U.S. patent application number 10/735034 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for round recliner for vehicle.
Invention is credited to Kim, Seong Tae, Park, Myung Won.
Application Number | 20050140196 10/735034 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33028808 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050140196 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park, Myung Won ; et
al. |
June 30, 2005 |
ROUND RECLINER FOR VEHICLE
Abstract
A round recliner for a vehicle having three lock gears evenly
spaced apart from each other. Each of the lock gears are interposed
between a cam and a corresponding lock gear supporting member in
such a manner that the lock gears are engaged with a circular inner
gear part of a sector gear, wherein the lock gears are turned along
the lock gear supporting members so that an outer gear part of each
of the lock gears is disengaged from the inner gear part of the
sector gear or the outer gear part of each of the lock gears is
engaged with the inner gear part of the sector gear, thereby
minimizing occurrence of clearances in the recliner and preventing
any irregular engagement of the recliner.
Inventors: |
Park, Myung Won; (Seoul,
KR) ; Kim, Seong Tae; (Cheonan-Si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SCHMEISER OLSEN & WATTS
18 E UNIVERSITY DRIVE
SUITE # 101
MESA
AZ
85201
|
Family ID: |
33028808 |
Appl. No.: |
10/735034 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
297/367R |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60N 2/2362
20150401 |
Class at
Publication: |
297/367 |
International
Class: |
B60N 002/02 |
Claims
1. A round recliner mounted in a seat of a vehicle for controlling
an angle of inclination of the back of the seat, the recliner
comprising: a sector gear including a circular shaft hole formed so
that a rotating shaft is inserted therethrough, a circular inner
gear part engaged with outer gear parts of lock gears, a back
connection part having a plurality of connection protrusions for
connecting the back connection part to the back of the seat, the
connection protrusions being spaced a uniform angular distance from
each other and also spaced a uniform radial distance from the
circular shaft hole, and a lock gear receiving part formed at the
inner surface of the sector gear for receiving three lock gears and
an actuating cam; a holder combined with the sector gear, the
holder including a cam receiving part for receiving connection
protrusions of the actuating cam, three lock gear supporting
members for supporting the three lock gears, respectively, so that
the lock gears are locked or released, a seat connection part
having first three connection protrusions and second three
connection protrusions for connecting the seat connection part to
the seat, each of the first connection protrusions having a
diameter different from each of the second connection protrusions,
the first connection protrusions being spaced a uniform angular
distance from each other and also spaced a uniform radial distance
from the center of the seat connection part, the second connection
protrusions being spaced a uniform angular distance from each other
and also spaced a uniform radial distance from the center of the
seat connection part, the first and second connection protrusions
being alternately arranged, and a lock gear receiving part formed
at the inner surface of the holder for receiving the lock gears;
the actuating cam disposed between the sector gear and the cam
receiving part of the holder for locking the lock gears in the
sector gear or releasing the lock gears from the sector gear by
rotation of the rotating shaft; the three lock gears engaged with
the inner gear part of the sector gear so that the lock gears are
locked or released; a return spring for maintaining the locked
state of the actuating cam; and a fixing holder for preventing
separation of the assembled sector gear and holder from each
other.
2. The recliner as set forth in claim 1, wherein the cam receiving
part of the holder is provided at the center thereof with a shaft
hole, the rotating shaft being inserted through the shaft hole, and
the cam receiving part of the holder is provided at the
circumference thereof with a spring fixing groove for fixing an
outer end of the return spring.
3. The recliner as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the lock
gear supporting members includes: first and second sliding
supporting surfaces for supporting each of the lock gears so that
each of the lock gears is slidably moved on the first and second
sliding supporting surfaces; a first blocking supporting surface
for supporting each of the lock gears when the lock gears are
locked; and a second blocking supporting surface for supporting
each of the lock gears when the lock gears are released, and
wherein the first and second sliding surfaces and the first
blocking supporting surface are formed in the shape of circular
arcs each having a rotating point as its center.
4. The recliner as set forth in claim 3, wherein a line extended
from the center of the first sliding supporting surface of each of
the lock gear supporting members to the middle of the outer gear
part of each of the lock gears is perpendicular to another line
extended from a rotating point of each of the lock gears to the
middle of the outer gear part of each of the lock gears.
5. The recliner as set forth in claim 1, wherein the actuating cam
includes: a rotating shaft insertion hole formed so that a
polygonal end of the rotating shaft is inserted therethrough, and
so that the actuating cam is rotated together with the rotating
shaft; the connection protrusions inserted in the cam receiving
part of the cam; a spring fixing groove for fixing an inner end of
the return spring; lock gear actuating protrudes for actuating
locking protrudes and releasing protrudes of the lock gears,
respectively, so that the lock gears are locked in the sector gear
or released from the sector gear; and lock gear fixing protrudes
for pressing against the locking protrudes of the lock gears,
respectively, so that the lock gears are completely fixed to the
sector gear.
6. The recliner as set forth in claim 5, wherein the lock gear
actuating protrudes and the lock gear fixing protrudes are formed
in the shape of steps, respectively, so that the lock gear
actuating protrudes and the lock gear fixing protrudes make contact
with the lock gears and are separated from the lock gears by means
of two step-like point contacts in a step fashion when the lock
gears are locked or released.
7. The recliner as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of the lock
gears includes: the outer gear part having the same gear size as
the inner gear part of the sector gear; the releasing protrude; and
the locking protrude.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a recliner mounted in a
seat of a vehicle for controlling an angle of inclination of the
back of the seat, and more particularly to a round recliner for a
vehicle that is capable of minimizing occurrence of clearances in
the recliner and preventing any irregular engagement of the
recliner.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] As well known to those skilled in the art, one or more seats
are provided in a vehicle, on which a driver or a passenger sits
comfortably. In the seat are mounted a pair of seat fixing bases
actuated by means of a lever for moving a seat back and forth, and
a recliner mounted to the rear end of one of the seat fixing bases
for rotating the back of the seat back and forth. The recliner is
used for the driver or the passenger to adjust a rotational
position of the back of the seat based on his/her body form.
[0005] The aforesaid recliner is usually mounted to one side of the
seat fixing base to which an actuating lever is attached. When the
vehicle collides with another vehicle or any structure, the back of
the seat leans forward. At this time, the back of the seat attached
to the seat fixing base where the recliner is not provided leans
forward, whereas the back of the seat attached to the seat fixing
base where the recliner is provided does not lean forward. As a
result, a rotational force is generated about the recliner, and
thus a repulsive force and the rotational force are applied to the
back of the seat when the driver or the passenger is pushed
forwardly.
[0006] A recliner as shown in FIG. 8 has been proposed in order to
solve the aforesaid problems. As shown in FIG. 8, lower fixing
members 2 are attached to the rear ends of seat fixing bases 1,
respectively. To the lower fixing members 2 are pivotably attached
upper fixing members 4 for controlling a rotating movement of the
back of the seat. The recliner comprises a first recliner part
having a lower gear 12 rotated by means of a rotational movement of
a cam 13 effected by an actuating lever 10 for controlling a
rotating movement of the back of the seat, and a second recliner
part connected to the first recliner part via a shaft 14. The
second recliner part has a link 15, by which the second recliner
part can be cooperated with the first recliner part. At one of the
seat fixing bases 1 is provided a nut hole 16, which is close to
the lower fixing member 2. A safety belt 17 is fixed to the seat
fixing base 1 by means of the nut hole 16.
[0007] As described above, the recliner is very complicated in its
structure, with the result that the assembly of the recliner is
difficult and the cost of manufacturing the recliner is increased.
Furthermore, the nut hole provided for fixing the safety belt is
formed at the front part of the seat fixing base due to the
structure of the lower fixing member. Consequently, the safety belt
does not function effectively when the vehicle collides with
another vehicle or any structure.
[0008] Therefore, a recliner as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 has been
proposed in order to solve the aforesaid problems. As shown in
FIGS. 9 and 10, the recliner comprises: a lock gear guiding groove
32 formed inside an upper actuating member 30 by means of blanking,
in which a lock gear 50 is operatively arranged; an inner gear part
34 formed on the lower inner edge of the lock gear guiding groove
32 by means of the aforesaid blanking, the lock gear 50 being
engaged with the inner gear part 34; a lock gear actuating groove
42 formed inside a lower supporting member 40 by means of the
aforesaid blanking; an inner gear part 45 formed on the lower inner
edge of the lock gear actuating groove 42 by means of the aforesaid
blanking; a reinforcing portion 44 protruded from the lower
supporting member 40, the reinforcing portions 44 being inserted
into the lock gear guiding groove 32 of the upper actuating member
30, the lock gear 50 being actuated vertically by means of an
actuating cam 60 in the lock gear actuating groove 42 of the lower
supporting member 40; and a cam hole 54 formed in the lock gear 50,
the cam hole 54 having a top end surface 56 and a bottom end
surface 58, the top end surface 56 being in contact with a top end
62 of the actuating cam 60 and the bottom end surface 58 being in
contact with a bottom end 64 of the actuating cam 60, the actuating
cam 60 actuating vertically in the cam hole 54 of the lock gear
50.
[0009] The upper actuating member 30 and the lower supporting
member 40 are securely fixed to each other by means of the lock
gear 50, and the lock gear is actuated in the lock gear guiding
groove 32 of the upper actuating member 30 and the lock gear
actuating groove 42 of the lower supporting member 40.
Consequently, twisting from side to side is reduced as compared to
other conventional recliners even when any impact is applied to the
recliner as the vehicle collides with another vehicle from the
front or from behind, and thus any breakage of the lock gear 50 is
prevented. Since the lock gear 50 and the actuating cam 60 are
operated only by means of a shaft 70 in the lower supporting member
40, however, there is a clearance between the lock gear 50 and the
actuating cam 60, which causes noise and vibration.
[0010] Furthermore, an outer gear part 52 is engaged with the inner
gear part 45 of the lower supporting member 40 as well as the inner
gear part 34 of the upper actuating member 30. Consequently, the
assembly operation of the recliner is very difficult, and the
engagement of the gear parts may be irregular, which also causes
noise and vibration.
[0011] Moreover, when the recliner is loaded in front thereof or in
the rear thereof, not only twisting of the recliner from side to
side occurs but also shaking of the recliner occurs, whereby the
load is not evenly applied to the outer gear part 52 of the lock
gear 50. Consequently, a degree of strength of the recliner may be
decreased, and the recliner may be easily damaged even by a light
impact.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of
the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to
provide a round recliner for a vehicle, comprising three lock gears
evenly spaced apart from each other, each of the lock gears being
interposed between a cam and a corresponding lock gear supporting
member in such a manner that the lock gears are engaged with a
circular inner gear part of a sector gear, thereby minimizing
occurrence of clearances in the recliner and preventing any
irregular engagement of the recliner.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
round recliner for a vehicle, comprising three lock gears, to each
of which an external force is applied at a right angle thereto in
such a manner that the external force is dispersed at three points,
respectively, for evenly distributing the force to inner gear parts
of the lock gears so that the strength of each of the inner gear
parts of the lock gears is increased, and thus the strength of the
recliner is also increased.
[0014] In accordance with the present invention, the above and
other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a round
recliner mounted in a seat of a vehicle for controlling an angle of
inclination of the back of the seat, the recliner comprising: a
sector gear including a circular shaft hole formed so that a
rotating shaft is inserted therethrough, a circular inner gear part
engaged with outer gear parts of lock gears, a back connection part
having a plurality of connection protrusions for connecting the
back connection part to the back of the seat, the connection
protrusions being spaced a uniform angular distance from each other
and also spaced a uniform radial distance from the circular shaft
hole, and a lock gear receiving part formed at the inner surface of
the sector gear for receiving three lock gears and an actuating
cam; a holder combined with the sector gear, the holder including a
cam receiving part for receiving connection protrusions of the
actuating cam, three lock gear supporting members for supporting
the three lock gears, respectively, so that the lock gears are
locked or released, a seat connection part having first three
connection protrusions and second three connection protrusions for
connecting the seat connection part to the seat, each of the first
connection protrusions having a diameter different from each of the
second connection protrusions, the first connection protrusions
being spaced a uniform angular distance from each other and also
spaced a uniform radial distance from the center of the seat
connection part, the second connection protrusions being spaced a
uniform angular distance from each other and also spaced a uniform
radial distance from the center of the seat connection part, the
first and second connection protrusions being alternately arranged,
and a lock gear receiving part formed at the inner surface of the
holder for receiving the lock gears; the actuating cam disposed
between the sector gear and the cam receiving part of the holder
for locking the lock gears in the sector gear or releasing the lock
gears from the sector gear by rotation of the rotating shaft; the
three lock gears engaged with the inner gear part of the sector
gear so that the lock gears are locked or released; a return spring
for maintaining the locked state of the actuating cam, i.e., the
engagement of the lock gears with the sector gear; and a fixing
holder for preventing separation of the assembled sector gear and
holder from each other.
[0015] Preferably, each of the lock gear supporting members
includes: first and second sliding supporting surfaces for
supporting each of the lock gears so that each of the lock gears is
slidably moved on the first and second sliding supporting surfaces;
a first blocking supporting surface for supporting each of the lock
gears when the lock gears are locked; and a second blocking
supporting surface for supporting each of the lock gears when the
lock gears are released, and wherein the first and second sliding
surfaces and the first blocking supporting surface are formed in
the shape of circular arcs each having a rotating point as its
center.
[0016] Preferably, a line extended from the center, i.e., the
rotating point, of the first sliding supporting surface of each of
the lock gear supporting members to the middle of the outer gear
part of each of the lock gears is perpendicular to another line
extended from a rotating point of each of the lock gears to the
middle of the outer gear part of each of the lock gears.
[0017] Preferably, the cam receiving part of the holder is provided
at the center thereof with a shaft hole, the rotating shaft being
inserted through the shaft hole, and the cam receiving part of the
holder is provided at the circumference thereof with a spring
fixing groove for fixing an outer end of the return spring.
[0018] Preferably, the actuating cam includes: a rotating shaft
insertion hole formed so that a polygonal end of the rotating shaft
is inserted therethrough, and so that the actuating cam is rotated
together with the rotating shaft; the connection protrusions
inserted in the cam receiving part of the cam; a spring fixing
groove for fixing an inner end of the return spring; lock gear
actuating protrudes for actuating locking protrudes and releasing
protrudes of the lock gears, respectively, so that the lock gears
are locked in the sector gear or released from the sector gear; and
lock gear fixing protrudes for pressing against the locking
protrudes of the lock gears, respectively, so that the lock gears
are completely fixed to the sector gear.
[0019] Preferably, the lock gear actuating protrudes and the lock
gear fixing protrudes are formed in the shape of steps,
respectively, so that the lock gear actuating protrudes and the
lock gear fixing protrudes make contact with the lock gears and are
separated from the lock gears by means of two step-like point
contacts in a step fashion when the lock gears are locked or
released.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat of a vehicle in which
a round recliner according to the present invention is mounted;
[0022] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the round recliner
according to the present invention;
[0023] FIGS. 3a to 3d are detail views of components of the round
recliner according to the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of the round recliner
according to the present invention showing the assembled components
of the round recliner according to the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the round recliner according to
the present invention shown in FIG. 4;
[0026] FIG. 6a is a plan view showing the round recliner according
to the present invention in a locked state;
[0027] FIG. 6b is a plan view showing the round recliner according
to the present invention when its locked state is released;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the round recliner according to the
present invention illustrating the operation of the recliner;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a conventional recliner
showing a shaft connected between two opposite links of the
recliner;
[0030] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of another
conventional recliner; and
[0031] FIG. 10 is an assembled perspective view of the recliner of
FIG. 9.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a seat of a vehicle in which
a round recliner according to the present invention is mounted,
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the round recliner
according to the present invention, and FIGS. 3a to 3d are detail
views of components of the round recliner according to the present
invention.
[0033] A round recliner 100 of the present invention is generally
mounted in an existing car seat, as shown in FIG. 1. The back of
the car seat is normally in a locked state. When an angle of
inclination of the back of the car seat is to be controlled, a
driver releases the locked state of the recliner 100 to control the
angle of inclination of the back of the car seat, and then the
driver locks again the recliner 100.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3a to 3d, the round recliner 100 of
the present invention, which functions as mentioned above,
comprises: a sector gear 200; a holder 300 combined with the sector
gear 200; an actuating cam 400; three lock gears 500; a return
spring 600; and a fixing holder 700.
[0035] The sector gear 200 includes a circular shaft hole 210,
through which a rotating shaft 800 is inserted, a circular inner
gear part 220 engaged with outer gear parts of lock gears, a back
connection part 230 having a plurality of connection protrusions
231 formed thereon, by which the back connection part 230 is
connected to the back of a seat, the connection protrusions 231
being spaced a uniform angular distance from each other and also
spaced a uniform radial distance from the circular shaft hole 210,
and a lock gear receiving part 240 formed at the inner surface of
the sector gear 200 for receiving three lock gears 500 and an
actuating cam 400.
[0036] The holder 300 includes a cam receiving part 310 for
receiving connection protrusions 420 of the actuating cam 400,
three lock gear supporting members 320 for supporting the three
lock gears 500, respectively, in such a manner that the lock gears
500 are locked or released, a seat connection part 330 having first
three connection protrusions 331 and second three connection
protrusions 332 formed thereon, by which the seat connection part
330 is connected to the seat, each of the first connection
protrusions 331 having a diameter different from each of the second
connection protrusions 332, the first connection protrusions 331
being spaced a uniform angular distance from each other and also
spaced a uniform radial distance from the center of the seat
connection part 330, the second connection protrusions 332 being
spaced a uniform angular distance from each other and also spaced a
uniform radial distance from the center of the seat connection part
330, the first and second connection protrusions 331 and 332 being
alternately arranged, and a lock gear receiving part 340 formed at
the inner surface of the holder 300 for receiving the lock gears
500.
[0037] The actuating cam 400 is disposed between the sector gear
200 and the cam receiving part 310 of the holder 300 for locking
the lock gears 500 in the sector gear 200 or releasing the lock
gears 500 from the sector gear 200 by rotation of the rotating
shaft 800.
[0038] The three lock gears 500 are engaged with the inner gear
part 220 of the sector gear 200 in such a manner that the lock
gears 500 are locked or released.
[0039] The return spring 600 is provided for maintaining the locked
state of the actuating cam, i.e., the engagement of the lock gears
500 with the sector gear 200.
[0040] The fixing holder 700 is provided for preventing separation
of the assembled sector gear 200 and holder 300 from each
other.
[0041] The cam receiving part 310 of the holder 300 is provided at
the center thereof with a shaft hole 311, through which the
rotating shaft 800 is inserted. The cam receiving part 310 of the
holder 300 is provided at the circumference thereof with a spring
fixing groove 312 for fixing an outer end 620 of the return spring
600.
[0042] Each of the lock gear supporting members 320 includes: first
and second sliding supporting surfaces 321 and 322 for supporting
each of the lock gears 500 in such a manner that each of the lock
gears 500 is slidably moved on the first and second sliding
supporting surfaces 321 and 322; a first blocking supporting
surface 323 for supporting each of the lock gears 500 when the lock
gears 500 are locked; and a second blocking supporting surface 324
for supporting each of the lock gears 500 when the lock gears 500
are released. The first and second sliding surfaces 321 and 322 and
the first blocking supporting surface 323 are formed in the shape
of circular arcs each having a rotating point A as its center
(Refer to FIG. 7). Consequently, occurrence of clearances in the
recliner is minimized, and thus the quality of the recliner is
improved.
[0043] A line extended from the center, i.e., the rotating point A,
of the first sliding supporting surface 321 of each of the lock
gear supporting members 320 to the middle of the outer gear part
510 of each of the lock gears 500 is perpendicular to another line
extended from a rotating point B of each of the lock gears 500 to
the middle of the outer gear part 510 of each of the lock gears 500
(Refer to FIG. 7). Consequently, an external force is applied to
each of the three lock gears 500 at a right angle thereto, and the
external forces are dispersed at three points, respectively. When
the external forces are applied to the three lock gears 500 at
right angles thereto at the three points, respectively, the forces
are evenly distributed to inner gear parts of the lock gears so
that the strength of each of the inner gear parts of the lock gears
is increased, and thus the strength of the recliner is also
increased.
[0044] The actuating cam 400 includes: a rotating shaft insertion
hole 410, through which a polygonal end of the rotating shaft 800
is inserted so that the actuating cam 400 is rotated together with
the rotating shaft 800; the connection protrusions 420 inserted in
the cam receiving part 310 of the cam 300; a spring fixing groove
430 for fixing an inner end 610 of the return spring 600; lock gear
actuating protrudes 440 for actuating locking protrudes 530 and
releasing protrudes 520 of the lock gears 500, respectively, so
that the lock gears 500 are locked in the sector gear 200 or
released from the sector gear 200; and lock gear fixing protrudes
450 for pressing against the locking protrudes 530 of the lock
gears 500, respectively, so that the lock gears 500 are completely
fixed to the sector gear 200.
[0045] The lock gear actuating protrudes 440 and the lock gear
fixing protrudes 450 are formed in the shape of steps,
respectively, so that the lock gear actuating protrudes 440 and the
lock gear fixing protrudes 450 make contact with the lock gears 500
and are separated from the lock gears 500 in a step fashion when
the lock gears 500 are locked or released. In other words, the
actuating cam 400 makes contact with the lock gears 500 and are
separated from the lock gears 500 by means of two step-like point
contacts a and b, whereby concentration of stress is prevented, and
the shape strength of each of the actuating cam 400 and the lock
gears 500 is increased (Refer to FIG. 6a).
[0046] Each of the lock gears 500 includes: the outer gear part 510
having the same gear size as the inner gear part 220 of the sector
gear 200; the releasing protrude 520; and the locking protrude
530.
[0047] When the lock gears 500 are turned along the lock gear
supporting members 320 of the holder 300 so that the lock gears 500
are close to the lock gear supporting members 320 of the holder
300, respectively, the outer gear part 510 of each of the lock
gears 500 is disengaged from the inner gear part 220 of the sector
gear 200. Consequently, the lock gears 500 are released. When the
lock gears 500 are turned back along the lock gear supporting
members 320 of the holder 300 so that the lock gears 500 are far
from the lock gear supporting members 320 of the holder 300,
respectively, the outer gear part 510 of each of the lock gears 500
is engaged with the inner gear part 220 of the sector gear 200.
Consequently, the lock gears 500 are locked.
[0048] The assembling process of the round recliner 100 with the
afore-stated construction according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0049] FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of the round recliner
according to the present invention showing the assembled components
of the round recliner according to the present invention, and FIG.
5 is a bottom view of the round recliner according to the present
invention shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the return
spring 600 is arranged around the connection protrusions 420 of the
actuating cam 400. The inner end 610 of the return spring 600 is
inserted into the spring fixing groove 430 of the actuating cam
400, and the outer end 620 of the return spring 600 is inserted
into the spring fixing groove 312 of the holder 300. The connection
protrusions 420 are disposed in the cam receiving part 310 of the
holder 300. The rotating shaft 800 is inserted through the shaft
hole 210 of the sector gear 200, the rotating shaft insertion hole
410 of the actuating cam 400, and the shaft hole 311 of the cam
receiving part 310 of the holder 300, in order, so that the
actuating cam is rotated with rotation of the rotating shaft 800.
Each of the three lock gears 500 is disposed at each of the lock
gear receiving parts 340 between one of the three lock gear
supporting members 320 and the neighboring lock gear supporting
member, and the sector gear 200 is attached to the holder 300. The
fixing holder 700 is fitted on the assembled sector gear 200 and
the holder 300, and then outer circumference of the fixing holder
700 is pressed by means of a press. In this way, the assembled
recliner 100 is obtained.
[0050] The operation of the round recliner 100 with the
afore-stated construction according to the present invention will
now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0051] FIG. 6a is a plan view showing the round recliner according
to the present invention in a locked state, and FIG. 6b is a plan
view showing the round recliner according to the present invention
when its locked state is released. The recliner 100 of the present
invention is locked as shown in FIG. 6a. When the rotating shaft
800 is rotated clockwise, the actuating cam 400 is also rotated
clockwise. At this time, the lock gear actuating protrudes 440 of
the actuating cam 400 push up the releasing protrudes 520 of the
lock gears 500, as shown in FIG. 6b, whereby the lock gears 500 are
turned along the second sliding supporting surfaces 322 of the lock
gear supporting members 320 of the holder 300 to make contact with
the second blocking supporting surfaces 324, respectively.
Consequently, the outer gear part 510 of each of the lock gears 500
is disengaged from the inner gear part 220 of the sector gear 200,
and thus the lock gears 500 are released. At this time, the return
spring 600 inwardly shrinks to retain a restoring force.
Consequently, the rotating shaft 800 must be held in order to keep
the recliner 100 of the present invention released.
[0052] When the rotating shaft 800 is released to lock the recliner
100 of the present invention, the rotating shaft 800 is rotated
counterclockwise by means of the restoring force of the return
spring 600. As a result, the actuating cam 400 is also rotated
counterclockwise, and returned to the initial position. At this
time, the lock gear actuating protrudes 440 of the actuating cam
400 push up the locking protrudes 530 of the lock gears 500, as
shown in FIG. 6a, whereby the lock gears 500 are turned back along
the first and second sliding supporting surfaces 321 and 322 of the
lock gear supporting members 320 of the holder 300 to make contact
with the first blocking supporting surfaces 323, respectively, so
that the lock gear fixing protrudes 450 is strongly pressed against
the locking protrudes 530 of the lock gears 500. Consequently, the
outer gear part 510 of each of the lock gears 500 is engaged with
the inner gear part 220 of the sector gear 200, and thus the lock
gears 500 are locked. At this time, the actuating cam 400 is no
longer moved by means of the return spring 600, whereby the
engagement of the lock gears 500 with the sector gear 200 is stably
maintained.
[0053] In brief, the lock gears 500 are turned along the lock gear
supporting members 320 of the holder 300 so that the lock gears 500
are close to the lock gear supporting members 320 of the holder
300, respectively. As a result, the outer gear part 510 of each of
the lock gears 500 is disengaged from the inner gear part 220 of
the sector gear 200. Consequently, the lock gears 500 are released.
When the lock gears 500 are turned back along the lock gear
supporting members 320 of the holder 300 so that the lock gears 500
are far from the lock gear supporting members 320 of the holder
300, respectively, the outer gear part 510 of each of the lock
gears 500 is engaged with the inner gear part 220 of the sector
gear 200. Consequently, the lock gears 500 are locked.
[0054] The lock gears 500 of the present invention are turned along
the supporting surfaces 321, 322 and 323 formed at the lock gear
supporting members 320 of the holder 300, whereby clearances
between the lock gears 500 and the lock gear supporting members 320
of the holder 300 do not occur, and thus the strength of the
recliner of the present invention is increased.
[0055] As apparent from the above description, the present
invention provides a round recliner for a vehicle, comprising three
lock gears evenly spaced apart from each other, each of the lock
gears being interposed between a cam and a corresponding lock gear
supporting member in such a manner that the lock gears are engaged
with a circular inner gear part of a sector gear, wherein the lock
gears are turned along the lock gear supporting members so that an
outer gear part of each of the lock gears is disengaged from the
inner gear part of the sector gear or the outer gear part of each
of the lock gears is engaged with the inner gear part of the sector
gear, thereby minimizing occurrence of clearances in the recliner
and preventing any irregular engagement of the recliner.
[0056] Furthermore, a line extended from a rotating point of a
first sliding supporting surface of each of the lock gear
supporting members to the middle of the outer gear part of each of
the lock gears is perpendicular to another line extended from a
rotating point of each of the lock gears to the middle of the outer
gear part of each of the lock gears, whereby an external force is
applied to each of the three lock gears at a right angle thereto,
and the external forces are dispersed at three points,
respectively. Consequently, the forces are evenly distributed to
inner gear parts of the lock gears so that the strength of each of
the inner gear parts of the lock gears is increased, and thus the
strength of the recliner is also increased.
[0057] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention
have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the
art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
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