Pivot fitting for a seat, in particular vehicle seat and a seat

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11427110-B2
Application number	US-201917052228-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 30, 2019
Priority date	May 4, 2018
Publication date	Aug 30, 2022
Grant date	Aug 30, 2022

Abstract

A pivot fitting for a seat, in particular vehicle seat, is configured to adjust an inclination of the seat between at least a use position and at least a non-use position. The pivot fitting may have at least one detection unit which is configured to determine if the seat is in at least one of the use position, any intermediate inclined position or the non-use position.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A pivot fitting for a vehicle seat, for adjusting an inclination of the seat between at least a use position and at least a non-use position, the pivot fitting, comprising:
two fitting members configured to interact with each other, wherein one of the fitting members is fixed and the other fitting member is movable with respect to the fixed fitting member, and
at least one detection unit which is configured to determine if the seat is in at least one of the use position, an intermediate inclined position or the non-use position,
wherein the at least one detection unit comprises at least two switches, wherein at least one switch is arranged in an upper section of the fixed fitting member to interact with the movable fitting member.

2. The pivot fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is configured to output a signal if the seat is in the intermediate position.

3. The pivot fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit comprises a coupling structure configured to couple the detection unit to at least one indicator unit to indicate at least the intermediate position of the seat.

4. The pivot fitting according to claim 3 , wherein the indicator unit is configured to indicate the position of the seat audibly and/or visually.

5. The pivot fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit comprises a coupling structure to couple the detection unit to at least one of an electronic control unit.

6. The pivot fitting according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit is configured to determine a manual actuation of the inclination adjustment.

7. The pivot fitting according to claim 5 , wherein the switches are configured to signal transmission to the electronic control unit upon activation, wherein the switches are activated when the seat is in the intermediate inclined position.

8. The pivot fitting according to claim 7 , wherein
a first switch is configured to transmit a signal regarding the intermediate inclined position of the seat to the electronic control unit upon activation, and
a second electric switch is configured to verify if a release lever has changed states between locked and unlocked.

9. The pivot fitting according to claim 8 , wherein the detection unit comprises at least one switch sensor coupled to at least one of the number of switches and configured to detect an activation of the switches.

10. The pivot fitting according to claim 9 , wherein the at least one switch sensor is coupled to a switch contact member, wherein the switch sensor is configured to detect a contact of the switch contact member by a seat member when the seat is in the intermediate inclined position.

11. A vehicle seat, comprising:
a seat pan,
a backrest which is pivotably mounted to the seat pan, and
a pivot fitting for adjusting an inclination of the backrest relatively to the seat pan between at least a use position and at least a non-use position wherein said pivot member comprises
two fitting members configured to interact with each other, wherein one of the fitting members is fixed and the other fitting member is movable with respect to the fixed fitting member, and
at least one detection unit which is configured to determine if the seat is in at least one of the use position, an intermediate inclined position or the non-use position,
wherein the at least one detection unit comprises at least two switches, wherein at least one switch is arranged in an upper section of the fixed fitting member to interact with the movable fitting member.

12. The seat according to claim 11 , wherein at least one of the fitting members is coupled to an actuation element which is configured to electrically and/or mechanically actuate the inclination adjustment of the backrest.

13. The seat according to claim 11 , wherein the pivot fitting is configured as an electric-powered continuously adjustable fitting.

14. The seat according to claim 13 , wherein the pivot fitting is coupled to a motor for actuation of the inclination adjustment.

15. The pivot fitting according to claim 1 , wherein when the movable fitting member moves from the use position to the non-use position the switch arranged on the upper section of the fitting member will be activated through a contact region of the movable fitting member.

16. A pivot fitting for a vehicle seat, for adjusting an inclination of the seat between at least a use position and at least a non-use position, the pivot fitting, comprising:
at least one detection unit which is configured to determine if the seat is in at least one of the use position, an intermediate inclined position or the non-use position
wherein the at least one switch sensor is coupled to a switch contact member, wherein the switch sensor is configured to detect a contact of the switch contact member by a seat member when the seat is in the intermediate inclined position.

Assignees

• Adient Eng & Ip Gmbh
• Keiper Seating Mechanisms Co Ltd

Inventors

• Leighton Michael J
• Ptak Kenneth R

Classifications

• B60N2/206

  to a position in which it can be used as a support for objects, e.g. as a tray · CPC title

• B60N2/22

  the back-rest being adjustable {(B60N2/2878 takes precedence)} · CPC title

• B60N2/20 Primary

  the back-rest being tiltable, e.g. to permit easy access (B60N2/04, B60N2/22 {, B60N2/3002} take precedence) · CPC title

• B60N2002/981

  Warning systems, e.g. the seat or seat parts vibrates to warn the passenger when facing a danger · CPC title

• B60N2002/0272

  Operations & Transport · mapped topic