Device for folding down the backrest of a vehicle seat

Abstract

Device for folding down the backrest of a vehicle seat, comprising a first bearing (2), a middle bearing (3) and a second bearing (4), wherein the first bearing (2) has a first locking hook (15) which engages a first locking rivet (16) of the first bearing (2) at least partially from above, opening towards a vehicle floor, and wherein the second bearing (4) has a locking hook (18) which engages a locking rivet (16) of the second bearing (4) at least partially from above, opening towards a vehicle floor, and wherein a second locking hook (19) of the middle bearing (3), which is arranged rotated by 180° relative to the first locking hook (15) of the first bearing (2) and the locking hook (18) of the second bearing (4), engages a locking rivet (20) of the middle bearing (3) from below, oriented towards a vehicle ceiling, and wherein the first locking hook (15) and the second locking hook (19),are connected via a Bowden cable (6) and wherein the second safety hook (19) and the safety hook (18) are connected via a further Bowden cable (7).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The invention relates to a device for folding a vehicle seat, according to the features of claim 1. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Regarding the prior art, reference is made to DE 102 26 430 B4. This document discloses a bearing for a backrest that has a corresponding locking hook.

[0003] Furthermore, reference is made to DE 10 2008 059 355 A1, which discloses a device for folding backrests, in which a backrest can be pivoted forwards from a position of use suitable for seating into a non-use position (and back) relative to the vehicle structure.

[0004] Furthermore, DE 10 2007 016 409 A1 should be cited, which discloses a lock for a vehicle seat, which in a locked state interacts with a counter element, with a pawl pivotally mounted about a first bearing pin, which has a receptacle for the counter element and a functional surface, and a securing element pivotally mounted about a second bearing pin, which in the locked state temporarily interacts with the functional surface to secure the locked state of the lock.

[0005] In addition, DE 297 23 876 U1 should be mentioned, which discloses a motor vehicle seat with two parallel joint fittings.

[0006] Such devices are used in a wide variety of shapes and designs for vehicle seats. They are used, for example, to secure a backrest that can be pivoted relative to a seat section in the seated position. If, for example, the backrest of a front seat needs to be folded forward so that people can climb into the rear of a car, a Bowden cable is pulled, and the device, or parts of it, are pivoted about an axis, releasing a hook from a locking rivet. The problem here is that, for example, in a crash, the hook can often be inadvertently released from the locking rivet, resulting in the rear seat falling out, which is extremely undesirable.

[0007] For example, DE 20 2004 012 135 U1 discloses safety hooks with a hook end which, in the holding position, engages over the apex of the locking rivet by an arc of 45° and rests against it. This design has the advantage that the hook end rests much more on the rivet, making it difficult to release the hook in the event of a crash. Disadvantageously, these hooks can be damaged by loads or objects moving within the vehicle when subjected to impact loads, for example, in rear-end collisions caused by other vehicles or when the vehicle in question itself strikes another vehicle. As has been shown in practice, they can be pushed out of the locking position. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of the present invention is to create a device that is securely held in the locked position. The goal is to create a device that ensures the folding of a vehicle seat during normal operation and, in the event of an accident, reliably prevents the vehicle seat from folding over and protects the occupants in the event of an accident.

[0009] The features of claim 1 lead to the solution of the problem.

[0010] A device for folding a vehicle seat preferably comprises a first bearing. The backrest is expediently attached to a lever arm of the bearing. Particularly preferably, the first bearing has a first securing hook that engages around a locking rivet of the first bearing.

[0011] In typical embodiments, the safety hook has a hook end that, in the holding position, extends over the apex of the locking rivet by an arc of 45° and rests against it. Such a safety hook is disclosed in DE 20 2004 012 135 U1. This design has the advantage that the hook end rests much more closely on the rivet, making it difficult for the hook to become detached in the event of a crash.

[0012] Conveniently, the device includes a mechanism for releasing the first securing hook to allow movement of the backrest relative to the seat surface. This offers the advantage that, for example, the backrest of the front seats can be folded down for entry or the backrest of a rear seat can be folded down to enlarge the loading area.

[0013] The device preferably comprises a second safety hook. Particularly preferably, the second safety hook engages a locking rivet rotated 180° relative to the first safety hook. This offers the advantage that, when sudden, impact-like forces act on the safety hooks, these normally occur from one direction. In this case, it can happen that the hook, whose opening is oriented opposite to the force occurring, opens or breaks. Nevertheless, a second safety hook is still present, which is positioned to counteract the forces acting on it and cannot be opened by the forces acting during the loading event.

[0014] The second securing hook is expediently arranged on the second bearing of the device for folding a backrest.

[0015] In typical embodiments, the device comprises a locking rivet for securing the first securing hook and the second securing hook. Preferably, the first securing hook engages the locking rivet from below, and the second securing hook engages the locking rivet from above. Particularly preferably, the first securing hook engages its own locking rivet, and the second securing hook engages a second locking rivet. Conveniently, both securing hooks can also engage a common locking rivet.

[0016] Conveniently, the mechanism for releasing the first safety hook is also suitable for releasing the second safety hook. This has the advantage that only one mechanism needs to be operated to release both safety hooks and allow the backrest to be folded down. This increases comfort for the operator.

[0017] In typical embodiments, the first safety hook and the second safety hook are connected to each other. Preferably, the first safety hook and the second safety hook are connected via a Bowden cable. This provides the advantage that both safety hooks can be operated simultaneously using the Bowden cable. The Bowden cable is attached to the safety hook in such a way that they are opened or closed when the Bowden cable is moved.

[0018] Conveniently, the device comprises at least one spring. Preferably, the first and / or second securing hook is pre-tensioned by the at least one spring. This provides the advantage that the securing hook automatically re-engages the locking rivet after the backrest is raised.

[0019] Preferably, the device or at least one of the bearings comprises a pin as a stop for at least one of the securing hooks. Particularly preferably, two pins are provided as stops for at least one of the securing hooks. This provides the advantage that the movement of the securing hook is limited by the pins acting as stops both when folding down the rear seat and when raising the rear seat.

[0020] The device includes a center bearing. This is especially true for a rear seat, as a center bearing allows separate folding of sections of the backrest. This has the advantage that the device is also suitable for the backrest of a rear seat. Conveniently, the center bearing is divisible. This has the advantage that the rear seat can be divided.

[0021] The central bearing preferably comprises the second securing hook, which is arranged rotated by 180° relative to the first securing hook of the first bearing. Particularly preferably, the second bearing then comprises a further securing hook. This is expediently aligned analogously to the first securing hook.

[0022] Conveniently, the first securing hook, the second securing hook on the center bearing, and the securing hook on the second bearing are connected to one another. The connection is preferably made via at least one Bowden cable. Particularly preferably, the first securing hook and the second securing hook are connected via a Bowden cable. Short description of the drawings

[0023] The invention is briefly described below with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device for folding a backrest of a rear seat of a vehicle with a first bearing, a central bearing and a second bearing; Fig. 2 shows an enlarged perspective view of the central bearing of the device for folding a backrest of a rear seat according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows an enlarged perspective view of the first bearing of the device for folding a backrest of a rear seat according to Fig. 1; Fig. 4 shows an enlarged perspective view of the second bearing of the device for folding a backrest of a rear seat according to Fig. 1; Fig. 5 discloses an enlarged perspective view of the central bearing of the device for folding a backrest of a rear seat according to Fig. 2; Fig. Figure 6 shows an enlarged plan view of a securing hook of the bearings of the device for folding a backrest of a rear seat, according to the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4; Fig. 7 discloses an enlarged perspective view of the center bearing of the device for folding a backrest of a rear seat when folding the right rear seat; Fig. 8 shows an enlarged perspective view of the center bearing of the device for folding a backrest of a rear seat during an intermediate step when folding the right rear seat. Example

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows a device 1 for folding the backrest of a rear seat of a vehicle. The device 1 is shown from the front. Thus, the view is essentially from the front of the passenger compartment of a vehicle, looking at the device 1 in the rear seat (not shown).

[0025] The device 1 comprises a first bearing 2, a center bearing 3, and a second bearing 4. The first bearing 2, the center bearing 3, and the second bearing 4 are mounted on a tube 5. The first bearing 2 and the center bearing 3 are connected via a Bowden cable 6. The center bearing 3 and the second bearing 4 are also connected via another Bowden cable 7.

[0026] Each of the bearings 2, 3, and 4 has one or two levers 8, respectively. The backrest of the rear seat is attached to the levers 8. The center bearing 3 comprises a bearing block LH 9 and a bearing block RH 10. LH stands for the left half and RH for the right half. The device is anchored to the bearing blocks 9 and 10.

[0027] As can be seen from the enlarged view of the center bearing 3 in the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 2, the two levers 8 are rotatably connected to the bearing block LH 9 and the bearing block RH 10 via a pivot rivet 11. The pivot rivet 11 is secured by a washer 12.

[0028] As shown in the enlarged view of the Fig. 3, the first bearing 2 also comprises a bearing block 13. This is also connected to the lever 8 via a pivot rivet 14. Furthermore, the first bearing 2 comprises a first securing hook 15. The securing hook 15 engages around a locking rivet 16. The securing hook 15 has its own pivot point 17. As can be seen from the enlarged illustration of the Fig. As can be seen from Figure 4, the second bearing 4 is constructed analogously. The securing hook 18 of the second bearing 4 also engages a locking rivet 16 from above. The securing hook 18 of the second bearing 4 and the first securing hook 15 of the first bearing 2 are aligned and arranged in the same way.

[0029] In contrast, the middle bearing 3, as shown in the even more enlarged illustration of the Fig. 5, a second securing hook 19. The center bearing 3 comprises two levers 8. The second securing hook 19 engages around a locking rivet 20 from below. The securing hook 19, the bearing block LH 9 and the bearing block RH 10 are arranged between the first lever 8 and the second lever 8 of the center bearing 3. The securing hook 19 has its own pivot point 21. The second securing hook 19 is arranged opposite the first securing hook 15 of the first bearing 2 and also opposite the securing hook 18 of the second bearing 4. The securing hooks 19, 15 and 18 are each preloaded by a spring 22, as shown in the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. In the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, the repetition of the individual items including the corresponding reference symbols is omitted, but it is pointed out that the explanations on the Fig. 1 to 4 also for the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 apply. The operation of the invention is as follows:

[0030] Essentially, the securing hooks 15, 18, and 19 are designed to prevent the rear seat or the backrest (not shown), which is attached to the levers 8, from folding forward in the direction of travel onto a seat surface (not shown). This is prevented when the securing hooks 15, 18, and 19 engage their locking rivets 16 and 20.

[0031] The fact that the safety hook 19 is arranged opposite the safety hooks 15 and 18 has the advantage of ensuring more reliable securing. In the event of strong forces acting on the safety hooks, e.g. as a result of a rear-end collision, safety hooks oriented in the same direction as the acting forces can break or open. By having safety hooks with opposite orientations, there is always at least one safety hook that is positioned opposite the acting force. In this context, "opposite" means that the safety hook is oriented, for example, towards the vehicle floor and the second hook is oriented towards the vehicle ceiling. The term "vehicle floor" or "vehicle ceiling" also refers to the extended straight lines of the vehicle ceiling or vehicle floor.

[0032] If it is desired to fold down part of the rear seat, the Bowden cables 6, 7 are operated using a device for releasing the safety hooks and, at the same time, the backrest is pushed towards the seat surface by a user.

[0033] The Fig. 7 and Fig. 8 show intermediate steps for folding the right section of the rear seat. Opening the securing hooks 18 and 19 occurs simultaneously and in a similar manner, but in the opposite direction, and is therefore not explained separately.

[0034] The additional Bowden cable 7 engages the safety hook 19 at point 25. By operating the device for releasing the safety hooks 18, 19, the safety hook 19 is rotated about its pivot point 21 via the additional Bowden cable 7, releasing the locking rivet 20. At the same time, the lever 8 of the center bearing 3 is pushed by an operator toward the seat surface and rotated about its pivot point rivet 11. This is possible because the locking rivet 20, released by the safety hook 19, can be displaced in the recess 24.

[0035] In Fig. 7, as can be seen from the position of the point of attack 25 within a slot not described in more detail, how the safety hook 19 returns to its original position and the locking rivet 20 slides along an outer curve 30.

[0036] In Fig.8 shows how the locking rivet 20 is now moved by the safety hook 19, which has been pivoted back into its original position, and by its outer edge 30 in the recess 24 in the direction of the front bearing block 9. List of reference symbols 1 device 2 first camp 3 center bearings 4 second camp 5 rail 6 Bowden cable 7 additional Bowden cable 8 levers 9 Bearing block LH 10 Bearing block RH 11 Pivot rivet 12 Washer 13 Bearing block 14 pivot rivet 15 first safety hook 16 locking rivet 17 Pivot point 18 safety hooks 19 second safety hook 20 locking rivets 21 Pivot point 22 spring 23 Recess 24 recess 25 Attack point 30 outer border

Claims

[1] Device for folding down a backrest of a vehicle seat, comprising a first bearing (2), a central bearing (3) and a second bearing (4), wherein the first bearing (2) has a first securing hook (15) which engages around a first locking rivet (16) of the first bearing (2) at least partially from above towards a vehicle floor, and wherein the second bearing (4) has a securing hook (18) which engages around a locking rivet (16) of the second bearing (4) at least partially from above towards a vehicle floor, and wherein a second securing hook (19) of the central bearing (3), which is arranged rotated by 180° to the first securing hook (15) of the first bearing (2) and the securing hook (18) of the second bearing (4) and engages around a locking rivet (20) of the central bearing (3) from below, directed towards a vehicle ceiling, and wherein the first securing hook (15) and the second securing hook (19),are connected via a Bowden cable (6) and wherein the second safety hook (19) and the safety hook (18) are connected via a further Bowden cable (7). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first safety hook (15), the second safety hook (19), and the safety hook (18) are each pre-tensioned by a spring (22). [3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one pin as a stop for at least one of the safety hooks (15, 19).

Images