VEHICLE SEAT, ESPECIALLY FOR AN AUTONOMOUSLY DRIVING MOTOR VEHICLE
The vehicle seat with a five-link kinematic mechanism and spindle drive provides a larger adjustment range and tilting position, enhancing comfort and safety for autonomous driving, while maintaining rigidity and safety during crashes.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- DE · DE
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- ADIENT US LLC
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-10
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
AI Technical Summary
Existing vehicle seats for autonomous vehicles lack a large adjustment range while maintaining high rigidity and do not provide a tilting position that allows both the seat cushion and backrest to change angles, compromising comfort and safety during autonomous driving.
A vehicle seat with a five-link kinematic mechanism featuring a first and second front rocker arm and a rear rocker arm, adjustable via a linear drive, allowing for a larger adjustment range and incorporating a spindle drive that acts as a compression rod during crashes to reduce spinal forces.
The seat offers enhanced comfort and safety by enabling a larger adjustment range with maintained rigidity, providing a tilting position for occupants and controlled movement during crashes, suitable for both autonomous and conventional vehicles.
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Abstract
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular for an autonomously driving vehicle, the vehicle seat comprising a seat base and a backrest articulated to the seat base, the seat base comprising a base, a seat frame and an adjustment kinematic mechanism acting between the base and the seat frame, wherein the adjustment kinematic mechanism comprises a first front arm, a second front arm and a rear arm, wherein the first front arm is pivotably articulated to the base about a first axis of rotation, the second front arm is pivotably articulated to the first front arm about a second axis of rotation, the second front arm is pivotably articulated to the seat frame about a third axis of rotation, the rear arm is pivotally articulated to the seat frame about a fourth axis of rotation, and the rear arm is pivotally articulated to the base about a fifth axis of rotation.wherein an angle between the first front swing arm and the second front swing arm can be adjusted by means of a linear drive. State of the art
[0002] DE 10 2018 122 198 A1 discloses an actuator for a motor vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle seat, comprising an electric motor having an output shaft; a gearbox having a spindle nut and a gearbox housing, which is connected to the output shaft; a spindle engaging with the spindle nut; and a bracket that at least partially encompasses the gearbox housing.
[0003] In an autonomous vehicle, the driver does not need to perform steering, braking, and acceleration actions, or at least not continuously, during operation. The vehicle can be operated independently of the driver's actions. Therefore, the driver can assume a more comfortable position during autonomous driving than in conventional vehicles. German patent DE 10 2018 203 731 A1 discloses a vehicle seat for an autonomous vehicle that can be tilted, in which the seat cushion and backrest are angled to allow the occupant to lie down partially during autonomous driving. When the autonomous driving mode is deactivated, the driver can take over driving duties in an upright position.
[0004] DE 198 08 235 C1 discloses a motor vehicle seat with a backrest and seat section, which is articulated to an element adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by means of pivotable front and rear links, wherein the links are pivotable via a drive motor for the height adjustment of the seat section and the front links are split and have two lever sections articulated together, wherein the pivot position of the upper lever section relative to the seat section can be locked in different pivot positions for tilt adjustment of the seat section.
[0005] DE 10 2008 053 475 A1 discloses an adjustable vehicle seat with a tiltable seat section and a tiltable backrest mounted in the seat section, wherein the seat section is pivotably mounted in bearing elements at the front and rear, and the bearing elements are pivotably mounted in the vehicle floor or on rails for longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat, wherein the front bearing elements or the rear bearing elements are adjustable by adjusting means in such a way that the inclination of the seat section changes, wherein, when activated, the adjusting means activate further adjusting means for the backrest for the purpose of adjusting its inclination, so that the backrest receives compensation of the backrest angle as a result of a change in the inclination of the seat section.
[0006] From CN 1 13 212 258 A and US 2019 / 0308527 A1, a vehicle seat with an adjustment kinematics designed as a five-joint kinematics is known.
[0007] From DE 10 2016 015 170 A1, a vehicle seat is known, comprising a seat base and a backrest articulated to the seat base, the seat base comprising a base, a seat frame and an adjustment kinematic mechanism acting between the base and the seat frame, wherein the adjustment kinematic mechanism comprises a first front arm, a second front arm and a rear arm, wherein the first front arm is pivotably articulated to the base about a first axis of rotation, the second front arm is pivotably articulated to the first front arm about a second axis of rotation, the second front arm is pivotably articulated to the seat frame about a third axis of rotation, the rear arm is pivotally articulated to the seat frame about a fourth axis of rotation, and the rear arm is pivotally articulated to the base about a fifth axis of rotation.The angle between the first and second front swingarms is adjustable via a linear actuator. Because the linear actuator is supported by the second front swingarm on one side and the seat frame or the first front swingarm on the other, the vehicle seat can be tilted. However, the adjustment range is small because the pivot points are located close together.
[0008] DE 10 2021 107 896 A1 discloses a vehicle seat comprising a seat base and a backrest articulated to the seat base, the seat base comprising a base, a seat frame and an adjustment kinematic mechanism acting between the base and the seat frame, wherein the adjustment kinematic mechanism comprises a first front arm, a second front arm and a rear arm, wherein the first front arm is pivotably articulated to the base about a first axis of rotation, the second front arm is pivotably articulated to the first front arm about a second axis of rotation, the second front arm is pivotably articulated to the seat frame about a third axis of rotation, the rear arm is pivotally articulated to the seat frame about a fourth axis of rotation, and the rear arm is pivotally articulated to the base about a fifth axis of rotation.The angle between the first front swing arm and the second front swing arm is adjustable by means of a linear actuator. A first pivot point of the linear actuator is pivotally mounted to the base about a sixth axis of rotation. A second pivot point of the linear actuator is pivotally mounted to the second front swing arm about a seventh axis of rotation. The linear actuator is designed as a spindle drive.
[0009] DE 10 2021 204 486 A1 discloses a vehicle seat comprising a seat base and a backrest articulated to the seat base, the seat base comprising a base, a seat frame and an adjustment kinematic mechanism acting between the base and the seat frame, wherein the adjustment kinematic mechanism has on both sides exactly a first front rocker arm and a rear rocker arm, wherein the front rocker arm is pivotably articulated to the base about a first axis of rotation and the rear rocker arm is pivotably articulated to the seat frame about a third axis of rotation, and the rear rocker arm is pivotably articulated to the base about a fourth axis of rotation, wherein an end of a spindle of the linear drive is pivotably articulated to the base about a fifth axis of rotation, and a gearbox of the linear drive is pivotally articulated to the front rocker arm about a sixth axis of rotation.
[0010] DE 10 2016 015 170 A1 discloses a seat adjustment mechanism for a motor vehicle seat, comprising a first and a second five-part linkage mechanism, each with a base at ground level, a rear swing arm pivotally connected to it at a first pivot joint, a seat frame pivotally connected to it at a second pivot joint, a second front swing arm pivotally connected to it at a third pivot joint, and a first front swing arm pivotally connected to it at a fourth pivot joint and pivotally connected to the base at a fifth pivot joint, a height adjustment drive, and a tilt adjustment drive designed as a linear drive. The tilt adjustment drive is supported either on the second front swing arm and the seat frame or on the second front swing arm and the first front swing arm of the first or second linkage mechanism. A linkage of the tilt adjustment drive to the base is not disclosed. Task
[0011] The invention is based on the objective of providing a vehicle seat, particularly for an autonomous vehicle, that can assume a tilting position in which a seat cushion and a backrest are at an angle that enables a partially reclined position for a vehicle occupant, particularly the driver, especially during autonomous driving. The vehicle seat should have a large adjustment range while maintaining high rigidity, and should be designed as an integrated seatbelt seat. In particular, the vehicle seat should, in addition to the ability to assume a tilting position, also have a seat height adjuster.
[0012] The difference between a seat tilt adjustment known from the prior art and the provision of a tilt position is that with a seat tilt adjustment, a change in the tilt angle of the seat is made, whereas the tilt angle of the backrest is not changed, while when assuming a tilt position, both the tilt angle of the seat and the tilt angle of the backrest are changed. Solution
[0013] This problem is solved according to the invention by a vehicle seat, in particular for an autonomously driving vehicle, the vehicle seat comprising a seat base and a backrest articulated to the seat base, the seat base comprising a base, a seat frame and an adjustment kinematic mechanism acting between the base and the seat frame, wherein the adjustment kinematic mechanism comprises a first front rocker arm, a second front rocker arm and a rear rocker arm, wherein the first front rocker arm is pivotably articulated to the base about a first axis of rotation, the second front rocker arm is pivotably articulated to the first front rocker arm about a second axis of rotation, the second front rocker arm is pivotably articulated to the seat frame about a third axis of rotation, the rear rocker arm is pivotally articulated to the seat frame about a fourth axis of rotation, and the rear rocker arm is pivotally articulated to the base about a fifth axis of rotation.wherein an angle between the first front swing arm and the second front swing arm is adjustable by means of a linear drive, wherein a first pivot point of the linear drive is pivotably attached to the base about a sixth axis of rotation, and a second pivot point of the linear drive is pivotably attached to the second front swing arm about a seventh axis of rotation.
[0014] Because a first pivot point of the linear drive is pivotally connected to the base about a sixth axis of rotation, and a second pivot point of the linear drive is pivotally connected to the second front rocker arm about a seventh axis of rotation, the angle between the first front rocker arm and the second front rocker arm can be adjusted by means of the linear drive over a larger adjustment range than in the prior art. The vehicle seat according to the invention can be used in both an autonomous vehicle and a conventional vehicle.
[0015] The pivot points can be arranged further apart than is possible with a vehicle seat known from DE 10 2016 015 170 A1. Furthermore, a vehicle seat according to the invention offers advantages in terms of installation space (in particular a low block height in the lowest height adjustment position) as well as advantages in terms of strength. The connection according to the invention ensures that the linear adjuster, in particular a threaded spindle of a linear adjuster designed as a spindle drive, acts as a compression rod in a crash, which buckles in a controlled manner and thereby moves the vehicle seat from the tilted position towards a more upright position, thus reducing compressive forces on the spine of an occupant of the vehicle seat.
[0016] The linear drive is designed as a spindle drive. A linear drive is defined as an actuator with a first pivot point for connection to a component, particularly a pivotable connection, and a second pivot point for connection to another component, particularly a pivotable connection, wherein the distance between the first pivot point and the second pivot point is linearly adjustable. Linear drives can be mechanical, electromechanical, direct electric (linear motors), hydraulic, or pneumatic. A pneumatic linear drive is known, for example, from DE 10 2017 103 315 A1.
[0017] The adjustment mechanism comprises a first front rocker arm, a second front rocker arm, and a rear rocker arm. The linear drive is preferably an integral part of the adjustment mechanism.
[0018] The first front swingarm is pivotally connected to the base about a first axis of rotation. A first end section of the first front swingarm can also be pivotally connected to the base about the first axis of rotation.
[0019] The second front swingarm is pivotally connected to the first front swingarm about a second axis of rotation. A first end section of the second front swingarm can be pivotally connected to a second end section of the first front swingarm about the second axis of rotation. The second front swingarm is pivotally connected to the seat frame about a third axis of rotation. A second end section of the second front swingarm can be pivotally connected to the seat frame about the third axis of rotation.
[0020] The rear swingarm is pivotally connected to the seat frame about a fourth axis. A first end section of the rear swingarm can also be pivotally connected to the seat frame about the fourth axis. The rear swingarm is pivotally connected to its base about a fifth axis. A second end section of the rear swingarm can also be pivotally connected to its base about the fifth axis.
[0021] The first pivot point of the linear actuator is pivotally mounted to the base about a sixth axis of rotation. A second pivot point of the linear actuator is pivotally mounted to the second front arm about a seventh axis of rotation. The distance between the first and second pivot points of the linear actuator can be adjusted by actuating the linear actuator.
[0022] The first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh axes of rotation preferably run parallel to each other.
[0023] The first axis of rotation can be located below the second axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation can be located below the third axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation can be located in front of the fourth axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation can be located in front of the fifth axis of rotation.
[0024] The second axis of rotation can be located below the third axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation can be located in front of the fourth axis of rotation. The second axis of rotation can be located in front of the fifth axis of rotation.
[0025] The third axis of rotation can be located in front of the fourth axis of rotation. The third axis of rotation can be located in front of the fifth axis of rotation. The fifth axis of rotation can be located below the fourth axis of rotation.
[0026] The sixth axis of rotation can be located in front of the first axis of rotation. The first axis of rotation can be located below the sixth axis of rotation.
[0027] The third axis of rotation can be located in front of the seventh axis of rotation. The seventh axis of rotation can be located below the third axis of rotation. The seventh axis of rotation can be located between the second and third axes of rotation. The seventh axis of rotation can be located midway between the second and third axes of rotation. The seventh axis of rotation can intersect a line connecting the second and third axes of rotation.
[0028] At least one, several or all of the previously described arrangements of the axes of rotation relative to each other can be present in the tilted position and / or in an upright position of the vehicle seat.
[0029] In particular, to provide a height adjustment function, an actuator can be used to change the tilt angle between the first front swing arm and the base, as well as the tilt angle between the rear swing arm and the base.
[0030] The actuator comprises an electric motor, a gearbox, a spindle nut, and a threaded spindle. The actuator can connect the rear swing arm and the base in an angularly adjustable manner. The actuator can connect the rear swing arm and the base directly and in an angularly adjustable manner, that is, without the need for additional gear components.
[0031] To provide a tilt position for a vehicle seat in an autonomous vehicle, a linear actuator can be used to change the angle between the first and second front rocker arms. The linear actuator can be a spindle drive. The spindle drive can include an electric motor, a gearbox, a spindle nut, and a threaded spindle. The threaded spindle of the spindle drive can be pivotally mounted eccentrically to the second front rocker arm relative to the third axis of rotation, with the gearbox of the spindle drive pivotally mounted at its base.
[0032] The base may include an adapter. The adapter may be formed on or attached to a seat rail of a base designed as a longitudinal adjuster. The longitudinal adjuster may include at least one seat rail and a floor rail connectable to a vehicle floor, on which the seat rail is slidably guided. The longitudinal adjuster may include a further actuator for moving the seat rail relative to the floor rail.
[0033] In particular, to provide a seat tilt adjuster, a seat cushion support can be pivotally attached to the seat frame. The tilt angle between the seat cushion support and the seat frame can be adjusted by means of a further actuator.
[0034] In summary, the invention provides a vehicle seat with an adjustment mechanism for a reclining position (relax function) in which the entire vehicle seat is pivoted around a rear, floor-level axis. The adjustment mechanism allows for an increased angle of inclination in the reclining position, thus providing maximum comfort for the occupant, both while driving and parking. In the reclining position, the occupant assumes a relaxed sitting position in which the muscles of the human body are relieved of tension (neutral posture). When assuming the reclining position, the seat frame and backrest preferably tilt backward around a rear cross tube of the seat base. This allows for minimal relative movement between the back and lower body (thighs). The occupant's neutral posture is a measurable set of angles in which the spine is in its most relieving, relaxed, and stable alignment.A spindle drive, whose threaded spindle is pivotally mounted at the base, particularly parallel to the first front rocker arm but offset from the pivot point of the first front rocker arm, allows for individual adjustment of the tilt angle. For higher loads, typically in integrated seatbelt seats, two spindle drives (right and left) can be used to provide the tilt position and meet the load requirements in a crash situation. A vehicle seat according to the invention with corresponding adjustment kinematics can be used particularly advantageously in autonomous vehicles where maximum driving comfort is required. The implementation of a second front rocker arm (two front rocker arms instead of just one) allows for larger adjustment angles to achieve an optimal and individual seating position as needed.A lower pivot point of the spindle drive can be arranged offset from the lower pivot point of the first front swing arm. Figures and embodiments of the invention
[0035] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an advantageous embodiment illustrated in the figures. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1: a highly schematic side view of a vehicle seat according to the invention, Fig. 2: a perspective view of a seat base of a vehicle seat according to the invention in an unpadded state, wherein the vehicle seat is in an upper height adjustment position and an upright position, Fig. 3: a side view of the seat base made of Fig. 2, wherein the vehicle seat is in a lower height adjustment position and an upright position, Fig. 4: a partial side view of the vehicle seat from Fig. 2, wherein the vehicle seat is in a lower height adjustment position and a tilt position, Fig. 5: a partial perspective view of the seat base made of Fig. 2, wherein the vehicle seat is in a lower height adjustment position and an upright position, Fig. 6: a partial perspective view of the seat base made of Fig. 2, wherein the vehicle seat is in a lower height adjustment position and a tilt position, Fig. 7: a partial view of another perspective view of the seat base from Fig. 2, wherein the vehicle seat is in a lower height adjustment position and an upright position, and Fig. 8: a partial view of another perspective view of the seat base from Fig. 2, wherein the vehicle seat is in a lower height adjustment position and a tilt position.
[0036] Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. Figure 8 shows a vehicle seat 100 according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment, wherein the vehicle seat 100 is in Fig. 1 is presented in a highly schematic way.
[0037] The vehicle seat 100 is described below using three mutually perpendicular spatial directions. A longitudinal direction x of a vehicle seat 100 installed in a vehicle runs largely horizontally and preferably parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, which corresponds to the vehicle's usual direction of travel. A transverse direction y, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x, is also horizontally oriented in the vehicle and runs parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle. A vertical direction z runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction x and perpendicular to the transverse direction y. In a vehicle seat 100 installed in a vehicle, the vertical direction z runs parallel to the vehicle's vertical axis.
[0038] The positional and directional terms used, such as left, right, front, rear, above, below, and transverse, refer to the viewing direction of an occupant seated on the seat surface of a seat base 102 (seat section) of the vehicle seat 100 in a normal seating position, whereby the vehicle seat 100 is installed in the vehicle in a position suitable for passenger transport and with an upright backrest 104, and is oriented in the direction of travel as usual. However, the vehicle seat 100 can also be installed in a different orientation, for example, transversely to the direction of travel. Unless otherwise described, the vehicle seat 100 is mirror-symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction y.
[0039] The vehicle seat 100 can be designed as a so-called integrated seat belt, in which a belt system is largely completely integrated into the vehicle seat 100. An upper belt exit point can be integrated into an upper area of the backrest 104. However, the invention is not limited to integrated seat belts.
[0040] The backrest 104 is connected to the seat base 102 on both sides by means of a fitting 106, allowing for tilt adjustment.
[0041] The seat base 102 has a base 110, a seat frame 120 and an adjustment kinematics 140 effective between the base 110 and the seat frame 120.
[0042] The base 110 comprises a rail on each side for longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat 100. Each of the two rails has a seat rail 112 and a floor rail 114 that can be connected to a vehicle floor and on which the seat rail 112 is slidably guided. An adapter 116 is attached to each of the two seat rails 112. The adapter 116 serves in particular to connect elements of the adjustment kinematics 140 to the base 110. The two adapters 116 are connected to each other by a crossbar 118. The two seat rails 112, the two adapters 116, and the crossbar 118 are components of the base 110.
[0043] The seat frame 120 comprises (viewed in the transverse direction y) a seat frame side panel 122 on each side. The seat frame 120 also has a front cross tube 124 and a rear cross tube 126. The two seat frame side panels 122 are spaced apart from each other. The front cross tube 124 extends between the two seat frame side panels 122 and is rigidly connected to each of the two seat frame side panels 122 on each side. The rear cross tube 126 extends between the two seat frame side panels 122 and is rotatably mounted to each of the two seat frame side panels 122 on each side. In this case, the seat frame side panels 122 are each a single piece. Alternatively, however, the two seat frame side panels can each be composed of several sheet metal parts.
[0044] The adjustment mechanism 140 features a five-link kinematic on each side of the seat (right seat side, left seat side) when viewed in the transverse direction y. Since the two five-link kinematics are mirror images of each other, meaning that each of the five parallel axes of rotation I, II, III, IV, V passes through a pivot joint of the five-link kinematics on both sides, only one of the two five-link kinematics is described below. Unless otherwise described below, all components of the adjustment mechanism 140 are present on both the right and left sides of the seat.
[0045] The adjustment mechanism 140 has a first front swing arm 142, a second front swing arm 144, and a rear swing arm 146 on each side. The first front swing arm 142 is pivotally connected to the base 110, in this case the adapter 116 of the base 110, about a first axis of rotation I. The second front swing arm 144 is pivotally connected to the first front swing arm 142 about a second axis of rotation II. The second front swing arm 144 is pivotally connected to the seat frame 120 about a third axis of rotation III. The rear swing arm 146 is pivotally connected to the seat frame 120 about a fourth axis of rotation IV. The rear swing arm 146 is pivotally connected to the base 110, in this case the adapter 116 of the base 110, about a fifth axis of rotation V. The axes of rotation I, II, III, IV, V run parallel to each other and parallel to the transverse direction y. Each of the axes of rotation I, II, III, IV, V runs at a distance from all of the other axes of rotation I, II, III, IV, V.
[0046] To provide a height adjustment function, the adjustment kinematics 140 has an actuator 160. The actuator 160 allows the distance between the base 110 and the seat frame 120 to be adjusted.
[0047] The two rear swing arms 146 are, in this case, rotationally fixed to the rear cross tube 126, in particular by welding. The rear cross tube 126, and thus the two rear swing arms 146, are pivotally mounted about the fourth axis of rotation IV on the seat frame side parts 122 of the seat frame 120. Alternatively, the rear cross tube 126 can be rotationally fixed to the seat frame side parts 122 of the seat frame 120, in particular by welding, and the two rear swing arms 146 can be pivotally mounted on the rear cross tube 126.
[0048] The actuator 160 preferably comprises an electric motor, a gearbox, a spindle nut, and a spindle 166. The spindle nut is a rotatable and driveable component of the gearbox and is preferably arranged in a gearbox housing. The actuator 160 connects the rear rocker arm 146 and the base 110 in an angularly adjustable manner and preferably directly, i.e., not via further gear elements of the adjustment kinematics 140. For this purpose, the motor and the gearbox are eccentrically mounted to the rear rocker arm 146 with respect to the fifth axis of rotation V. The spindle 166 is pivotally connected to the adapter 116 of the base 110.
[0049] The gearbox of the actuator 160 features a spindle nut, driven by the motor, into which the spindle 166 is screwed. Actuating the motor causes the spindle nut to rotate, thus moving the spindle 166 relative to the gearbox housing and pivoting the rear swing arm 146. This causes the seat frame side panel 122 to change height while simultaneously and precisely pivoting the first front swing arm 142 and the second front swing arm 144. The pivoting movements of the first front swing arm 142 and the second front swing arm 144 will be described in more detail below.
[0050] To provide a tilting position for the seat frame 120 and the backrest 104, the adjustment kinematics 140 includes a linear drive 170, which in this case is designed as a spindle drive 172. The linear drive 170 can be arranged on exactly one side of the vehicle seat 100 and can drive the five-joint kinematics arranged on that side for moving the vehicle seat 100 from an upright position (shown in Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 5 and Fig. 7) into the tilt position (shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 8) serve. The linear drive 170 is both a drive and a component of the adjustment kinematics 140, in that the linear drive 170 serves as a length-variable coupling between the base 110 and the second front rocker arm 144.
[0051] Alternatively, a linear drive 170 can be arranged on each side of the vehicle seat 100 and each assigned to one of the two five-joint kinematics.
[0052] By means of the linear drive 170, the seat frame 120 can be raised in its front area and pivoted around the fourth axis of rotation IV, so that the tilt position of the seat frame 120 and the backrest 104, and thus of the vehicle seat 100, is provided.
[0053] In the tilted position, the seat frame 120 and the backrest 104 are each inclined backwards relative to an upright position about an axis parallel to the transverse direction y, in this case about the fourth axis of rotation IV, thus enabling a partially reclined position for the driver, particularly during autonomous driving. The upright position of the vehicle seat 100 corresponds to a seat position in which the driver can safely take over driving duties when autonomous driving is deactivated.
[0054] The linear drive 170, designed as a spindle drive 172, comprises an electric motor 174, a gearbox 176, a spindle nut, and a threaded spindle 178. The spindle drive 172 connects, in particular as described in more detail below, the base 110 and the second front rocker arm 144.
[0055] If a spindle drive 172 is provided on only one side, the two second front swing arms 144 are preferably connected to each other by means of a connecting tube and thus synchronized with respect to their pivoting movement.
[0056] A first pivot point A1 of the spindle drive 172 is pivotally connected to the base 110 about a sixth axis of rotation VI. For this purpose, the gearbox 176 and preferably also the electric motor 174 are attached to a gearbox adapter 180, which is pivotally connected to the crossbar 118 of the base 110 about the sixth axis of rotation VI. The gearbox adapter 180 is a U-shaped sheet metal plate that at least partially encloses a gearbox housing of the gearbox 176 and has a web and two legs. The web has an opening for the threaded spindle 178. Both legs each have an opening in an end region facing away from the web for receiving a bolt 181. The bolts 181 are mounted in bearing eyes 119 of the crossbar 118. Thus, the gearbox 176 is pivotally connected to the base 110 about the sixth axis of rotation VI.
[0057] A second pivot point A2 of the spindle drive 172 is pivotally connected to the second front rocker arm 144 about a seventh axis of rotation VII. For this purpose, an end of the threaded spindle 178 facing away from the sixth axis of rotation VI has a mounting eye 182, which is pivotally connected to a mounting plate 184 of the front rocker arm 144 by means of a bolt 183. Thus, the end of the threaded spindle 178 facing away from the gearbox 176 is pivotally connected to the second front rocker arm 144 about the seventh axis of rotation VII.
[0058] The distance between the first pivot point A1 and the second pivot point A2 of the spindle drive 172 can be adjusted by actuating the electric motor 174.
[0059] The sixth axis of rotation VI is spaced apart from the first axis of rotation I. The sixth axis of rotation VI is parallel to the first axis of rotation I. The sixth axis of rotation VI is located above the first axis of rotation I. The sixth axis of rotation VI is located in front of the first axis of rotation I.
[0060] The seventh axis of rotation (VII) is spaced apart from the third axis of rotation (III). The seventh axis of rotation (VII) is parallel to the third axis of rotation (III). The seventh axis of rotation (VII) is located below the third axis of rotation (III). The seventh axis of rotation (VII) is located behind the first axis of rotation (I).
[0061] The threaded spindle 178 preferably runs parallel to the first front rocker arm 142, at least in one of several adjustment positions of the spindle drive 172. This means that the influence of the height adjustment on the tilt angle of the seat base 102 is comparable to a four-bar linkage height adjustment kinematics known from the prior art. Disadvantages that theoretically arise from the five-bar linkage kinematics with regard to the tilt angle of the seat base 102 (undesired superimposed tilt adjustment due to the height adjustment) are thus avoided.
[0062] The spindle drive 172 acts as a length-adjustable linkage for the adjustment kinematics 140. The first front rocker arm 142, the second front rocker arm 144, the spindle drive 172, and the base 110, together with the first, second, sixth, and seventh pivot axes, form a four-bar linkage as a sub-kinematics of the adjustment kinematics 140, whereby this sub-kinematics can be adjusted by moving the spindle drive 172. Because the third pivot axis is spaced apart from the seventh pivot axis, the tilt position can be achieved by moving the four-bar linkage. Through this four-bar linkage, a front section of the seat frame 120 is pivotally connected to the base 110 and follows a pivoting movement of the rear rocker arm 146 for height adjustment.
[0063] A further actuator 190 serves for longitudinal adjustment, that is, for moving the seat rail 112 relative to the floor rail 114. The further actuator 190 comprises, in a manner known per se, an electric motor 192, a gearbox 194, a spindle nut and a spindle arranged in a cavity between the seat rail 112 and the floor rail 114.
[0064] The vehicle seat 100 is largely mirror-symmetrical about a plane perpendicular to the transverse direction y and, in particular, has an actuator 160 and a linear actuator 170 on each side. The electric motor 192 of the further actuator 190 is arranged approximately centrally (viewed in the transverse direction y) and is present only once.
[0065] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims and the figures may be important for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in combination, insofar as they remain within the scope of protection of the claims. Reference symbol list 100 vehicle seats 102 Seat base 104 Backrest 106 fittings 110 base 112 Seat rail 114 Floor rail 116 adapters 118 Cross Bridge 119 Bearing eye 120 seat frames 122 Seat frame side panel 140 Adjustment kinematics 142 first front swingarm 144 second front swingarm 146 rear swingarm 160 actuator 166 Threaded spindle 170 Linear drive 172 Spindle drive 174 Electric motor 176 gearboxes 178 Threaded spindle 180 Gear adapters 181 bolts 182 Mounting eye 183 bolts 184 Mounting plate 190 additional actuators 192 Electric motor 194 gearboxes α angle I first axis of rotation II second axis of rotation III third axis of rotation IV fourth axis of rotation V fifth axis of rotation VI sixth axis of rotation VII seventh axis of rotation A1 first pivot point A2 second pivot point x Longitudinal direction y transverse direction z Vertical direction
Claims
Vehicle seat (100), in particular for an autonomously driving motor vehicle, the vehicle seat (100) comprising a seat base (102) and a backrest (104) articulated to the seat base (102), the seat base (102) comprising a base (110), a seat frame (120) and an adjustment kinematics (140) acting between the base (110) and the seat frame (120), wherein the adjustment kinematics (140) comprises a first front arm (142), a second front arm (144) and a rear arm (146), wherein the first front arm (142) is pivotably articulated to the base (110) about a first axis of rotation (I), the second front arm (144) is pivotally articulated to the first front arm (142) about a second axis of rotation (II), the second front arm (144) about a third axis of rotation (III) The rear swingarm (146) is pivotally mounted on the seat frame (120) about a fourth pivot axis (IV),and the rear swing arm (146) is pivotably connected to the base (110) about a fifth axis of rotation (V), wherein an angle (α) between the first front swing arm (142) and the second front swing arm (144) is adjustable by means of a linear drive (172), wherein a first pivot point (A1) of the linear drive (172) is pivotably connected to the base (110) about a sixth axis of rotation (VI), and a second pivot point (A2) of the linear drive (172) is pivotably connected to the second front swing arm (144) about a seventh axis of rotation (VII), wherein the linear drive (170) is designed as a spindle drive (172), characterized in that the spindle drive (172) comprises an electric motor (174), a gearbox (176) with a spindle nut, and a threaded spindle (178) screwed into the spindle nut, wherein the gearbox (176) is pivotally connected at the first pivot point (A1) about the sixth axis of rotation (VI) at the base (110),and an end of the threaded spindle (178) facing away from the gearbox (176) is pivotably connected to the second pivot point (A2) about the seventh axis of rotation (VII) on the second front swing arm (144). Vehicle seat (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sixth axis of rotation (VI) runs parallel and spaced apart from the first axis of rotation (I). Vehicle seat (100) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the seventh axis of rotation (VII) runs parallel and spaced apart from the third axis of rotation (III). Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the threaded spindle (178) extends at a distance from the first front swing arm (142). Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that in at least one position of the vehicle seat (100) the threaded spindle (178) runs parallel to the first front rocker arm (142). Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the linear drive (172) acts as a length-adjustable coupling of the adjustment kinematics (140). Vehicle seat (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the base (110) has a longitudinal adjuster, the longitudinal adjuster having at least one seat rail (112) and a floor rail (114) connectable to a vehicle floor, on which the seat rail (112) is slidably guided.