Method for assembling a transmission assembly for seat height adjustment

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for assembling a transmission assembly for seat height adjustment on a seat frame of a vehicle seat, the method comprising the following method steps: positioning a shell assembly relative to a component of the seat frame; fixing the shell assembly to the component of the seat frame; and fastening the shell assembly to the component of the seat frame.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a method for assembling a transmission assembly for seat height adjustment on a seat frame of a vehicle seat, the method comprising the following method steps: positioning a shell assembly relative to a component of the seat frame; fixing the shell assembly to the component of the seat frame; and fastening the shell assembly to the component of the seat frame. Background Art

[0002] There are two opposing requirements for the height adjustment of a vehicle seat. On the one hand, the adjustment device should be easy to operate and should run silently. Vibrations and chattering noises during driving should be avoided as much as possible. This requirement is essentially met by the fact that the drive pinion and the toothed section, by which the height adjustment is driven, engage with each other without play under preload. On the other hand, even in the event of an accident, the drive pinion and the toothed section should remain engaged in order to prevent the vehicle seat from shifting and thus reduce the risk of injury to the occupants. In order to meet this requirement, a preload between the drive pinion and the toothed section is disadvantageous, as even in the event of an accident a small play or its compensation keeps the drive pinion and the toothed section engaged.

[0003] EN 100 11 147 A1 describes a vehicle seat with a height adjustment device, the lower end of which has two laterally mounted handles which are hinged to a longitudinal adjustment rail and the upper end of which is hinged to the seat part frame. At least one handle is equipped with a toothed section which engages a drive pinion whose rotation axis is parallel to the swivel axis of the handle. The edges of the teeth of the drive pinion are conical with respect to its rotation axis. The drive pinion and the toothed section are mounted so that they can move relative to each other in the direction of the rotation axis and are held relative to each other under preload. A disadvantage of this design is that the production of the conical gear is very complicated and therefore cost-intensive. In addition, even the engagement of the drive pinion and the toothed section cannot always be ensured.

[0004] DE 697 00 026 T2 shows a height adjustment device for a vehicle seat, which has two handles mounted laterally on a longitudinal adjustment rail, the upper end of which is arranged on the seat part and the lower end of which is arranged on the longitudinal adjustment rail. The handles are equipped with toothed sections that engage with the drive pinion. This design has the disadvantage that due to this parallel height adjustment of the vehicle seat, the engagement of the drive pinion / toothed sections is affected by play, as a result of which chattering noises may occur.

[0005] DE 10 2005 054 503 B3 shows a seat height adjustment for a vehicle seat, in which the teeth of the drive pinion and the teeth of the toothed section are pressed against each other without play before assembly by an eccentric ring. Only then is the drive connected to the assembled drive pinion. The drive pinion is driven by a ratchet drive, which has an output collar that partially surrounds the drive pinion at a certain distance. The ratchet drive is built into a receiving hole in the seat frame, into which a rotatable eccentric ring is inserted. By twisting the eccentric ring, the teeth of the drive pinion are pressed against the teeth of the toothed section without play. Subsequently, the drive is securely connected to the seat part by screwing or riveting. The disadvantage is that the assembly of the seat height adjustment is relatively complicated. The eccentric ring must be inserted and the drive pinion and the toothed section must be aligned with each other. Screwing or riveting requires additional work, so that the automatic assembly of the seat height adjustment is very difficult.

[0006] Document 10 2006 026 194 B3 describes a seat height adjustment for a vehicle seat which is secured in the event of an accident by means of a clamping plate to prevent the drive pinion and the toothed section from tilting. The clamping plate is connected to the side parts of the vehicle seat by screwing or riveting, as is the transmission component. This seat height adjustment is also relatively complex to assemble. In addition, an additional component, namely the clamping plate, is required, and screwing or riveting requires additional work. Summary of the invention

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and a transmission assembly which is free of play and therefore as noise-free as possible, can be produced and assembled more cost-effectively and is at the same time more robust in the event of an accident.

[0008] This object is achieved according to the method according to the invention for assembling a transmission assembly.

[0009] According to the invention, a method for assembling a transmission assembly for seat height adjustment to a seat frame of a motor vehicle seat comprises three method steps: In a first method step, a shell assembly is positioned as a component of the seat frame. The shell assembly is positioned in such a way that correct contact without gaps is achieved between components of the transmission assembly, such as cogs or toothed sections. In a second method step, the shell assembly is fixed to the component of the seat frame. The shell assembly can be temporarily fixed, for example, by appropriately marking the position of the shell assembly, but the shell assembly can also be permanently fixed, for example, by plastic deformation of the shell assembly. All that is required is to accurately anchor the correct position of the shell assembly. In a third method step, the shell assembly is fastened to the component of the seat frame. The fastening can be achieved by screwing, riveting, welding or any other suitable process, which ensures a safe and durable connection between the shell assembly and the seat frame component.

[0010] According to the invention, the method ensures that the components of the transmission assembly are interlocked without play. This avoids vibrations or tremors in the seat height adjustment. In the event of an accident, the components of the transmission assembly are also prevented from coming loose.

[0011] In an additional aspect of the invention, the component of the seat frame is a side member of the seat frame. Typically, a car seat has two side members connected to each other by a pivot mounting connection. The side members are supported by parallel front and rear handles directly on the vehicle floor or on the longitudinal seat adjustment rails. The seat height adjustment can adjust the seat frame by adjusting the inclination angle between the seat frame and the vehicle floor.

[0012] In an additional variation of the invention, the housing assembly includes an impact plate. The impact plate protects the internal components from dirt and at the same time determines the correct position of the transmission component parts.

[0013] In an additional variation of the invention, both the seat component and the shell assembly each have an opening and an outlet. The two outlets are coaxially positioned with respect to each other. The outlets receive bearings of components located in the shell assembly. The coaxial assembly ensures that the cogs in the shell assembly are correctly aligned so that when the cogs rotate about their rotational axis, the cogs do not rub against the seat frame component.

[0014] In an additional configuration of the invention, the positioning is achieved by a positioning device. The positioning device allows a coaxial alignment of the seat component and the outlet of the housing component. This ensures that the components of the transmission assembly interlock without play, thereby avoiding vibrations or tremors in the seat height adjustment. In the event of an accident, the components of the transmission assembly are also prevented from loosening.

[0015] In an additional design of the invention, the positioning device has the shape of a trapezoidal cylinder. The outlets of the seat part and the shell component can have different diameters. Thus, one end of the positioning device has the diameter of the seat part outlet and the other end has the diameter of the shell component outlet.

[0016] In an additional configuration of the invention, the outlet of the seat component is located on a first cylindrical platform of the positioning device. The first cylindrical platform has the diameter of the outlet of the seat component.

[0017] In an additional variation of the invention, the outlet of the housing assembly is located on a second cylindrical stage of the positioning device. The second cylindrical stage has a diameter of the outlet of the housing assembly.

[0018] In an additional configuration of the invention, the position of the shell component relative to the seat frame component is fixed by a plastic deformation process. The shell component can be permanently fixed by plastic deformation of the shell component. However, the fixing can also be temporary, for example by appropriately marking the position of the shell component. All that is required is to accurately anchor the correct position of the shell component.

[0019] In an additional embodiment of the invention, the plastic deformation process comprises crimping, pressing and / or another bonding technique.Ideally, the fixing is achieved at several points by plastic deformation of the housing component by a short, sudden increase in pressure (eg, by a metal punch).

[0020] In an additional variation of the invention, the plastic deformation process deforms the shell component and / or the seat frame component. The fixing is achieved at several points by plastic deformation of the shell component. This usually results in a deformation of smaller areas of the seat frame component. The position of the shell component is fixed via these points.

[0021] In an additional configuration of the invention, the shell component is fastened to the seat frame part by a plastic deformation process. This advantageous variation of the fastening of the shell component does not require any additional fastening means, such as screws, and can therefore be performed quickly, easily and also cost-effectively. Furthermore, as is known from bolted seat height adjustments, in the event of an accident, there is instability.

[0022] In an additional configuration of the invention, the shell component has lugs and the seat frame component has an opening, or the shell component has an opening and the seat frame component has lugs. During positioning of the shell component relative to the seat frame component, one or more lugs are guided through the opening.

[0023] In an additional aspect of the invention, the plastic deformation process of the parts for fastening the shell assembly to the seat frame is achieved by bending the lugs guided through the openings. This advantageous variation does not require any other fastening members and can therefore be performed quickly, easily and also cost-effectively. Furthermore, as is known from bolted seat height adjustments, in the event of an accident, there is instability.

[0024] In an additional design of the invention, the method according to the invention comprises fastening the first transmission assembly. The first transmission assembly is rotatably fastened to the pivotally mounted connection of the two side parts.

[0025] In an additional configuration of the invention, the first transmission assembly comprises a toothed section, the teeth of which are located on a circular line around the axis of rotation of the pivotally mounted connection of the two side parts.

[0026] In an additional variation of the invention, a first transmission assembly having a toothed section is movably connected to the seat frame. The first transmission assembly movably connected to a component of the seat frame is driven, thereby adjusting the inclination between the component of the seat frame and the vehicle floor and also changing the seat height.

[0027] In an additional configuration of the invention, the method according to the invention comprises fastening a second transmission component. Such a second transmission component is typically a drive pinion.

[0028] In an additional embodiment of the invention, the second transmission component comprises an engagement element which is suitable for engaging with the toothed section of the first transmission component.

[0029] In an additional variation of the invention, a second transmission assembly having an engagement element is fixedly connected to the seat frame.

[0030] In an additional configuration of the invention, the engagement element can be driven manually or by a motor-driven drive of a second transmission assembly to drive a first transmission assembly movably connected to a component of the seat frame, thus adjusting the inclination between the component of the seat frame and the vehicle floor and changing the seat height.

[0031] The object is further achieved by a housing assembly according to the invention.

[0032] According to the invention, the housing assembly receiving the transmission assembly for seat height adjustment has three components: the first component is an opening suitable for receiving a positioning device. The second component is a fixing device, by which the position of the housing assembly relative to the component of the seat frame can be fixed. The third component is a fastening device, which is suitable for firmly connecting the housing assembly to the component of the seat frame.

[0033] According to the invention, the housing assembly ensures that the components of the transmission assembly are interlocked without play. This avoids vibrations or tremors in the seat height adjustment. In the event of an accident, the components of the transmission assembly are also prevented from loosening.

[0034] In an additional configuration of the invention, the outlet is an opening adapted to receive a cylindrical positioning device. The positioning device has a diameter of the opening of the housing component.

[0035] In an additional aspect of the invention, the fixing device can be used to establish a crimp connection with a component of the seat frame. The shell component can be permanently fixed by the crimp connection. However, the fixing can also be temporary, for example by appropriately marking the position of the shell component. What is required is to accurately anchor the correct position of the shell component.

[0036] In an additional design of the invention, the shell component is fastened to a component of the seat frame by fastening means. The fastening may be achieved by screwing, riveting, welding or any other suitable process which ensures a safe and durable connection between the shell component and the seat frame component.

[0037] In an additional variation of the invention, the fastening means is in the form of a lug. This lug is suitable for producing a secure connection between the shell component and the seat frame part by bending the lug after guiding it through an opening in the seat frame part. This advantageous variation eliminates the need for additional fasteners and is therefore quick, simple and cost-effective to implement. Furthermore, as is known from bolted seat height adjustments, in the event of an accident, there is instability.

[0038] A variant example of the method according to the invention is shown in a simplified diagram and is explained in detail in the following description.

[0039] in: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040] Figure 1 Spatial representation of seat height adjustment with shell assembly according to the invention

[0041] Figure 2a Top view of the positioning and fixing of the housing components

[0042] Figure 2b Positioning and fixing of housing components, top view of the position of the fixed housing components

[0043] Figure 3a Spatial representation of the fastening of fixed housing components

[0044] Figure 3b Spatial representation of the fastening of fixed housing components, bent lugs

[0045] Figure 4a Cross-section of the fixed housing assembly

[0046] Figure 4b Cross-section view of fastening housing assembly

[0047] Figure 5 Positioning of the housing assembly by means of a positioning device

[0048] Figure 6a Assembly ready for operation Seat height adjustment via motorized adjustment Sectional view

[0049] Figure 6b Sectional view of the assembled seat ready for operation with height adjustment by manual adjustment DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0050] Figure 1A spatial representation of the seat height adjustment of a vehicle seat 1 with a shell assembly 4 according to the invention is shown. The vehicle seat 1 has two parts 3 of a seat frame, which are connected to each other by a pivot-mounted connection 15. This figure shows only one part 3 of the seat frame, the structure of the second part 3 of the seat frame being essentially identical, only mirror-inverted. The part 3 of the seat frame is supported directly on the vehicle floor or on the longitudinal seat adjustment rails by parallel front and rear handles. The seat height adjustment adjusts the seat frame 2 by rotating the part 3 of the seat frame. The first transmission assembly 5 has a toothed section 50, wherein the second transmission assembly 6 surrounding the shell assembly 4 engages the toothed section. The first transmission assembly 5, which is movably connected to the part 3 of the seat frame, is driven by a manual or motor drive of the second transmission assembly 6, thereby adjusting the inclination between the part 3 of the seat frame and the vehicle floor and also changing the seat height. The shell assembly 4 surrounding the second transmission assembly 6 is formed as an impact plate, which is fastened to the part 3 of the seat frame by one or more lugs 10 and has an outlet 9. The outlet 9 and the fixing device 14 are used for the correct positioning of the shell assembly 4.

[0051] Figure 2a-2b A top view showing the positioning and fixing of the housing component 4. The housing component 4 surrounds the second transmission component 6, which engages the toothed section 50 of the first transmission component 5. The housing component 4 has an outlet 9, which allows the housing component 4 to be correctly positioned by the positioning device 7 on the component 3 of the seat frame ( Figure 2a In this example, the position of the shell component 4 is fixed after the shell component 4 is correctly positioned by plastic deformation of several fixing devices 14, such as by pressing or crimping the shell component 4, and a smaller area of ​​the component 3 of the seat frame is deformed ( Figure 2b ). After the position of the shell component 4 has been fixed by means of the fixing device 14, the shell component 4 is fastened by means of the lugs 10 which are guided through corresponding openings 11 in the component 3 of the seat frame.

[0052] Figure 3a-Figure 3b A spatial representation of the fastening of the fixed housing component 4 is shown. The seat frame component 3 has an outlet 8, through which the second transmission component 6 is introduced into the housing component 4 (not shown here). The second transmission component 6 engages the toothed section 50 of the first transmission component 5. The position of the housing component 4 is fixed by the fixing device 14 ( Figure 3a ). In this variant, the shell component 4 is fastened by plastic deformation of lugs 10 attached to the shell component 4, which are guided through corresponding openings 11 in the seat frame part 3. The lugs 10 are generally bent outwards, thereby fastening the shell component 4 to the part 3 of the seat frame ( Figure 3b). Alternatively, the seat frame component 3 can also have lugs 10 which are guided through corresponding openings 11 of the shell component 4 .

[0053] Figure 4a-4b Shown by fixing ( Figure 4a ) and fastened ( Figure 4b ) is a cross section of a housing component 4. A component 3 of the seat frame is connected to another mirror-opposite component 3 by means of a connection 15 and has an outlet 8 through which a second transmission component 6 is introduced into the housing component 4 (not shown here). The second transmission component 6 engages a toothed section 50 of the first transmission component 5. The housing component 4 has an outlet 9, the position of which is fixed to the component 3 of the seat frame by means of a fixing device 14 ( Figure 4a The fixing is achieved by mechanical plastic deformation of the shell component 4 and the seat frame part 3, for example by pressing or crimping at several points of the shell component 4 which are ideally as far apart as possible, so as to exclude as much as possible a twisting of the shell component 4 before it is fastened. After the shell component 4 has been fixed, the shell component is fastened ( Figure 4b ). For this purpose, the shell component 4 has a lug 10 and the seat frame part has an opening 11 through which the lug 10 is guided. The opening 11 is preferably formed as an elongated hole. In order to fasten the shell component 4, the lug 10 is bent and engages under the edge of the opening 11. The adhesion and friction forces between the lug 10 and the edge of the opening ensure a safe and sufficiently tight fit of the shell component 4. This advantageous variation of the fastening of the shell component 4 does not require additional fastening means, such as a screw connection, and can therefore be carried out quickly, easily and also cost-effectively. In addition, as is known from the seat height adjustment of the bolt connection, in the event of an accident, there is instability.

[0054] exist Figure 52 shows that the housing component 4 is positioned by means of a positioning device 7. The component 3 of the seat frame has an outlet 8 through which the second transmission assembly 6 is introduced into the housing component 4 (not shown here). The housing component 4 has an outlet 9 which generally has a smaller diameter than the outlet 8 of the component 3 of the seat frame 2. The different carriers 7.1, 7.2 of the fixture 7 have diameters. The carrier 7.2 corresponds to the diameter of the outlet 8 of the component 3 of the seat frame 2 and the carrier 7.1 corresponds to the diameter of the outlet 9 of the housing component 4. In order to accurately position the housing component 4, the fixture 7 is guided through the outlet 8 and subsequently the housing component 4 is assembled onto the fixture 7. This configuration allows the housing component 4 and therefore the second transmission assembly 6 to be positioned accurately, thereby achieving a gap-free correct contact between the teeth of the first transmission assembly 5 and the second transmission assembly 6 and also avoiding vibrations or tremors of the seat height adjustment. The position of the housing component 4 is then fixed and the housing component 4 is fastened by means of the lug 10 guided through the opening 11. Subsequently, the fixture 7 is removed.

[0055] Figure 6a-Figure 6b Assembled seat shown ready for operation with height adjustment by motorized adjustment ( Figure 6a ) and by manual adjustment (FIG. 6). The component 3 of the seat frame and the housing component 4 surrounding the second transmission assembly 6 are connected to each other by means of lugs 10 guided through openings 11. The engaging element 13 of the second transmission assembly 6 is usually formed as a drive pinion, engages the toothed section 50 of the first transmission assembly 5 and drives the first transmission assembly 5. The outlet 8 of the component 3 of the seat frame 2 and the outlet 9 of the housing component 4 mount the shaft of the drive pinion 13.

[0056] In the variant with motorized adjustment ( Figure 6a ), the engagement member 13 is realized by a motorized drive 17 with an electric motor 18. Furthermore, in order to increase the torque and reduce the speed, a transmission can be built-in between the electric motor 18 and the engagement member 13. Depending on the direction of rotation, the inclination between the component 3 of the seat frame and the vehicle floor is adjusted, thereby changing the seat height of the vehicle seat 1. This variant of the seat height adjustment does not require any screw connections for assembly, only the motorized drive is fastened by screws. This significantly reduces the assembly time compared to prior art solutions and increases the stability of the seat height adjustment in the event of an accident.

[0057] By manually adjusting the variant ( Figure 6b) has a manual drive 16, i.e. usually a hand lever, and its drive shaft protrudes through part 3 of the seat frame. This variant of seat height adjustment does not require any screw connections for assembly, the data and types of components being the same as for the variant with motorized adjustment. Only the hand lever or the motorized drive has to be assembled. This significantly reduces costs compared to prior art solutions, especially for mass production.

[0058] Reference Symbols List

[0059] 2 Seat frame

[0060] 3 Seat frame components

[0061] 4 Housing components

[0062] 5 First transmission assembly

[0063] 50 Toothed sections

[0064] 6 Second transmission assembly

[0065] 7 Positioning device

[0066] 7.1, 7.2 Positioning device stage

[0067] 8 Outlet for seat frame components

[0068] 9 Outlet of housing assembly

[0069] 10 Lugs

[0070] 11 Opening

[0071] 13. Joining elements

[0072] 14 Fixtures

[0073] 15 Connections between side parts of seat frame

[0074] 16 Mechanical drive

[0075] 17 Motorized drive

[0076] 18 Motor

Claims

1. A method for assembling a transmission assembly for seat height adjustment on a seat frame of a vehicle seat, the method comprising the following method steps: providing an outlet configured to receive a positioning device; positioning the housing assembly relative to a component of the seat frame; fixing the shell component to the seat frame component by mechanical plastic deformation of the shell component and the seat frame component to achieve a crimped connection of the shell component to the seat frame component; and fastening the shell component to a component of the seat frame by plastic deformation of a lug attached to the shell component, in, The housing assembly includes a strike plate, Therein, the housing component is connected to the seat frame component by a crimping connection.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising positioning an outlet of a component of the seat in a coaxial relationship to an outlet of the housing assembly.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The positioning in a coaxial relationship is achieved by a positioning device and the positioning device has the shape of a trapezoidal cylinder defining the first cylindrical stage and the second cylindrical stage.

4. The method according to claim 3 further comprises positioning an outlet of a component of the seat on a first cylindrical platform of the positioning device and / or positioning an outlet of the housing component on a second cylindrical platform of the positioning device.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising securing the drive assembly including the toothed section by movably connecting the drive assembly having the toothed section to the seat frame.

6. The method of claim 2, further comprising engaging an engagement element with a toothed section to secure a transmission assembly including the engagement element such that the transmission assembly with the engagement element is securely connected to the seat frame.

7. A housing assembly for receiving a seat height adjustment transmission assembly, the housing assembly being suitable for the method of claim 1, comprising: an outlet configured to receive a positioning device; a fixing device configured to fix the position of the shell component relative to a component of the seat frame, and a fastening device configured to securely connect the shell assembly to a component of the seat frame, in, The fixing device is configured to cause mechanical plastic deformation of the shell component and the seat frame component to achieve a crimp connection of the shell component and the seat frame component.

8. The housing assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The outlet is configured to receive a cylindrical structure of a positioning device.

9. The housing assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The housing assembly can be fastened to a component of the seat frame by means of the fastening means.

10. The housing assembly according to claim 7, wherein: The fastening device is in the form of a lug which is configured to produce a fixed connection between the shell component and a component of the seat frame by bending the lug after the lug has been guided through an opening in the component of the seat frame.

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