Method for producing a seat adjustment device for a vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a seat adjustment device (10) for a vehicle seat (2), comprising a transmission arrangement (24) having an electric motor (26), a transmission gear (42) and a transmission housing (52), the invention relates to a transmission assembly (24) comprising a transmission housing (26) having a motor receptacle (62) for receiving an electric motor (26), a cylindrical transmission gear receptacle (66) for enclosing a transmission gear (42), and a transmission cover (74) for closing the transmission gear receptacle (66), the transmission cover (74) being pre-fastened to the transmission gear receptacle (66) during the assembly of the transmission assembly (24), the transmission cover (74) being pre-fastened to the transmission gear receptacle (66), the transmission gear (42) being pre-fastened to the transmission gear receptacle (66), and the transmission cover (74) being pre-fastened to the transmission gear receptacle (66) during the assembly of the transmission assembly (24). The transmission assembly (24) is then fitted in the motor support (22) in such a way that it is inserted at least in sections in the motor support, and wherein the transmission cover (74) is mechanically prevented from being possibly released from the transmission gear receptacle (66) during operation by means of the motor support (22).

Description

Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a seat adjustment device for a vehicle seat, the seat adjustment device having a transmission assembly with an electric motor, a transmission gear, and a transmission housing having a motor receiving portion for receiving the electric motor, a columnar transmission gear receiving portion for surrounding the transmission gear, and a transmission cover for closing the transmission gear receiving portion. The present invention also relates to the transmission cover, the seat adjustment device, and the vehicle seat. Background Art

[0002] The front vehicle seat in a motor vehicle, especially the driver's seat, can usually be longitudinally adjusted in the longitudinal direction (X) of the vehicle so that vehicle users of different heights can operate the pedals for the accelerator, brake, and, if necessary, the clutch well. Thus, such a vehicle seat can be adjusted forward and backward in the horizontal direction. For this purpose, the vehicle seat is coupled to a manual or electric seat adjustment device, especially a seat longitudinal adjustment device.

[0003] Such a seat longitudinal adjustment device has a guide rail assembly as a guiding device, which has at least two seat guide rails (guiding rails, longitudinal adjustment rails). The seat guide rails are also referred to herein as the (seat) upper guide rail and the (seat) lower guide rail, wherein the lower guide rail is fixedly fastened to the vehicle floor, and the upper guide rail coupled to the vehicle seat is slidably supported in the lower guide rail by guiding elements.

[0004] The electric seat adjustment device for a motor vehicle seat adjusts relatively slowly. In contrast, the electric motor for driving rotates relatively fast, usually up to 3000 revolutions per minute at most. An adjustment transmission is used for power transmission, which is designed to achieve a large reduction in speed with as good an efficiency as possible to obtain the required slow adjustment movement and the required torque.

[0005] In a seat longitudinal adjustment device, a flexible drive shaft (so-called flexible shaft) is usually used to transmit power, and the flexible shaft is arranged between the electric motor (seat longitudinal adjustment motor, adjustment motor) and the adjustment transmission. The seat longitudinal adjustment device has, for example, two lead screws fixed relative to the vehicle body, and lead screw nuts are respectively placed on the lead screws, and the internal threads of the lead screw nuts are engaged with the external threads of the respective lead screws. A drive worm coupled to the flexible shaft is engaged with the external tooth portion of the lead screw nut to rotationally drive the lead screw nut, thereby achieving the adjustment of the lead screw nut relative to the lead screw. The electric motor is, for example, supported on the seat frame or coupled to the upper guide rail to promote the adjustment of the upper guide rail or the seat frame relative to the lower guide rail.

[0006] A seat longitudinal adjustment device typically has two parallel guide rail assemblies, which are arranged on the vehicle seat on both sides. Here, for example, it is feasible that an electric motor is arranged between the guide rail assemblies or the upper guide rails by means of a motor bracket. Here, the electric motor is coupled to two flexible shafts extending in the direction of the upper guide rails, for example, by means of a transmission assembly, and each flexible shaft is connected to an assigned adjustment transmission.

[0007] In the assembly of such a seat longitudinal adjustment device, the engagement of the transmission components and their subsequent insertion into the motor bracket are typically performed separately in independent assembly steps. Here, the transmission components are typically already engaged on the transmission assembly and fixed in such a way that they can withstand the system requirements (axial and radial forces of the transmission components under load).

[0008] The transmission assembly has, for example, a transmission gear for drivingly coupling to the two flexible shafts, and the transmission gear is arranged in a transmission gear housing. The transmission gear housing, for example, in the shape of a can, is closed by a transmission cover, wherein the bottom of the transmission gear housing and the transmission cover each have a through-opening for one of the flexible shafts. Conventionally, the transmission cover is fixedly engaged with the transmission gear housing during the transmission gear assembly process, for example, by screw fastening, or by means of ultrasonic welding or laser welding. Summary of the Invention

[0009] The object of the present invention is to describe a particularly suitable method for manufacturing a seat longitudinal adjustment device for a vehicle seat. In particular, a simplified assembly of the transmission assembly should be achieved. The object of the present invention is also to describe a particularly suitable transmission cover, a particularly suitable seat adjustment device, and a particularly suitable vehicle seat.

[0010] This object is solved according to the invention for the method by the features of claim 1, for the transmission cover by the features of claim 3, for the seat adjustment device by the features of claim 6, and for the vehicle seat by the features of claim 12. Advantageous embodiments and improvements are the subject of the dependent claims. The advantages and embodiments proposed for the method can also be meaningfully applied to the transmission cover and / or the seat adjustment device and / or the vehicle seat, and vice versa.

[0011] Here and hereinafter, the conjunction "and / or" should be understood as follows, i.e., the features associated by means of this conjunction can not only form together but also form as alternatives to each other.

[0012] Here, the present invention is based on a comprehensive consideration of the engagement process of the transmission components and their subsequent installation in the motor bracket.

[0013] The present invention is based on the recognition that, depending on the installation in the system / motor bracket, the seemingly reasonable engagement process of the transmission components may become obsolete when considered separately.

[0014] Here, the method according to the invention is provided for, suitable for, and designed for manufacturing a seat adjustment device for a vehicle seat (such as a front seat, especially a driver's seat), such as a seat longitudinal adjustment device, a seat height adjustment device, or a seat tilt adjustment device.

[0015] The transmission assembly according to this method has an electric motor as the (seat) adjustment motor, a transmission gear, and a transmission housing. For example, a brushless electric motor drives a helical worm shaft during operation, which is in meshing engagement with the transmission gear, especially as an external gear, in the assembled state. The transmission gear is coupled to one or two flexible shafts in the installed state, and the driving force of the electric motor is transmitted through them to the respective adjustment transmission to longitudinally adjust the vehicle seat.

[0016] The transmission housing of the transmission assembly has a motor housing for at least partially accommodating the electric motor, a cylindrical transmission gear housing for surrounding the transmission gear, and a transmission cover for closing the transmission gear housing.

[0017] During the assembly of the transmission assembly, the transmission gear is placed in the transmission gear housing, and the electric motor is arranged in the motor housing in such a way that the electric motor is coupled to the transmission gear in terms of drive technology. In particular, the driven worm shaft is engaged with the transmission gear here, thus forming an electrically driven worm gear transmission. According to this method, during this assembly process of the transmission assembly, the transmission cover is pre-fixed on or in the transmission gear housing.

[0018] Here, "pre-fixed" or "pre-fixation" should be understood as a temporary holding in the sense of pre-assembly. The resulting engagement connection is set in terms of its stability especially only for transportation and transmission assembly to prevent the transmission gear from unexpectedly falling out or slipping out of the transmission gear housing. The pre-fixed engagement connection between the transmission cover and the transmission gear housing itself is not set for or suitable for operating the transmission assembly under load. Thus, according to this method, in this structural state (pre-assembly state), the transmission or the transmission assembly cannot yet be operated under load.

[0019] After the assembly of the transmission unit assembly, it is subsequently assembled in the motor bracket in the following manner, i.e., the transmission unit assembly is inserted into the motor bracket section by section. According to the invention, the transmission cover is mechanically prevented from becoming loose from the transmission gear receptacle during operation, i.e., under (full) load, by means of the motor bracket. Thereby, a particularly suitable method for manufacturing a seat longitudinal adjustment device is achieved. In particular, a process-saving assembly of the transmission unit components is achieved.

[0020] Thus, the final fixation of the transmission unit assembly or the transmission cover according to the invention is only achieved in the motor bracket. The transmission unit or the transmission unit assembly can only operate with a full system load in the system because otherwise the connection of the transmission unit components would not be able to be maintained based only on the pre-fixation. In other words, the motor bracket is used to achieve a secure engagement connection for the transmission unit assembly. In the manufacturing concept according to the invention, the assembly of the transmission unit is thus combined with the assembly in the motor bracket. Thus, the motor bracket is expanded with an additional function which strengthens or fixes the pre-fixed mechanically relatively weak engagement connection.

[0021] The assembly in the motor bracket is achieved, for example, by pushing the transmission unit assembly into the transmission receptacle of the motor bracket. The geometry of the motor bracket or the transmission receptacle ensures here that the simple pre-fixation of the transmission cover will no longer become loose. In particular, the transmission cover is held or fixed in a form-fitting manner on the transmission gear receptacle by the motor bracket. After being fixed in the motor bracket, the transmission unit assembly can withstand the system requirements. This means that the transmission unit assembly held in the motor bracket can operate under (full) load without the transmission cover becoming loose from the transmission gear receptacle.

[0022] The additional joining methods (such as screw fastening, laser welding or ultrasonic welding) for permanently fixing the transmission cover in or on the transmission unit assembly are eliminated by the method according to the invention. Thus, the method according to the invention is particularly inexpensive and easy to carry out.

[0023] With the corresponding receptacles in the assembly facility, an EOL test (EOL: End of Life) can still be carried out, for example, before installation in the motor bracket, despite the pre-fixation of the transmission cover, in order to determine the reliability and technical limits of the transmission unit assembly. Here, the receptacles of the assembly facility also suitably achieve a form-fitting holding of the transmission cover on the transmission gear receptacle, and the receptacles of the assembly facility are formed, for example, according to the transmission receptacle of the motor bracket.

[0024] Here and hereinafter, the "form fit" or "form-fitting connection" between at least two interconnected components is particularly understood to mean that the interconnected components are held together in at least one direction by the direct mutual engagement of the profiles of the components themselves or by the indirect mutual engagement of additional connecting elements. Thus, the "locking" against opposite movement in this direction is caused by the shape.

[0025] In an advantageous embodiment, the transmission cover is pre-fixed form-fittingly and / or force-fittingly in the transmission gear receptacle. In particular, the transmission cover is form-fittingly and / or force-fittingly plugged into the transmission gear receptacle. This enables a particularly simple and inexpensive pre-fixation of the transmission cover. In particular, additional components or parts for pre-fixing the transmission cover to the transmission gear receptacle are thus dispensed with. For example, the transmission cover is merely inserted or pressed into the transmission gear receptacle. By means of a simple form fit and / or force fit pre-fixation, for example in the form of shaped scraping ribs, snap fasteners (locking elements) or threaded connecting elements, the separation of the transmission assembly during transmission assembly and transport is reliably prevented.

[0026] Here and hereinafter, the "force fit" or "force-fitting connection" between at least two interconnected components is particularly understood to mean that the interconnected components prevent each other from slipping based on the frictional force acting between them. If the "connecting force" that causes this frictional force is missing (which means the force pressing the components together, such as the screw force or gravity itself), the force-fitting connection cannot be maintained and thus becomes loose.

[0027] The transmission cover according to the invention is provided for, suitable for and designed for the above method. Here, the transmission cover is implemented for pre-fixation on the transmission gear receptacle of the transmission assembly of the seat adjustment device. Here, the transmission cover has a fastening mechanism by means of which the transmission cover can be fastened to the transmission gear receptacle. This enables a particularly suitable transmission cover.

[0028] Since the fastening mechanism only needs to have sufficient stability for pre-fixation, the fastening mechanism can be implemented relatively simply and inexpensively. The fastening mechanism can for example be designed as a thread which can be screwed into a corresponding mating thread of the transmission gear receptacle.

[0029] In a suitable refinement, the fastening mechanism is in particular implemented for form-fitting and / or force-fitting plug-in assembly. For example, the fastening mechanism is implemented as a bent flexible locking tab / clamping tab for latching or clamping, which form-fittingly engages the mating profile of the transmission gear receptacle from the rear during the plug-in assembly process. This enables a particularly advantageous and complexity-reducing pre-fixation.

[0030] In a preferred design, the transmission cover has a plug-in flange for insertion into the transmission gear receiving part, wherein a radially protruding scraping rib is formed on the plug-in flange as a fastening mechanism. Here, the transmission cover is only pressed into the transmission gear receiving part by means of the scraping rib for preliminary fixing, so as to achieve a form-fit and / or force-fit clamping fastening as a joining connection between the transmission cover and the transmission gear receiving part.

[0031] The seat adjustment device according to the invention is provided for, suitable for and designed for a vehicle seat, in particular for a front seat, for example for a driver's seat. Here, the seat adjustment device, which is implemented, for example, as a seat longitudinal adjustment device, is in particular manufactured according to the above method.

[0032] The seat adjustment device has a transmission assembly and a motor bracket. The transmission assembly has an electric motor, a transmission gear and a transmission housing, wherein the transmission housing has a motor receiving part for receiving the electric motor, a columnar transmission gear receiving part for surrounding the transmission gear and the above-mentioned transmission cover for closing the transmission gear receiving part.

[0033] According to the invention, the transmission cover is only preliminarily fixed on the transmission gear receiving part, wherein the transmission assembly is at least sectionally placed in the motor bracket in such a way that the transmission cover is mechanically prevented from loosening from the transmission gear receiving part during operation by the motor bracket. Preferably, the motor bracket compensates for the clearance caused by component tolerances between the transmission assembly and the motor bracket here. Thereby, a seat adjustment device that can be manufactured particularly advantageously is achieved.

[0034] In an advantageous design, the motor bracket has a transmission receiving part for the transmission assembly, the transmission assembly is at least partially or sectionally arranged in the transmission receiving part, and here, the transmission receiving part fixes the transmission cover in a form-fit and operationally safe manner on the transmission gear receiving part. Thus, the transmission receiving part in the motor bracket prevents the transmission cover from falling off under system load.

[0035] The motor bracket is, for example, integral, that is, implemented in one piece or integrally, wherein the transmission receiving part is in particular provided and designed for pushing or inserting the transmission assembly. Alternatively, the motor bracket can also be implemented in multiple parts, wherein the motor bracket having the transmission receiving part is, for example, assembled around the transmission assembly.

[0036] Additional or other aspects of the present invention provide that the transmission assembly, in particular the transmission housing, is form - fit and / or force - fit fastened to the motor support. Thereby, the stability of the system is improved. For example, the transmission assembly is fixed by clips or screws when assembled in the motor support. Alternatively, the transmission assembly can also be fastened to the motor support in a material - fit manner, for example by means of adhesion or welding (e.g., in the area of a welding flange).

[0037] Here and hereinafter, "material - fit" or "material - fit connection" between at least two interconnected components is particularly understood to mean that the interconnected components are held together on their contact surfaces by material bonding or cross - linking (e.g., based on chemical forces between atoms or molecules), optionally with the action of additional materials.

[0038] In a feasible embodiment, the transmission assembly, in particular the transmission housing, is snapped or clipped onto the motor support. Here, for example, a plurality of snap - lock positions or clip positions are provided for fastening the transmission assembly. However, it is also possible to form only one snap - lock or clip position. Thereby, a particularly simple, stable and tool - reducing fastening of the transmission assembly on the motor support is achieved.

[0039] In a preferred refinement, the motor support has at least one deformable (engaging) pin in the area of at least one snap - lock position, which in the deformed state prevents or at least resists the loosening of the snap - lock connection. Here, the transmission assembly is fixed in the motor support by a catch tab or a clip. In the area of the catch tab / clip, these pins are pressed into the motor support in order to, for example, prevent the bending of the catch tab / clip and reduce the clearance caused by component tolerances in the transmission - motor support connection. These pins are preferably already shaped or (injection) molded on the motor support and only need to be pressed in or deformed for fixation.

[0040] In a preferred application, the motor support is arranged in a beam - like manner between two guide rail assemblies of a seat adjustment device. For this application, the transmission assembly is arranged on the motor support, wherein the motor support is fastened to the two guide rail assemblies. Here, the transmission gear has at least one flexible shaft interface. In particular, the transmission gear has two flexible shaft interfaces and is here coupled in a drive - technical manner to two flexible shafts extending in the direction of the guide rail assemblies. Here, the flexible shafts are respectively coupled to the transmission gear on the one hand and to an adjustment transmission, in particular a lead - screw transmission, assigned to the respective guide rail assembly on the other hand. Here, the flexible shafts project from the transmission gear housing on both sides. This means that the longitudinal direction of the transmission gear housing is oriented in the transverse direction with respect to the guide rail assemblies. Here, the transmission cover has a central through - opening for the flexible shafts.

[0041] A vehicle seat according to the present invention is implemented, for example, as a front seat or a driver's seat of a motor vehicle. Here, the vehicle seat has the above-described seat adjustment device. Thus, the vehicle seat can be manufactured particularly simply and inexpensively. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Embodiments of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the figures:

[0043] Figure 1 A side view of a vehicle seat having a seat longitudinal adjustment device is shown,

[0044] Figure 2 A perspective view of a transmission assembly and a motor bracket of the seat longitudinal adjustment device is shown,

[0045] Figure 3 A perspective view of the transmission assembly is shown,

[0046] Figure 4 A perspective exploded view of the transmission assembly is shown,

[0047] Figure 5 A perspective view of a transmission housing of the transmission assembly is shown,

[0048] Figure 6 A perspective view of a transmission cover for the transmission housing, looking outward, is shown,

[0049] Figure 7 A perspective view of the transmission cover, looking inward, is shown,

[0050] Figure 8 A perspective view of the transmission assembly and the motor bracket in a separated state is shown,

[0051] Figure 9 A perspective view of a transmission receiving portion of the motor bracket is shown,

[0052] Figure 10 A top view of the transmission assembly and the motor bracket in a separated state is shown,

[0053] Figure 11 A top view of the transmission assembly and the motor bracket in an engaged state is shown, and

[0054] Figure 12 A partial perspective cross-sectional view of the transmission assembly and the motor bracket in an engaged state is shown.

[0055] Parts and dimensions corresponding to each other are always identified with the same reference numerals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0056] Figure 1The skeletal structure of a vehicle seat 2 without a seat cushion and without a seat cover is shown, with a vehicle user 4 sitting thereon. The vehicle seat 2 has a seating part 6 and a tiltable seat back (backrest) 8. Figure 1 The vehicle seat 2 is shown in a reclined position, with the seat back 8 tilted backward.

[0057] The following explanations in the spatial directions are given in particular for an exemplary installation situation of a vehicle front seat (e.g., driver's seat) in the coordinate system of a motor vehicle (vehicle coordinate system). Here, the transverse axis (X-axis, X-direction) is oriented along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (travel direction), the longitudinal axis (Y-axis, Y-direction) is oriented along the transverse direction of the vehicle, and the vertical axis (Z-axis, Z-direction) is oriented along the height of the vehicle.

[0058] The vehicle seat 2 has a bottom assembly in the form of an electric seat longitudinal adjustment device (seat adjustment device) 10. Here, the seat longitudinal adjustment device 10 has two guide rail assemblies 12 arranged in parallel on the seat side.

[0059] Here, each guide rail assembly 12 has a lower guide rail 14 implemented as a long guide rail and an upper guide rail 16 slidably supported therein. The lower guide rail 14 is fixed to the vehicle floor or the vehicle skeletal structure of the motor vehicle in the assembled state, where the upper guide rail 16 is connected to the seat lower structure 20 of the seating part 6 by an upper guide rail retaining angle 18. The seat lower structure 20 can also be implemented with a seat height adjustment device, for example.

[0060] The lower guide rail 14 is oriented parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (X) with a horizontal guide rail longitudinal direction in the assembled or installed state, where the upper guide rail 16 is arranged slidably (linearly) along the guide rail longitudinal direction.

[0061] The upper guide rail retaining angles 18 of the two upper guide rails 16 engage with a motor bracket 22 oriented in the Y direction ( Figure 2 )

[0062] For example, as shown in Figure 2 , a transmission assembly 24 with an electric motor 26 as an (seat) adjustment motor is arranged on the motor bracket 22. A lead screw drive, for example, is integrated in each of the lower guide rails 14 as the adjustment drive of the seat longitudinal adjustment device 10. Here, the lead screw drive has a lead screw and a lead screw nut extending along the respective lower guide rail 14. The lead screw nuts are each connected to the transmission assembly 24 or to the electric motor 26 in a drive-technical manner by a flexible shaft 28. Here, the flexible shaft 28 is guided in an axis channel or guide channel (not further shown) of the motor bracket 22.

[0063] The motor bracket 22 has flange flanges 30 at the ends for fastening to the upper guide rail retaining angles 18.

[0064] The following, in conjunction with Figures 3 to 7 and Figure 12 further elaborates on the structure of the transmission assembly 24.

[0065] The brushless electric motor 26 is implemented, for example, as an outer rotor having a wound stator 32 and a rotor (can) 36 provided with permanent magnets 34. The rotor 36 is joined to the motor shaft 38 in a manner fixed relative to the axis. A helical worm shaft 40 is arranged on the motor shaft 38 to drive a transmission gear 42 coupled to the flexible shaft 28. The motor shaft 38 is rotatably supported in a bearing housing 50 of the transmission housing 52 by means of bearings 44, 46, 48.

[0066] The electric motor 26 is connected to motor electronics, which are arranged in a structural space formed between an electronics bracket 54 and an electronics cover 56. The electronics bracket 54 is arranged on the end side of the electric motor 26 opposite the worm shaft 40.

[0067] The helical transmission gear 42 is arranged on the transmission shaft 58 in a manner fixed relative to the axis, wherein the transmission shaft 58 has receiving portions 60 at the shaft end sides respectively for non-rotatably coupling to the respective flexible shafts 28.

[0068] In Figure 5 the transmission housing 52 shown individually has a motor receiving portion 62 for at least partially receiving the electric motor 26. The substantially can-shaped motor receiving portion 62 opens into a substantially tubular connecting section 64, which opens into the bearing housing 50. Here, the motor receiving portion 62, the connecting section 64 and the bearing housing 50 are arranged coaxially with each other. A columnar transmission gear receiving portion 66 for surrounding the transmission gear 42 is integrally formed (i.e., in one piece or as a whole) transversely to the connecting section 64. Here, the connecting section 64 and the transmission gear receiving portion 66 or the volume enclosed by them are connected to each other by a window-shaped through-opening 68 ( Figure 12 ).

[0069] The electric motor 26 is placed in a motor housing 70 connected to the electronics bracket 54 and the electronics cover 56, and the motor housing surrounds the electric motor 26 on the outer peripheral side. Here, the electric motor 26 is inserted into the motor receiving portion 62 such that the flange of the motor receiving portion 62 abuts against the motor housing 70. In the inserted state, the motor shaft 38 is fitted into the bearings 44, 46, 48 arranged on the bearing housing 50 at the shaft end side, wherein the worm shaft 40 is arranged in the connecting section 64 in such a manner that the worm shaft 40 and the transmission gear 42 are non-rotatably fitted into each other through the through-opening 68.

[0070] The gear housing 66 has a pot-shaped bottom which is designed as a bearing seat 72. The gear housing 66 is thus open on one side, wherein the opening can be closed by means of a gear cover 74. The gear cover 74 has a bearing seat 76 ( Figure 7 ). A bearing 78 for rotatably supporting the transmission shaft 58 is arranged in each of the bearing seats 72 and 76, wherein Figure 4 Only the bearing 78 on the cover side is shown.

[0071] A holding frame 80 having holding flanges 82 protruding on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the drive gear receptacle is formed on the drive gear receptacle 66. The holding frame 80 has a receptacle 84 for an engagement pin 86 on its front side, facing the bearing seat 50. On its rear side, facing away from the motor receptacle 62, the holding frame 80 has a latching nose 88 protruding perpendicularly to the holding flanges 82. Thus, the latching nose 88 is oriented perpendicularly to the axial direction of the motor shaft 38 and the drive shaft 58.

[0072] exist Figure 6 and Figure 7 The transmission cover 74, shown singly in the figure, has a plug-in flange 90 surrounding the bearing seat 76 and intended to be inserted into the opening of the transmission gear receptacle 66 during assembly. The plug-in flange 90 has a number of radially projecting scraping ribs as fastening means 92, which are designated in the figure by reference numerals only as examples. The transmission cover 74 has a central through-opening 94 for the flexible shaft 28. At approximately halfway up, the transmission cover 74 has a radially projecting flange 96 that serves as an axial stop when plugged into the transmission gear receptacle 66.

[0073] The transmission cover 74 can be pressed into the transmission gear receptacle 66 for pre-fixation on the transmission housing 52 , wherein the scraper ribs 92 enable the transmission cover 74 to be clamped, in particular force-fittingly, to be fastened to the transmission gear receptacle 66 .

[0074] As in Figure 8 and Figure 9 As can be seen relatively clearly in FIG, the truss-like motor support 22 has a transmission receptacle 98 for holding the transmission assembly 24. The transmission receptacle 98 is designed in particular for fastening and holding the transmission housing 52 in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner. Figure 9 The structure of the transmission receptacle 98 will be explained in more detail.

[0075] The transmission housing part 98 has a substantially rectangular bottom 100 and three side walls 102, 104, 106 extending vertically therefrom. The side walls 102, 106 arranged parallel to each other are arranged on the transmission gear housing part 66 at the end side in the engaged state, and each has an opening (not further shown) in the assigned channel for guiding the flexible shaft 28.

[0076] Two vertically formed arms 108, 110 extend from the side walls 102, 106 respectively and project into the transmission housing part 98. Here, the arm 108 is arranged near the bottom 100, and the arm 110 is arranged at the upper end parts of the side walls 102, 106. A groove-shaped intermediate space for guiding the retaining flange 82 is formed between the bottom 100 and the arm 108, and the intermediate space formed between the arms 108, 106 is provided and configured to accommodate and guide the transmission gear housing part 66.

[0077] In the side wall 104 perpendicular to the side walls 102, 106 and oriented towards the bearing seat 50 at the end side, a through-opening 112 is provided on the bottom side, which is arranged coaxially aligned with the receiving part 84 of the retaining frame 80 in the engaged state.

[0078] A U-shaped slit 114 is provided in the bottom 100, which releases the bent flexible latching tab 116. The latching tab 116 has a receiving opening 118 for the latching nose 88 at the free end side.

[0079] The following in conjunction with Figure 10 and Figure 12 further elaborates on the method according to the invention for manufacturing the seat longitudinal adjustment device 10, in particular for engaging the transmission assembly 24 and the motor bracket 22.

[0080] First, the transmission assembly 24 is assembled. Here, the electronic device bracket 54 and the electronic device cover 56 are joined to the electric motor 26, and the electric motor is placed in the motor receiving part 62 of the transmission housing 52 by means of the motor shaft 38 in such a way that the worm shaft 40 is arranged in the coupling section 64. The transmission gear 42 is placed in the transmission gear housing part 66 by means of the transmission shaft 58, so that the transmission gear 42 is meshingly engaged with the worm shaft 40.

[0081] According to this method, the transmission cover 74 is only pre-fixed on the transmission gear receiving part 66. For this purpose, the transmission cover 74 is pressed into the opening of the transmission gear receiving part 66 by means of a scraping rib 92. The engaging connection achieved by the pre-fixation is dimensioned with respect to its stability, especially only with respect to transportation and transmission assembly, in such a way that the transmission gear 42 is prevented from undesirably falling out or slipping out of the transmission gear receiving part 66. The pre-fixed engaging connection between the transmission cover 74 and the transmission gear receiving part 66 is not itself provided for or suitable for operating the transmission assembly 24 under load.

[0082] Subsequently, the transmission assembly 24 (as Figure 10 shown) is pushed into the transmission receiving part 98 in the X direction. Here, the retaining flange 82 is engaged in the guiding part formed by the bottom 100 and the support arm 108, wherein the bearing housing 72 and the transmission cover 74 are linearly guided between the support arms 108, 110. Here, the support arms 108, 110 achieve a form-fitting guide in the Z direction, so that the locking nose 88 deflects at least sectionally the locking tab 116 when the transmission assembly 24 is pushed in, and then is form-fittingly and force-locking engaged or clamped in the receiving opening 118. By means of the locking or clamping, the transmission assembly 24 is form-fittingly held in the transmission receiving part 98 in the X direction, wherein the support arms 108, 110 and the bottom achieve a form-fitting in the Z direction, and wherein the side walls 102, 106 form-fittingly surround the transmission assembly 24 in the X direction. In particular, thus the transmission cover 74 is form-fittingly held on the transmission gear receiving part 66 by means of the motor bracket 22, so that the transmission assembly 24 can operate safely under (full) load. Thus, the motor bracket 22 mechanically prevents the transmission cover 74 from becoming loose from the transmission gear receiving part 66 during operation, i.e., under (full) load.

[0083] The motor bracket 22 has at least one deformable engaging pin 86 in this embodiment, which is inserted through the through-opening 112 and the receiving part 84. Here, the engaging pin 86 is, for example, injection-molded on the motor bracket 22. The engaging pin 86 has two engaging arms 120 passing through the through-opening 112 and the receiving part 84, as well as a flange 122 and an engaging rod 124. After the locking nose 88 is locked with the receiving opening 118, the engaging rod 124 is deformed axially in the direction of the engaging arm 120. Thereby, the engaging arms 120 expand bolt-like, so as to achieve a form-fitting and force-locking fixation of the motor bracket 22 with the transmission assembly 24, which resists the loosening of the locking.

[0084] Subsequently, the flexible shaft 28 is guided on both sides through the guide channels of the motor support 22 and engages with the receiving part 60 of the transmission shaft 58. Finally, the motor support 22 is fixed to the upper guide rail retaining angle 18 by means of the flange flange 30, and the flexible shaft 28 is coupled to the respective adjustment drive of the guide rail assembly 12.

[0085] The claimed invention is not limited to the above embodiments. On the contrary, those skilled in the art can also derive other variants of the invention from within the scope of the disclosed claims without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention. In particular, all individual features described in connection with various different embodiments within the scope of the disclosed claims can also be combined in other ways without departing from the subject matter of the claimed invention.

[0086] List of reference signs

[0087] 2 Vehicle seat

[0088] 4 Vehicle user

[0089] 6 Seating part

[0090] 8 Seat back

[0091] 10 Seat adjustment device, seat longitudinal adjustment device

[0092] 12 Guide rail assembly

[0093] 14 Lower guide rail

[0094] 16 Upper guide rail

[0095] 18 Upper guide rail retaining angle

[0096] 20 Seat substructure

[0097] 22 Motor support

[0098] 24 Transmission assembly

[0099] 26 Electric motor

[0100] 28 Flexible shaft

[0101] 30 Flange flange

[0102] 32 Stator

[0103] 34 Permanent magnet

[0104] 36 Rotor

[0105] 38 Motor shaft

[0106] 40 Worm shaft

[0107] 42 Transmission gear

[0108] Bearings 44, 46, 48

[0109] Bearing housing 50

[0110] Drive housing 52

[0111] Electronic device support 54

[0112] Electronic device cover 56

[0113] Drive shaft 58

[0114] Receiving part 60

[0115] Motor receiving part 62

[0116] Connecting section 64

[0117] Drive gear receiving part 66

[0118] Through-opening 68

[0119] Motor housing 70

[0120] Bearing housing 72

[0121] Drive cover 74

[0122] Bearing housing 76

[0123] Bearing 78

[0124] Retention frame 80

[0125] Retention flange 82

[0126] Receiving part 84

[0127] Joining pin 86

[0128] Locking nose 88

[0129] Plug-in flange 90

[0130] Fastening mechanism / Scraping rib 92

[0131] Through-opening 94

[0132] Flange 96

[0133] Drive housing 98

[0134] Bottom 100

[0135] Side walls 102, 104, 106

[0136] Arms 108, 110

[0137] Through-opening 112

[0138] Gap 114

[0139] 116 Latching tab

[0140] 118 Receiving opening

[0141] 120 Joining arm

[0142] 122 Flange

[0143] 124 Joining rod

[0144] X Vehicle longitudinal direction

[0145] Y Vehicle transverse direction

[0146] Z Vehicle height direction

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a seat adjustment device (10) for a vehicle seat (2), the seat adjustment device having a transmission assembly (24), the transmission assembly having an electric motor (26), a transmission gear (42), and a transmission housing (52), the transmission housing having a motor receiving portion (62) for receiving the electric motor (26), a cylindrical transmission gear receiving portion (66) for surrounding the transmission gear (42), and a transmission cover (74) for closing the transmission gear receiving portion (66). - Among them, During the assembly of the transmission assembly (24), the transmission cover (74) is pre-fixed to the transmission gear receiving portion (66). - wherein the transmission assembly (24) is subsequently assembled in a motor bracket (22) such that the transmission assembly is at least sectionally inserted into the motor bracket, and - wherein the motor bracket (22) mechanically prevents the transmission cover (74) from possibly becoming loose from the transmission gear receiving portion (66) during operation.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the transmission cover (74) is pre-fixed in a form-fitting and / or force-fitting manner in the transmission gear receiving portion (66).

3. A drive cover (74) for a drive assembly (24) of a seat adjustment device (10), wherein, The transmission cover (74) has a fastening mechanism (92) for pre-fixing to the transmission gear receiving portion (66) of the transmission assembly (24).

4. The transmission cover (74) according to claim 3, characterized in that the fastening mechanism (92) is implemented for form-fitting and / or force-fitting plug-in assembly with the transmission gear receiving portion (66).

5. The transmission cover (74) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a plug-in flange (90) for insertion into the transmission gear receiving portion (66) is provided, wherein radially protruding scraping ribs are formed as the fastening mechanism (92) on the plug-in flange (90).

6. A seat adjustment device (10) for a vehicle seat (2), the seat adjustment device having a transmission assembly (24) and a motor bracket (22), - Among them, the transmission assembly (24) having an electric motor (26), a transmission gear (42), and a transmission housing (52), the transmission housing having a motor receiving portion (62) for receiving the electric motor (26), a cylindrical transmission gear receiving portion (66) for surrounding the transmission gear (42), and a transmission cover (73) for closing the transmission gear receiving portion (66) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, - wherein the transmission cover (74) is pre-fixed to the transmission gear receiving portion (66), and - wherein the transmission assembly (24) is at least sectionally inserted into the motor bracket (22), and - wherein the motor bracket (22) mechanically prevents the transmission cover (74) from possibly becoming loose from the transmission gear receiving portion (66) during operation.

7. The seat adjustment device (10) according to claim 6, It is characterized in that the motor bracket (22) has a transmission housing part (98) for the transmission assembly (24), the transmission assembly (24) is arranged at least sectionally in the transmission housing part, and the transmission housing part positively fixes the transmission cover (74) on the transmission gear housing part (66) in this case.

8. The seat adjustment device (10) according to claim 6 or 7 It is characterized in that the transmission assembly (24), in particular the transmission housing (52), is positively and / or force-fittingly fastened to the motor bracket (22).

9. The seat adjustment device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 8 It is characterized in that the transmission assembly (24), in particular the transmission housing (52), is latched to the motor bracket (22).

10. The seat adjustment device (10) according to claim 9 It is characterized in that the motor bracket (22) has at least one deformable engagement pin (86) in the region of at least one latching position, and the engagement pin resists the release of the latching connection in the deformed state.

11. The seat adjustment device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 10 It is characterized in that the transmission gear (42) is drivingly connected to two flexible shafts (28), and the two flexible shafts project from the transmission gear housing part (66) on both sides.

12. A vehicle seat (2) for a motor vehicle, the vehicle seat having the seat adjustment device (10) according to any one of claims 6 to 11

Images