Device for a vehicle seat

Abstract

Device for a vehicle seat (4) comprising a first pair of rails (10a, 10b) and a second pair of rails (12a, 12b), wherein the rails (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) are arrangeable on a floor (6) of an interior of a vehicle, wherein all rails (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) are oriented parallel to a direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the two rails (10a, 10b) of the first pair (10a, 10b) are arranged in a first rail plane and the two rails (12a, 12b) of the second pair (12a, 12b) are arranged in a second rail plane, wherein the two rail planes are arranged offset from each other with respect to a vertical axis of the vehicle, wherein each rail (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) has a front end and a rear end, wherein the front ends of the two rails (10a, 10b) of the first pair (10a, 10b) are arranged in front of the front ends of the two rails (12a, 12b) of the second pair (12a, 12b), wherein the two rails (10a, 10b, 12a,12b) each of a pair (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) have the same distance to a median plane oriented parallel to the direction of travel, wherein the two rails (10a, 10b) of the first pair (10a, 10b) have a smaller distance to the median plane than the two rails (12a, 12b) of the second pair (12a, 12b), wherein the two rails (10a, 10b) of the first pair (10a, 10b) in the first rail plane are arranged above the rails (12a, 12b) of the second pair (12a, 12b) in the second rail plane with respect to the vertical axis of the vehicle.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for a vehicle seat.

[0002] A vehicle seat located in a vehicle can be adjusted with regard to its spatial position within the vehicle's interior.

[0003] A rail system for a vehicle seat is described in the publication JP H08-197 988 A.

[0004] A seat fastening for a vehicle seat is known from publication DE 41 40 797 A1.

[0005] Document US 5 800 015 A describes a rail arrangement for a seat.

[0006] Document US 4,565,344 A describes a vehicle seat mounted on a stepped surface. A first seat rail is attached to the underside of the vehicle seat and engages with a first base rail on an upper step of the surface. Two legs are also attached to the underside of the vehicle seat, each with a second seat rail at its end, which engages with a second base rail on a lower step of the surface.

[0007] A seating device for a vehicle is known from publication US 2005 / 0218684A1.

[0008] A seating unit is known from the publication JP 2016- 199 229 A.

[0009] A vehicle with at least one vehicle seat is known from the publication DE 10 2020 117 436 A1.

[0010] Publication US 5 570 931 A shows an adjustable rear seat for a vehicle.

[0011] Against this background, it was a task to implement suitable adjustability for a vehicle seat.

[0012] This problem is solved by a device for a vehicle seat having the features of independent claim 1. Embodiments of the device are described in the dependent claims and the description.

[0013] The device according to the invention is designed for a vehicle seat and comprises a first pair of rails and a second pair of rails, all of which are oriented parallel to a direction of travel and / or longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The rails are arranged and / or can be arranged on the floor of an interior space of the vehicle. The two rails of the first pair are arranged in a first rail plane. The two rails of the second pair are arranged in a second rail plane, the two rail planes being offset from each other with respect to a vertical axis of the vehicle or arranged vertically one above the other.

[0014] Each rail of each pair has a front end and a rear end, with the front ends of the two rails of the first pair positioned in front of the front ends of the two rails of the second pair, or vice versa. For the device located on the floor of the vehicle's interior, a median plane or plane of symmetry is further defined, oriented parallel to the vehicle's direction of travel. The two rails of each pair are equidistant from the median plane and arranged symmetrically with respect to it.

[0015] The two rails of the first pair in the first rail plane are positioned above the rails of the second pair in the second rail plane with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis. This means that the first rail plane is positioned above the second rail plane relative to the vehicle's interior floor. Alternatively, the rails of the second pair in the second rail plane are positioned above the rails of the first pair in the first rail plane with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis. This means that the second rail plane is positioned above the first rail plane relative to the vehicle's interior floor.

[0016] Furthermore, the two rails of the first pair are closer to the center plane than the two rails of the second pair. Alternatively, the two rails of the second pair are closer to the center plane than the two rails of the first pair. It is also conceivable that the rails of both pairs are the same distance from the center plane.

[0017] Furthermore, the rear ends of the two rails of the first pair of rails are positioned relative to the direction of travel in front of the rear ends of the two rails of the second pair of rails, or vice versa.

[0018] Thus, the two rails of the first pair are, in this configuration, offset forward relative to the two rails of the second pair with respect to the vehicle's direction of travel and offset upwards with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis. Furthermore, the two rails of the first pair are offset inwards relative to the two rails of the second pair, with the median plane between the two rails of the first inner pair being symmetrically arranged. Additionally, a first rail of the first pair of rails is positioned between the median plane and a first rail of the second pair of rails. Similarly, a second rail of the first pair of rails is positioned between the median plane and the second rail of the second pair of rails.

[0019] The device for the vehicle seat is designed for, for example, a stepped floor in the vehicle's interior, wherein this floor has a first and a second section, the rails of the first pair being arranged in the first rail plane on the first section and the rails of the second pair being arranged in the second rail plane on the second section. These two sections are arranged offset from each other with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis.

[0020] In one embodiment, the first section of the floor is positioned in front of the second section with respect to the vehicle's direction of travel, and the first section is positioned higher than the second section with respect to the vehicle's vertical axis. In a further embodiment, the second section of the floor can be flat, with a raised section forming the first raised section. Regardless of the specific design of the floor, the rails of the first pair of rails are located on the first, front, raised section of the floor in the first rail plane, and the rails of the second pair of rails are located on the second, lower section of the floor, which is positioned behind it in the direction of travel, in the second rail plane.

[0021] The device is designed for a vehicle seat that has at least one front support structure and at least one rear support structure. The at least one front support structure of the vehicle seat is to be connected to the rails of the first front pair of rails, and the at least one rear support structure of the vehicle seat is to be connected to the rails of the second rear pair of rails.

[0022] It is possible that at least one of the two support structures has a cross brace. The cross brace of at least one of the two support structures is arranged and / or can be arranged between the two rails of at least one pair of rails, perpendicular to the two rails.

[0023] Alternatively or additionally, it is possible that at least one of the two support structures has two support elements, e.g., two ischial legs and / or support legs. In each case, one support element of at least one of the two support structures is connected, connectable, and / or can be connected to a rail of at least one pair of rails.

[0024] Regardless of the specific design of a given support structure, the vehicle seat can be moved or moved along the rails parallel to the vehicle's direction of travel, for example, by sliding or shifting. In one embodiment, the front support structure includes a crossbar that is positioned between the two rails of the first pair of rails and is movable between these two rails. It is possible for one end of the crossbar to be located in the first of the two rails and the other end to be located in the second of the two rails, and / or to be accommodated within each rail. Furthermore, the crossbar is connected to the vehicle seat between its two ends.Accordingly, it is possible that the rear support structure also has such a crossbar, which, however, is longer than the corresponding crossbar of the front support structure.

[0025] The two support elements, e.g., seat legs, are typically intended for the rear support structure of the vehicle seat. Each such support structure is connected to the vehicle seat on one side and to, or can be connected to, one rail of the second pair of rails on the other. It is also possible that the front support structure has two support elements, each of which is connected to, or can be connected to, one rail of the first pair of rails.

[0026] Regardless of the specific design of each support structure, it is intended that the front support structure is connected to, connectable to, and / or capable of being connected to the two rails of the first pair of rails, and is slidable and / or capable of being moved along these two rails of the first pair when the vehicle seat is moved parallel to the direction of travel. In contrast, the rear support structure is connectable to, and / or capable of being connected to, the two rails of the second pair of rails, and is slidable and / or capable of being moved along these two rails to allow the vehicle seat to be moved.

[0027] In one embodiment, the device comprises at least one mounting adapter for connecting the vehicle seat to the rails. With such a mounting adapter, it is possible to adapt an existing seat to the device presented here, regardless of the original design of its support structure. The device allows the seat and / or at least one support structure of the vehicle seat to be movably connected to the two rails of the first pair of rails and to the two rails of the second pair of rails via the at least one mounting adapter. Depending on the definition, the at least one mounting adapter may have at least one of the aforementioned support structures and / or be designed or described as such.

[0028] It is intended that the two pairs of rails, as described above, are arranged on and / or installed on the floor of the vehicle's interior. The device may include a raised section on the interior floor, with the two rails of the first pair being at least partially arranged on this raised section, while the two rails of the second pair may be arranged directly on the floor. By providing such a raised section, the two rails of the first pair are positioned above or over the rails of the second pair.

[0029] The device is designed for a vehicle seat in the first or front row of the vehicle, e.g., for a driver's seat and / or passenger seat. Furthermore, the device is designed for a vehicle seat in a vehicle classified as a motor vehicle.

[0030] The two pairs of rails, e.g., seat rails, provide the vehicle seat with an extended adjustment range within the vehicle's interior, allowing for relative movement and thus adjustment of the seat's position. This makes it possible to move the seat forward or backward as needed, with the seat typically being in contact with both pairs of rails via its support structures and thus being movable relative to both pairs of rails.

[0031] By providing two differently arranged pairs of rails, which can also be designed or referred to as partial rails, an extended adjustment range is provided for the vehicle seat, divided into two pairs of rails, allowing for relative movement, e.g., sliding and / or adjusting, of the vehicle seat within the interior. The first (front) pair of rails is positioned above the second (rear) pair, and thus the second (rear) pair is positioned below. Furthermore, the two rails of the first (top) pair are offset inwards, while the two rails of the second (rear) pair are positioned further outwards, e.g., nested. Therefore, the two rails of the first (front) pair are closer together than the two rails of the second (rear) pair.

[0032] The device is intended, for example, for a vehicle seat designed or designated as a front seat, whose adjustment range is extended without constraint to create a continuous level floor in the interior. If the vehicle interior floor might have a step, a front section of this step is positioned above a second section of the step relative to the vehicle's vertical axis, with the first, higher section positioned in front of the second, rear section relative to the vehicle's direction of travel. With such a vehicle interior floor, the two rails of the first pair are positioned directly on the front, higher section, and the two rails of the second pair are positioned directly on the rear, lower section of the interior floor. The higher section can be provided by the raised section.

[0033] Furthermore, the device allows for different comfort seating positions for an occupant seated in the vehicle, such as increased legroom. The device is typically designed for a front-row seat, and its relative movement, such as shifting, along the rails can be fully utilized when a seat in the second rear row immediately behind it is currently unoccupied. By positioning the rails of the second rear row lower than those of the first front row, a fixed point of the seat, such as the seat's support structure, can remain in its original position, thus minimizing the vehicle's height and increasing its range efficiency.Furthermore, the device allows for the provision of an occupant protection concept for extended seating positions. It is also possible to extend an element, such as a support structure, from an existing vehicle seat or corresponding seat module by means of a suitable mounting adapter. The vehicle seat is then adapted to the presented device or rail system via this mounting adapter. The device is modularly constructed from two pairs of rails, making it possible to adapt the device to different installation space situations within the vehicle interior, including the floor structure. By providing the two separate pairs of rails, it is possible to utilize the maximum cross-section of the vehicle body without, for example, obstructing the routing of infrastructure.to block a vehicle electrical system or an air supply vehicle, to a pillar of the vehicle, e.g. a B-pillar.

[0034] Furthermore, the entire adjustment range of the vehicle seat is divided between the two pairs of rails. It is also possible to adapt at least one mounting adapter to an existing integrated seat belt structure and / or combine it with it. Seat rails for the first row are typically mounted on brackets and offer an adjustment range of only up to 350 mm. Seat rails with longer adjustment ranges are arranged horizontally within a network of the vehicle and require a flat floor in the seat's adjustment range.

[0035] Furthermore, short seat rails on body-mounted consoles offer only a limited adjustment range in the longitudinal direction and do not allow for the implementation of extended seating positions.

[0036] In contrast, the presented device for the vehicle seat makes it possible to provide extended seating positions, for example, for working and / or lying down. Furthermore, it allows for the use of differently adjustable seating positions for automated driving. The device is also designed for interiors with uneven floors where long rails cannot be installed. Thus, the device makes it possible to adapt to efficiency requirements, such as those related to the vehicle's frontal area and / or roofline, by appropriately assigning seating positions, for example, via fixed points.

[0037] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or on their own, without leaving the scope of the present invention.

[0038] The invention is schematically illustrated in the drawings with reference to an embodiment and is described schematically and in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of the device according to the invention for a vehicle seat.

[0039] The figures are described in a coherent and comprehensive manner; identical components are assigned the same reference symbols.

[0040] The embodiment of the device 2 according to the invention for a vehicle seat 4 of a vehicle, here a motor vehicle, is described in the Fig. 1a, Fig. 1b, Fig. 1c and Fig. Figure 1d shows a schematic representation from different perspectives. The vehicle seat 4 is arranged, or is arranged, to be movable relative to the floor 6 of the vehicle's interior via the device. The floor 6 has a flat section 7 and a raised section 8, with this raised section 8 being arranged directly on the flat section 7 of the floor 6. Depending on the definition, the floor 6 is stepped, with a first, higher step formed by the raised section 8, which is located in front of the flat section 7 of the floor 6 below it, relative to the vehicle's direction of travel.

[0041] In this embodiment, device 2 is provided for by defining a median plane or a plane of symmetry which is oriented parallel to the direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the median plane is spanned by the direction of travel and a vertical axis of the vehicle.

[0042] The device 2 comprises a first pair of rails 10a, 10b and a second pair of rails 12a, 12b, wherein the rails 10a, 10b of the first pair are arranged in a first rail plane and the rails 12a, 12b of the second pair are arranged in a second rail plane. The two rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b are offset forward relative to the two rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle and are arranged above the two rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b with respect to the vertical axis of the vehicle. Furthermore, the two rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b are arranged further inwards in relation to the central plane compared to the two rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b.

[0043] In detail, it is provided that each rail 10a, 10b, 12a, 12b has a front end and a rear end. The two front ends of the rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b are arranged in a first position, and the two front ends of the rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b are arranged in a second position, with the first position being located ahead of the second position with respect to the direction of travel. Furthermore, the two rear ends of the rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b are arranged in a third position, and the rear ends of the rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b are arranged in a fourth position, with the third position being located ahead of the fourth position with respect to the direction of travel.Thus, the two front ends of rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b are positioned in front of the front ends of the two rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b with respect to the direction of travel. Furthermore, the rear ends of the two rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b are positioned in front of the rear ends of the two rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b with respect to the direction of travel.

[0044] Since the two rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b are at least partially arranged on the elevation 8 in the first rail plane, they are also higher than the two rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b in the second rail plane, which are arranged on the flat section 7 of the base 6. Furthermore, each rail 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b has the same, here first, distance to the median plane or plane of symmetry of the device 2. In addition, the two rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b each have a second distance relative to the median plane or plane of symmetry. It is provided here that the first distance of each rail 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b to the central plane is less than the second distance of each rail 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b to the central plane.

[0045] Furthermore, the vehicle seat 4 has two support structures for supporting the vehicle seat 4 and / or for connecting the vehicle seat 4 to the rails 10a, 10b, 12a, 12b of the device 2. A first front support structure is arranged at a front area on the underside of the vehicle seat 4 and is designed as a crossbar 14. A second support structure comprises two support elements 16a, 16b, designed here as seat legs, which are arranged on the underside of the vehicle seat 4 behind the crossbar 14 with respect to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0046] How especially Fig. As shown in Figure 1d, the cross member 14 is arranged here as the first or front support structure between the two rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b. In addition, a support element 16a, 16b, designed as a seat leg, is connected on one side to the underside of the vehicle seat 4 and on the other side to one rail 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b.

[0047] Like arrows 18a, 18b in the Fig. 1a and Fig. As illustrated in Figure 1b, it is possible to move the vehicle seat 4 along the rails 10a, 10b, 12a, 12b of the device 2 either forwards (arrow 18a) or backwards (arrow 18b) in the direction of travel of the vehicle. Regardless of the direction of movement, the cross member 14, as the front support structure, is movably connected only to the two rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b, whereas the two support elements 16a, 16b of the rear support structure of the vehicle seat 4 are slidably connected to the rails 12a, 12b of the second pair of rails 12a, 12b.

[0048] Furthermore, the Fig. 1c and Fig.1d a carpet as a covering for the floor 6, i.e., to cover the elevation 8 and the flat section 7 of the floor 6. This carpet is divided into a first front section 20a and a second rear section 20b, wherein the front section 20a is designed to at least partially cover the two rails 10a, 10b of the first pair of rails 10a, 10b and also the elevation 8. The second section 20b of the carpet is designed to at least partially cover the two rails 12a, 12b of the rear pair of rails 12a, 12b and the flat section 7 of the floor 6. REFERENCE MARK: 2 Device 4 vehicle seats 6 Floor Section 7 8 Survey, Section 10a, 10b, 12a, 12b rail 14 Cross brace 16a, 16b Support element 18a, 18b Arrow Sections 20a and 20b

Claims

[1] Device for a vehicle seat (4), which has a first pair of rails (10a, 10b) and a second pair of rails (12a, 12b), wherein the rails (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) can be arranged on a floor (6) of an interior of a vehicle, wherein all rails (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) are oriented parallel to a direction of travel of the vehicle, wherein the two rails (10a, 10b) of the first pair (10a, 10b) are arranged in a first rail plane and the two rails (12a, 12b) of the second pair (12a, 12b) are arranged in a second rail plane, wherein the two rail planes are arranged offset from one another with respect to a vertical axis of the vehicle, wherein each rail (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) has a front end and a rear end, wherein front Ends of the two rails (10a, 10b) of the first pair (10a, 10b) are arranged in front of the front ends of the two rails (12a, 12b) of the second pair (12a, 12b), wherein the two rails (10a, 10b, 12a,12b) of each pair (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) are at the same distance from a center plane oriented parallel to the direction of travel, wherein the two rails (10a, 10b) of the first pair (10a, 10b) are at a smaller distance from the center plane than the two rails (12a, 12b) of the second pair (12a, 12b), wherein the two rails (10a, 10b) of the first pair (10a, 10b) are arranged in the first rail plane relative to the vertical axis of the vehicle above the rails (12a, 12b) of the second pair (12a, 12b) in the second rail plane. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein at least one front support structure of the vehicle seat (4) is connectable to the rails (10a, 10b) of the first front pair (10a, 10b) and at least one rear support structure of the vehicle seat (4) is connectable to the rails (12a, 12b) of the second rear pair (12a, 12b). [3] Device according to claim 2, wherein a cross strut (14) of at least one of the two support structures of the vehicle seat (4) can be arranged between the two rails (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) of at least one pair of rails (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b). [4] Device according to claim 2 or 3, in which a support element (16a, 16b) of at least one of the two support structures of the vehicle seat (4) can be connected to a rail (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b) of at least one pair of rails (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b). [5] Device according to one of the preceding claims, which has at least one mounting adapter for connecting the vehicle seat (4) to the rails (10a, 10b, 12a, 12b). [6] Device according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed for a vehicle seat (4) of a front row of seats of the vehicle. [7] Device according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed for a vehicle seat (4) of a vehicle designed as a motor vehicle. [8] Device according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed for a stepped floor (6) of the interior of the vehicle, said floor (6) having a first and a second section (7, 8), the first section (8) being offset from the second section (7) with respect to the vertical axis of the vehicle, the rails (10a, 10b) of the first pair (10a, 10b) being able to be arranged on the first section (8) and the rails (12a, 12b) of the second pair (12a, 12b) being able to be arranged on the second section (7).

Images