Reclining angle adjustment system

This application is based on and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 with respect to Japanese Application No. 11(1999)-310224 filed on Oct. 29, 2000, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention is generally directed to a vehicle seat. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a reclining angle adjustment system having a pair of seat reclining devices provided at laterally opposite sides of a vehicle seat for adjusting the reclining angle of the seat-back relative to the seat-cushion.

One type of reclining angle adjustment system for a vehicle seat is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,541,672 granted to Fukuta et al. This reclining angle adjustment system includes a pair of seat reclining devices provided at laterally opposite sides of a seat and a connecting mechanism that operatively connects the devices. The connecting mechanism is designed to include an amount of play to prevent one of the reclining devices from being half-locked due to mutual interference between the reclining devices when the other of the reclining devices is in the locked condition. On the other hand, this play in the connecting mechanism may cause a problem in that when the other reclining device is released by manipulating an operation lever, the resulting releasing movement of one of the reclining devices becomes delayed or, in a worst case scenario, a malfunction occurs. To avoid such a serious problem, the known reclining angle adjustment system is constructed so that the lock release mechanism of the reclining device at the driven side is structured to release the locked condition by less of an amount of operation which compensates for the play and so both of the reclining devices are made to be substantially simultaneously in the releasing locked condition.

However, with the known reclining angle adjustment system described above, both of the lock releasing mechanisms are unsymmetrical in the lateral direction, which results in the adjustment of the reclining angle being limited to operate at one side of the seat. Thus, a need exists for reclining angle adjustment system that makes it possible to adjust the reclining angle of the seat-back from either side of the seat, especially with bench type seats or seats having a relatively long lateral dimension.

One aspect of the present invention involves a seat reclining angle adjustment mechanism that includes a pair of seat reclining devices provided at laterally opposite sides of a seat device having a seat cushion member and a seat back member, with each of the seat reclining devices having a lock mechanism which locks the seat back member in a position relative to the seat cushion member and upon release allows the seat back member to be tilted in different angular positions with respect to the seat cushion member. A connecting shaft connects the lock mechanism of each of the seat reclining devices in a mutually operative manner, and an operating mechanism is connected to the connecting shaft for effecting operation of the lock mechanisms.

According to another aspect of the invention, a seat reclining angle adjustment device includes a pair of seat reclining devices provided at laterally opposite sides of a seat having a seat cushion member and a seat back member, with each of the seat reclining devices including a lock mechanism which locks the seat back member in position relative to the seat cushion member and upon release allows the seat back member to be tilted in different angular positions with respect to the seat cushion member. A connecting shaft connects the lock mechanism of both seat reclining devices in a mutually operative manner, and a pair of operating levers are positioned at opposite sides of the seat. A pair of connecting rods are provided, each of which is connected to the connecting shaft and to one of the operating levers for transmitting operating movement of either one of the operating levers to the connecting shaft to effect a release of the locking mechanism of both seat reclining devices.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a vehicle seat reclining angle adjustment device includes a pair of seat reclining devices adapted to be positioned at laterally opposite sides of a vehicle seat having a seat cushion member and a seat back member, with each of the seat reclining devices including an upper arm adapted to be connected to the seat back member, a lower arm adapted to be connected to the seat cushion member, a shaft member on which the upper and lower arms are rotatably supported and a lock mechanism which locks the upper and lower arms in position relative to each other and upon release allows the upper arm to be tilted in different angular positions with respect to the lower arm. A rotatable connecting shaft is connected to each of the shaft members by engaging elements provided on both the connecting shaft and the shaft members so that rotation of the connecting shaft causes rotation of the shaft members to effect release of the lock mechanisms. An operating lever is positioned at one side of the seat and is operatively connected to the connecting shaft so that operation of the operating lever causes rotation of the connecting shaft which in turn causes rotation of the shaft members to effect release of the lock mechanism.

The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with reference to the accompanying drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a reclining angle adjustment system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the reclining angle adjustment system shown In FIG. 1 as seen from the direction “F” in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of the reclining angle adjustment system shown In FIG. 1 explaining the structure and operation of the release arm;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the reclining angle adjustment system taken along the section line E—E in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the reclining angle adjustment system illustrated in FIG. 1 .

Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 5, the reclining angle adjustment system 10 for a vehicle in accordance with the present invention includes a pair of seat reclining devices 2 R, 2 L that are positioned to the lateral right and left sides of a seat device 1 , respectively. The seat reclining devices 2 R, 2 L are adapted to make the seat-back 12 tiltable with respect to the seat-cushion 13 . It is to be noted in the following description that the parts, elements, devices, and/or mechanisms on the right side are designated with the suffix “R” while the parts, elements, devices, and/or mechanisms on the left side are designated with the suffix “L”.

The reclining angle adjustment system 10 also includes a connecting shaft 5 which establishes cooperation between the seat reclining devices 2 R, 2 L for effecting simultaneous locking and unlocking operation. Moreover, the system 10 includes operation lever units 7 R, 7 L through which an operating force is transmitted to the connecting shaft 5 .

The seat reclining device 2 R ( 2 L) includes a lower arm 21 R ( 21 L) and an upper arm 22 R ( 22 L). The lower arm 21 R ( 21 L) is secured to the right-side of the seat-cushion frame forming a part of the seat-cushion member (left-side of the seat-cushion frame forming a part of the seat-cushion member), which is not specifically shown, via a pair of bolts passing through holes 24 R ( 24 L) formed in the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L). The upper arm 22 R ( 22 L) is secured to the right-side of the seat back frame forming a part of the seat back member (left-side of the seat-back frame forming a part of the seat back member), which is not specifically shown, via a pair of bolts passing through holes 25 R ( 25 L) formed in the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L).

As can be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L) is formed with a concavity or recessed portion 31 R ( 31 L) which is in the form of a semi-punched configuration and which opens toward the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L). On the other hand, the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L) is formed with a concavity or recessed portion 32 R ( 32 L) which is in the form of a semi-punched configuration and which opens toward the lower arm 22 R ( 22 L). Thus, the recessed portion 31 R ( 31 L) on the lower arm and the opposing recessed portion 32 R ( 32 L) on the upper arm define a space 33 R ( 33 L) in which is accommodated a pawl 43 R ( 43 L) and cam lever 44 R ( 44 L).

A shaft 41 R ( 41 L) passes through the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L), the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L), and the cam lever 44 R (lever 44 L) so that both of the upper and lower arms 22 R, 21 R and both of the upper and lower arms 22 L, 21 L are rotatable relative to the shaft 41 R. The cam lever 44 R is prevented from being rotated relative to the shaft 41 R by virtue of a pair of parallel inside planes or inwardly facing planar surfaces 34 R, 34 R provided on the cam lever 44 R that engage respective outside planes or outwardly facing planar surfaces 42 R, 42 R of the shaft 41 R. Rotational movement of the cam lever 44 L relative to the shaft 41 L is prevented in a similar manner.

An inner gear portion 35 R ( 35 L) is provided along a portion of the arc-shaped inner periphery of the recess 32 R ( 32 L) at a predetermined distance from the axis of the shaft 41 R ( 41 L). The pawl 43 R ( 43 L) possesses a thickness which allows the pawl to move in the space 33 R ( 33 L). The pawl 43 R ( 43 L) is rectangular in shape and is provided with an outer gear portion 36 R ( 36 L) on one side. The outer gear portion 36 R ( 36 L) meshes with the inner gear portion 35 R ( 35 L) of the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L). At the side of the pawl 43 R ( 43 L) opposite the outer gear portion 36 R ( 36 L), the pawl 43 R ( 43 L) is formed with a cam surface 37 R ( 37 L). This cam surface 37 R ( 37 L) is adapted to be engaged by a head end 15 R ( 15 L) of the cam lever 44 R ( 44 L) for urging the pawl 43 R ( 43 L) so that the outer gear portion 36 R ( 36 L) engages the inner gear portion 35 R ( 35 L).

The pawl cam surface 37 R ( 37 L) is in the form of a tapered structure to increase the urging amount of the cam lever 44 R ( 44 L) towards the pawl 43 R ( 43 L) in accordance with the advancement of the cam lever 44 R ( 44 L) in the locking direction (i.e., in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2 ). The other two outer peripheries 57 R, 57 R of the pawl 43 R are generally parallel with each other to make it possible to move or slide the pawl 43 R in the direction causing engagement between the gear portions 36 R, 35 R.

The pawl 43 R ( 43 L) is driven or moved together with a pin 45 R ( 45 L) which extends toward the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L). A longitudinal slot 38 R ( 38 L) is formed in the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L) and extends in the radial direction with respect to the axis of the shaft 41 R ( 41 L). The pin 45 R ( 45 L) passes through the longitudinal slot 38 R ( 38 L). In addition, at the side of the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L) that is opposite the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L), the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L) is provided with a release arm 46 R ( 46 L). The release arm 46 R ( 46 L) is secured to the shaft 41 R ( 41 L) by a suitable connection mechanism such as welding.

A bracket 58 R ( 58 L) is mounted on the shaft 41 R ( 41 L) and is secured to the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L) in a sandwiched fashion between the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L) and the release arm 46 R ( 46 L). A hook portion 56 R ( 56 L) extending towards the bracket 58 R ( 58 L) is integrally formed at the peripheral portion of the release arm 46 R ( 46 L). One end of a spring 59 R ( 59 L) engages the hook portion 56 R ( 56 L) while the other end of the spring 59 R ( 59 L) engages the bracket 58 R ( 58 L). The spring 59 R ( 59 L) is adapted to apply an urging force that rotates the release arm 46 R ( 46 L) in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 3 .

To ensure engagement between the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L) and the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L), a pressing bracket 26 R ( 26 L) is secured to the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L) and presses the circumferential portion of the lower arm 22 R ( 22 L). A spiral spring 27 R ( 27 L) is disposed between the bracket 26 R and the bracket 58 R (between the bracket 26 L and the bracket 58 L) for urging the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L) in the counterclockwise direction relative to the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L).

An arc-shaped cam slot 47 R ( 47 L) is formed in the release arm 46 R ( 46 L). The radius of curvature of the arc-shaped cam slot 47 R ( 47 L) coincides with the axis of the shaft 41 R ( 41 L). The pin 45 R ( 45 L) passes through the arc-shaped cam slot 47 R ( 47 L). The radially outwardly located portion of the inner periphery of the cam slot 47 R ( 47 L) constitutes a cam surface 48 R ( 48 L) having a profile that guides the pin 45 R ( 45 L) along the slot 38 R ( 38 L) toward the shaft 41 R ( 41 L) when the release arm 46 R ( 46 L) is rotated in the clockwise direction against the urging force of the spring 59 R ( 59 L).

Referring back to FIG. 1, toward the center of the seat 1 , the release arm 46 R ( 46 L), the bracket 58 R 58 (L), the lower am 21 R ( 21 L), the cam lever 44 R ( 44 L), the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L), and a holder bracket 67 R ( 67 L) are assembled into a unit on the shaft 41 R ( 41 L) at the right side (left side) of the seat 1 in such a manner that the unit is held between a flange 55 R ( 55 L) and a snap ring 66 R ( 66 L). The flange 55 R ( 55 L) is formed at a larger diameter portion of the shaft 41 R ( 41 L) next to the release arm 46 R ( 46 L) while the snap ring 66 R ( 66 L) is fixedly engaged with an annular groove 63 R ( 63 L) formed in the outer surface of the shaft 41 R ( 41 L). The holder bracket 67 R ( 67 L) is secured, together with the lower arm 21 R ( 21 L), to the seat-cushion frame by way of the aforementioned bolts. At the side of the holder bracket 67 R ( 67 L), the shaft 41 R ( 41 L) is formed with a serration portion 54 R ( 54 L) which is made up of a plurality of parallel and spaced axial grooves.

The connecting shaft 5 establishes cooperation or operative connection between the seat reclining devices 2 R, 2 L. The inner periphery at each end of the connecting shaft 5 is provided with serration portions 53 R, 53 L made up of a plurality of parallel and spaced axial grooves. The serration portions 53 R on the inner surface of the shaft mesh with and engage the serration portion 54 R of the shaft 41 R, and the serration portions 53 L on the inner surface at the opposite end of the shaft mesh with and engage the serration portion 54 L of the shaft 41 L. This thus provided a spline-type connection between the connecting shaft 5 and the shafts 41 R. 41 L. As best shown in FIG. 4, between the serration 53 L and the serration 54 L, a gap 52 is defined at each engagement for permitting mutual rotational play β.

The release arm 46 R ( 46 L) is urged by the spring 59 R ( 59 L) in the locking direction (i.e., the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 2) to ensure meshing engagement between the outer gear portion 36 R ( 36 L) of the pawl 43 R ( 43 L) and the inner gear portion 35 R ( 35 L) of the upper arm 22 R ( 22 L). To establish tighter meshing engagement between the gear portions 36 R and 35 R ( 36 L and 35 L), the pawl cam surface 37 R ( 37 L) possesses the tapered structure or configuration as mentioned above and this produces a stronger force toward the pawl 43 R ( 43 L).

A position C (FIG. 3) at which the release arm 46 L stops varies within an angular range α. The release arm 46 R stops at a similar position. In the seat reclining devices 2 R, 2 L which are connected by the shaft 5 , irrespective of such variations, the release arms 46 R, 46 L has to stop within the aforementioned angular range α without being influenced by the other. To this end, the serration engagement between the shaft 41 R ( 41 L) and the shaft 5 , the play β as seen in FIG. 4 is defined which is about one-half of α.

Arms 61 R, 61 L are secured on the opposite end portions of the connecting shaft 5 and extend in the lower direction. A pin 62 R ( 62 L) is fixed at the lower end of the arm 61 R ( 61 L), and the rear end of a connecting rod 71 R ( 71 L) shown in FIG. 4 is rotatably mounted on the pin 62 R ( 62 L). The connecting rod 71 R ( 71 L) extends towards the forward direction. The front end of the connecting rod 71 R ( 71 L) is rotatably held in a hole provided in an arm 72 R ( 72 L) of an operating lever 7 R ( 7 L) which is rotatably mounted to the seat cushion frame. Thus, when a knob 73 R ( 73 L) of the operating lever 7 is lifted, the resulting displacement of the connecting rod 71 R ( 71 L) causes the connecting shaft 5 to rotate.

In operation, when the operating lever 7 R is manipulated, the connecting rod 71 R is displaced or moved axially and the connecting shaft 5 is rotated. This causes the release arm 46 R to rotate or move in the clockwise direction in FIG. 3 . Simultaneously, the release arm 46 L is rotated or moved in the same direction. In FIG. 3, at position C the outer gear portion of the pawl 43 R is in tight meshing engagement with the inner gear portion of the upper arm 22 R, at position B the engagement between the outer gear portion of the pawl 43 R and the inner gear portion of the upper arm 22 R begins to release, and at position A the engagement between the outer gear portion of the pawl 43 R and the inner gear portion of the upper arm 22 R is completely released. The rotation or movement of the pin 45 R of the release arm 46 R begins at position A and terminates in position C after passing through position B. The release arm 46 R is able to rotate further and thus the pin 45 R can be rotated or moved relative to the cam slot 47 R to a position D. While the release arm 46 R rotates between positions A and D, the upper arm 22 R becomes rotatable relative to the lower arm 21 R. Similarly, the upper arm 22 L becomes rotatable relative to the lower arm 21 L. Thus, it becomes possible to adjust the reclining angle of the seat-back 12 relative to the seat-cushion 13 . The seat reclining device 2 L and its lock mechanism are symmetrical with the seat reclining device 2 R and its lock mechanism in the vehicle lateral direction, i.e., a bilateral structural arrangement is constructed between the seat reclining device 2 L with its lock mechanism and the seat reclining device 2 R with its lock mechanism. This makes it possible to release the seat reclining devices 2 R, 2 L simultaneously in an accurate manner when either of the operating levers 7 R, 7 L is manipulated.

In addition, the rotational angle or play angle β between the serrations/grooves of the shaft 41 R ( 41 L) and the connecting shaft 5 ensures an accurate independent locking operation of the seat reclining device 2 R ( 2 L).

As apparent from the foregoing descriptions, the present invention makes it possible to connect the operating levers 7 R, 7 L to the connecting shaft 5 in a direct fashion, thus making it possible to extend or enlarge the design flexibility.

In accordance with the present invention, in a reclining angle adjustment system including a pair of seat reclining devices provided at opposite sides of a seat and a connecting shaft connecting the seat reclining devices for cooperative operation, it becomes possible to manipulate the reclining angle adjustment system at either side of the seat.

In addition, the operating lever can be provided at either one of the vehicular lateral opposite sides without changing the structure of the operating lever.

The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification. However, the invention which is intended to be protected is not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiment disclosed. Further, the embodiment described herein is to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. Variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes and equivalents which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the claims, be embraced thereby.