, the locked locking fitting (50) bridges the adjusting fitting (10) in terms of the flow of force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dietmar Eppert, Jurgen Stemmer, Ulrich Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20090096269
    Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus includes a pair of first arms, a pair of second arms, a pair of hinge pins, a pair of reclining mechanisms including a pair of lock mechanisms, each of which includes a cam, the lock mechanism restricting a rotational movement of the seat back relative to the seat cushion and releasing a restriction of the rotational movement, by means of a rotational movement of the hinge pins and the cams, and a connecting member provided between the reclining mechanisms and connected to the hinge pins, wherein each of the hinge pins is structured so as to be inserted into each of the reclining mechanisms from an inward of the seat, and a connecting portion is provided at an inner end of at least one of the hinge pins facing the other one of the hinge pins and is connected to the connecting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Patent number: 7513573
    Abstract: A tilt adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat that is used to adjust the angular orientation of a seat back relative to a seat base. The tilt adjustment mechanism has a driver that has two protrusions that are rotated with the driver by a drive shaft. Initially the driver rotates independently of a cam assembly until a driving protrusion of the cam assembly is engaged. The movement of the driver continues to release a locking wedge that releases the seat back for adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wahls, James S. Wawrzyniak, Kenneth McQueen, Eric Brines
  • Patent number: 7513572
    Abstract: Disclosed is a bracket angle adjustment mechanism adapted to reduce shock to be given to a wedge member, based on an improved wedge shape. The bracket angle adjustment mechanism comprises a pair of wedge members (16A, 16B). In each of the wedge members (16A, 16B), an arc-shaped outer surface (16a) has a diameter slightly less than that of an arc-shaped inner peripheral surface of a large-diameter hole (14c) of an external-tooth gear (14), and an arc-shaped inner surface has a diameter slightly greater than that of an arc-shaped outer peripheral surface of a small-diameter shank (15c) of an internal-tooth gear (15). The arc-shaped inner surface (16b) has a circumferential length approximately equal or greater than that of the arc-shaped outer surface (16a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihito Kawashima
  • Patent number: 7500719
    Abstract: A seat apparatus allows a seat back to incline forward and to return to an upright position under control from a position inside a passenger vehicle away from the seat. A wire and an operation member are interlocked with an unlocking lever of a reclining unit. The apparatus can include a driving unit which can cause the seat back to incline forward. A rotation unit can be included in a reclining unit. When a notch on a rotating sector gear in the rotation unit comes into contact with a projection on a seat back side bracket, the seat back can be raised from an inclined position to a more upright position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignees: Imasen Denki Seisakusho, K.K., Nihon Matsujo, K.K.
    Inventor: Kiyoyuki Kojima
  • Publication number: 20090058158
    Abstract: An adjustment assembly including a 2 in 1 activating lever that has two operating positions, a forward position and a rearward position. The 2 in 1 activating lever is operatingly coupled to a bracket including a first and second cam that are operatingly coupled to an inner and outer rotating shaft. In the forward position, the movement of the 2 in 1 activating lever upward or downward causes the first cam and inner rotating shaft to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. In the rearward position, the movement of the 2 in 1 activating lever upward or downward causes the second cam and outer rotating shaft to rotate clockwise or counterclockwise. The adjustment assembly may be utilized on an automotive seat assembly to control both the seat height and seat inclination angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventor: Zdzislaw Sobieski
  • Patent number: 7497520
    Abstract: In a fitting (5) for a vehicle seat, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, having a first fitting part (11), having a second fitting part (12) which can be rotated relative to the first fitting part (11), having a ring (35) which holds the two fitting parts (11, 12) together in the axial direction and whose contact surface with the first fitting part (11) defines a baseline (47), and having a first adapter (41), the first fitting part (11), the ring (35) and the first adapter (41) are firmly connected to one another by way of at least one common weld seam (45) extending in their material, and the weld seam (45) is arranged, sectionwise, on different sides of the baseline (47).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Uwe Assmann
  • Patent number: 7497519
    Abstract: In a geared fitting (11) for a vehicle seat, in particular for an automotive seat, having a first internal geared wheel (13), an eccentric (21) rotatable about an axis of rotation (A), a pinion (22) driven by the eccentric (21) and meshing with the first internal geared wheel (13), and a second internal geared wheel (31) in which the pinion (22) meshes and which is mounted on the first internal geared wheel (13), at least one wedge system (27) is provided axially offset from the eccentric (21), with respect to the axis of rotation (A), the wedge system (27) acting to compensate for the play between one of the internal geared wheels (13, 31) and the other internal geared wheel (13, 31) and/or the pinion (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Dill, Ulf Schäffling, Viktor Enns
  • Publication number: 20090045661
    Abstract: A seat-component adjusting device of a compact overall size and with a high transmission ratio comprises an electric motor (10), a worm gear (11, 12) coupled at the input side to the electric motor, an eccentric gear (13, 14) coupled at the input side to the worm gear, and a rotary element (17) coupled by coupling means (21, 22) to the eccentric gear (13, 14). The coupling means (21, 22) are designed to convert a wobbling movement of a rotor (13) of the eccentric gear into a rotational movement of the rotary element (17).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: February 19, 2009
    Inventors: Veit Stoessel, Klaus Junker, Gunter Maierhofer
  • Patent number: 7484806
    Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle includes a first plate including internal gear teeth, a second plate including external gear teeth, a third plate including internal gear teeth, a fourth plate including external gear teeth, a shaft rotatably supported by the first and third plates, first and second wedge members, a first cam pressing the wedge members to integrally rotate therewith, a support member arranged between the third and fourth plates and engaging with the third plate and the fourth plate when an amount of eccentricity between the internal gear teeth and the external gear teeth reaches a predetermined level, and a second cam pressing the support member to integrally rotate therewith. The amount of eccentricity defined by the support member is smaller than that defined by the wedge members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki kaisha
    Inventors: Sadao Ito, Yukifumi Yamada
  • Publication number: 20090021066
    Abstract: A smart fold power drive that can be used to electronically articulate a seat with a motor. The drive may be configured to allow partial positioning of the seat while the motor is stopped. The motor may be used to position the seat between any number of positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: John F. Nathan, H. Winston Maue
  • Publication number: 20080315653
    Abstract: A head restraint system includes a vehicle seat comprising a seat back and a seat bottom. The system further includes a head restraint guide positioned in the seat back. The head restraint guide is adapted to hold a head restraint at a selectable position. The system further includes a first and second gear rack and a gear system adapted to contact the first and second gear racks and move said gears tracks in a relative linear manner. The first gear rack is attached to the head restraint guide while the second gear rack is fixed relative to the seat back. An actuator system drives the gear system such that positioning of the seat back in a folded position causes the head restraint guide and the head restraint positioned therein to be lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: LEAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Stefan Brunner, Karsten Muller
  • Publication number: 20080303331
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a seat recliner for a vehicle, in which gear teeth can be engaged tightly without any moving space at the time of adjusting the rotation angle of the back of the seat installed in a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2005
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicant: KM & I CO., LTD
    Inventor: Chang-Beom Heo
  • Patent number: 7461899
    Abstract: A recliner mechanism for a vehicle seat includes a toothed sector member secured to a seat frame and first and second pivoted pawl members each including a plurality of teeth to engage the teeth of the sector member. The first and second pawl members also each pivot on a cam pin member located at a distal end thereof, the cam pins each have a center axis and an offset axis having by a toothed cam lobe. The toothed cam lobes mesh such that rotation of one cam pin member causes the other cam pin member to totate in the opposite direction. A handle is coupled to at least one of the cam pin members to rotate the cam pin members and cause the pawl members to rotate about a pin connecting the proximal ends of the pawl members. The pawl members are movable between a first or locked position and a second or unlocked position, permitting the seat back to be adjusted with respect to the seat base against the force of a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Kurt A. Seibold
  • Patent number: 7461900
    Abstract: Inclination adjustment fitting for backrest of a vehicle seat includes a fitting part affixable to vehicle seat, and a further fitting part affixable to a vehicle backrest, and which fitting parts pivot relative to one another around a pivoting axis, in use. Fitting parts include gearings providing part of a wobble gearing and rolling on one another under influence of an eccentric device rotatable around pivoting axis, and which includes an eccentric ring, on which wedge segments with end surfaces covering regions of the eccentric ring are provided. Rotating adjustment element is provided for the eccentric device and has an out-of-round recess for an actuating rod. Carrier elements and an additional carrier element are provided for connection of an eccentric ring with rotating adjustment element. The rotating adjustment element is guided in a radially movable manner on eccentric ring by the carrier elements and by the additional carrier element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH
    Inventor: Dieter Lange
  • Patent number: 7455361
    Abstract: A fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, more particularly for a motor vehicle seat, comprises a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) that is in geared connection with the first fitting part (11), a driver (21) and wedge segments (27a, 27b), which at least partly define a cam that is rotatably mounted on the first fitting part (11) for driving a rolling movement of the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12) against one another, and with a first sliding bearing (28) or rolling bearing, by way of which the wedge segments (27a, 27b) are mounted on the second fitting part (12) with a small amount of friction, at least a first (27a) of the two wedge segments (27a, 27b) being mounted on the first fitting part (11) with a small amount of friction by way of a second sliding bearing (41) or rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Stemmer, Rainer Messerschmidt, Tobias Ewald, Grit Scholz, Andreas Norbisrath, Artur Komainda, Holger Finner, Ulrich Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20080272639
    Abstract: A gear-driven adjusting assembly for continuous adjustment of seat angle is disclosed. A external gear plate of the gear transmission mechanism is mounted in a internal gear plate with a eccentricity therebetween. An external cam of a gap removing mechanism is mounted between a central boss of the internal gear plate and the inner hole of the external gear plate. An internal cam is mounted between the inner hole of the external cam and the central boss of the internal gear plate, and a spring is mounted between the two cams, which form an eccentric cam mechanism. A central shaft of a driving mechanism is provided in the hole of the central boss of the internal gear plate, a driving block of the driving mechanism is provided between the internal cam and external cam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Applicant: Hubei Aviation Precision Machinery Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xing Huang, Qing Cui, Zhengkun Huang
  • Publication number: 20080238171
    Abstract: A seat apparatus for a vehicle includes a seat cushion, a lower arm, a seat back, an upper arm, an intermediate arm, a reclining mechanism, and a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism includes a first plate member, a second plate member, and a pawl gear. The first plate member is fixed to one of the upper arm and the intermediate arm to be provided therein with a plurality of internal tooth sections each of which has a plurality of teeth with different widths. The second plate member is fixed to the other one of the upper arm and the intermediate arm so as to be supported by the first plate member to rotate relative thereto. The pawl gear is supported by the second plate member and has an external tooth section each of which has a plurality of teeth with different widths for engaging with the internal tooth sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kojima, Hideo Nihonmatsu, Mikihito Nagura
  • Publication number: 20080238172
    Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus for a vehicle includes first, second, and third gear mechanisms, each gear mechanism including a first frame having an internal gear and a second frame having an external gear engaging with the internal gear, the number of teeth of the external gear being fewer than the internal gear, wherein the first gear mechanism is provided at one side of a vehicle seat, and the second and third gear mechanisms are provided at the other side, a shaft connecting the first gear mechanism with the second and third gear mechanisms, and an electric motor rotating the shaft to shift an engagement position between the internal gear and the external gear for tilting the seatback relative to the seat cushion, wherein the electric motor is disposed at one of the first frame and the second frame of the first gear mechanism provided at the one side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Applicants: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI, Toyota Shatai Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kenji Maeda, Toshiyuki Tanaka, Hiromi Okazaki, Takuya Mizuno, Daisuke Ono, Eiji Mizutani
  • Publication number: 20080217980
    Abstract: A vehicle seat has a seat back and a seat cushion and a pair of recliners hingedly mounting the seat back to the seat cushion providing pivotal movement of a seat back relative to a seat cushion. Each of the recliners has a memory plate that holds the recliners in an unlocked condition during a predetermined amount of travel enabling return movement of the seat back from a forwardly folded position to a memory position. The memory position being within a range of recline seatback positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Inventors: Cheng Zou, Randolph P. Villarroel, Pius Ng
  • Publication number: 20080185892
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fitting for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, comprising a first fitting part; a second fitting part which can be rotated about an axis in relation to the first fitting part; an eccentric which is rotationally mounted about the axis and which can be driven; at least two locking devices, which are guided in a radial direction by the first fitting part, can be displaced in a radial direction in an outward manner by the eccentric and which co-operate in a radial manner towards the outside with the second fitting part in order to lock the fitting; and at least one spring arrangement (17) which impinges upon the eccentric. The spring arrangement (17) comprises two springs (27, 28) which are arranged in a central manner and are placed within each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co, KG
    Inventors: Christoph PETERS, Ulrich LEHMANN
  • Publication number: 20080164741
    Abstract: A reclining adjuster has a lower bracket fixed to a seat cushion; an upper bracket fixed to a seatback and connected to the lower bracket so as to be rotatable about a shaft; a lock mechanism capable of having a locked state where rotation of the upper bracket relative to the lower bracket is locked and a released state where the lock is released; and an emergency lock mechanism for preventing relative rotation between the lock mechanism and the upper bracket when it occurs. In the emergency lock mechanism, when a cam projection of an outer toothed ring gear is pressed in the circumferential direction by a cam pin of a disk member by the relative rotation therebetween, the outer toothed ring gear meshes with both inner teeth of the lower bracket and inner teeth of the upper bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Applicant: DELTA TOOLING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yutaka Sakamoto
  • Publication number: 20080150339
    Abstract: An electric vehicle seat storage structure for moving a seat between a seating position and a storage position is provided. The seat storage structure includes a frame having an axle positioned along a rear portion of the cushion and having a seat gear mounted to the axle. An actuator is provided for moving the seat between a seating position and a storage position. The actuator has an output gear positioned about an output shaft that is defined along the longitudinal axis of the actuator. The actuator is mounted within a portion of the frame, such that the output gear and the seat gear are meshed thereto, and such that the axis of the actuator is substantially parallel to the axle of the seat storage frame. Wherein when the seat is moved between the seating position and the storage position, the actuator is moved therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2007
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Applicant: GLOBE MOTORS, INC.
    Inventors: Douglas Jan Lehr, Richard Lee Schneider
  • Patent number: 7390061
    Abstract: A device for adjustment of the level of inclination of the back part of a motor vehicle seat having a device part (2) connected to the seat part and a device part (3) connected to the backrest, which can be pivoted opposite to each other about a pivot axis (14), wherein both device parts (2,3) have parts of gearings (4,5) forming a swash mechanism, which roll over each other under the influence of cam means (11) that can be rotated about a pivot axis (14). The drive of the cam means (11) is provided via a two-part carrier, comprised of a metal carrier boss (17) and a metal carrier plate (18) non-rotatingly connected therewith. The carrier boss (17) has a collar (17.2) for axial bracketing of the device parts (2,3) on one side of the device for adjustment of the level of inclination (1). The object is to configure this type of device for adjustment of the level of inclination, so that no longer requires an additional locking ring for axial bilateral bracketing of the device parts (2,3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Faurecia Autositze GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dieter Lange
  • Publication number: 20080136241
    Abstract: A fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, more particularly for a motor vehicle seat, comprises a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) that is in geared connection with the first fitting part (11), a driver (21) and wedge segments (27a, 27b), which at least partly define a cam that is rotatably mounted on the first fitting part (11) for driving a rolling movement of the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12) against one another, and with a first sliding bearing (28) or rolling bearing, by way of which the wedge segments (27a, 27b) are mounted on the second fitting part (12) with a small amount of friction, at least a first (27a) of the two wedge segments (27a, 27b) being mounted on the first fitting part (11) with a small amount of friction by way of a second sliding bearing (41) or rolling bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Stemmer, Rainer Messerschmidt, Tobias Ewald, Grit Scholz, Andreas Norbisrath, Artur Komainda, Holger Finner, Ulrich Lehmann
  • Publication number: 20080136242
    Abstract: The invention relates to a fitting (10) for a vehicle seat, more particularly for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) that is in geared connection with the first fitting part (11), an eccentric (27a, 27b; 127; 327) that is rotatably mounted on the fitting parts (11, 12), for driving a rolling movement of the first fitting part (11) and the second fitting part (12), a driver (21) for driving the eccentric (27a, 27b; 127; 327) and a brake for locking the fitting (10) against torque introduced at the output side in the rest state, with at least one wrap-spring brake (44) being provided as the brake, and the brake being acted upon by the driver (21) and the eccentric (27a, 27b; 127; 327).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: KEIPER GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Stemmer, Rainer Messerschmidt, Tobias Ewald, Grit Scholz, Andreas Norbisrath, Artur Komainda, Holger Finner, Ulrich Lehmann
  • Patent number: 7384101
    Abstract: A bracket angle adjustment mechanism has two wedge members (16A, 16B) fit in an eccentric space between a large-diameter hole (14c) of an external-tooth gear (14) and a small-diameter shank (15c) of an internal-tooth gear (15), and a wedged-state release member (19) is held by the external-tooth gear (14) so that an outer peripheral surface of the wedged-state release member (19) is fit rotatably into the large-diameter hole (14c). The wedged-state release member (19) has a clearance groove (19a) for avoiding interference with the wedge members (16A, 16B), a wedged-state release portion (19e), and a noncircular mounting hole (19d) non-rotatably fit with a attaching portion of a control shaft (20) penetrating through the small-diameter shank (15c) in a non-fitting manner. The bracket angle adjustment mechanism achieves enhanced strength and lower production cost, based on the improved mounting position of the wedged-state release member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihito Kawashima, Hiroyuki Fujiwara
  • Patent number: 7380882
    Abstract: A recliner adjuster for adjusting an inclination of a seat back with respect to a seat cushion includes a guide bracket to be secured to one of the seat cushion and the seat back, an internal gear to be secured to the other of the seat cushion and the seat back, a cam interposed between the guide bracket and the internal gear, a pair of lock gears interposed between the guide bracket and the internal gear so as to be radially slidable in association with movement of the cam, and a mounting ring for mating the guide bracket and the internal gear with each other with the cam and the pair of lock gears accommodated therein. The mounting ring has a generally flat annular portion, a cylindrical side portion, and a plurality of bent portions formed at a distal end of the cylindrical side portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Delta Kogyo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasukazu Oki
  • Patent number: 7380885
    Abstract: A motor vehicle seat includes a pivotally mounted backrest such that the inclination of the backrest can be adjusted. The backrest has a front face that supports the back of a seat occupant. The seat has a spring assembly including at least one elastic element, which elastically pretensions the backrest to bias the backrest pivotally forwards such that the front face of the backrest can come to rest against the back of the seat occupant. The inclination of the backrest is adjustable by the exertion of force on its front face in opposition to the a force of the spring assembly. The spring assembly exerts a force on a gear element that is coupled to the backrest. A locking device is allocated to gear element, permitting the backrest to be locked in different positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Brose Fahrzeugteile GmbH & Co. KG, Coburg
    Inventors: Matthias Fischer, Jochen Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20080106135
    Abstract: A recliner regulating structure of a rear seat for a vehicle is provided comprising: comprising: a reclining part mounted to a side of a seat back frame and operated by an operating lever installed to an upper end of the seat back such that angle of a seat back can be regulated in a state that a lock gear provided to a side of a seat back frame is unlocked from a sector gear by a first cable; a linkage part which is mounted to the seat back frame and is operated by an engagement with a rotation of the lock gear; a rotating operation part which is connected to the linkage part and receives an operation range of the lock gear so as to be rotated; and a stopper part limiting an operation of the rotating operation part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chan Ho Jeong
  • Patent number: 7354108
    Abstract: A seat reclining apparatus includes an internal gear, an external gear, an eccentric drive mechanism, and a base plate. The internal gear is secured to a seatback arm. The external gear includes an external tooth portion being in meshing contact with the internal gear, the external tooth portion having a smaller number of teeth than the internal gear. The eccentric drive mechanism rotates the external gear with respect to the internal gear in meshing contact with the internal gear. The base plate is secured to a seatcushion arm. The base plate includes an internal tooth portion press-fitted to the external tooth portion of the external gear. The internal tooth portion of the base plate includes a part press-fitted to the external tooth portion of the external gear and a part loose-fitted to the external tooth portion of the external gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Fuji Kiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadashi Matsumoto, Mitsuo Narazaki
  • Publication number: 20080061616
    Abstract: A tilt adjustment mechanism for a vehicle seat that is used to adjust the angular orientation of a seat back relative to a seat base. The tilt adjustment mechanism has a driver that has two protrusions that are rotated with the driver by a drive shaft. Initially the driver rotates independently of a cam assembly until a driving protrusion of the cam assembly is engaged. The movement of the driver continues to release a locking wedge that releases the seat back for adjustment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Robert Wahls, James S. Wawrzyniak, Kenneth McQueen, Eric Brines