Longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat and vehicle seat

Abstract

The invention relates to a longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat (1), comprising a lower rail (5) and an upper rail (3) guided longitudinally displaceably therein, wherein an upper clamp (30) is connected to the upper rail (3). A lower clamp (50) is connected to the lower rail (5), wherein the lower clamp (50) has at least one lower locking area (59) and the upper clamp (30) has at least one upper locking area (39), wherein the lower locking area (59) and the upper locking area (39) are normally spaced apart from each other and interlock in the event of a crash.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat having the features of the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat having the features of claim 7. State of the art

[0002] DE 20 2006 005 525 U1 discloses a generic longitudinal adjuster and a generic vehicle seat. The vehicle seat comprises a seat part that can be connected to two pairs of seat rails of a longitudinal adjuster by means of front and rear feet. Each pair of seat rails comprises a lower rail connected to the vehicle structure and an upper rail slidably guided in the lower rail. Each of the said feet comprises a lock that can be locked with a locking bolt attached to the upper rail. By locking the locks with the locking bolts, the seat part can be connected to the pair of rails.

[0003] Each locking bolt is attached to the upper rail by a retaining clip. The locking bolt is welded to the retaining clip, and the retaining clip is bolted to the upper rail. Forces generated in a crash are then transferred from the seat section via the upper and lower rails into the vehicle structure.

[0004] EP 0 816 158 A2 discloses a vehicle seat of this type with a longitudinal adjuster of this type. The longitudinal adjuster comprises a clamp connected to the lower rail and a clamp connected to the upper rail. In the event of a crash, these clamps interlock, and the forces generated during the crash are transmitted to the vehicle structure via the clamps. Task

[0005] The invention is based on the object of improving a longitudinal adjuster of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular of increasing the strength of the longitudinal adjuster in the event of a crash. Solution

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a longitudinal adjuster having the features recited in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments, which can be used individually or in combination with one another, are the subject of the subclaims.

[0007] Accordingly, a longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat comprises a lower rail and an upper rail guided therein for longitudinal displacement, wherein an upper clamp is connected to the upper rail. A lower clamp is connected to the lower rail, wherein the lower clamp has at least one lower locking region, and the upper clamp has at least one upper locking region. The lower locking region and the upper locking region are normally spaced apart from one another and interlock with one another in the event of a crash.

[0008] By connecting a lower clamp to the lower rail, the lower clamp having at least one lower locking area and the upper clamp having at least one upper locking area, the lower locking area and the upper locking area being spaced apart from each other under normal circumstances and interlocking with each other in the event of a crash, forces occurring in the event of a crash are additionally transferred from the seat part via the upper clamp and the lower clamp into the vehicle structure. This increases the strength of the longitudinal adjuster in the event of a crash.

[0009] Preferably, the at least one upper locking region is formed by a double bend of a holding region of the upper clamp. Such a double bend is relatively easy to manufacture.

[0010] Preferably, the at least one lower locking region is further formed by a double bend of a side region of the lower clamp. Such a double bend is relatively easy to manufacture.

[0011] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the upper clamp extends longitudinally rearward beyond the top rail. This increases the overlap area between the upper locking area and the lower locking area.

[0012] Likewise, according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the lower clamp extends longitudinally rearward beyond the lower rail. This increases the overlap area between the lower locking area and the upper locking area.

[0013] To connect the seat part by means of a lock, a locking bracket is advantageously connected to the upper clamp, which comprises a bolt running in the transverse direction.

[0014] The upper clamp preferably has a recess within which the bolt is located. The recess is designed such that the lock engages the recess when locked with the bolt of the locking bracket.

[0015] According to an advantageous development of the invention, the bolt is arranged longitudinally behind the rear end of the upper rail. This allows the use of a lock with a greater transverse extension. The transverse extension of the lock is thus limited only by the clear width between the edge areas of the lower rail.

[0016] The locking bracket has two longitudinally extending legs connected by a bolt. This increases the strength of the connection between the upper clamp and the locking bracket.

[0017] This object is also achieved by a vehicle seat having the features mentioned in claim 7, which has at least one longitudinal adjuster according to the invention. Figures and embodiments of the invention

[0018] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an advantageous embodiment illustrated in the drawings. However, the invention is not limited to this embodiment. In the drawings: Fig. 1: a schematic representation of a vehicle seat, Fig. 2: a section through a pair of seat rails of a longitudinal adjuster, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, with a lock, Fig. 3: a plan view of a longitudinal adjuster, from above, with a lock, Fig. 4: a plan view of a locking bracket from above and Fig. 5: an exploded view of a longitudinal adjuster with a lock.

[0019] A vehicle seat 1 for a motor vehicle has a seat part 2 and a tilt-adjustable backrest 10 attached thereto.

[0020] The arrangement of the vehicle seat 1 within the vehicle and its usual direction of travel define the directional specifications used below. A direction oriented perpendicular to the ground is referred to below as the vertical direction, and a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and perpendicular to the direction of travel is referred to below as the transverse direction.

[0021] The backrest 10 is tilt-adjustable by means of a laterally arranged, manually operated backrest adjustment fitting 19, meaning the angle between the seat part 2 and the backrest 10 is adjustable. Alternatively, an electric drive is also conceivable.

[0022] At the vertically upper end of the backrest 10, which faces away from the seat part 2, there is also a height-adjustable and tilt-adjustable headrest 18.

[0023] The vehicle seat 1 is longitudinally adjustable by means of a longitudinal adjuster comprising two lower rails 5 connected to the floor of the motor vehicle and two upper rails 3. This means that the seat part 2, together with the backrest 10, can be adjusted in the longitudinal direction, which in this case corresponds to the direction of travel. For this purpose, each of the upper rails 3 is slidably guided in one of the lower rails 5 running parallel in the longitudinal direction. Each of the two upper rails 3 forms a pair of seat rails with the associated lower rail 5. The longitudinal adjuster thus comprises two parallel pairs of seat rails.

[0024] Each of the two upper rails 3 can be locked to the respective lower rail 5 by means of a locking device. The locking device can be unlocked using a release bracket 16. Alternatively, an electric drive is also conceivable here.

[0025] The vehicle seat 1 further comprises a front foot 22 and a rear foot 24 on each side, which are attached to the seat part 2. The feet 22, 24 serve to fasten the seat part 2 to the upper rails 3. A lock 40 is provided on each rear foot 24, by means of which the rear foot 24 can be releasably locked to the respective upper rail 3. Such a lock 40 is known, for example, from DE 103 04 574 B4, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein.

[0026] A locking bracket 34 is provided on each top rail 3, with which the corresponding lock 40 of the rear foot 24 interacts. The locking bracket 34 is approximately U-shaped and has two longitudinally extending legs 44 and a transversely extending bolt 42 connecting the two legs 44. The lock 40 engages the bolt 42.

[0027] An upper clamp 30 is attached to the top rail 3 in the vertical direction from above. In this case, the upper clamp 30 is fastened to the top rail 3 with two rivets 38 arranged offset from one another in the longitudinal direction. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to weld or screw the upper clamp 30 to the top rail 3. The upper clamp 30 extends longitudinally rearward beyond the top rail 3.

[0028] The upper clamp 30 is approximately U-shaped in cross-section and comprises a fastening region 35, which is fastened to the upper rail 3 by means of the rivet 38, and two holding regions 37. Viewed in the longitudinal direction, the holding regions 37 run parallel to one another in the vertical direction and are connected to one another at their upper ends by the fastening region 35 running in the transverse direction.

[0029] The fastening area 35 comprises a bulge in each of the two edge areas, to which the holding areas 37 adjoin, for receiving the legs 44 of the locking bracket 34. The locking bracket 34 is thus located vertically below the fastening area 35 and is enclosed transversely by the holding areas 37. The locking bracket 34 is connected to the upper clamp 30, in this case welded.

[0030] The upper clamp 30 further has a recess 32, which extends longitudinally and transversely within the fastening area 35 and is arranged longitudinally behind the upper rail 3. The locking bracket 34 is arranged such that the bolt 42 lies longitudinally within the recess 32 of the upper clamp 30. The bolt 42 of the locking bracket 34 is thus located longitudinally behind the rear end of the upper rail 3.

[0031] To attach the seat part 2 to the top rail 3, the rear foot 24 is positioned over the recess 32 and pressed downward in the vertical direction. The open lock 40 then enters the recess 32, engages the bolt 42 of the locking bracket 34, and locks automatically.

[0032] For unlocking, an actuating element 8 is provided, which in this case is arranged in the upper area of ​​the backrest 10. Upon actuation of the actuating element 8, which is coupled to the lock 40 by a Bowden cable, the lock 40 is unlocked and releases the bolt 42 of the locking bracket 34. The lock 40 can then be pulled out of the recess 32 in the vertical direction.

[0033] Each front foot 22 is attached to the upper rail 3 by means of a pivot bearing. When the locks 40 of the rear feet 24 are unlocked, the seat part 2 can thus be pivoted about a pivot axis extending in the transverse direction and defined by the pivot bearings. This pivoting movement of the seat part 2 and the connected backrest 10 facilitates, for example, an occupant's access to a row of seats located behind the vehicle seat 1.

[0034] Alternatively, it is also conceivable for the front foot 22 to be designed similarly to the rear foot 24 and also to have a lock 40. In this case, the locks 40 of the front feet are also unlocked by actuating the actuating element 8. This allows the seat part 2 to be completely detached from the upper rails 3, and the vehicle seat 1 can thus be removed from the vehicle.

[0035] A lower clamp 50 is attached vertically from below to the lower rail 5. The lower clamp 50 is welded to the lower rail 5. The lower clamp 50 extends longitudinally rearward beyond the lower rail 5.

[0036] The lower clamp 50 is approximately U-shaped in cross-section and comprises a base portion 55, which is attached to the lower rail 5, and two side portions 57. The base portion 55 is located vertically below the lower rail 5 and above the vehicle floor. Viewed in the longitudinal direction, the side portions 57 run parallel to each other vertically and are connected at their lower ends by the base portion 55, which runs transversely.

[0037] The side regions 57 of the lower clamp 50 are bent twice at their ends facing away from the base region 55. These bends of the side regions 57 initially extend inward in the transverse direction, i.e., toward each other. Further on, the bends of the side regions 57 extend downward in the vertical direction.

[0038] These double bends of the side regions 57 of the lower clamp 50 each form a lower locking region 59. The lower clamp 50 thus has two lower locking regions 59, which are located at the ends of the side regions 57 facing away from the base region 55.

[0039] The holding areas 37 of the upper clamp 30 are also bent twice at their ends facing away from the fastening area 35. These bends of the holding areas 37 initially extend outward in the transverse direction, i.e., away from each other. Further on, the bends of the holding areas 37 extend upward in the vertical direction.

[0040] These double bends of the holding areas 37 of the upper clamp 30 each form an upper locking area 39. The upper clamp 30 thus has two upper locking areas 39, which are located at the ends of the holding areas 37 facing away from the fastening area 35.

[0041] The bends of the side areas 57 and the bends of the holding areas 37 mutually engage with each other. During normal use of the vehicle seat 1, the bends of the side areas 57 and the bends of the holding areas 37 do not touch each other. Therefore, the lower locking areas 59 and the upper locking areas 39 are normally spaced apart from each other.

[0042] In the event of a crash, particularly a frontal collision, the vehicle seat 1 experiences an upward vertical acceleration relative to the vehicle. The rear foot 24 with the lock 40 pulls vertically on the locking bracket 34. When the fastening area 35 bends under this load acting on the upper clamp 30, the bends in the holding areas 37 move upward vertically and interlock with the bends in the side areas 57 of the lower clamp 50.

[0043] In the event of a crash, the lower locking areas 59 and the upper locking areas 39 interlock. As a result, forces generated in the event of a crash are additionally transmitted from the seat part 2 via the upper clamp 30 and the upper locking areas 39 into the lower locking areas 59 and the lower clamp 50 and into the vehicle structure. This prevents further bending of the fastening area 35 of the upper clamp 30 and the locking bracket 34.

[0044] The features disclosed in the above description, the claims and the drawings may be important both individually and in combination for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle seat 2 seat part 3 top rail 5 Bottom rail 8 Actuating element 10 Backrest 16 release brackets 18 Headrest 19 Backrest adjustment fitting 22 Front foot 24 Rear foot 30 Upper bracket 32 recess 34 locking brackets 35 Mounting area 37 Holding area 38 rivets 39 Upper restricted area 40 Castle 42 bolts 44 legs 50 Lower bracket 55 floor area 57 page range 59 Lower restricted area

Claims

[1] Longitudinal adjuster for a vehicle seat (1), comprising a lower rail (5) and an upper rail (3) guided therein so as to be displaceable in the longitudinal direction, wherein an upper bracket (30) is connected to the upper rail (3), characterized by , that a lower clamp (50) is connected to the lower rail (5), wherein the lower clamp (50) has at least one lower locking region (59) and the upper clamp (30) has at least one upper locking region (39), wherein the lower locking area (59) and the upper locking area (39) are normally spaced apart from each other and interlock with each other in the event of a crash, and wherein a locking bracket (34) is connected to the upper bracket (30), which comprises a transversely extending bolt (42), the upper clamp (30) has a recess (32) within which the bolt (42) is arranged and the locking bracket (34) has two longitudinally extending legs (44) which are connected by the bolt (42). [2] Longitudinal adjuster according to claim 1, characterized by that the at least one upper locking region (39) is formed by a double bend of a holding region (37) of the upper clamp (30). [3] Longitudinal adjuster according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the at least one lower locking region (59) is formed by a double bend of a side region (57) of the lower clamp (50). [4] Longitudinal adjuster according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the upper clamp (30) extends longitudinally backwards beyond the upper rail (3). [5] Longitudinal adjuster according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lower clamp (50) extends longitudinally backwards beyond the lower rail (5). [6] Longitudinal adjuster according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the bolt (42) is arranged longitudinally behind the rear end of the upper rail (3). [7] Vehicle seat (1) comprising at least one longitudinal adjuster according to one of the preceding claims.

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