Gear for an adjusting device in vehicles for adjusting two vehicle parts adjustable with respect to each other

Abstract

A gear for an adjusting device in vehicles for adjusting two vehicle parts adjustable relative to each other, in particular, for adjusting two parts of a seat adjusting device, a window lifter, or a sun roof, the gear including a drivable drive screw having gear teeth, a spindle nut, which has spindle nut teeth engaging with the screw teeth, and an internal thread, using which the spindle nut can be brought into engagement with a threaded spindle of the adjusting device, and a gear housing, which accommodates and supports the drive screw and the spindle nut. The spindle nut is made at least partially of metal, and the drive screw is made of plastic, and the gear housing includes a first bearing section made of plastic for supporting the spindle nut and a second bearing section made of metal for supporting the drive screw.

Claims

1. A gear for an adjusting device in vehicles for adjusting two vehicle parts adjustable relative to each other, the gear comprising: a drivable drive screw having drive screw gear teeth, a spindle nut comprising, spindle nut teeth that engage with the drive screw gear teeth, and an internal thread, that engages with a threaded spindle of the adjusting device, and a gear housing, which accommodates and supports the drive screw and the spindle nut, and wherein the spindle nut is made at least partially of metal, and the drive screw is made of plastic, and the gear housing includes a first bearing section made of plastic for supporting the spindle nut and a second bearing section made of metal for supporting the drive screw.

2. The gear according to claim 1, wherein the adjusting device adjusts two parts of the group consisting of a vehicle seat, a vehicle window lifter and a vehicle sun roof.

3. The gear according to claim 1, wherein the gear housing comprises: a first housing part made of plastic; and a second housing part made of metal, wherein the first bearing section is formed at least partially by the first housing part, and wherein the second bearing section is formed at least partially by the second housing part.

4. The gear according to claim 3, wherein the first housing part and the second housing part insert into each other to form a joint.

5. The gear according to claim 4, wherein the first housing part has first form-fitting engagement structure and the second housing part has second form-fitting engagement structure, which engage in each other in a form-fitting manner to form the joint.

6. The gear according to claim 1, further comprising: a the first housing part that includes a first subshell and a second subshell, wherein at least one of the first subshell or the second subshell has first positioning pins and corresponding first positioning bore holes for positioning the first subshell relative to the second subshell.

7. The gear as recited in claim 6, wherein the first subshell and the second subshell are attachable together with the aid of the second housing part.

8. The gear according to claim 6, wherein the first subshell and the second subshell have a same design.

9. The gear according to claim 6, wherein the second housing part comprises a first body and a second body, and wherein at least one of the first body or the second body has second positioning pins and corresponding second positioning bore holes for positioning the first body relative to the second body.

10. The gear according to claim 9, wherein the first body and the second body have a same design.

11. The gear according to claim 1, where the gear operates a spindle of the adjusting device, wherein the a spindle nut engages with the threaded spindle using an internal thread of the spindle nut, and wherein an assembled gear housing is connected to a second vehicle part non-displaceably in its adjusting direction.

12. The gear according to claim 11, wherein the adjusting device is a vehicle seat adjusting device.

13. A gear for an adjusting device in vehicles for adjusting two vehicle parts adjustable relative to each other, the gear comprising: a drivable drive screw having drive screw gear teeth, a spindle nut, comprising, spindle nut teeth that engage with the drive screw gear teeth, and an internal thread, that engages with a threaded spindle of the adjusting device, and a gear housing, which accommodates and supports the drive screw and the spindle nut, and wherein the drive screw is made of plastic, and the gear housing includes a first bearing section made of plastic for supporting the spindle nut and a second bearing section made of metal for supporting the drive screw, the second bearing section having at least one dimension that is at least as large as a largest diameter of the spindle nut.

14. The gear according to claim 13, wherein the adjusting device adjusts two parts of the group consisting of a vehicle seat, a vehicle window lifter and a vehicle sun roof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Exemplary specific embodiments of the present disclosure are elucidated in greater detail in the following with reference to the appended drawing.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an adjusting device, in this case for seat adjustment, in which a gear according to the present disclosure may be used;

[0027] FIG. 2a) shows a first exemplary embodiment of a gear according to the present disclosure in the assembled state in a perspective view;

[0028] FIG. 2b) shows the first exemplary embodiment in an exploded view;

[0029] FIG. 2c) shows the first exemplary embodiment in a schematic partially sectioned view;

[0030] FIG. 3a) shows a second exemplary embodiment of a gear according to the present disclosure in the assembled state in a perspective view;

[0031] FIG. 3b) shows the second exemplary embodiment in an exploded view;

[0032] FIG. 4a) shows a third exemplary embodiment of a gear according to the present disclosure in the assembled state in a perspective view;

[0033] FIG. 4b) shows the third exemplary embodiment in an exploded view;

[0034] FIG. 5a) shows a fourth exemplary embodiment of a gear according to the present disclosure in the assembled state in a perspective view;

[0035] FIG. 5b) shows the fourth exemplary embodiment in an exploded view;

[0036] FIG. 6a) shows a fifth exemplary embodiment of a gear according to the present disclosure in the assembled state in a perspective view;

[0037] FIG. 6b) shows the fifth exemplary embodiment in an exploded view;

[0038] FIG. 7a) shows a seventh exemplary embodiment of a gear according to the present disclosure in the assembled state in a perspective view, and

[0039] FIG. 7b) shows the seventh exemplary embodiment in an exploded view;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an adjusting device 10, in this case for a seat adjustment, in which a gear 12 according to the present disclosure may be used. Adjusting device 10 has a holding plate 14, which is assigned to an upper rail 16. Attachment lugs 18 for a drive motor 20 are provided on holding plate 14, so that drive motor 20 can be fixedly attached to holding plate 14 and thus to upper rail 16. The frame of the vehicle seat not illustrated here is attached to upper rail 16. Drive shafts 22 are situated on both sides of drive motor 20. These drive shafts 22 establish the connection to gear 12, which is described in greater detail below. Upper rail 16 slides directly or over adjusting and/or bearing elements (not illustrated) on a lower rail 24 attached to the vehicle floor. In the functional position of upper rail 16 and lower rail 24, these are guided so that a cavity is formed. A threaded spindle 26, non-rotatably supported in supports 28, which are fixedly situated on lower rail 24, is situated in this cavity. Threaded spindle 26 cooperates with gear 12, which is also situated in the cavity and is fixedly supported in upper rail 16. Lower rail 14 and upper rail 16 are therefore an example of two vehicle parts adjustable relative to each other.

[0041] FIG. 2a) shows a first exemplary embodiment of a gear 12.sub.1 according to the present disclosure in fully assembled state, and FIG. 2b) in an exploded view. Gear 12.sub.1 has a drive screw 30, which carries screw teeth 32 on its outer periphery. In the area of screw teeth 32, drive screw 30 shown has its largest diameter D. Drive screw 30 may be non-rotatably connected to drive shafts 22 of drive motor 20 (see FIG. 1).

[0042] Furthermore, gear 12 includes a spindle nut 34, which has spindle nut teeth 36 on its outer periphery. In addition, spindle nut 34 has an internal thread 38, which can be brought into engagement with threaded spindle 26 illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0043] Gear 12 also has a gear housing 40, which in the example shown includes a first housing part 42 and a second housing part 44. First housing part 42 forms a first bearing section 46 and second housing part 44 forms a second bearing section 48. First bearing section 46 forms two first bearing surfaces 50, which in the assembled state contact the ends of spindle nut 34. Similarly, second bearing section 48 forms two bearing surfaces 52, which in the assembled state of gear 12 contact the ends of drive screw 30. In addition, the two ends of spindle nut 34 are also supported on further bearing surfaces 53, whose lower first half is formed by second bearing section 48, and (not visible in FIGS. 2a) and 2b)), whose upper second half is formed by first bearing section 46. Therefore, FIG. 2c) shows a schematic, not-to-scale through gear 12.sub.1 in the assembled state. First bearing surfaces 50 formed by first bearing section 46 and further bearing surfaces 53 may merge with each other without interruption. Alternatively, shoulders (not illustrated) may be provided. In contrast, the lower halves of first bearing surfaces 50 and of further bearing surfaces 53 can be clearly distinguished from each other, since, as mentioned previously, the lower half of bearing surfaces 53 is formed by second bearing section 48. The lower half of further bearing surfaces 53 is therefore made of metal. In order to prevent increased erosion between second bearing surface 48 and spindle nut 34 in the axial direction and increased noise generation, first bearing section 46 may protrude in the axial direction to the center of gear housing 40 over second bearing section 48. Furthermore, spindle nut 34, as shown, may have a shoulder between the two ends and spindle nut teeth 36. Therefore, spindle nut 34 rests axially on first plastic bearing section 46 using its shoulder, rather than on second bearing section 48, which is advantageous compared with resting axially on second metallic bearing section 48, in particular because axial forces are usually greater than radial forces. In the example shown, drive screws 30 are made of plastic, and spindle nuts 34 are made of metal. It is also possible that spindle nut 34 is not made entirely of metal, but partly of metal and partly of plastic. Spindle nut 34 is mounted with both of its ends in first bearing section 46, which is made of plastic. In the example shown, first bearing section 46 and first bearing surface 50 are formed entirely by first housing part 42, first housing part 42 being made entirely of plastic. As mentioned, spindle nut 34 is also mounted partially in second bearing section 48 in this exemplary embodiment. First housing part 42 may be manufactured by injection die casting, for example.

[0044] As mentioned previously, drive screw 30 is made of plastic and is supported with both of its ends in second bearing section 48. However, in the example shown, second bearing surfaces 52 are formed not entirely, but only partially by second housing part 44, which is made of metal. Second housing part 44 may be made, for example, by a zinc pressure die casting process. Second bearing surfaces 52 are also formed by first plastic housing part 42. The selection of the plastic is determined in particular by its bearing properties and its cost. POM (polyoxymethylene), PPS (polyphenylene sulfide), PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), and LCP (liquid crystal polymers) suitable. Second bearing section 48 includes not only second bearing surfaces 52, which are contacted by drive screw 30 during operation, but also the bearing structure needed for supporting drive screw 30. In this case, second bearing section 48 includes the entire second housing part 44. Second bearing section 48 has at least one dimension E that is greater than or equal to the largest diameter D of drive screw 30. The direction of extension is not limited to a single plane.

[0045] To assemble the first exemplary embodiment of gear 12.sub.1, spindle nut 34 is introduced into second housing part 44, and drive screw 30 is placed with both of its ends on second housing part 44 and, in particular, on the lower half of second bearing surfaces 52. First housing part 42 is then placed over second housing part 44, spindle nut 34 being situated so that it contacts one of first bearing surfaces 50 of first housing part 42 with both of its ends. The two housing parts 42, 44 are than joined to each other, for which any suitable method of joining can be used, for example, ultrasound welding, laser welding, clipping, caulking, hot caulking, or crimping.

[0046] FIGS. 3a) and 3b) show a second exemplary embodiment of gear 12.sub.2 according to the present disclosure. Also in this exemplary embodiment, gear housing 40 has first housing part 42 and second housing part 44. However, in this exemplary embodiment, second bearing surface 52 for drive screw 30 is entirely formed by second housing part 44, while one-half of first bearing surface 50 for spindle nut 34 is formed by first housing part 42 and one-half by second housing part 44. First housing part 42 has first form fitting means 54 and second housing part 44 has second form fitting means 56, first form fitting means 54 being designed as cross webs 58, which in the assembled state engage in corresponding recesses 60 of second housing part 44.

[0047] FIGS. 4a) and 4b) show a third exemplary embodiment of gear 12.sub.3 according to the present disclosure, in which first housing part 42 has a first subshell 62 and a second subshell 64. First subshell 62 and second subshell 64 have the same design and have first positioning means 66, which in the example shown include two pins 68, which in the assembled state engage in a corresponding number of bore holes 70. The two subshells 62, 64 have further pins 72, which are perpendicular to pins 68 and on which the cover-shaped second housing part 44 can be mounted when the two subshells 62, 64 are joined to lock the two subshells 62, 64 together. In this exemplary embodiment, first bearing section 46 and thus first bearing surface 50 are entirely formed by first housing part 42, while one-half of second bearing surface 52 is formed by first housing part 42 and the other half by second housing part 44.

[0048] FIGS. 5a) and 5b) show a fourth exemplary embodiment of gear 12.sub.4 according to the present disclosure, first housing part 42 being again formed by first subshell 62 and second subshell 64. Subshells 62, 64 are, however, somewhat different, unlike in the third exemplary embodiment. There is only one pin 68 per subshell 62, 64, while, instead of the second pin, a tongue 74 is provided, which in the joined state engages in a mating recess 76.

[0049] Second housing part 44 has a first body 78 and a second body 80, which are provided with second positioning means 81. In this exemplary embodiment, second positioning means 81 include two pins 82, which are situated on first body 78 and engage in a corresponding number of bore holes 84 of second body 80. First and second bodies 78, 80 are therefore not of the same design.

[0050] First subshell 62 and second subshell 64 together form first bearing section 46; first body 78 and second body 80 together form one of second bearing sections 48.

[0051] The two subshells 62, 64 have first form fitting means 54, which in this case are designed as latching arms 86. Second form fitting means 56 are designed as shoulders 88 on first and second bodies 78, 80. For the assembly, first body 78 and second body 80 of second housing part 44 are joined together so that drive screw 30 is accommodated in second bearing sections 48. First subshell 62 and second subshell 64 are then joined together so that spindle nut 34 is supported in first bearing section 46. Finally, second housing part 44 is placed onto first housing part 42. Latching arms 86 engage behind recesses 88, whereby a form fitting joint is formed.

[0052] FIGS. 6a) and 6b) show a fifth exemplary embodiment of gear 12.sub.5 according to the present disclosure, which has a design similar to that of gear 12.sub.4 according to the fourth exemplary embodiment (see FIG. 5). However, there are no first form fitting means 54. Instead, first and second bodies 78, 80 have elevations 90, which in the assembled state engage in a window 92 of the respective subshells 62, 64. Therefore, although first and second bodies 78, 80 are positioned relative to the corresponding subshells 62, 64, they are not locked in this position. Subshells 62, 64 have the same design, first positioning means 66 including two pins 82, which in the assembled state engage in a corresponding number of bore holes 84 on the other subshell 62, 64.

[0053] FIGS. 7a) and 7b) show a sixth exemplary embodiment of gear 12.sub.6 according to the present disclosure, which has a design very similar to that of the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6. However, in this case, the two subshells 62, 64 do not have the same design, but the second subshell 64 has four pins 82, which engage in four bore holes 84 of second subshell 64. [0054] 10 adjusting device [0055] 12, 12.sub.1-12.sub.6 gear [0056] 14 holding plate [0057] 16 upper rail [0058] 18 fastening lug [0059] 20 drive motor [0060] 22 drive shaft [0061] 24 lower rail [0062] 26 threaded spindle [0063] 28 support [0064] 30 drive screw [0065] 32 screw teeth [0066] 34 spindle nut [0067] 36 spindle nut teeth [0068] 38 internal thread [0069] 40 gear housing [0070] 42 first housing part [0071] 44 second housing part [0072] 46 first bearing section [0073] 48 second bearing section [0074] 50 first bearing surface [0075] 52 second bearing surface [0076] 53 other bearing surface [0077] 54 first form fitting means [0078] 56 second form fitting means [0079] 58 cross web [0080] 60 recess [0081] 62 first subshell [0082] 64 second subshell [0083] 66 first positioning means [0084] 68 pin [0085] 70 bore hole [0086] 72 other pin [0087] 74 tongue [0088] 76 recess [0089] 78 first body [0090] 80 second body [0091] 81 second positioning means [0092] 82 pin [0093] 84 bore hole [0094] 86 latching arm [0095] 88 shoulder [0096] 90 elevation [0097] 92 window [0098] D diameter [0099] E dimension