Longitudinal adjustment device for a vehicle seat having an intrusion

Abstract

The invention relates to a longitudinal adjustment device (10) for the manual longitudinal movement of a vehicle seat, having a vehicle-fixed seat rail (20) and a movable movement device (30), in which the vehicle-fixed seat rail (20) prevents foreign matter from entering the area of the seat rail by means of a connecting tab (24) and a projection (26), thereby preventing functional and safety failures. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat having such a longitudinal adjustment device (10) and to a vehicle having such a seat.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a longitudinal adjustment device for manually moving a vehicle seat, the device comprising a seat rail fixed to the vehicle and a movable movement mechanism, wherein the seat rail fixed to the vehicle prevents foreign objects from entering the seat rail area by means of connecting pieces and bulges, thereby preventing functional and safety malfunctions. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat having such a longitudinal adjustment device and a vehicle having such a seat. Background Technology

[0002] Especially in vehicles with manually adjustable seats, there is a risk that items can intrude into the so-called seat rails (along which the seats can move) and thus affect their function. Items such as coins and keys are particularly likely to slide between the center aisle and the vehicle seat. Due to the geometry of the center aisle, these items are guided below the openings in the seat rails. Items that have slid under the vehicle seat or are placed there may also enter the area of ​​the seat rails.

[0003] This poses a risk to vehicle occupants, especially in the event of a collision, because intruding foreign objects can prevent the seat from locking securely in its designated position. This locking is typically achieved through so-called pfeifen, spring-loaded locking pins, which, due to foreign object intrusion, can no longer re-enter their locking positions in the form of openings in the seat rails. Therefore, in the event of a collision, the vehicle seat will not remain in its position, potentially leading to serious injury to the vehicle occupants.

[0004] Existing solutions involve cover strips designed to prevent the intrusion of foreign objects. Besides the cost of manufacturing and installing such cover strips, an impact on the visibility of vehicle occupants is also a drawback. Furthermore, cover strips increase the weight of vehicle seats.

[0005] Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a solution that reliably prevents foreign objects from intruding into the seat rails. This solution should not impair the mobility of the vehicle seat and preferably should not obstruct the view of the vehicle occupants. Preferably, the solution should be optimized in terms of weight and cost. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The technical problem is solved by the longitudinal adjustment device according to claim 1, the vehicle seat according to claim 9, and the vehicle according to claim 10. Other preferred embodiments of the invention are derived from the remaining features mentioned in the dependent claims.

[0007] The longitudinal adjustment device for manually moving a vehicle seat according to the invention comprises a seat rail fixed to the vehicle and a moving device movable in the longitudinal direction within the seat rail. The moving device is designed to have at least one spring-loaded locking pin that engages with the seat rail fixed to the vehicle to fix it in a relative position between the seat rail fixed to the vehicle and the moving device connected to the vehicle seat.

[0008] Here, the seat rail fixed to the vehicle has a plurality of open sections arranged sequentially along its longitudinal direction on the side opposite to the moving device. At least one locking pin engages with one of the open sections to fix (positionally fix) the moving device. Furthermore, the seat rail fixed to the vehicle has a raised portion arranged laterally relative to the open section, the raised portion extending along the area of ​​the open section, and each open section has a connecting piece on its side opposite to the raised portion. The connecting piece connects to the edge of that side of the open section and is oriented substantially in the same direction as the raised portion, wherein the raised portion and the connecting piece each have at least a height corresponding to the amount by which at least one locking pin protrudes beyond the open section.

[0009] The vehicle seat according to the invention has two longitudinal adjustment devices according to the invention. The claimed vehicle is equipped with at least one such vehicle seat. Attached Figure Description

[0010] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0011] Figure 1 A perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of the longitudinal adjustment device according to the present invention is provided.

[0012] Figure 2 Showing relative to Figure 1 Another 3D view, and

[0013] Figure 3 Show Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the longitudinal adjustment device in the middle. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The longitudinal adjustment device for manually moving a vehicle seat according to the invention comprises a seat rail fixed to the vehicle and a movable device movable relative to the seat rail in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, connected to the vehicle seat and engaging with the seat rail fixed to the vehicle. The movable device has at least one spring-loaded locking pin for securing the movable device to the seat rail fixed to the vehicle. The seat rail fixed to the vehicle has a plurality of recesses arranged sequentially in its longitudinal direction on a side opposite to the movable device, wherein at least one locking pin engages with one of the recesses to secure the movable device. The seat rail fixed to the vehicle has ridges arranged laterally relative to the recesses, extending along the area of ​​the recesses. Each recess has a connecting piece on its side opposite to the ridge, the connecting piece connecting to the edge of the recess thereon and oriented substantially in the same direction as the ridge. The ridge and the connecting piece each have at least a height corresponding to the amount by which at least one locking pin protrudes beyond the recess.

[0015] Therefore, the longitudinal adjustment device should enable the vehicle seat to move longitudinally within the vehicle. For this purpose, such a vehicle seat is equipped with two such longitudinal adjustment devices. In a vehicle, at least one vehicle seat has two longitudinal adjustment devices according to the invention.

[0016] The longitudinal adjustment device consists of a seat rail fixed to the vehicle and a moving device.

[0017] Seat rails fixed to the vehicle are secured to the floor of the vehicle's interior space, thereby securing them to the vehicle body, for example, by bolts. Therefore, the position of the seat rails relative to the vehicle is fixed, i.e., arranged to be fixed to the vehicle. A movable device connects to the vehicle seat, which can also be achieved, for example, by bolts. The movable device engages with the seat rails fixed to the vehicle and is movable relative to the seat rails in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This engagement allows the movable device to be at least partially inserted into and / or fitted into the seat rails fixed to the vehicle, and thereafter movable only in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, but not removed from the seat rails fixed to the vehicle. Through this arrangement of the seat rails fixed to the vehicle, when the movable device moves relative to the seat rails of the vehicle seat, the vehicle seat also moves relative to the vehicle in its longitudinal direction.

[0018] To secure a seat position selected by a vehicle occupant, i.e., to fix it in that position, at least one spring-loaded locking pin is provided in or on the moving device. The spring-loaded locking pin itself is known in the prior art and is also referred to as a locking pin in the prior art. One or more such locking pins are designed such that they strive to extend their full length under the action of a spring, thereby engaging with an opening provided for this purpose in a seat rail fixed to the vehicle, thus securing the position of the moving device and the seat rail. In this case, it is sufficient for one of the existing locking pins of the longitudinal adjustment device to be active in this position, but it is advantageous for multiple locking pins to work together to fix the position of the moving device relative to the seat rail fixed to the vehicle.

[0019] To move the vehicle seat longitudinally, a spring is compressed by an operating device (to which at least one locking pin is operatively connected), causing the locking pin to be compressed or retracted, thereby disengaging it from its engagement with the seat rail fixed to the vehicle. The vehicle seat can then move. When the operating device is released, the spring force causes the locking pin to return to its extended position and engage with a recess provided for this purpose in the seat rail.

[0020] According to the invention, the seat rail fixed to the vehicle now has a plurality of recesses arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction of the seat rail on the side opposite to the moving device, in the installation position, i.e., pointing downwards, thus having at least two recesses. These recesses are recesses to which at least one locking pin should engage according to the selected seat position. The plurality of recesses form an area, which is hereinafter also referred to as a recess strip. As mentioned above, the plurality of locking pins may also engage with the aforementioned recesses, and it is important that at least one of the locking pins achieves this engagement.

[0021] The number and size of the clearances depend on the desired precision in the setting of the longitudinal movement of the vehicle seat, as well as the static requirements for ensuring the safe position of the seat relative to the vehicle (even in the event of a collision, especially when working in conjunction with at least one locking pin), and the number and size of the locking pins.

[0022] On the side of the gap strip formed by the gap, the seat rail fixed to the vehicle has a raised portion, which, depending on the viewing angle, can also be referred to as a groove. The extension length of the raised portion is the same as that of the gap.

[0023] Furthermore, the seat rails fixed to the vehicle have connecting tabs at each open section on the side opposite to the raised portion. These connecting tabs connect to the edge of the open section at that location. These connecting tabs are oriented substantially in the same direction as the raised portion, so both the connecting tabs and the raised portion point downwards in the installed state. The connecting tabs can be formed from the seat rails fixed to the vehicle, for example, by stamping and bending. Attention should be paid to the material-related contour radii of the open sections and connecting tabs to limit possible notch effects while facilitating bending. Due to stamping, the size of the connecting tabs is smaller than the size of the open sections.

[0024] To achieve the desired effect of the longitudinal adjustment device according to the invention, namely, preventing foreign objects from intruding into the area of ​​the longitudinal adjustment device, the connecting piece and the raised portion must each have a height corresponding to the amount by which at least one locking pin protrudes beyond the empty portion when the locking pin engages with the empty portion. During engagement, i.e., in the effective locking position, at least one locking pin protrudes downward beyond the empty portion relative to the installed state. To prevent failure of at least one locking pin due to intrusion of foreign objects during or after movement of the vehicle seat, both the connecting piece and the raised portion at the empty portion must be at least as high as the amount of protrusion of at least one locking pin. Here, the connecting piece and the raised portion can be designed not to contact the floor of the vehicle's interior space to avoid static over-constraint (or over-stress). However, in the event of a collision with strong deformation forces, the connecting piece and the raised portion can form an additional support surface or support for the longitudinal adjustment device.

[0025] The connecting piece and the raised portion work together to prevent foreign object intrusion. On one longitudinal side of the seat rail fixed to the vehicle, the raised portion acts as a barrier, preventing foreign objects from entering; on the other longitudinal side, the connecting piece achieves this function.

[0026] The preferred arrangement of the seat rails fixed to the vehicle specifies that the longitudinal side with the connecting piece faces the outer side of the seat, and the longitudinal side with the raised portion faces the longitudinal central axis of the vehicle seat. Here, the two seat rails fixed to the vehicle are formed in a mirror-symmetrical manner with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the vehicle seat. Of course, the orientation of the seat rails fixed to the vehicle can also be reversed and / or achieved using two identical seat rails.

[0027] The longitudinal adjustment device disclosed above achieves integrated shielding of components for the manual unlocking system used for longitudinal movement of vehicle seats, while avoiding negative impacts on the vehicle user's vision caused by connecting elements such as welds, rivets, or screws. The integrated construction eliminates the need for additional components, simplifying manufacturing and assembly, for example, improving process stability during painting, and reducing the overall weight of the longitudinal adjustment device.

[0028] According to a first embodiment of the longitudinal adjustment device according to the invention, two supports for securing the seat rail to the vehicle are constructed or arranged on the seat rail fixed to the vehicle. These supports should ensure that neither the raised portion nor the connecting piece contacts the floor of the vehicle's interior space to avoid static over-constraint. The supports thus ensure sufficient ground clearance for the longitudinal adjustment device in the areas of the raised portion and the connecting piece. For this purpose, the supports can be implemented, for example, as protrusions formed from the seat rail fixed to the vehicle. Alternatively, the supports can also be mounted as additional components on the seat rail fixed to the vehicle. The seat rail fixed to the vehicle is then supported on and connected to the vehicle floor in the area of ​​the supports.

[0029] In the second embodiment, the width of the connecting piece increases with the distance from its connection point. The connecting piece should be narrower at its connection point with the seat rail fixed to the vehicle, and wider with increasing distance. This has two advantages. On the one hand, the narrower starting end of the connecting piece at the connection point facilitates stamping, as the radius at this point can be optimized to reduce the notch effect, and bending of the connecting piece after stamping is also simplified. On the other hand, the wider connecting piece at the free end helps to more effectively block intruding foreign objects. At least in the case where the connecting piece is manufactured by stamping from the seat rail, the width and length of the connecting piece depend on the size of the clearance, so the area of ​​the connecting piece is always smaller than the clearance itself.

[0030] In another embodiment, the height of the connecting piece is less than the height of the raised portion. In this case, the raised portion can act as a support for fixing to the seat rail of the vehicle. This allows for compensation for dimensional deviations (tolerances) in the manufacturing of the connecting piece, and because the connecting piece in this embodiment does not contact the vehicle floor in this manner, over-constraint of the system is prevented.

[0031] Advantageously, the at least one locking pin has a cross-section that tapers towards its end. The locking pin is similar to a frustum. This shape of the end of the at least one locking pin facilitates its insertion into a recess, allowing the locking pin to be quickly and reliably inserted into such a recess. This facilitates the locking process after longitudinal movement of the vehicle seat.

[0032] Another advantageous embodiment is that at least one locking pin has a circumferential groove at its end. This groove, i.e., an annular notch in the area where the locking pin is inserted into the recess, can secure the vehicle seat in position during deformation in the area of ​​the vehicle seat in the event of a collision by wedging the locking pin against the edge of the recess in the groove area and preventing the vehicle seat from detaching. This prevents or at least reduces uncontrolled movement of the seat and the resulting risk of injury to the vehicle occupants.

[0033] To improve the positional fixation of the mobile device on the longitudinal guide rail of the vehicle, it is useful to have at least two locking pins, wherein the wheelbase of the locking pins is different from the wheelbase of the clearance portion.

[0034] Therefore, the wheelbase between the locking pins should be different from the wheelbase between the open portions. Preferably, the distance between the locking pins is less than the distance between the open portions. Due to manufacturing reasons, there will always be dimensional deviations between the open portions and the locking pins, which may result in one of the multiple locking pins failing to insert into the open portion or accidentally getting stuck in the open portion, thus limiting the function of the vehicle seat.

[0035] However, if at least two locking pins are provided, and these at least two locking pins are arranged with a spacing between them that differs from the spacing of the open portion, the likelihood of at least one locking pin engaging with the open portion is increased. Another locking pin, due to its different spacing, may fall into the area between the open portions and therefore cannot engage and may become stuck.

[0036] If the size of the locking pin is significantly smaller than the size of the empty portion, the corresponding spacing can also be selected such that at least two locking pins engage with the empty portion, but do not get stuck due to the significantly smaller diameter relative to the size of the empty portion.

[0037] Alternatively or additionally, the diameter of the locking pin may be less than the length and / or width of the void, particularly half the length and / or width of the void. This facilitates the introduction of at least one locking pin into the void and reduces the risk of the locking pin colliding with the connecting piece at the corresponding void.

[0038] The different embodiments of the present invention mentioned in this application can be advantageously combined with each other unless otherwise described separately.

[0039] based on Figures 1 to 3 An exemplary embodiment of the longitudinal adjustment device 10 according to the present invention will be shown. Three figures will be described together.

[0040] exist Figure 1 The longitudinal adjustment device 10 according to the invention is shown from a first-person side view. Figure 2 The figure shows a perspective bottom view of the longitudinal adjustment device, and in Figure 3 The sectional view is shown in the figure.

[0041] The longitudinal adjustment device 10 consists of a seat rail 20 fixed to the vehicle and a moving device 30. The seat rail 20 is fixed to the vehicle floor by bolts. This is done in the area of ​​the two supports 40. Alternatively, the seat rail 20 can be fixed to the vehicle, for example, in the center aisle, by means of three fixing holes 42 (only one is shown for clarity).

[0042] The seat rail 20 fixed to the vehicle has multiple clearances 22, these clearances in Figure 2 This is particularly evident in the middle. Connecting pieces 24 are attached to one side of the open section 22. These connecting pieces are formed from the seat guide rail 20 by stamping and bending.

[0043] Opposite to the connecting piece 24, a raised portion 26 extends along all the open portions 22. The connecting piece 24 and the raised portion 26 point downwards in the installed state.

[0044] Mobile device 30, such as especially Figure 3 The movable device shown is engaged with a seat rail 20 fixed to the vehicle, wherein the movable device is supported to move longitudinally relative to the seat rail. A support member 38 is provided for this purpose. Figure 3 ).

[0045] In this exemplary embodiment of the longitudinal adjustment device 10, the moving device 30 has two spring-loaded locking pins 32 that engage with and protrude from the clearance portion 22 (especially...). Figure 2 ).like Figure 3 It is clearly visible that the height of the raised portion 26 and the height of the connecting piece 24 correspond at least to the amount of protrusion of the locking pin 32 into the downward protruding empty portion 22.

[0046] The moving device 30 is connected to the vehicle seat (not shown). The moving device has an operating element 36, which is operatively connected to a locking pin 32. When the user pulls the operating element 36 upward, the spring and the locking pin 32 are compressed and pulled out from the recess 22 (if they are in the engaged state). At this time, the vehicle seat can be moved. When the target position is reached, the user releases the operating element 36, and the spring-loaded locking pin 32 extends in its longitudinal direction and engages with the recess 22 of the seat rail according to its position relative to the seat rail 20 fixed to the vehicle. To facilitate this process, the locking pin 32 is shaped into a frustoconical shape at its end, having a gradually tapering cross-section.

[0047] Furthermore, the locking pin 32 has a groove 34 at its tapering end. This groove is used to engage the locking pin 32 with the clearance 22 fixed to the seat rail 20 of the vehicle in the event of a collision when deformation occurs in the area of ​​the longitudinal adjustment device 10, thereby keeping the vehicle seat largely in its position.

[0048] Figure 2 The wheelbase a is also indicated by the locking pin 32. V The wheelbase a of the empty part 22 A It can be clearly seen that the wheelbase a of locking pin 32 VThe wheelbase is smaller than that of the empty portion 22. Simultaneously, the diameter of the locking pin 32 is significantly smaller than the size of the empty portion 22. Both of these factors facilitate the engagement of the locking pin 32 with the empty portion 22. If there are more than two locking pins 32, due to the wheelbase a... V and a A If different, it may not be able to engage with the third empty part 22, in which case the locking pin will fall on the area between the two empty parts 22.

[0049] Figures 1 to 3 When the longitudinal adjustment device 10 is installed in the vehicle, the raised portion 26 faces the central axis of the vehicle seat, and the connecting piece 24 faces the outer side of the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat has two such longitudinal adjustment devices 10, and for this purpose they are constructed to be mirror symmetrical.

[0050] With this configuration of the longitudinal adjustment device 10, no foreign objects can now intrude into the longitudinal adjustment device, and especially into the engagement area of ​​the locking pin 32. For example, foreign objects falling between the vehicle seat and the center console are blocked by the connecting piece 24. Objects that get stuck under the vehicle seat and move toward the seat rail 20 are blocked by the protrusion 26. Therefore, the engagement of the locking pin 32 with the seat rail 20 is not compromised by foreign objects.

[0051] To further improve the blocking of foreign objects, the connecting piece 24 widens from its connection point with the seat rail 20 fixed to the vehicle toward its free end.

[0052] The technical problem mentioned at the beginning is solved by the longitudinal adjustment device, related vehicle seat, and vehicle according to the present invention. Foreign object intrusion and the resulting damage to the longitudinal movement of the vehicle seat are avoided. The proposed solution is integrated, thus requiring no additional parts. This simplifies installation in the vehicle and achieves weight savings. Furthermore, this integrated solution avoids obstructing the field of vision of the vehicle occupants.

[0053] List of reference numerals

[0054] 10. Longitudinal Adjustment Device

[0055] 20 Seat rails fixed to vehicles

[0056] 22. Leave blank space

[0057] 24 connecting plates

[0058] 26 raised sections

[0059] 30 mobile devices

[0060] 32 locking pins

[0061] 34 slots

[0062] 36 operating elements / lever

[0063] 38. Support components of the moving device in the seat guide rail

[0064] 40 supports

[0065] 42 fixing holes

[0066] a A Wheelbase of the open section

[0067] a V Wheelbase of locking pin

Claims

1. A longitudinal adjustment device (10) for manually longitudinally moving a vehicle seat, comprising: Seat rails (20) fixed to the vehicle, and The moving device (30) is movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle relative to the seat rail, connected to the vehicle seat and engaged with the seat rail (20) fixed to the vehicle. The moving device has at least one spring-loaded locking pin (32) for securing the moving device (30) to the seat rail (20) fixed to the vehicle. Its features are, The seat rail (20) fixed to the vehicle has a plurality of recesses (22) arranged sequentially along its longitudinal direction on the side facing away from the moving device (30), wherein at least one locking pin (32) engages with one of the plurality of recesses (22) to secure the moving device (30), and The seat rail (20) fixed to the vehicle has a raised portion (26) arranged laterally relative to the empty portion (22), the raised portion extending along the area of ​​the empty portion (22), and Each empty portion (22) has a connecting piece (24) on its side opposite to the raised portion (26), the connecting piece being connected to the edge of that side of the empty portion (22) and oriented substantially in the same direction as the raised portion (26), wherein the raised portion (26) and the connecting piece (24) each have at least the following height, which corresponds to the amount by which at least one locking pin (32) protrudes beyond the empty portion (22).

2. The longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that, Two supports (40) are constructed or arranged on the seat rail (20) fixed to the vehicle for fixing the seat rail (20) to the vehicle.

3. The longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The width of the connecting piece (24) increases as the distance to the connection point of the connecting piece increases.

4. The longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The height of the connecting piece (24) is less than the height of the raised portion (26).

5. The longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one locking pin (32) has a cross-section that tapers towards its end.

6. The longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The at least one locking pin (32) has a circumferential groove (34) at its end.

7. The longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The moving device (30) has at least two locking pins (32), wherein the axis of the locking pins (a) is such that ... V The distance between the axial distance (a) and the empty part (22) is... A )different.

8. The longitudinal adjustment device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, The diameter of the locking pin (32) is smaller than the length and / or width of the empty portion (22), especially half the length and / or width of the empty portion (22).

9. A vehicle seat having two longitudinal adjustment devices (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A means of transport having at least one means of transport seat according to claim 9.

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