METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A SEAT COMPONENT OF A MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT, AND MOTOR VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

In a method for adjusting a seat component of a motor vehicle seat, a manual adjustment of a seat component is detected which manual adjustment can be adjusted by a motor. A force is generated by activating the motor to adjust the seat component in response to the manual adjustment.

Claims

1. A method for adjusting a seat component of a motor vehicle seat, said method comprising: detecting a manual adjustment of a seat component; and generating a force by activating a motor to adjust the seat component in response to the manual adjustment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the manual adjustment is detected by a sensor, and further comprising generating by the sensor a sensor signal in response to the manual adjustment.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising executing a control algorithm after detecting the manual adjustment of the seat component.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a voltage signal to cause a rotary movement of the motor after detecting the manual adjustment of the seat component.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the voltage signal is proportional to a speed of the manual adjustment.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the force generated by the motor counteracts a movement of the manual adjustment.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the manual adjustment is detected by a memorization sensor system and/or by a sensor for detecting an actuation of a control element and/or an unlocking means and/or by means of a sensor for detecting an adjustment path.

8. A motor vehicle seat, comprising: a seat component; and a motorized adjustment device for adjusting seat component, said the motorized adjustment device including a self-locking mechanism configured such that the self-locking mechanism in a first direction of movement of the adjustment device is unequal to the self-locking mechanism in a second direction of movement of the adjustment device.

9. The motor vehicle seat of claim 8, wherein the adjustment device includes a non-self-locking gear motor.

10. The motor vehicle seat of claim 8, wherein the adjustment device includes a reversible gear motor.

11. The motor vehicle seat of claim 8, wherein the adjustment device includes a self-locking mechanism counter to the direction of movement of the manual adjustment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0027] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be more readily apparent upon reading the following description of currently preferred exemplified embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

[0028] FIG. 1: is a side view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention in a normal position;

[0029] FIG. 2: is a side view of the motor vehicle seat in an easy-entry position, showing a manual exertion of force to adjust the backrest;

[0030] FIG. 3: is a side view of the motor vehicle seat, showing that the adjustment motor counteracts the manual adjustment movement; and

[0031] FIG. 4: is a flow diagram for adjusting a seat component of a motor vehicle seat, showing that the adjustment motor counteracts the manual adjustment movement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0032] Throughout all the figures, same or corresponding elements may generally be indicated by same reference numerals. These depicted embodiments are to be understood as illustrative of the invention and not as limiting in any way. It should also be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that the embodiments may be illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may have been omitted.

[0033] Turning now to the drawing, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is shown a side view of an embodiment of a motor vehicle seat according to the invention, generally designated by reference numeral 1 and assuming a normal position. The motor vehicle seat 1 includes a backrest 3 which can be adjusted. The motor vehicle seat 1 is positioned and locked in the position such that a user can occupy the motor vehicle seat 1. The motor vehicle seat 1 has a seat cushion 2. The backrest 3 is pivotably mounted in a bearing point on a seat frame 10. The backrest 3 can be pivoted by a motor by means of an adjustment motor 8. The motor vehicle seat 1 also has a vertical seat adjustment mechanism 7 and a longitudinal seat adjustment mechanism. The longitudinal seat adjustment mechanism has an upper rail 4 and a lower rail 5. The motor vehicle seat 1 is firmly connected to the upper rail 4, which in turn is guided in the lower rail 5 so as to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows the motor vehicle seat 1 according to the invention in an easy-entry position, for example for a person to enter a rear row of seats of a motor vehicle. The backrest 3 is not latched in its inclination; a user can adjust the backrest 3 manually and by a motor. The motor vehicle seat 1 has a seat cushion 2 and a backrest 3. The motor vehicle seat 1 also has a vertical seat adjustment 7 mechanism and a longitudinal seat adjustment mechanism. The longitudinal seat adjustment mechanism has an upper rail 4 and a lower rail 5. The motor vehicle seat 1 is firmly connected to the upper rail 4, which in turn is guided in the lower rail 5 so as to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction.

[0035] The inclination of the backrest 3 can be adjusted by a motor. To adjust the backrest 3, a user usually operates a setting device which initiates the adjustment movement of the backrest 3. The user therefore makes a conscious input in order to adjust the backrest 3.

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a motor vehicle seat 1 according to experience in an easy-entry position. The backrest 3 is latched in its inclination. The motor vehicle seat 1 has a seat cushion 2 and a backrest 3. The motor vehicle seat 1 also has a vertical seat adjustment 7 mechanism and a longitudinal seat adjustment mechanism. The longitudinal seat adjustment mechanism has an upper rail 4 and a lower rail 5. The motor vehicle seat 1 is firmly connected to the upper rail 4, which in turn is guided in the lower rail 5 so as to be adjustable in the longitudinal direction.

[0037] The adjustment device has a sensor 9 and an electric motor 8. In this embodiment, a separate sensor 9 is arranged in the backrest 3, which sensor detects the adjustment path of the backrest 3. The sensor 9 itself is advantageously a commercially available Hall sensor 9, which is inexpensive and resistant to dirt and water.

[0038] The sensor 9 can, however, also be part of the sensor system of a memory unit of the motor vehicle seat 1, by means of which the motor vehicle seat 1 can be adjusted by a motor into a position which can be set and which is stored individually for each user. A sensor 9 that detects the actuation of an operating element, i.e., the actuation of the adjustment of the backrest 3 by a motor in this embodiment, is also possible. A sensor 9 which detects the actuation of an unlocking mechanism of the backrest 3 is also conceivable.

[0039] The adjustment motor 8 is a non-self-locking electric motor that can adjust the inclination of the backrest 3 via a reduction gear. The electric motor 8 is reversible, i.e., the direction of rotation of the electric motor 8 is reversible in order to drive the adjustment mechanism of the backrest 3 in two directions (forward, backward) by generating a force.

[0040] The method for adjusting the backrest 3 detects the manual adjustment of the backrest 3 by a user. In method step 200, the sensor 9 detects this manual adjustment of the backrest 3 and, in the next method step 300, generates a sensor signal proportional to the manual adjustment. A control algorithm determines in method step 400 the direction and the strength of the manual force F exerted on the backrest 3. The voltage signal generated thereupon in method step 500 causes the adjustment motor 8 to perform a rotary movement in method step 600. This rotary movement counteracts in method step 700 the manual adjustment of the backrest 3 carried out by the user. The driving force of the adjustment motor 8 is calculated by the control algorithm 400 in such a way that the desired position (easy-entry position) of the backrest 3 is maintained. The motor vehicle seat 1 according to the invention therefore does not require any additional locking elements in order to hold the motor vehicle seat 1 in the easy-entry position. The backrest 3 of the motor vehicle seat 1 is held in position by the force exerted by the adjustment motor 8.

[0041] The method according to the invention for adjusting a seat component of a motor vehicle seat 1 is shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the backrest 3 of the motor vehicle seat 1 is also adjusted by the method according to the invention. The method detects the manual adjustment of the backrest 3 by a user. Such an adjustment of the backrest 3 can take place, for example, when a user wants to get out of the vehicle from a row of seats arranged behind the motor vehicle seat 1 and unconsciously holds or supports himself on the backrest 3. An adjustment movement of the backrest 3 is not desired in this case and may even lead to the risk of injury to the user. The sensor 9 detects in method 200 this manual adjustment of the backrest 3 and, in the next method step 300, generates a sensor signal proportional to the manual adjustment. A control algorithm determines in method step 400 the direction and the strength of the manual force F exerted on the backrest 3.

[0042] The voltage signal generated thereupon in method step 500 uses a pulse-width-modulated voltage and causes the adjustment motor 8 to perform a rotary movement (method step 600). This rotary movement counteracts (method step 700) the manual adjustment of the backrest 3 carried out by the user. The driving force of the adjustment motor 8 is calculated by the control algorithm in such a way that the desired position (easy-entry position) of the backrest 3 is maintained. The manual adjustment movement of the user is counteracted in such a way that the adjustment of the backrest 3 is carried out by only a few angular degrees. A manual adjustment by less than 1° is preferred.

[0043] Due to this embodiment of the invention, the adjustment motor 8 has a self-locking mechanism in one direction. The backrest 3 cannot be adjusted in the actuating direction even in the case of an increased application of force. However, it is also conceivable that the self-locking mechanism is designed in such a way that an increased application of force in the actuating direction allows for an adjustment of the backrest 3.

[0044] The motor vehicle seat 1 according to the invention therefore does not require any additional components such as brakes or latching mechanisms, the installation of which is associated with higher costs and increased space requirements. In the event of a malfunction of the electrical supply to the motor vehicle seat 1, for example in the event of a voltage drop due to a discharged battery, a user can adjust the backrest 3 of the motor vehicle seat 1 manually at any time based on this embodiment of the invention.

[0045] While the invention has been illustrated and described in connection with currently preferred embodiments shown and described in detail, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and practical application to thereby enable a person skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

[0046] What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims and includes equivalents of the elements recited therein: