Height adjustment device for a vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a height adjustment device (12) of a vehicle seat (1), comprising a floor assembly (13), a seating part assembly (10), a pivot element (121A) which is pivotable relative to the floor assembly (13) and relative to the seating part assembly (10), and a drive apparatus (3) which is designed to swivel the pivot element (121A) relative to the floor assembly (13) in order to set a seating height of the seating part assembly (10), wherein the drive apparatus (3) has a screw (30), a drive motor (31) and an adjustment gear (32) which is in operative connection with the screw (30) and can be driven by the drive motor (31). The screw (30) is pivotably connected with the floor assembly (13), and the adjustment gear (32) is arranged pivotably relative to the pivot element (121A). The invention also relates to an adjustment device of a vehicle assembly.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application filed on May 2, 2022, which entered the Chinese national phase on November 2, 2023, with PCT application number PCT / EP2022 / 061653, national application number 202280032603.2, and invention title "Vehicle Seat Height Adjustment Device". Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a height adjustment device for a vehicle seat. This height adjustment device includes a floor assembly, a seating portion assembly, and a pivoting element pivotable relative to both the floor assembly and the seating portion assembly. A drive device is designed to adjust the seating height of the seating portion assembly by rotating the pivoting element relative to the floor assembly, wherein the drive device has a screw, a drive motor, and an adjustment transmission mechanism operatively connected to the screw and driven by the drive motor. This invention also relates to an adjustment device for vehicle components. Background Technology

[0003] In traditional vehicle seats, a drive mechanism is connected to the seating section or a guide rail system. Here, the drive mechanism, for example, drives a driven pinion that engages with a toothed segment, thereby applying an adjustment force to a pivoting element. Specifically, the driven pinion rolls on the toothed segment, and the pivoting element, together with another pivoting element, rotates in a four-bar linkage manner, thereby adjusting the seating height of the seating section.

[0004] For example, in a vehicle seat known according to EP 0 366 364 B1, a pinion is arranged on the lateral portion of the seating area and engages with a toothed segment integrally formed on a rocker arm. To adjust the height of the vehicle seat, the pinion can be manually rotated, thereby oscillating the associated rocker arm. Additionally, the tilt of the seating area can also be adjusted by engaging the pinion arranged on the rocker arm with a toothed segment on a guide rail system.

[0005] In a vehicle seat known according to US4,229,041, the seat frame of the seating portion is pivotally supported on a guide rail system. A pinion arranged on the seat frame engages with a toothed segment arranged on the guide rail system, and can be rotated to allow the seat frame to swing relative to the guide rail system for adjusting the height of the seating portion.

[0006] According to FR 2503061, a vehicle seat is known in which the seating portion is pivotally connected to a guide rail system and its tilt can be adjusted by a pinion that engages with a toothed segment on the guide rail system.

[0007] In conventional vehicle seats that use electric motor-driven actuators for height adjustment, the actuator is typically positioned, for example, on the side of the seat facing the door, providing sufficient structural space for connecting it to the seating section or rail system. However, if the actuator is positioned on the so-called aisle side of the vehicle seat facing the vehicle center, a fixed connection between the actuator and the seating section or rail system can be difficult in some cases. This is because there is less structural space available on this side of the seat, and it is particularly impossible to position the actuator on the outside of the seating section or rail system. However, if, for example, a seatbelt engagement point for the seatbelt should be located on the aisle side of the seating section, then positioning the actuator on the aisle side is desirable. In this case, the aisle side of the vehicle seat bears a higher load force in a collision, which must be supported and dissipated by the drive unit positioned on the aisle side. In this situation, the requirements for the stiffness and crashworthiness of the drive unit (through which it holds the driven pivot element and thus the entire seating section in place) are high, and it must be designed to handle the load force on the seating section during a collision by introducing it through the seatbelt engagement point on the aisle side.

[0008] According to DE 101 07 695 A1, a drive mechanism for adjusting the height of a vehicle seat is known, wherein a screw is disposed at one end on a nut on the side of a floor assembly in the form of a guide rail and at the other end on a nut on the side of the seating portion. The screw can be rotated by a drive device to adjust the height of the seating portion in this manner.

[0009] In a vehicle seat known according to EP 2 337 704 B1, a screw is pivotally arranged on the lower end of a pivoting element. A drive device is arranged on the seating portion, wherein the screw, driven by a drive motor of the drive device, can move longitudinally toward an adjusting transmission mechanism in order to adjust the seating height of the vehicle seat.

[0010] Another type of vehicle seat is known, for example, according to US 2008 / 0179932 A1. Summary of the Invention

[0011] The objective of this invention is to provide a height adjustment device for a vehicle seat, wherein the drive device can be installed with a small structural space requirement, thereby meeting high rigidity requirements and achieving a favorable force variation curve when adjusting the height of the seating components.

[0012] This task is solved by a subject having the features of claim 1.

[0013] Therefore, the screw can be pivotally connected to the floor assembly, and the adjusting transmission mechanism can be pivotally arranged relative to the pivot element.

[0014] This is based on a drive device of the screw driver type for adjusting the pivot element in the height adjustment device. An adjustment transmission mechanism, operatively connected to the screw and driven by a drive motor of the drive device, can pivot relative to the pivot element. The screw can also be pivotally connected to the floor assembly, thereby causing a change in the length of the section of the screw extending between the adjustment transmission mechanism and the floor assembly by driving the adjustment transmission mechanism, and thus introducing an adjustment force for swinging into the pivot element.

[0015] A simple drive device with a space-saving design is obtained. Since the adjusting transmission mechanism (along with the drive motor) is arranged on the pivot element, the adjusting transmission mechanism moves together with the pivot element when the pivot element rotates. Here, the attitude change of the pivot element relative to the floor assembly is compensated by adjusting the pivotable support of the transmission mechanism relative to the pivot element.

[0016] The regulating transmission mechanism can be pivotally supported directly on the pivot element. However, the regulating transmission mechanism can also be pivotally supported indirectly relative to the pivot element, for example, on an element that is anti-rotationally connected to the pivot element and laterally offset from the pivot element.

[0017] Because the space requirements for the drive unit are relatively small, the drive unit can be positioned, in particular, on the aisle side of the vehicle seat. This particularly enables force support in the area of ​​the seat belt coupling point on the seating component (especially when the seat belt coupling point is located on the frame portion of the seat component assembly and thus on the seat frame of the seating component assembly).

[0018] The seating assembly is typically connected to the floor assembly via multiple pivoting elements, the floor assembly being, for example, in the form of a longitudinal adjustment device for longitudinal adjustment of the vehicle seat. For example, a pair of pivoting elements may be arranged on each side of the vehicle seat—that is, on the door side facing the door and on the so-called passageway side of the vehicle seat pointing towards the vehicle interior—forming a corresponding four-bar linkage with the floor assembly and the seating assembly. In one embodiment, the drive device may be arranged, for example, on only one pivoting element, wherein by driving the associated pivoting element, the entire assembly adjusts the pivoting element and thus the seating height of the seating assembly in a four-bar linkage manner.

[0019] The drive unit can be arranged, in particular, on the rear pivot element (referring to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle), for example on the rear pivot element associated with the passageway side.

[0020] In one embodiment, the pivoting element is pivotally connected to the floor assembly at a first support location via a first support element, and the screw is pivotally connected to the floor assembly at a second support location spaced apart from the first support location via a second support element. Since the screw is operatively connected to the pivoting element via an adjusting transmission mechanism, a three-bar linkage is formed in this manner, allowing the pivoting attitude of the pivoting element relative to the floor assembly to change by adjusting the screw relative to the adjusting transmission mechanism. This results in a drive device with a simple structural form and advantageous force introduction to the pivoting element.

[0021] Here, the screw may have one end with a support portion formed thereon for support on the floor assembly. A threaded shank, for example, threadedly engaged with a nut of the adjusting transmission mechanism, extends from this end. The threaded shank may, for example, be approximately perpendicular to the floor assembly and extend approximately along the vertical direction of the vehicle. For example, if the pivot element is adjusted between the lowest and highest seating heights of the seating assembly, the screw can be adjusted relative to the floor assembly within a relatively small angular range including the vertical direction of the vehicle. During adjustment, with the pivot element advantageously supported by the screw, an advantageous, at least approximately uniform, force variation curve is obtained. A uniform force variation curve also results in advantageous acoustic effects, particularly the absence of modulation noise.

[0022] In one embodiment, the floor assembly has a first guide rail and a second guide rail. The first guide rail is movably guided along the second guide rail. Here, the second guide rail is, for example, fixed to the vehicle floor and thus positionally fixed relative to the vehicle body. Accordingly, the first guide rail is associated with the seating assembly and can move relative to the second guide rail for longitudinal adjustment of the seating assembly. For connection with a height adjustment device, a pivot element and a screw are pivotally connected to the first guide rail, so that when the first guide rail is adjusted, the pivot element and the screw move together with the first guide rail.

[0023] Here, the pivoting element can be indirectly or directly hinged to the first guide rail. For example, additional components in the form of support corner pieces, frame assemblies, etc., can be arranged on the first guide rail, on which the pivoting element can pivotally support itself.

[0024] Instead of the first guide rail, the adjusting assembly can also be guided on a second guide rail on the floor side, unlike the case of the guide rail, which is guided on the second guide rail on the floor side, for example, by a slider. In this case, the pivoting element can be pivotally supported on the adjusting assembly, for example.

[0025] The pivoting element may, for example, be supported on an additional component and connected to the base of the first guide rail, for example, by butt welding to the base of the first guide rail. Accordingly, the screw may, for example, be supported on a support extending from the base. Along a lateral direction corresponding to the vehicle's lateral direction, the support portions of the pivoting element and the screw are spaced apart from each other on the first guide rail.

[0026] In one embodiment, the adjusting transmission mechanism has a transmission mechanism assembly and a support portion. The transmission mechanism assembly is arranged on the support portion. This support portion is, for example, pivotally connected to a pivot element. The transmission mechanism assembly can be formed, for example, by a transmission mechanism element (e.g., a nut) and a drive element (e.g., in the form of a drive worm gear) operatively connected to the nut, wherein the transmission mechanism assembly can be enclosed within a transmission mechanism housing, for example, made of plastic. The transmission mechanism assembly is connected to the pivot element, for example, via the support portion, wherein, for this purpose, the support portion is, for example, pivotally supported on the pivot element.

[0027] The support portion can be pivotally connected to a pivot element for pivotal support. Alternatively or additionally, the support portion can also be pivotally supported (e.g., via a cross tube) on an element that is laterally offset from the pivot element and is connected to the pivot element in a way that resists relative rotation.

[0028] Here, the support portion on the pivot element is preferably supported by a third support element, and the support portion is hingedly connected to the pivot element through the third support element.

[0029] The support portion can, for example, form a cage-like component that at least segmentally surrounds the transmission mechanism assembly. The support portion can have a first surface segment and a second surface segment, between which the transmission mechanism assembly is housed. Here, the surface segments can, for example, extend transversely to the longitudinal extension direction of the screw, so that the transmission mechanism assembly is supported relative to the screw in the longitudinal extension direction by the surface segments.

[0030] In one embodiment, the support portion has at least one wall section that connects the first face section and the second face section to each other and extends between the first face section and the second face section for this purpose. For example, multiple wall sections may be provided that connect different edges of the face sections to each other, thereby realizing a cage for accommodating the transmission mechanism assembly.

[0031] Here, the first and second face sections can be joined together by welding, for example by laser welding, resistance welding, MAG welding or other welding processes.

[0032] The support portion can be designed as a metal component made of steel, for example, formed as a stamped and bent part. Here, the wall section can be formed as a single piece with one of the face sections. The other face section can be connected to the wall section that forms the complete support portion, for example, by welding.

[0033] In one embodiment, the pivot element has an opening into which a support portion extends and is movable within the opening as the pivot element rotates. By extending into the opening, the support portion can (additionally) provide support relative to the pivot element in such a way that the support portion may, for example, conform to a boundary section of the defining opening of the pivot element.

[0034] It is conceivable that the support element fits against and is thus supported on the boundary section during normal operation. However, it is also conceivable that only under abnormal load conditions, such as in a collision, when the pivot element deforms, the support element fits against one or both of the boundary sections, in order to provide additional support between the support portion and the pivot element.

[0035] In one embodiment, the pivot element has a lateral section that defines an opening on a side opposite to a support portion at which the support portion is pivotally supported on the pivot element. Thus, the lateral section surrounds the support portion on the side opposite to the support portion. The opening is preferably completely closed. The lateral section provides sufficient stability to the pivot element, and, particularly in the event of a collision, also provides additional support to the support portion relative to the pivot element.

[0036] In one embodiment, the height adjustment device has a support element fixedly arranged on the side of the screw opposite to the pivot element relative to the pivot element, which supports the adjustment transmission mechanism relative to the pivot element. The support element may, for example, be connected to the pivot element, wherein at least one section of the support element extends on the side of the screw opposite to the pivot element, so as to provide additional support to the adjustment transmission mechanism relative to the pivot element.

[0037] However, the support element can also be connected to the horizontal tube, which is rotatably connected to the seating assembly and carries the pivot element. The horizontal tube extends laterally, for example, between the lateral frame portions of the seating assembly. Here, the support element is preferably spaced laterally from the pivot element.

[0038] In one embodiment, the support element has a support end that can be brought into contact with the adjusting transmission mechanism for supporting the adjusting transmission mechanism relative to the pivot element.

[0039] By attaching the support end to the adjusting transmission mechanism, support can be achieved on the adjusting transmission mechanism under higher loads, such as in a collision. It can be specified that in the normal use position, i.e., under normal load conditions (e.g., when the vehicle occupants are seated in the vehicle seat during normal driving), the support end is not attached to the adjusting transmission mechanism. However, under abnormal load conditions, such as in a collision, the support element can attach to the adjusting transmission mechanism, thereby providing additional support to the adjusting transmission mechanism on the side of the screw opposite to the pivot element and securing the seating assembly, especially preventing uncontrolled adjustment relative to the floor assembly.

[0040] The support element can be designed to selectively absorb energy when the transmission mechanism support is adjusted. In particular, the support element can be designed as a so-called deformable element, which deforms in a prescribed manner under load and thus can accommodate and absorb load energy.

[0041] In one embodiment, the adjusting transmission mechanism has a nut threadedly engaged with a screw and a drive element operatively connected to the nut and driven by a drive motor. The nut and drive element may, for example, constitute a transmission assembly and may be enclosed within a transmission housing, which is arranged within or on a support portion. Driven by the drive element (e.g., in the form of a drive worm with worm teeth threadedly engaged with the external teeth of the nut), the nut threadedly engaged with the screw rotates, thereby rolling on the screw. This adjusts the screw longitudinally relative to the adjusting transmission mechanism along its longitudinal extension direction, and thus changes the length of the section extending between the adjusting transmission mechanism and the end of the screw that is pivotally supported on the floor assembly, thereby introducing an adjusting force into the pivot element for oscillation.

[0042] In one embodiment, the screw is pivotable relative to the floor assembly about a first pivot axis, and the adjusting drive mechanism is pivotable relative to the pivot element about a second pivot axis. Here, the screw is pivotally supported on the floor assembly, for example, by a support element, such as a guide rail or an additional component connected to the guide rail. Here, the adjusting drive mechanism can be pivotally connected to the pivot element, either indirectly or directly, for example, by being supported on the pivot element by a support element or on an element that is anti-rotatingly connected to the pivot element, for example, laterally offset from the pivot element.

[0043] Here, the first pivot axis and the second pivot axis preferably extend parallel to each other.

[0044] The screw is preferably laterally offset from the pivot element along the first pivot axis, so that the screw extends laterally to the pivot element, and thus the screw and the pivot element can pivot in different planes that extend parallel to each other and are laterally offset relative to the first pivot axis and relative to the second pivot axis.

[0045] In one embodiment, the adjusting transmission mechanism is pivotally supported relative to the pivoting element at a support location laterally offset from the screw along the first pivot axis.

[0046] In one embodiment, the adjusting transmission mechanism is supported on one side relative to the pivot element, for example, directly on the pivot element via a (sole) support element, or indirectly on an element laterally offset from the pivot element and connected to the pivot element in a way that resists relative rotation. For one-sided support, the support portion is laterally offset from the screw along a first pivot axis (through which the screw can pivotally support itself), thereby implementing a lateral offset between the support of the adjusting transmission mechanism and the longitudinal extension axis of the screw.

[0047] In another embodiment, the adjusting transmission mechanism may also be supported on both sides by two support points that are laterally offset from each other along the first pivot axis. Here, the first support point can provide direct support on the pivot element, while the second support point, which is laterally offset from the first support point along the first pivot axis, provides support on an element that is laterally offset from the pivot element but connected to the pivot element, for example, via a cross tube to resist relative rotation.

[0048] According to another aspect, the adjustment device for the vehicle assembly includes a first assembly, a second assembly, a pivoting element pivotable relative to both the first and second assemblies, and a drive device. The drive device is designed to cause the pivoting element to oscillate relative to the first assembly to adjust the vehicle assembly. The drive device includes a screw, a drive motor, and an adjustment transmission mechanism operatively connected to the screw and driven by the drive motor. Specifically, the screw is pivotally connected to the first assembly, and the adjustment transmission mechanism is pivotally arranged relative to the pivoting element. The screw is pivotable about a first pivot axis relative to the first assembly, and the adjustment transmission mechanism is pivotally supported relative to the pivoting element at a support portion laterally offset from the screw along the first pivot axis.

[0049] In one embodiment, the adjusting transmission mechanism is pivotable relative to a pivoting element about a second pivot axis, wherein the first and second pivot axes extend parallel to each other. The pivoting element is pivotable relative to the first assembly about a third pivot axis, wherein all pivot axes extend parallel to each other. A three-bar type arrangement is also obtained, wherein the screw and the pivoting element are pivotally connected to the first assembly and the adjusting transmission mechanism is pivotable relative to the pivoting element.

[0050] The adjusting transmission mechanism can be supported on one side relative to the pivot element via a support portion. Here, the support portion can be arranged directly on the pivot element or on an element laterally offset from the pivot element along the first pivot axis but connected to the pivot element in a way that resists relative rotation. One arrangement is obtained in which the adjusting transmission mechanism is pivotally supported relative to the pivot element at a support portion laterally offset from the screw. This results in a simple, space-saving arrangement that provides effective pivot support for the adjusting transmission mechanism relative to the pivot element.

[0051] In another embodiment, the adjusting transmission mechanism can also be supported on both sides, namely, at a first support location on a first side of the screw and at a second support location on a second side of the screw opposite to the first side. Here, these support locations are laterally offset from each other along the first pivot axis, so that the adjusting transmission mechanism is supported at the two support locations such that the screw extends through between the two support locations. This provides advantageous lateral support for the adjusting transmission mechanism.

[0052] This type of adjustment device is particularly designed for adjusting the height of vehicle seats. However, this is not limiting. In principle, the same type of adjustment device can be designed to adjust entirely different vehicle components, such as those on vehicle seats or other interior components. Attached Figure Description

[0053] The ideas based on the present invention will be further explained below with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. In the figures: Figure 1 A schematic diagram of a vehicle seat showing a floor assembly in the form of a height adjustment device and a longitudinal adjustment device; Figure 2 A view showing the seating portion of a vehicle seat; Figure 3 Showing according to Figure 2 A top view of the layout scheme; Figure 4 Showing according to Figure 2 A partial enlarged view of the layout shows the drive device on the pivot element, which is used to connect the seating assembly and the floor assembly in the form of a longitudinal adjustment device; Figure 5 A side view of the drive mechanism on the pivot element is shown; Figure 6 According to Figure 5 The line DD shows a cross-sectional view of the drive device; Figure 7 Shows a separate view of the drive device; Figure 8 Along corresponding to according to Figure 5 The section line of line DD is shown according to Figure 7A cross-sectional view of the layout scheme; Figure 9 A perspective view of the drive device is shown; Figure 10 Another perspective view of the drive device is shown; Figure 11 A schematic diagram of the transmission mechanism assembly of the drive device is shown; Figure 12 A view showing another embodiment of the drive device; Figure 13 Showing according to Figure 12 Side view of the layout scheme; and Figure 14 A cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the drive device. Detailed Implementation Plan

[0054] Figure 1 A vehicle seat 1 is shown, which can be arranged, for example, as a front seat or as a rear seat in the second or third row of seats in a vehicle. The vehicle seat 1 has a seating portion assembly 10 on which a backrest portion 11 is arranged at an adjustable angle and is connected to a floor assembly 13 via a height adjustment device 12, the floor assembly being in the form of a longitudinal adjustment device for adjusting the vehicle seat 1 in the longitudinal direction X.

[0055] According to Figure 1 and Figure 2 and Figure 3 As can be seen from the combination, the longitudinal adjustment device 13 typically has two pairs of guide rails 130A, 131A, 130B, and 131B, which are respectively arranged on one side of the seating component 10 and spaced apart from each other in the lateral direction Y. Here, the lower guide rails 131A and 131B are fixedly connected to the vehicle floor 2. Conversely, the upper guide rails 130A and 130B are connected to pivot elements 120A, 121A, 120B, and 121B, through which the floor assembly 13 and the seating component 10 are connected.

[0056] Pivoting elements 120A, 121A, 120B, and 121B, together with upper guide rails 130A and 130B and the lateral frame portions 100A and 100B of the seating assembly 10, constitute two pairs of four-bar linkages. For this purpose, pivoting elements 120A, 121A, 120B, and 121B are pivotally connected at one end to their respective upper guide rails 130A and 130B, and at the other end to a horizontal tube 102 that pivotally extends between the frame portions 100A and 100B of the seating assembly 10, such that the height position of the seating assembly 10 can be changed along the height direction Z by the rotation of pivoting elements 120A, 121A, 120B, and 121B.

[0057] The frame portions 100A and 100B of the seating component 10 are connected to each other at the rear end via a horizontal tube 102. The horizontal tube 102 is pivotally supported on the frame portions 100A and 100B and carries the associated rear pivot elements 121A and 121B.

[0058] In the front area, seat grooves 101 are arranged on frame portions 100A and 100B to form the seating surface of the seating portion assembly 10.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the drive device 3 is arranged on the rear pivot element 121A on the side of the guide rail pair 130A, 131A, as it is according to Figure 2 and 3 Combination Figure 4 As can be seen, the drive device 3 is designed as a screw drive device and is used to introduce the adjustment force into the pivot element 121A, so that the pivot elements 120A, 121A, 120B, and 121B can be rotated as a whole by the rotation of the pivot element 121A, thereby adjusting the height position of the seating component 10.

[0060] At the set seating height, the seating component 10 holds the pivot element 121A in place via the drive device 3. The drive device 3 can be designed to absorb and dissipate the forces acting on the seating component 10.

[0061] Now for reference Figures 4 to 10 The drive device 3 has a screw 30, which is pivotally connected to an associated guide rail 130A via a support element 301 through its end 300. The guide rail 130A has a base 134 and lateral supports 135, 136 extending from the base 134, as particularly according to Figure 6 As can be seen, the support element 301, which pivotally supports the screw 30 on the guide rail 130A, is connected to the inner support column 135.

[0062] According to Figure 5 As can be seen, the pivot element 121A is connected to the additional component 132, the additional component is connected to the base 134 of the guide rail 130A, and the pivot element is pivotally supported on the additional component 132 and on the guide rail 130A via the support element 133. The support elements 133 and 301 for supporting the pivot element 121A and the screw 30 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction X and also in the height direction Z, wherein, additionally, there is a stagger between the support portions of the screw 30 and the pivot element 121A in the transverse direction Y, which is particularly based on Figure 6 and Figure 8 visible.

[0063] The screw 30 extends substantially vertically from its end 300 via a threaded shank 302 formed thereon. The transmission mechanism assembly 322 of the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 is operatively connected to the screw 30, such that by driving the transmission mechanism assembly 322, the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 can be adjusted longitudinally along the longitudinal extension direction L relative to the screw 30, thereby changing the length between the ends 300 of the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 and the screw 30 that are pivotally supported on the guide rail 130A, thereby introducing the adjusting force into the pivot element 121A.

[0064] like Figure 11 The schematic diagram shows that the transmission mechanism assembly 322 has a nut 321 and a drive element 320 in the form of a worm gear, which engages with the external teeth of the nut 321 via the worm gear teeth. The drive element 320 is driven by a drive motor 31, thereby inducing the nut 321 to rotate. The nut 321 is threadedly engaged with the external threads of the screw 30 via its internal threads, such that rotating the nut 321 causes it to roll on the screw 30, thereby adjusting its longitudinal direction L relative to the screw 30.

[0065] The transmission mechanism assembly 322 has a transmission mechanism housing 323, within which the kinematic components of the transmission mechanism assembly 322 (i.e., the nut 321 and the drive worm 320) are enclosed.

[0066] The transmission mechanism assembly 322 is housed in a cage-like support portion 34, which has surface sections 340 and 341 that extend transversely to the longitudinal extension direction L of the screw 30. Wall sections 342 and 343 extend between surface sections 340 and 341, connecting surface sections 340 and 341 to each other.

[0067] Here, wall sections 342 and 343 are integrally formed with surface section 341 by bending, for example, and are connected to surface section 340 by welding, for example, respectively.

[0068] The connecting element 35 is fixedly arranged on the surface section 340, and is pivotally supported on the pivot element 121A by the support element 350. The connecting element 35 is designed as a support corner piece and has a base 351 and a support column 352 extending from the base 351 (see especially). Figure 10 The base 351 is flat and extends parallel to the pivot element 121A and is connected to the support element 350, which pivotally supports the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 on the pivot element 121A. Correspondingly, the support column 352 extends on both sides of the screw 30 and is connected to the support portion 34.

[0069] The adjustment transmission mechanism 32 is pivotally supported on the pivot element 121A via the support portion 34 and the connecting element 35. During adjustment (where the length of the portion of the screw 30 extending between the adjustment transmission mechanism 32 and the end 300 changes), the adjustment transmission mechanism 32 can be swung on the pivot element 121A to compensate for changes in the attitude of the pivot element 121A relative to the floor assembly 13.

[0070] The drive motor 31 is connected to the support portion 34 via the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 and is thus pivotally supported on the pivot element 121A. Therefore, during the adjusting movement of the pivot element 121A, the drive motor 31 and the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 move together with the pivot element 121A.

[0071] In the illustrated embodiment, the support portion 34 is located within the opening 122 of the pivot element 121A, for example, particularly according to Figure 7 As can be seen, here, surface segment 340 faces the upper boundary segment 123 of the limiting opening 122, while surface segment 341 faces the lower boundary segment 124. During the adjustment movement, the supporting portion 34 moves within the opening 122.

[0072] The (additional) support for the support portion 34 relative to the pivot element 121A can be achieved through the boundary sections 123 and 124. For example, it can be specified that the support portion 34, using its surface sections 340 and 341, does not engage with the boundary sections 123 and 124 in its normal operating position, thus preventing unwanted noise due to grinding during adjustment. However, under abnormal load conditions, such as in the event of a collision, the support portion 34 may engage with one or both of the boundary sections 123 and 124 to support the support portion 34 and thereby support the adjustment transmission mechanism 32 on the pivot element 121A.

[0073] Below the support portion 34, the pivot element 121A forms a side-hovering section 125, which surrounds the support portion 34 on one side of the surface section 341. Thus, the opening 122 is completely closed. The side-hovering section 125 provides anti-collision support for the support portion 34 relative to the pivot element 121A, wherein, in the event of a collision, the pivot element 121A deforms, for example, within the area of ​​the side-hovering section 195, so that the pivot element 121A can fit snugly against the support portion 34 in a supportive manner.

[0074] Pivoting element 121A is arranged on and fixedly connected to a horizontal tube 102 that is pivotally arranged between frame portions 100A and 100B, so that when pivot element 121A swings, horizontal tube 102 swings relative to frame portions 100A and 100B. As per... Figure 4As can be seen in the enlarged view, a support element 33 is also arranged on the horizontal tube 102, which is used to support the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 relative to the horizontal tube 102 and thus relative to the pivot element 121A on the side of the screw 30 away from the pivot element 121A.

[0075] According to Figure 5 As can be seen, the support element 33 forms the connecting section 330, which is fixedly connected to the horizontal tube 102. The support end 331 is away from the horizontal tube 102 and therefore fits against the upper section 340 of the support portion 34, so as to realize the (additional) support of the adjustment transmission mechanism 32 relative to the pivot element 121A.

[0076] According to Figure 8 It can be specified that the support end 331 has a distance A relative to the surface section 240 of the support portion 34 in the normal use position. Under abnormal load conditions, such as in the event of a collision, however, the support portion 331 can fit against the surface section 340 to achieve support for the adjustment transmission mechanism 32 in this way. Thus, the adjustment transmission mechanism 32 is supported on both sides of the screw 30 by the pivot element 121A on one side and by the support element 33 on the other side, thereby keeping the horizontal tube 102 in place without collision.

[0077] In the aforementioned embodiment, the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 is supported on one side of the pivot element 121A via a connecting element 35 connected to the support portion 34. Here, the screw 30 is supported on the guide rail 130A about the pivot axis D1, the pivot element 121A is supported on the guide rail 130A about the pivot axis D2, and the connecting element 35 is supported on the pivot element 121A (directly) via a support element 350 about the associated pivot axis D3. The pivot axes D1, D2, and D3 extend parallel to each other, for example in... Figure 7 As shown in the diagram, a three-bar linkage arrangement is obtained.

[0078] The screw 30 is laterally offset relative to the pivot element 121A along the associated pivot axis D1. Therefore, the pivot element 121A and the screw 30 can pivot in a plane that is parallel to each other and laterally offset relative to each other along the pivot axes D1, D2, and D3, so that the screw 30 extends laterally offset relative to the pivot element 121A and can be adjusted laterally offset from the pivot element 121A.

[0079] Here, the support portion formed on the pivot element 121A by the support element 350 is laterally offset relative to the screw 30 along the pivot axis D1. A space-saving embodiment is obtained by supporting one side, wherein, under abnormal load conditions, especially in the event of a collision, additional support can be provided by the support element 33.

[0080] exist Figure 12 and Figure 13 In another embodiment shown, the adjusting transmission mechanism 32, enclosed within the support portion 34, is not directly supported on the pivot element 121A via the connecting element 35, but rather on a support element 33 that is laterally offset from the pivot element 121A via the base 353 of the connecting element 35 and a support element 354 arranged thereon. Thus, the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 is not directly supported on one side of the pivot element 121A, but rather on one side on a support element 33 that is laterally offset from the pivot element 121A and connected to the pivot element 121A in an anti-rotational manner via the horizontal tube 102.

[0081] According to Figure 13 As can be seen, in this embodiment, under abnormal load conditions, especially in the event of a collision, additional support is provided by the pivot element 121A. The pivot element 121A forms a support section 126 for this purpose, which defines a deformable opening 127 and is cut out from other sections extending from the surface of the pivot element 121A through the deformable opening 127.

[0082] The pivot element 121A provides support for the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 under abnormal load conditions via the support section 126, in that the support portion 34 can fit against the support section 126. Here, the support section 126 can deform according to the deformable element type, thereby accommodating and absorbing load energy at the support section 126.

[0083] Under normal operating conditions, the support section 126 is preferably spaced apart from the support portion 34, so that there is no contact between the support section 126 and the support portion 34.

[0084] exist Figure 14 In another embodiment shown, the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 is supported on both sides relative to the pivot element 121A by two support points. The connecting element 35 is pivotally connected to the pivot element 121A on the first base 351 via a first support element 350, and pivotally connected to the support element 33 on the second base 353 via a second support element 354. Thus, the adjusting transmission mechanism 32 is supported on both sides of the screw 30. Here, the support points provided by the support elements 350 and 354 are laterally offset from each other along the pivot axis D3 and arranged on different sides of the screw 30. This provides advantageous, symmetrical force absorption and support during operation.

[0085] In addition to adjusting the support of the transmission mechanism 32 relative to the pivot element 121A, according to Figure 12 , 13 and Figure 14 Examples and combinations Figures 4 to 10 The embodiments described herein have the same function, and therefore the foregoing description should also be referenced.

[0086] The ideas upon which this invention is based are not limited to the foregoing embodiments, but can be implemented in other ways.

[0087] In a vehicle seat, the (sole) pivot element of the height adjustment device can be driven by an associated drive device of the aforementioned type. However, it is also conceivable that more than one pivot element may be driven by an associated drive device.

[0088] The vehicle seats of this type can be implemented as front seats in a vehicle, but they can also be designed as seats in the second or third row.

[0089] List of reference numerals

[0090] 1. Vehicle Seats

[0091] 10. Passenger components

[0092] 100A and 100B frame sections

[0093] 101 Seat Slot

[0094] 102 Horizontal tube

[0095] 11 Backrest components

[0096] 12 Height Adjustment Device

[0097] 120A, 120B Pivoting Element (Rocker Arm)

[0098] 121A, 121B Pivoting Elements (Rocker Arms)

[0099] 122 Opening

[0100] Boundary sections 123 and 124

[0101] 125 Side Bypass Section

[0102] 126 Support Section

[0103] 127 Deformed opening

[0104] 13 Floor assembly (longitudinal adjustment device)

[0105] 130A and 130B guide rails

[0106] 131A and 131B guide rails

[0107] 132 Additional Components

[0108] 133 Support bolt

[0109] 134 Base

[0110] Pillars 135 and 136

[0111] 2. Vehicle floor

[0112] 3. Adjust the drive device

[0113] 30 screw

[0114] 300 end

[0115] 301 Support element

[0116] 302 threaded shank

[0117] 31 Drive Motor

[0118] 32 Adjusting transmission mechanism

[0119] 320 Drive element (drive worm gear)

[0120] 321 Nut

[0121] 322 Transmission Mechanism Assembly

[0122] 323 Transmission mechanism housing

[0123] 33 Supporting elements

[0124] 330 Connecting Section

[0125] 331 Support end

[0126] 34 Supporting components (transmission mechanism frame)

[0127] 340 section

[0128] 341 section

[0129] Sections 342 and 343

[0130] 35 Connecting elements

[0131] 350 support element

[0132] 351 Base

[0133] 352 pillars

[0134] 353 Base

[0135] 354 Support element

[0136] A Spacing

[0137] Pivot axes D1, D2, D3

[0138] L longitudinal extension direction

[0139] X Vertical direction

[0140] Y (horizontal direction)

[0141] Z-axis

Claims

1. A height adjustment device (12) for a vehicle seat (1), the height adjustment device having: Floor components (13) Ride-on components (10). A pivoting element (121A) pivotable relative to the floor assembly (13) and relative to the seating portion assembly (10), and Drive device (3), which is configured to adjust the seating height of the seating component (10) to allow the pivot element (121A) to swing relative to the floor assembly (13), wherein, The drive device (3) has a screw (30), a drive motor (31), and an adjustment transmission mechanism (32) that is operatively connected to the screw (30) and can be driven by the drive motor (31). The screw (30) is pivotally connected to the floor assembly (13), and the adjusting transmission mechanism (32) is pivotally arranged relative to the pivoting element (121A).

2. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pivoting element (121A) is pivotally connected to the floor assembly (13) at a first support location via a first support element (133), and the screw (30) is pivotally connected to the floor assembly (13) at a second support location spaced apart from the first support location via a second support element (301).

3. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screw (30) has an end (300) and a threaded shank (302) extending from the end (300), wherein the end (300) is pivotally connected to the floor assembly (13), and the adjusting transmission mechanism (32) is operatively connected to the threaded shank (302).

4. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The floor assembly (13) has a first guide rail (130A, 130B) and a second guide rail (131A, 131B), wherein the first guide rail (130A, 130B) is movably guided on the second guide rail (131A, 131B), and the pivot element (121A) and the screw (30) are pivotally connected to the first guide rail (130A, 130B), respectively.

5. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting transmission mechanism (32) has a transmission mechanism assembly (322) and a support portion (34), the transmission mechanism assembly (322) being arranged on the support portion and the support portion being pivotally connected to the pivot element (121A).

6. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The support portion (34) is pivotally supported on the pivot element (121A) by a third support element (350).

7. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The support portion (34) has a first surface section (340) and a second surface section (341), wherein the transmission mechanism assembly (322) is accommodated between the first surface section (340) and the second surface section (341).

8. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first face section (340) and the second face section (341) are respectively oriented transversely to the longitudinal extension direction (L) of the screw (30).

9. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The support portion (34) has at least one wall section (342, 343) that connects the first surface section (340) and the second surface section (341) to each other.

10. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pivot element (121A) has an opening (122), into which the support portion (34) extends and can move within the opening when the pivot element (121A) is swung.

11. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 10, characterized in that, The pivot element (121A) has a side-winding section (125) that defines the opening (122) on a side away from the support portion that allows the support portion (34) to be pivotally supported on the pivot element (121A).

12. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that... The screw (30) has a support element (33) fixedly arranged on the side of the screw (30) away from the pivot element (121A) relative to the pivot element (121A), the support element being used to support the adjusting transmission mechanism (32) relative to the pivot element (121A).

13. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The pivot element (121A) is connected to a transverse tube (102) that is pivotable relative to the seating assembly (10) and extends in the lateral direction (Y), wherein the support element (33) is connected to the transverse tube (102) and is spaced apart from the pivot element (121) in the lateral direction (Y).

14. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 12, characterized in that, The support element (33) has a support end (331) that can be brought into contact with the adjustment transmission mechanism (32) for supporting the adjustment transmission mechanism (32) relative to the pivot element (121A).

15. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 14, characterized in that, In the normal use position, the support end (331) is not in contact with the adjustment transmission mechanism (32), wherein the support element (33) is configured to engage with the adjustment transmission mechanism (32) by means of the support end (331) when the load is increased relative to the normal use position.

16. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjusting transmission mechanism (32) has a nut (321) that is threadedly engaged with the screw (30) and a drive element (320) that is driven by the drive motor (31) and is operatively connected to the nut (321).

17. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The screw (30) is pivotable about a first pivot axis (D1) relative to the floor assembly (13), and the adjusting transmission mechanism (32) is pivotable about a second pivot axis (D3) relative to the pivot element (121A), wherein the first pivot axis (D1) and the second pivot axis (D3) extend parallel to each other.

18. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The screw (30) is laterally offset from the pivot element (121A) along the first pivot axis (D1).

19. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The adjusting transmission mechanism (32) is pivotally supported relative to the pivot element (121A) at a support location that is laterally offset from the screw (32) along the first pivot axis (D1).

20. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 19, characterized in that, The support portion is arranged on the pivot element (121A) or on an element that is laterally offset from the pivot element (121A) along the first pivot axis (D1).

21. The height adjustment device (12) according to claim 17, characterized in that, The adjusting transmission mechanism (32) is pivotally supported relative to the pivot element (121) at two support locations that are laterally offset from each other along the first pivot axis (D1), wherein the first support location of the two support locations is arranged on the first side of the screw (30), and the second support location is arranged on the second side of the screw (30) opposite to the first side.

22. An adjustment device for a vehicle component, the adjustment device comprising: First component, The second component, Pivoting element (121A), the pivoting element being pivotable relative to the first component and relative to the second component, and Drive device (3), said drive device being configured to adjust the vehicle assembly to cause the pivot element (121A) to swing relative to the first assembly, wherein, The drive device (3) has a screw (30), a drive motor (31), and an adjustment transmission mechanism (32) that is operatively connected to the screw (30) and can be driven by the drive motor (31). The screw (30) is pivotally connected to the first component, and the adjusting transmission mechanism (32) is pivotally arranged relative to the pivot element (121A), wherein the screw (30) is pivotally connected to the first component about a first pivot axis (D1), and the adjusting transmission mechanism (32) is pivotally supported relative to the pivot element (121) at a support portion laterally offset from the screw (32) along the first pivot axis (D1).

23. The adjusting device according to claim 22, characterized in that, The regulating transmission mechanism (32) is pivotable relative to the pivot element (121A) about the second pivot axis (D3), and the first pivot axis (D1) and the second pivot axis (D3) extend parallel to each other.

24. The adjusting device according to claim 22, characterized in that, The support portion is arranged on the pivot element (121A) or on an element that is laterally offset from the pivot element (121A) along the first pivot axis (D1).

25. The adjusting device according to claim 22, characterized in that, The adjusting transmission mechanism (32) is pivotally supported relative to the pivot element (121) at two support locations that are laterally offset from each other along the first pivot axis (D1), wherein the first support location of the two support locations is arranged on the first side of the screw (30), and the second support location is arranged on the second side of the screw (30) opposite to the first side.

26. The adjusting device according to claim 22, characterized in that, The adjustment device is the height adjustment device for the vehicle seat (1).

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