Chairs and seats – Movable bottom – Tiltable
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-26
2004-04-06
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Chairs and seats
Movable bottom
Tiltable
C297S362000, C297S361100, C297S354120, C297S216100, C475S162000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06715832
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a geared fitting for a vehicle seat adjuster.
A closed planet gear can be used as a drive for an adjuster of a vehicle seat, with an unactuated gear acting as a block for restricting motion in some circumstances. Production-induced tolerances of the components may lead to a clearance at the output. When the gear is blocked, this clearance may cause noises and undesirable movements in the traveling mode.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is the provision of an improved geared fitting for a vehicle seat adjuster. In accordance with this aspect, a geared fitting for a vehicle seat adjuster includes central gear wheels including a first internal-geared wheel and a second internal-geared wheel. The first internal-geared wheel extends at least partially around an axis of the geared fitting. The second internal-geared wheel is mounted on the first internal-geared wheel by a bearing bushing that is positioned between the first and second internal-geared wheels, so that the second internal-geared wheel extends at least partially around the axis and is capable of rotating relative to the first internal-geared wheel. In accordance with this aspect, the bearing bushing is an undulating and/or polygonal bearing bushing. Also in accordance with this aspect, at least one revolving planet wheel is positioned between and in engagement with the first and second internal-geared wheels. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, this type of geared fitting is included in the seat adjuster of a vehicle seat.
By mounting the second internal-geared wheel on the first internal-geared wheel with an undulating and/or polygonal bearing bushing positioned in between, a simple mounting is achieved which has a means which can compensate for production-induced tolerances, in particular a radial bearing clearance. An undulating or wavy bearing bushing is intended to be understood to be a bearing bushing which is of approximately cylindrical design and has a radius which fluctuates, preferably uniformly, along the circumferential direction. A polygonal bearing bushing is to be understood to be a bearing bushing which is likewise of approximately cylindrical design, but has a polygonal shape in cross section. Apart from purely convex structures, the polygonal shape is intended also to comprise other angular structures, meanders and mixed shapes having corners, curved and/or flat surfaces. The reduction of the bearing clearance between the two internal-geared wheels prevents the planet wheel from being able to migrate radially out of the toothing and a considerable twisting backlash, i.e. a loss in overlap, from being produced. In addition, rattling noises are avoided.
In one preferred embodiment, the bearing bushing has, as the means compensating for the bearing clearance, a body which extends in the axial direction, and can preferably be deformed and preferably bears at least partially against the internal-geared wheels with line contact. A line bearing of this type is achieved, for example, by the cross section of the body having a polygonal or wavy shape which is preferably regular and has inscribed outer and inner circles. The body then bears against cylindrical bearing surfaces of the two internal-geared wheels at its corners/edges or wave peaks and at its side centers or wave troughs, the preferably elastic deformability building up a prestress which eliminates the bearing clearance. Preferably the inner and outer polygonal and/or indulating shapes, which are preferably defined by inner and outer surfaces of the generally annular body of the bearing bushing, extend completely around the inner and outer circumferences of the body.
The bearing bushing can have the cross section mentioned over its entire axial length, which is particularly favorable for the build up of the prestress, or can additionally have a region which acts as a defined, axial spacer between the internal-geared wheels.
The geared fitting according to the invention is preferably used in a vehicle seat, in particular in a motor vehicle seat, for example in an inclination adjuster for the entire seat surface (seat shell) or for part of the seat surface, for the backrest and/or the head restraint, or in a height adjuster, in particular at points at which forces occur.
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U.S. patent application No. 09/658,151; filed Sep. 8, 2000; Inventors: Muhlberger et al.; entitledAutomobile Seat With Inclination Adjuster.
Alston & Bird LLP
Burnham Sarah C.
Cuomo Peter M.
Keiper GmbH & Co. KG
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