Vehicle seat

Abstract

A vehicle seat (2) has a footrest (8) attached to a rear side, which is pivotable about a pivot axis (S) between a rest position and a support position, and an actuating drive (10) for pivoting the footrest (8). The actuating drive (10) has a linear actuating element, which is connected to the footrest (8) for performing a pivoting movement about the pivot axis (S).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle seat having a backrest and a rear side, on which a footrest for a rear seat is attached, wherein the footrest is pivotable about a pivot axis by means of an actuation actuator between a rest position and a supported position. Background Technology

[0002] Such vehicle seats can be found, for example, in DE 10 2018 204 987 A1. In known vehicle seats, a pinion actuator is provided that drives a pinion segment pivotable about an actuation axis, and this pinion segment is connected to the footrest via a multi-joint lever mechanism for actuation. The pinion segment is torsionally attached to a drive shaft pivotable about the pivot axis. In one embodiment, the pivot axis coincides with the rotation axis, and the backrest tilt can be adjusted about the rotation axis. Typically, this rotation axis is defined by a shaft connecting two opposing rotating parts to each other, for example, to synchronize their rotational positions. Such a shaft is also referred to as a reclining shaft. The drive shaft is constructed as a hollow shaft, about which it can be arranged. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle seat with an adjustable footrest attached to its rear side, wherein the adjustment mechanism for adjusting the footrest is improved.

[0004] According to the invention, this objective is achieved by a vehicle seat having a backrest and rear side, to which a footrest, particularly for a rear seat (i.e., for a second or third row of seats), is attached, the footrest being pivotable about a pivot axis between a rest position and a supported position. The vehicle seat also has an actuation actuator for pivoting the footrest, the actuator having a linear actuation element connected to the footrest to perform pivoting movement about the pivot axis.

[0005] This adjustment mechanism, in which the adjustment motion is transmitted from a linear actuation element to the footrest, has a significantly simpler and more compact structure than adjustment mechanisms known in the prior art.

[0006] A footrest is generally understood as a support device on which an occupant can rest his or her heel. Therefore, a footrest can also be called a heel support.

[0007] The rear side of a vehicle seat is generally understood as the side of the vehicle seat facing away from the seating area.

[0008] In this configuration, the actuating element acts directly on the footrest, meaning it is directly connected to the footrest. This achieves a direct connection between the actuating element and the footrest.

[0009] The adjustment drive is specifically configured as a spindle drive. For example, compared to a pinion drive used for adjusting motion, this device has significantly smaller backlash, thus allowing for more precise adjustment motion with smaller tolerances compared to existing technologies.

[0010] The linear actuation element is preferably the spindle of a spindle drive. The spindle deflects along the actuation axis defined by its spindle axis and transmits the adjustment force to the foot plate.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the footrest has a lever arm to which it is torsionally connected, and an actuating element is hinged to it. The lever arm and the support plate of the footrest form a fixed angle not equal to 0°, and the foot is supported on the footrest, such that the adjusting force is transmitted from the actuating element to the footrest through the lever arm.

[0012] The lever arm is preferably rotatably supported about a pivot axis. Because it is supported on the pivot axis, the pivoting of the footrest requires a relatively small actuation motion of the actuating element.

[0013] The lever arm and / or pivot axis are preferably further arranged in the area of ​​the footrest facing the backrest relative to the unfolded support position. In particular, the lever arm is attached to the outermost region of the footrest. Combined with the foregoing feature that the lever arm is rotatably supported about the pivot axis, i.e., the pivot axis extends through the lever arm, a particularly suitable positioning of the lever arm and pivot axis is achieved.

[0014] In a preferred improvement, the actuating element extends along the actuation axis, and its tilt can be varied to compensate for height during adjustment of motion. Due to a special design where one end of the lever arm is rotatably supported about a pivot axis, the hinge point of the actuating element on the lever arm moves along a circular path, i.e., along a motion path that can be generated by the superposition of two linear motions. To achieve this, the tilt of the linear actuating element is variable.

[0015] In the case of a main spindle, the actuation axis is the main spindle axis.

[0016] The pivot axis is typically defined by a support point of the vehicle seat, which is preferably attached to the rear side, i.e., not inside the backrest. Therefore, compared to the prior art initially described, the support point is actually moved rearward and outward, where it is formed by a rotating axis connecting two opposing rotating parts. Accordingly, the support point is also preferably arranged spaced apart from such an axis, particularly from the reclining axis that connects these rotating parts to each other. The tilt of the backrest can be adjusted by rotating the parts.

[0017] Support points can be formed, for example, by support pins, particularly by two opposing support pins, or by continuous support shafts. In principle, support eyes can also be formed on vehicle seats as support points, into which support pins attached to the footrest engage.

[0018] A preferred variation involves a support point on the vehicle seat configured as a support pin or support shaft, and a support eye, at least partially and preferably completely surrounding the support pin or support shaft, is constructed on the footrest. In this case, the support eye is designed, for example, as a support tube, which extends, for example, across the entire width of the footrest, or optionally only across a portion of the area.

[0019] The actuation drive is preferably fixed to the side panel of the backrest of the vehicle seat. The aforementioned support points are specifically formed on this side panel, preferably on the rear side of the side panel, i.e., the rear side facing away from the seat area. The aforementioned support points are preferably formed on the respective side panel. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Embodiments of the invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These are shown in some of the schematic diagrams: Figure 1 A partial side view of the vehicle seat frame is shown in the connection area between the seat section and the backrest, wherein the footrest attached to the backrest is in a stationary position, and Figure 2 It shows something similar to Figure 1 The view shows the footrest in a supported position. Detailed Implementation

[0021] The vehicle seat 2 shown in the figure, which is only partially illustrated, has a seat portion 4 on which a backrest 6 is fixed. This backrest's tilt relative to the seat portion 4 can typically be adjusted about its axis L. For this purpose, in each case, suitable swivel fittings are attached to two opposing sides.

[0022] A footrest 8 is located on the rear side of the vehicle seat 2, particularly on the backrest 6, especially in its lowest region, and is pivotable about a pivot axis S from a rest position to a supported position. The pivoting movement is actuated by an electric motor-driven actuator 10, which has an electric motor 12 and a spindle drive with a main shaft 14 extending along the main shaft axis 15.

[0023] The footrest 8 has a support plate 8A, which has a top side on which an occupant in the rear seat can support his feet when the footrest 8 is in its extended support position.

[0024] Furthermore, the footrest 8 has a lever arm 8B, which is indicated by a dashed line in the figure. This lever arm 8B is formed, for example, from a plate. The lever arm 8B is fixedly, particularly torsionally, connected to the support plate 8A. In this case, it is specifically fixed at the rear end of the support plate 8A. The lever arm 8B forms a fixed, constant angle with the support plate 8A, which is not equal to 0, and in the embodiment is configured as an acute angle.

[0025] At one end facing the support plate 8A and connected thereto, the lever arm 8B forms a support, such that the footrest 8 is rotatably supported by this support around a support point provided on the vehicle seat 2, particularly on the backrest 6, about the pivot axis S. In this case, the support point formed on the vehicle seat 2 is specifically formed by the support shaft 16. It extends specifically between the two opposing side panels 18 of the backrest 6, only one of which is visible in the figure.

[0026] Preferably, only one actuator 10 is arranged on one of the two side plates 18 for adjusting movement. Alternatively, the actuator 10 is attached to both side plates 18 respectively.

[0027] The end of the main shaft 14 is supported on the lever arm 8B, particularly at its second end, so as to be rotatably supported about the axis of rotation D.

[0028] To explain the adjustment motion, auxiliary lines and auxiliary elements are shown in both figures.

[0029] first, Figure 1 The footrest 8 is shown in its folded, stationary position, with the support plate 8A oriented substantially vertically. The support plate 8A is also schematically shown as a rectangle. Furthermore, a reference point P and a line connecting it to the pivot axis S are drawn at the front end of the support plate 8A. As shown, this reference point P follows a circular line K during the pivoting motion.

[0030] At the extended end position, that is, when the support plate 8A is in its supported position, the support plate 8A is substantially horizontally oriented. This is in Figure 1 The symbol is represented by a schematic rectangle, which is in Figure 1 The support positions are shown as dashed rectangles.

[0031] on the contrary, Figure 2 The actuation driver 10 in the extended position (supported position) is shown, and therefore the footrest 8 is also shown. The rectangle representing the support plate 8A is now shown as a solid line in the supported position and as a dashed line in the rest position.

[0032] exist Figure 1In the rest position shown, the main spindle 14 is in the retracted position. Starting from the latter, the main spindle 14 moves backward, i.e., towards the footrest 8, and presses one end of the lever arm 8B, thereby generating the desired pivoting motion. The entire footrest 8 pivots about the pivot axis S. The main spindle 14 gradually moves outward, eventually reaching... Figure 2 The end position is shown.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In the diagram, the spindle axis 15 is shown as a solid line once and a dashed line once. In this case, the solid line indicates the orientation of the spindle 14 in the shown rest position, and the dashed line indicates the orientation in the support position, as shown below. Figure 2 As shown. Therefore, the spindle 14 and the spindle axis 15 are typically adjustable to compensate for height, and in particular its tilt relative to the horizontal plane, during pivoting.

[0034] In summary, the adjustment mechanism described herein achieves a compact structure with only a few components, wherein the main spindle 14 is directly engaged with the foot plate 8, and particularly with the lever arm 8B. Due to the small number of components and the simplicity of the mechanism, an adjustment mechanism with minimal backlash is achieved overall. The spindle drive also contributes to reducing backlash.

[0035] Furthermore, the relatively simple mechanism and direct hinge of the main shaft 14 enable a simplified transfer of mechanical force. Additionally, the mechanism is robust due to the small number of components and support points. This is also contributed by the fact that the length of the lever arm 8B is relatively short compared to the length of the support plate 8B.

[0036] exist Figure 2 This is an example of the load force F1 shown by the arrow at the reference point. For example, this can be much larger than the adjusting force F2, which is essentially opposite to, and in particular tangent to, the circle K.

[0037] Furthermore, compared to known designs, arranging the support shaft 16 on the rear side of the backrest 6 simplifies assembly by eliminating the complex assembly on the recliner shaft.

[0038] List of reference numerals

[0039] 2. Vehicle seats

[0040] 4. Seating section

[0041] 6 Backrest

[0042] 8. Footrest

[0043] 8A Support Plate

[0044] 8B lever arm

[0045] 10 Actuation Drivers

[0046] 12 Electric motors

[0047] 14 Main spindle

[0048] 15 Spindle axis

[0049] 16 Support shafts

[0050] 18 side panels

[0051] L Backrest axis

[0052] S Pivot axis

[0053] D. Rotation axis

[0054] K-line

[0055] P reference point

[0056] F1 Load Capacity

[0057] F2 Adjustment Force

Claims

1. A vehicle seat (2) having a backrest (6) and a rear side thereon to which a footrest (8) is attached, the footrest being pivotable about a pivot axis (S) between a rest position and a supported position, and an actuation actuator (10) for pivoting the footrest (8), characterized in that, The actuation driver (10) has a linear actuation element connected to the footrest (8) for performing pivoting motion about the pivot axis (S).

2. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The linear actuator is directly connected to the footrest (8).

3. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The actuation driver (10) is configured as a spindle driver.

4. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that, The linear actuation element is the spindle (14) of the spindle drive.

5. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The footrest (8) has a lever arm (8B) tornically attached thereto, and the actuating element is hinged thereto.

6. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lever arm (8B) is rotatably supported about the pivot axis (S).

7. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that, The lever arm (8B) is formed in the area of ​​the footrest (8) facing the backrest (6).

8. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 6, characterized in that, The actuating element extends along the actuation axis, and its tilt can be varied to compensate for height during adjustment of movement.

9. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The pivot axis (S) is defined by a support point, which is formed on the rear side of the backrest (6).

10. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 9, characterized in that, The support point is spaced apart from the shaft connecting the two opposing rotating parts, through which the tilt of the backrest (6) can be adjusted.

11. The vehicle seat (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The actuation driver (10) is fixed to the side plate (18) of the backrest (6) of the vehicle seat (2).

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