FR3058103A1 - ADJUSTING MECHANISM, VEHICLE SEAT COMPRISING SUCH A MECHANISM AND METHOD OF MOUNTING SUCH A MECHANISM - Google Patents

Abstract

Adjusting mechanism comprising a rack (9) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and a frame (14) having a guide (15) on which the rack (9) is slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction, the bearing frame a rotary gear (18) which engages the rack. The guide is connected to the armature by eccentric members (22) adapted to selectively move the guide and the rack of the pinion towards the eccentric member when the eccentric member pivots. The eccentric member may be locked in rotation relative to the frame.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to adjustment mechanisms and vehicle seats comprising such mechanisms.

STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

More particularly, the invention relates to an adjustment mechanism comprising a rack extending in a longitudinal direction (straight or curved) and a frame on which the rack is slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction, said frame carrying a rotary pinion which engages with the rack so that a rotation of the pinion causes the rack to slide relative to the frame.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to improve adjustment mechanisms of this type in order to substantially eliminate the clearances between the rack and the frame.

To this end, an adjustment mechanism of the aforementioned type is characterized in that it further comprises at least one eccentric member mounted to pivot on the frame and adapted to selectively move the rack to and away from the pinion when said eccentric member pivots, blocking means being provided to block the eccentric member in rotation.

Thanks to these provisions, it is possible to make up for the rack mounting assemblies, which in particular makes it possible to avoid rattling noises from the adjustment mechanism.

In various embodiments of the seat according to the invention, one can optionally have recourse to one and / or the other of the following provisions:

- The frame includes a guide on which the rack is slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction, the guide being connected to the frame by said at least one eccentric member which is adapted to selectively bring the guide to the pinion apart and move away when said eccentric member pivots: this embodiment is particularly advantageous and allows the backlash to be taken up and good guidance of the rack;

- The rack has a longitudinal recess and the guide is inserted into said longitudinal recess;

- The mechanism comprises two eccentric members offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, each eccentric member being adapted to selectively bring the pinion rack apart and apart when said eccentric member pivots, the blocking means being provided for blocking each eccentric member in rotation: this embodiment further promotes good guiding of the rack relative to the frame, by allowing the backlash to be made in a balanced manner over the entire stroke of the rack;

- The locking means comprise on the one hand, a non-circular orifice belonging to the frame and crossed by a locking part belonging to the eccentric member, said locking part being riveted in the non-circular orifice;

the armature comprises at least one end-of-travel stop and the rack comprises a counter-stop adapted to come into contact against the end-of-travel stop so as to limit the relative movement of the rack relative to the armature in one direction in an end-of-travel position, the end-of-travel stop and the abutment being arranged so that the end-of-travel abutment exerts a stop force against the abutment in the end-of-travel position when the pinion exerts on the rack a driving force, the stopping force being aligned with and opposite to the driving force (this arrangement could possibly be used independently of the eccentric member defined above).

The invention also relates to a vehicle seat comprising a seat element connected to a support part by an adjustment mechanism as defined above, the rack and the armature being connected one to the seat element and the other, to the support part.

The subject of the invention is also a method of mounting an adjustment device as described above, comprising:

- a step of pre-assembly in which we go up there rack with frame play, - a step of catching up Game during of which we catch up the game by turning said at least a

eccentric organ,

- And a blocking step during which said at least one eccentric member is blocked by the blocking means.

Advantageously, the frame comprises a non-circular hole and the eccentric member initially comprises an extension which is inserted into the non-circular hole during the pre-assembly step, said extension being shaped so as to be able to rotate in said non-circular hole. in the backlash step, and said extension is riveted in the non-circular hole in the blocking step.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the following description of an embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a motor vehicle seat according to an embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an adjustment mechanism fitted to the seat of FIG. 1,

FIGS. 3 and 4 are exploded views of the adjustment mechanism of FIG. 2, seen in two opposite directions,

FIG. 5 is a sectional view on an eccentric member of the adjustment mechanism, illustrating steps of pre-assembly and of taking up play in the adjustment mechanism of FIGS. 2 to 4,

FIGS. 5A and 5B show details of the eccentric member in the pre-assembled state of the adjustment mechanism,

FIG. 6 is a view showing the adjustment mechanism with one of its flanges removed,

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5, showing the adjustment mechanism after blocking of the eccentric member,

- And Figure 8 is a detail view showing the operation of end of travel stops which limit the stroke of the rack.

MORE DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the different figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or similar structural and / or functional elements.

In the description which follows, when reference is made to qualifiers for absolute position (such as the terms "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "left", "right", etc. .), relative position (such as "above", "below", "upper", "lower", etc.) or orientation (such as "vertical", "horizontal", etc. ...), reference is made to a seat in a normal position for use thereof in the ordinary direction of progression of the vehicle which corresponds to the longitudinal direction X in the figures, which is perpendicular to a transverse direction Y and a vertical direction Z directed upwards. The X and Y directions form a horizontal XY plane.

Unless otherwise specified, the expressions "approximately", "approximately", "approximately", "of the order of", etc. mean that a slight variation with respect to a nominal value considered is possible, in particular by a low percentage, especially to within 10%.

Figure 1 is a schematic view of a seat 1, in particular a motor vehicle seat, comprising a seat 2 fixed to the floor 3 of the vehicle, and a backrest 4 pivotally mounted about a horizontal axis of rotation Y0, according to the double arrow R, by an adjustment mechanism 5 which will be described in more detail below.

The adjustment mechanism 5 can connect the backrest 4 (or more generally, any seat element) to a support part C which can for example be secured to the vehicle body.

The adjustment mechanism may include a control member such as a handle 6 or the like, for controlling the adjustment of the backrest 4 or other seat element.

The file can possibly be decoupled from the adjustment mechanism 5, for example by actuation of at least one control button 7 which opens a lock (not shown but known per se) belonging to the file 4 and which can be locked on a rigid loop 8 (Figure 2) or other fixing member belonging to the adjustment mechanism 5.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the adjustment mechanism 5 may include a rack 9 which extends in a longitudinal direction L, for example a curved direction substantially circular and centered on the axis of rotation Y0.

The rack 9 may include the loop 8 or other fixing member at one of its longitudinal ends.

The rack 9 can be a metal part.

The rack 9 can extend along a substantially vertical plane XZ.

The rack 9 can have a toothing 10, for example on its upper edge.

The rack 9 can also comprise at least one buttress 11 at one end of the toothing 10, for example two buttresses 11 situated at the respective ends of the toothing 10. The buttresses 11 may have respectively butted fingers 12 projecting upwards and towards each other.

The rack 9 may have a longitudinal recess 13.

The adjustment mechanism 5 may further comprise a frame 14, for example metallic, which includes a metal or other guide 15 on which the rack slides in the longitudinal direction L.

The guide 15 may possibly be in two parts 15a, 15b.

The guide 15 can be placed in the longitudinal recess 13 of the rack 9.

The frame 14 may for example comprise two flanges 16, 17 between which the guide 15 is mounted, these flanges framing the rack in the transverse direction Y.

A pinion 18, controlled by the handle 6, can be engaged with the teeth 10 of the rack to be pivotally mounted on the frame 14 about a transverse axis of rotation Y1 parallel to the axis Y0 mentioned above. Thus, a rotation of the pinion 18 around the axis of rotation Y1 causes the rack to slide relative to the frame 14.

The pinion 18 can rotate on the flanges 16, 17, directly or indirectly. For example, the pinion may comprise a part which swivels on a support 19 attached to the flange 17 and a part which swivels in a bearing 20 of the flange 17.

The flanges 16, 17 can be fixed together by any means, for example by rivets 21.

The above-mentioned guide 15 is connected to the frame 14 by at least one eccentric member 22 adapted to selectively bring the guide 15 and the rack 9 and the rack 9 apart from the pinion (by moving the guide substantially vertically in the example considered) when the member eccentric 22 pivots about an axis of rotation Y2 parallel to the axes Y0, Y1 mentioned above. It is thus possible to substantially eliminate any play between the rack 9 and the pinion 18, blocking means being provided for blocking the eccentric member 22 in rotation after the play is taken up.

Advantageously, the guide 15 is connected to the armature 14 by two eccentric members 22 offset relative to each other in the longitudinal direction L, each eccentric member being adapted to selectively bring the guide 15 and the rack 9 apart. pinion 18 when said eccentric pivots, blocking means being provided to block each eccentric member 22 in rotation.

The eccentric member 22 may be a metal part or made of another plastically deformable material suitable for forming a rivet.

As shown in more detail in FIGS. 5, 5A, 5B and 6, the eccentric member 22 can for example be a metal part which comprises a circular head 23 centered on the axis Y2, a circular body 24 centered on an axis Y '2 parallel to the axis Y2 but offset with respect thereto, and a circular extension 26 centered on the axis Y2. The head 24 can be pivotally mounted in a circular hole 27 of the flange 16 centered on the axis Y2, the body 25 can be pivotally mounted in a circular hole 28 of the guide 15 centered on the axis Y'2, and the extension 26 can be pivotally mounted in a non-circular hole 29 of the flange 17. The non-circular hole 29 can for example be polygonal, in particular hexagonal.

During the mounting of the adjustment device 5, it is thus possible to proceed in several steps:

a step mounts the guide rack 15, of pre-assembly in which there is 9 with play on the frame 14 and the a play take-up step during which the play of the rack 9 is caught by turning the eccentric member or bodies 22 along the double arrow RJ in FIGS. 5 and 6 so that the toothing 10 of the rack moves in the direction of the double arrow D (FIG. 6) until it is engaged substantially without play on the pinion

18,

- And a blocking step during which each eccentric member 22 is blocked, by riveting the extension 26 of the eccentric member 22 which thus becomes a blocking part 30 riveted in the noncircular hole 29 and blocked therein. made of its non-circular shape (Figure 7).

Optionally, the adjusting device 5 could not include a guide 15; in this case, the rack 9 could be guided directly by the flanges 16, 17 of the frame 14 and the eccentric member (s) 22 could be provided to move the rack directly, for example by bearing against an edge of said rack.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 3, 6 and 8, the armature 14 may include end-of-travel stops 31 adapted to come into abutment against the abovementioned abutments 11 so as to limit the relative movement of the rack 9 with respect to to the armature 14. The end stops 31 and the abutments 11 are arranged so that each end stop 31 exerts against the corresponding abutment 11 a stop force F2 in the end position when the pinion 18 exerts on the rack 9 a driving force F1, the stopping force F2 being aligned with and opposite to the driving force F1. This arrangement avoids stressing the fastenings of the adjustment mechanism 5 (in particular the rivets 21) in limit stop. This arrangement would be usable even in the absence of an eccentric member 22.

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Claims (10)

1. Adjustment mechanism comprising a rack (9) extending in a longitudinal direction (L) and a frame (14) on which the rack (9) is slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction (L), said frame (14) carrying a rotary pinion (18) which in engagement with the rack (9) so that a rotation of the pinion (18) causes the rack (9) to slide relative to the frame (14), characterized in that it comprises furthermore at least one eccentric member (22) pivotally mounted on the frame (14) and adapted to selectively bring the rack (9) closer to and apart from the pinion (18) when said eccentric member (22) pivots, locking means ( 29, 30) being provided to block the eccentric member (22) in rotation. 2. An adjustment mechanism according to claim 1, in which the frame (14) comprises a guide (15) on which the rack (9) is slidably mounted in the longitudinal direction (L), the guide (15) being connected to the frame (14) by said at least one eccentric member (22) which is adapted to selectively approach and separate the guide (15) and the rack (9) from the pinion (18) when said eccentric member (22) pivots. 3. An adjustment mechanism according to claim 2, in which the rack has a longitudinal recess (13) and the guide (15) is inserted into said longitudinal recess (13). 4. Adjustment mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising two eccentric members (22) offset from one another in the longitudinal direction (L), each eccentric member (22) being adapted to selectively bring together and move the rack (9) away from the pinion (18) when said eccentric member (22) pivots, the locking means (29, 30) being provided for locking each eccentric member (22) in rotation. 5. Adjustment mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the blocking means comprise on the one hand, a non-circular orifice (29) belonging to the frame (14) and crossed by a blocking part (30 ) belonging to the eccentric member (22), said blocking part (30) being riveted in the non-circular orifice (29). 6. Adjustment mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the frame (14) comprises at least one end-of-travel stop (31) and the rack (9) comprises a counter-stop (11) adapted to come in contact against the limit stop (31) so as to limit the relative displacement of the rack relative to the frame in one direction in a limit position, the limit stop (31) and the abutment (11) being arranged so that the end-of-travel stop exerts a stop force (F2) against the abutment in the end-of-travel position when the pinion exerts a driving force on the rack (Fl), the force d 'stop (F2) being aligned with and opposite to the driving force (Fl). 7. Vehicle seat comprising a seat element (4) connected to a support part (C) by an adjustment mechanism (5) according to any one of the preceding claims, the rack (9) and the frame (14 ) being connected one to the seat element (4) and the other to the support part (C). 8. A method of mounting an adjustment device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising: - a pre-assembly step in which the rack is mounted ( 9) with play on the frame (14), a play take-up step during which play is taken up by turning said at least one eccentric member (22), - And a blocking step during which said at least one eccentric member (22) is blocked by the blocking means (29, 30). 5 9. Method according to claim 8, in which the frame (14) comprises a non-circular hole (29) and the eccentric member (22) initially comprises an extension (26) which is inserted in the non-circular hole ( 29) at the pre-assembly stage, said extension (26) 10 being shaped to be able to rotate in said noncircular hole (29) in the play take-up step, and said extension (26) is riveted in the non-circular hole (29) in the blocking step. 1/8