Locking Device
AssigneeJohnson Controls GmbH
InventorsFrank Weber, Karthikeyan Subramanian
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A locking device, such as a pawl and sector latch for a vehicle seat, is provided. The locking device includes a first fitting part having a body portion and an insert form-fitted in a recess in an outer periphery of the body portion. The insert has an outer contour having a plurality of teeth. The locking device further includes a second fitting part configured to be moved into a releasable form-fitting engagement with the first fitting part.
Claims20
A locking device for the seat of a motor vehicle, the locking device comprising:
- a first fitting part having a body portion and an insert, the body portion having an edge portion defining a recess in which the insert is received such that the insert is substantially co-planar with the body portion and substantially fixed in place during normal operation of the locking device, the insert having a first contour;
- a member pivotable with respect to the first fitting part;
- and
- a second fitting part coupled to the member and configured to be moved into a releasable form-fitting engagement with the insert of the first fitting part,
- wherein the first contour of the insert and a complimentary contoured surface of the second fitting part provide the form-fitting engagement.
A vehicle seat comprising:
- a seat part;
- a backrest pivotally coupled with respect to the seat part;
- and
- a locking device for locking the position of the backrest with respect to the seat part, the locking device comprising:
- a first fitting part mounted relative to one of the seat part and the backrest, the first fitting part having a body portion and at least one insert coupled to the body portion, the insert having a first contour;
- and
- a second fitting part mounted relative to the other of the seat part and the backrest, the second fitting movable into a releasable engagement with the first fitting part,
- wherein the first contour of the insert is engageable with the second fitting part to fix the first and second fitting parts with respect to each other.
A method of manufacturing a locking device, the method comprising:
- providing a first fitting part with a body portion formed of a first material;
- coupling an insert formed of a second material to the body portion in a form-fitting manner, the insert having a first contour;
- and
- providing a second fitting part configured to be moved into a releasable form-fitting engagement with the first contour of the insert coupled to the first fitting part;
- wherein the first material is a viscoplastic material and the second material is a relatively harder material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.