Vehicle seats

Abstract

Vehicle seat (1) with: a padded frame (12); a backrest frame (13) which is rotatably connected to the upholstery frame (12); a locking mechanism (15, 16) which is positioned on the upholstery and backrest frame (12, 13) and engaged on a bracket (22, 23); and a belt anchorage (17) positioned on the upholstery and / or backrest frame (12, 13) to which a safety belt (18) is attached, wherein a force transmission assembly (7) is located between the upholstery and The backrest frame (12, 13) is provided, the force transmission assembly (7) has a joint (14; 30; 31; 33) and a force application part (16a2; 13b; 32), and the joint (14; 30; 31; 33) extends from the upholstery frame (12) and is rotatably connected to the backrest frame (13) at a tip section (14b; 30b; 31b; 33b) of the joint (14; 30; 31; 33), wherein when the safety belt (18) is pulled forward, so that a part between the belt anchorage (17) and the bracket (22, 23) is deformed, a part (14c; 30c; 31c; 33c) of the joint (14; 30; 31; 33) on one side of the upholstery and / or the The backrest frame (12, 13) presses on the force application part (16a2; 13b; 32) on one side of the other frame (12, 13), thereby transferring force from the side of the upholstery and / or backrest frame (12, 13) to the side of the other frame (12, 13).

Description

[0001] This application claims priority over JP 2007-221015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] The invention relates to a vehicle seat. In particular, the invention relates to a vehicle seat that is foldable and arranged to be stored or removed in a vehicle.

[0003] A known vehicle seat, for example, has a design such that it can be stored in the lower section of a vehicle's roof lining (see US 6,224,132 B1). The vehicle seat has a seat cushion and a backrest that are hinged together. Additionally, an arm is provided on the upper part of each transverse side of the backrest, and a tip of the arm is rotatably attached to the vehicle's roof lining. Therefore, the vehicle seat is stored in the lower section of the roof lining in a folded position, with the seat cushion folded towards one side of the backrest.

[0004] The seat cushion and backrest each have right-angled frames, and each frame is locked into a vehicle-side bracket in a specific operating position. One of the frames has a belt anchor point to which a seat belt is attached. However, because the frames are connected with free rotation, a strong forward pull of the seat belt during a vehicle collision or similar event tends to exert force only on one side of the frame, where the belt anchor point is located. Therefore, the frame's strength must be increased on the side with the belt anchor point, which complicates the frame's construction and increases its weight.

[0005] From DE 43 12 732 C1, a swivel joint for the backrest of a rear passenger seat is known. The swivel joint connects the backrest and seat section in a freely pivotable manner in the operating position. A locking mechanism, which can be released as needed, is arranged on the outer longitudinal side of the seat in the upper area of ​​the backrest. The freely pivoting swivel joint on the outer longitudinal side of the seat has a pivot pin located on the side section of the backrest, which engages in a bearing opening, and a stop that limits the pivoting movement.

[0006] Therefore, in engineering there is a need for a vehicle seat that has a structure for distributing force absorption through the seat cushion and the backrest, whereby the force is exerted when the seat belt is pulled forward.

[0007] One aspect of the invention comprises a vehicle seat with a seat cushion, a backrest, a locking mechanism, and a seat belt anchorage. The seat cushion has a frame. The backrest has a frame that is freely rotatable with the cushion frame. The locking mechanism is provided on each of the frames and engages with a bracket on the vehicle side. The seat belt anchorage is provided on one of the two frames, and a seat belt is attached to it. A force transmission assembly is provided between the two frames, wherein, when the seat belt is pulled forward, causing a part between the seat belt anchorage and the bracket to deform, a part on one side of one frame presses against a part on one side of the other frame, thereby transmitting force from one side of the frame to the other.

[0008] Thus, the force transmission structure is designed between the upholstery frame and the backrest frame. Furthermore, the force (from the pulled seatbelt) is transferred via this force transmission structure from one side of the frame to the other. Therefore, the force is distributed and absorbed by both the seat cushion side and the backrest side. As a result, the required strength of the backrest frame is reduced, which can simplify the frame design or reduce its weight.

[0009] Further tasks, features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following detailed description together with the claims and the accompanying drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A cross-sectional view of a part of a vehicle; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the frame structure of a vehicle seat; Fig. 3 a perspective view of a part of the frame structure adjacent to a power transmission structure; Fig. 4 a front view of a part of the frame structure adjacent to a power transmission structure; Fig. 5 a perspective view of part of a frame structure of a vehicle seat with a further configuration adjacent to a power transmission structure; Fig. 6 a front view of part of the frame structure of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 a perspective view of part of a frame structure of a vehicle seat with the further configuration adjacent to a power transmission structure; Fig. 8 a perspective view of part of a vehicle seat frame structure with the further configuration adjacent to a power transmission structure; and Fig. 9 a front view of part of the frame structure of Fig. 8.

[0010] The additional features and teachings disclosed above and below can each be used separately or in combination with other features and teachings to provide improved vehicle seats. Representative examples of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, the examples utilizing many of these additional features and teachings both separately and in combination. This detailed description is intended only to provide a person skilled in the art with further details regarding the practical implementation of preferred aspects of the teachings and not to limit the scope of protection of the invention. Only the claims define the scope of protection of the claimed invention.Therefore, combinations of features and steps disclosed in the following detailed description may be unnecessary for practical implementation of the invention in the broadest sense and are instead taught only to specifically describe representative examples of the invention. Furthermore, various features of the representative examples and the dependent claims can be combined in ways not specifically listed to provide additional useful configurations of the present teachings.

[0011] According to Fig. 1. Seats in a vehicle can be arranged in three rows. A seat 21 in a first or second row is movably arranged in the forward and backward direction of the vehicle by means of a rail provided on a floor surface of the vehicle 20. A seat 1 in a third row is rotatably arranged on a roof lining 20a of the vehicle 20 by means of an arm 5 and can be stored in an underside of the roof lining 20a.

[0012] Seat 1 is a bench seat according to Fig. The seat 1 has a seat cushion 2 and a backrest 3. The seat cushion 2 and the backrest 3 each have a side length approximately identical to the width of a vehicle body 20. At a rear end, the seat cushion 2 is freely rotatable and connected to the backrest 3, and (at each front) is locked in a working position to the floor surface of the vehicle body 20 by a locking mechanism 15. The backrest 3 is locked in a working position to a side surface of the vehicle body 20 by a locking mechanism 16 at a lower end. When the locking mechanism 15 is released, the seat cushion 2 is lifted towards the backrest 3 by a spring (not shown), thus folding the seat 1 down.Upon subsequent release of the locking mechanism 16, the seat 1 is raised into a storage position, while being supported by a support member 6 to pre-tension the arm 5, and is engaged on an underside of the roof lining 20a by a locking mechanism (not shown).

[0013] The seat cushion 2 and the backrest 3 have a cushion frame 12 and a backrest frame 13 respectively according to Fig. 1. The upholstered frame 12 and the backrest frame 13 are according to Fig. 2 each formed in a right-angled shape, and a pair of joints 14 for connecting the frames to each other is provided between the frames. Each joint 14 is attached at one end 14a at the rear of each transverse side of the upholstery frame 12. According to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 Each tip section 14b of the joint is freely rotatable with each side frame 13b of the backrest frame 13 by a pin 14d in a relatively lower position of the side frame.

[0014] According to Fig. 2. The locking mechanism 15 is attached to the upholstery frame 12 in a relative frontal position (position on a front side compared to the center) on each transverse side of the upholstery frame 12. The locking mechanism is removably engaged on a bracket 22 attached to one side of the vehicle 20. The locking mechanisms 16 are attached to a lower end section of the (right and left) side frame 13b of the backrest frame 13. The locking mechanism 16 is removably engaged on a bracket 23 attached to the side of the vehicle 20.

[0015] The backrest frame 13 has a reinforced frame 13d according to Fig. 2. The reinforced frame 13d extends vertically over a subframe 13a and an upper frame 13c in an approximately central position in the transverse direction of the backrest frame 13. Two pairs of brackets 13e are attached to the upper frame 13c. A headrest 4 is arranged on each pair of brackets 13e in a vertically adjustable position (see Fig. 1).

[0016] A pair of belt anchors 17 is located on the subframe 13a in an approximately central position of the subframe 13a according to Fig. 2. An inner belt 18 of a seat belt is attached to each belt anchorage 17. The inner belt 18 has a strap 18a for attachment to the belt anchorage 17 and a buckle 18b for attachment to one end of the strap 18a. The buckle 18b is guided to a position on the seat cushion 2 through a gap between the backrest 3 and the seat cushion 2 to be attached to an outer belt (not shown). The outer belt, which is extendable from a top on each transverse side of the backrest 3 in the vehicle 20, is pulled out and coupled to the inner belt 18 to restrain a passenger in a seated position on the seat cushion 2.

[0017] Arms 5 are located on both transverse sides of the backrest frame 13 according to Fig. 2 provided. Each arm 5 is attached at one end 5a to an upper end of the side frame 13b of the backrest frame 13 and at the other end 5b rotatably attached to the roof lining 20a of the vehicle 20 (see Fig. 1) A tipper or support member 6 is rotatably mounted between an arm 5 and the vehicle 20. The support member 6 pre-tensions one arm 5 and thereby pre-tensions the seat 1 to one side of the roof lining 20a.

[0018] Power transmission structures 7 are provided between the backrest frame 13 and the upholstery frame 12 (see Fig. 2) transmit the force from one side of the backrest frame 13 to one side of the upholstery frame 12, the force being exerted when the inner strap 18 is pulled strongly forward. Each force transmission assembly 7 is configured by the joint 14 and the locking mechanism 16.

[0019] The locking mechanism 16 has a base 16a and a hook 16b according to Fig. 3. The base 16a has a pair of plates on each side, each plate having a recess 16a1 that can be inserted into the bracket 23. The hook 16b is tiltably arranged in the base 16a and is engaged by the bracket 23, which fits into the recess 16a1. The hook 16b can be tilted by a cable and a rod (not shown) so that it is released from a position engaged with the bracket 23.

[0020] The locking mechanism 16 is also part of the power transmission assembly 7. That is, the locking mechanism 16 is attached to the side frame 13b on a lower side of the tip section 14b of the joint 14 according to Fig. 3 attached. How Fig. As shown in Figure 4, the locking mechanism 16 is arranged such that it covers the joint 14 in the direction of the seat width (vehicle width) and forms a gap to the joint 14 at one rear end of the joint 14. When the seat 1 is used in a position between a usage position and a storage position, the locking mechanism 16 does not contact the joint 14. However, if the inner belt 18 is pulled sharply forward (especially upward and forward), the locking mechanism 16 presses against a rear end 14c of the joint 14.

[0021] That is, according to Fig. 3. The inner belt 18 is pulled strongly forward, causing a component to deform, whereby, for example, the belt anchorage 17, the backrest frame 13, the locking mechanism 16 and / or the bracket 23 are elastically or plastically deformed. As a result, according to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 The locking mechanism 16 such that a front plate 16a2 of the base 16a meets the rear end 14c approximately in the middle of the joint 14. As a result, the locking mechanism 16 pushes the joint 14 from back to front, thereby transferring force from the side of the backrest frame 13 to the side of the upholstery frame 12.

[0022] Consequently, the power transmission structure 7 between the upholstery frame 12 and the backrest frame 13 is as follows: Fig. 3. Therefore, the force with which the seat belt is pulled is transferred by the force transmission assembly 7 from the side of the backrest frame 13 to the side of the upholstery frame 12. Thus, the force (load) is distributed across an area on one side of the seat cushion 2 and an area on one side of the backrest 3. As a result, the strength required for the backrest frame 13 is reduced, which can simplify the frame design or reduce its weight.

[0023] The power transmission assembly 7 is connected by the joint 14 and the locking mechanism 16 according to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 configured. In this configuration, when the inner belt (seat belt) 18 is pulled forward, the locking mechanism 16 pushes the joint 14 from back to front. The joint 14 is also used to connect the upholstery frame 12 to the backrest frame 13 in a freely rotatable manner. The locking mechanism 16 is used to engage the backrest 3 with the vehicle body 20. This allows the vehicle seat 1 to be configured with a small number of components by sharing components.

[0024] Based on Fig. 5 and Fig. Section 6 describes another configuration according to the invention. This configuration is similar to the one described in Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 shown. However, they differ. Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 in the position of a locking mechanism 16 and in the power transmission structure of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4. In the following, Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 described, the description focusing on differences compared to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 concentrated.

[0025] According to Fig. 5 is a locking mechanism 16 attached to a side surface of a side frame 13b of a backrest frame 13 on a top surface above a joint 30. A force transmission assembly is configured by the side frame 13b and the joint 30. The joint 30 is attached at one end 30a to a cushion frame 12 and is freely rotatable at one end 30b to a side surface of the side frame 13b. According to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 the joint 30 has a pivot section 30c which rotates to a front of the side frame 13b.

[0026] According to Fig. 5 The pivot section 30c covers the side frame 13b in the seat width direction (vehicle width direction) and is arranged with a small gap relative to the side frame 13b. In a normal operating condition of the seat 1, the pivot section 30c does not touch the side frame 13b. However, according to Fig. 3. The inner belt 18 is pulled strongly forward, causing a component to deform, e.g., the belt anchorage 17, the backrest frame 13, the locking mechanism 16, and / or the bracket 23 are elastically or plastically deformed, resulting in the side frame 13b contacting the pivot section 30c. As a result, the joint 30 is pushed from back to front by the side frame 13b, so that force is transmitted from one side of the backrest 3 to one side of the seat cushion 2.

[0027] The power transmission assembly thus includes joint 30. Joint 30 has a pivot section 30c and is designed such that when the seat belt is pulled forward, the pivot section 30c is pushed from back to front through the backrest frame 13. Joint 30 also serves to connect the upholstery frame 12 to the backrest frame 13 in a freely rotatable manner. The locking mechanism 16 is used to engage the backrest 3 with the vehicle body 20. Therefore, the vehicle seat 1 can be configured with a small number of components by sharing several components.

[0028] Based on Fig. 7 describes another configuration according to the invention. This configuration is similar to the one shown in Figure 7. Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4. However, it differs Fig. 7 in the position of a locking mechanism 16 and in the power transmission structure of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4. In the following, Fig. 7 described, the description focusing on differences compared to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 concentrated.

[0029] According to Fig. 7 The locking mechanism 16 is attached to a side surface of a side frame 13b of a backrest frame 13 on a top surface above a joint 31. A force transmission assembly is configured by the joint 31 and a force-actuating element 32. The joint 31 is attached at one end 31a to a cushion frame 12 and rotatably connected at one end 31b to a side surface of the side frame 13b. The force-actuating element 32 projects laterally from the side surface of the side frame 13b and is positioned behind the joint 31 such that it covers the joint 31 in the direction of the seat width (vehicle width).

[0030] The force-transmitting element 32 is arranged with a small gap relative to the joint 31. In a normal operating condition of the seat 1, the force-transmitting element 32 does not touch the joint 31. But how Fig. As shown in Figure 3, the inner belt 18 is pulled strongly forward, causing a component to deform. For example, the belt anchorage 17, the backrest frame 13, the locking mechanism 16, and / or the bracket 23 are deformed, causing the force-applying element 32 to contact a rear edge 31c in an approximately central position of the joint 31. As a result, the joint 31 is pushed forward from back by the force-applying element 32, so that force is transmitted from one side of the backrest 3 to one side of the seat cushion 2.

[0031] Thus, the force transmission assembly comprises the joint 31 and the force application element 32. When the seat belt is pulled forward, the force application element 32 pushes the joint 31 from back to front. Therefore, the force transmission assembly can be configured with a simple design in which the force application element 32 is located on the backrest frame 13.

[0032] Based on Fig. 8 and Fig. Section 9 describes another configuration according to the invention. This configuration is similar to the one described in Section 9. Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4. However, they differ Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 in the position of a locking mechanism 16 and in the power transmission structure of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4. In the following, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 described, the description focusing on differences compared to Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 concentrated.

[0033] According to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 A locking mechanism 16 is attached to a side surface of a side frame 13b of a backrest frame 13 on a top surface above a joint 33. A force transmission assembly is configured by the side frame 13b and a force-receiving element 33c formed in the joint 33. The joint 33 is attached at one end 33a to a cushion frame 12 and is rotatably connected at one end 33b to a side surface of the side frame 13b. The force-receiving element 33c is located at the top edge of the joint 33 approximately in a central position.

[0034] The force-bearing element 33c hangs over a front face of the side frame 13b from the joint 33 and forms a small gap relative to the side frame 13b. In a normal operating condition of the seat 1, the force-bearing element 33c does not touch the side frame 13b. According to Fig. However, in step 3, the inner belt 18 is pulled strongly forward, causing a component to deform, e.g., the belt anchorage 17, the backrest frame 13, the locking mechanism 16 and / or the bracket 23 are deformed, causing the side frame 13b to contact the force-bearing part 33c. As a result, the joint 33 is pushed from back to front by the side frame 13b, so that force is transferred from one side of the backrest 3 to one side of the seat cushion 2.

[0035] While the invention has been described using specific configurations, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible. Therefore, the invention is intended to encompass all such alternatives, variations, and modifications that can correspond to the basic concept and scope of protection of the appended claims. For example, the invention should not be limited to the representative configurations but may be modified as described below. (1) In Fig. 3. The belt anchorage 17 is provided on the side of the backrest frame 13, and force from the seat belt is transferred from the backrest frame side to the upholstery frame side via the transmission structure. Alternatively, a configuration can be used in which the belt anchorage is provided on the upholstery frame side and the force is transferred from the upholstery frame side to the backrest frame side via a transmission structure. (2) In Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. 9. Each force transmission assembly is a configuration in which force is transmitted from the side of the backrest frame 13 to the side of the upholstery frame 12 via the joint 14, 30, 31, or 33. However, instead of this configuration, a configuration is also acceptable in which a part that transmits force from the side of the backrest frame 13 to the side of the upholstery frame 12 is provided on one of the frames 12 and 13. (3) In Fig. 1 is seat 1, a seat stored in the roof lining with arm 5. However, a configuration is also acceptable in which a vehicle seat does not have arm 5 and is foldable and removable in the vehicle body 20. (4) in Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig.In section 9, each joint 14, 30, 31, or 33 is a separate part from the upholstery frame 12. However, a configuration in which a joint and an upholstery frame are manufactured as one piece is also acceptable.

Claims

[1] Vehicle seat (1) with: a padded frame (12); a backrest frame (13) which is rotatably connected to the upholstery frame (12); a locking mechanism (15, 16) which is positioned on the upholstery and backrest frame (12, 13) and engaged on a bracket (22, 23); and a belt anchorage (17) positioned on the upholstery and / or backrest frame (12, 13) to which a safety belt (18) is attached, wherein a force transmission assembly (7) is located between the upholstery and The backrest frame (12, 13) is provided, the force transmission assembly (7) has a joint (14; 30; 31; 33) and a force application part (16a2; 13b; 32), and the joint (14; 30; 31; 33) extends from the upholstery frame (12) and is rotatably connected to the backrest frame (13) at a tip section (14b; 30b; 31b; 33b) of the joint (14; 30; 31; 33), wherein when the safety belt (18) is pulled forward, so that a part between the belt anchorage (17) and the bracket (22, 23) is deformed, a part (14c; 30c; 31c; 33c) of the joint (14; 30; 31; 33) on one side of the upholstery and / or the The backrest frame (12, 13) presses on the force application part (16a2; 13b; 32) on one side of the other frame (12, 13), thereby transferring force from the side of the upholstery and / or backrest frame (12, 13) to the side of the other frame (12, 13). [2] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 1, wherein: the belt anchorage (17) is provided on the backrest frame (13), the power transmission assembly (7) is an assembly with a joint (14) and the locking mechanism (16) and the locking mechanism (16) is attached to the backrest frame (13) in a rear position relative to the joint (14) and when the seat belt (18) is pulled forward, the locking mechanism (16a2) pushes the joint (14c) from back to front. [3] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 1, wherein: the belt anchorage (17) is provided on the backrest frame (13), the power transmission structure (7) has the joint (30), and the joint (30; 33) has a rotation section (30c; 33c), which rotates towards a front (13b) of the backrest frame (13), and when the seat belt (18) is pulled forward, the backrest frame (13) pushes the rotation section (30c; 33c) from back to front. [4] Vehicle seat (1) according to claim 1, wherein: the belt anchorage (17) is provided on the backrest frame (13) and the force application part (32) is provided on the backrest frame (13) in a rear position in relation to the joint (31) and when the safety belt (18) is pulled forward, the force application part (32) pushes the joint (31c) from back to front.

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