Upholstery support plate for seat depth adjustment

Abstract

Upholstery support plate (1) for seat depth adjustment with a guide (2), wherein the upholstery support plate (1) and the guide (2) are formed in one piece, wherein the guide (2) essentially forms the central part of the upholstery support plate (1) and has two reinforcing ribs (8.1, 8.2), characterized in that two functional arms (4.1, 4.2) are each attached laterally next to the reinforcing ribs (8.1, 8.2) of the guide (2), wherein the reinforcing ribs (8.1, 8.2) support the functional arms (4.1, 4.2) via two stops (9.1, 9.2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cushion support plate for a seat depth adjustment according to the preamble of claim 1. STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Various types of seat depth adjustments are known and commonly used in the prior art. In this context, reference is made to DE 20 2007 002 803 U1. This patent discloses a device for adjusting the seat depth of a vehicle seat, comprising a seat depth adjuster with two guides movable relative to each other and an operating handle for this purpose, by means of which a locking mechanism between the two guides can be released. This device has the special feature that a locking hook is connected to the operating handle, which has a cam in which a cam element on the operating handle is guided for unlocking.

[0003] Reference is also made to DE 10 2006 018 353 A1. This document describes a device for adjusting the seat depth of a vehicle seat with a seat pan, in which a seat depth adjuster is guided along rail elements, and an operating handle is provided by which the seat depth adjuster can be released. The special feature is that a rail element has a ratchet toothing in which a ratchet hook with ratchet elements engages.

[0004] Reference is also made to DE 10 2008 049 923 A1. This patent discloses a device for adjusting the seat depth of a vehicle seat with a support plate on which a sliding element is arranged, and a drive for adjusting the seat depth, the special feature being that the drive and the sliding element are connected via a flexible shaft.

[0005] Reference is further made to DE 10 2009 012 776 B3, which discloses a vehicle with a device for adjusting the seat depth, which has a guide element and a sliding element, wherein one element engages with a rail in an undercut groove of the other element, the special feature being that the rail and the groove maintain a changing distance during a relative sliding movement of the two elements to each other.

[0006] In the context of seat depth adjustments known in the prior art, so-called upholstery support plates are used. These serve to hold the seat cushion, which can assume a changing position during the seat depth adjustment.

[0007] Further seat depth adjustment devices are disclosed in the following publications: DE 39 29 436 A1; US 7 669 928 B2; DE 10 99 866 A; DE 20 2007 000 484 U1; DE 20 16 701 A; DE 198 46 030 C1; DE 10 2009 017 374 A1; DE 10 2009 017 376 A1; US 4 345 406 A; US 4 634 176 A; KR 10 2011 016 566 A; FR 2 958 593 A1

[0008] From this selection, it is further specified that DE 20 2007 000 484 U1 discloses a seat pan for a vehicle seat made of plastic with a central concave recess and lateral boundaries. The seat pan has integrated connecting elements that simultaneously form guide tracks and locking elements. The guide structures are integrally formed with the seat pan, so that no separate guide parts are required. This simplifies assembly, reduces weight, and improves the stability of the entire seat construction.

[0009] Similarly, with regard to DE 10 2009 017 374 A1, it is further noted that a method for manufacturing a structural component of a vehicle or a seat is disclosed. In this process, a material is pressed through a die to create a profile with varying wall thickness. Reinforcing and guiding elements are then integrally formed with the base body, resulting in a particularly rigid and resilient component structure. In this way, seat components with integrated guide systems can be manufactured, saving weight and simultaneously reducing assembly effort.

[0010] DE 10 2009 017 376 A1 also relates to the production of a load-bearing seat structure made of extruded material. A seat shell is produced from a semi-finished product by cutting and forming, in which reinforcing ribs and guide contours are integral parts of the structure. The process enables the precise manufacturing of lightweight, high-strength components whose guide elements do not need to be subsequently mounted.

[0011] German patent DE 198 46 030 C1 describes an armrest for vehicle seats and center console elements. A flexible support is guided around a deflection mechanism and its position can be changed. This design creates a compact and adaptable armrest that increases comfort and provides ergonomic support.

[0012] DE 20 16 701 A relates to a seat with a seat surface consisting of a pelvic recess and a flexibly hinged thigh support. The thigh support is adjustable longitudinally and mounted on lateral guide elements that are integrally formed as part of the seat structure. This design reduces the number of components and improves smoothness during adjustment. This results in even pressure distribution and increased seating comfort.

[0013] German patent DE 1 099 866 A relates to a seat, particularly for motor vehicles, in which the seat surface consists of a pelvic recess and a longitudinally adjustable thigh support. The thigh support is telescopically extendable and guided by guide grooves formed integrally with the seat pan. The integral design of the guide elements allows for precise movement of the thigh support in a compact installation space, thereby preventing pressure peaks and improving seating comfort.

[0014] German patent DE 39 29 436 A1 relates to a vehicle seat with a longitudinally adjustable seat surface. The adjustment mechanism is connected to the seat pan via guide elements, which are designed as an integral part of the support structure. This design increases stability, reduces assembly effort, and allows for a flat design while simultaneously ensuring precise guidance of the moving seat components. TASK OF INVENTION

[0015] The object of the invention is to further optimize such a cushion support plate from the prior art. Specifically, this means reducing weight. Furthermore, efforts should be made, where possible, to reduce the number of individual components while maintaining the same level of usability. SOLUTION TO THE TASK

[0016] The features of claim 1 lead to the solution of the problem.

[0017] An upholstery support plate for seat depth adjustment according to the invention has a guide. According to the invention, the upholstery support plate and the guide are formed in one piece. This has the advantage that, firstly, the connecting elements, such as rivets, can be omitted, and secondly, the upholstery support plate according to the invention is lighter.

[0018] This application expressly incorporates the disclosures of DE 10 2009 012 776 A1, DE 10 2008 049 923 A1, DE 10 2006 018 353 A1 and DE 20 2007 002 803 A1. This applies in particular to the disclosure regarding seat depth adjustment.

[0019] Furthermore, a non-inventive upholstery support plate has a guide such that the guide essentially comprises the central part of the upholstery support plate. Specifically, this means that the previously unused central part of the upholstery support plate is now formed by the guide. This advantageously achieves weight savings while maintaining high functionality.

[0020] Another embodiment of the cushion support plate also features a functional arm that can be between 0.5 cm and 14.5 cm long. A length between 2 cm and 12 cm is also preferred, and even more preferably between 3 cm and 10 cm. In principle, the cushion support plate requires longer, integrally formed functional arms than were necessary in the prior art.

[0021] Furthermore, one embodiment of an upholstery support plate features various functional elements. These functional elements serve to interact with other functional elements of the seat depth adjustment in general. Ultimately, this depends on the specific case and should be adapted to the conditions and the design of the upholstery support plate. An advantage of this design of the upholstery support plate, however, is that the integration of the functional elements into the support plate results in greater rigidity and durability. Additionally, extra space is created, as, for example, rivet receptacles and holes for connecting the guide to the upholstery support plate are eliminated.

[0022] A method for manufacturing a cushion support plate with a guide according to the invention is designed such that the cushion support plate and the guide are extruded in one piece. Extrusion is used to refer to any type of injection molding process or other known methods for manufacturing plastic parts. Ultimately, it is at the discretion of the person skilled in the art to decide which manufacturing process to use for the plastic parts, as long as the cushion support plate and the guide are manufactured in one piece.

[0023] Finally, reference is made to the use of a cushion support plate according to the invention, such as those used in passenger cars and trucks. There, the seat depth adjustment ensures comfortable support and a comfortable seating position. In addition, the use of such a cushion support plate for seat depth adjustments in aviation and shipping is also possible.

[0024] In a preferred embodiment, the supporting component is manufactured from carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The carbon fibers are embedded in several layers within a plastic matrix. The required stiffness and strength of the supporting component can be achieved by adjusting the fiber orientation.

[0025] Specifically, carbon fiber reinforced plastic, also known as CFRP or colloquially as carbon, is a fiber-reinforced plastic composite material, which is usually embedded in several layers as reinforcement in a plastic matrix.

[0026] The matrix usually consists of thermosets, for example epoxy resin, or thermoplastics. FIGURE DESCRIPTION

[0027] Further advantages, features and details of the invention will become apparent from the figures shown below; these show in detail in Fig. 1 a cushion support plate with a guide according to the state of the art; Fig. 2 a cushion support plate according to the invention with integrated guide.

[0028] In Fig. Figure 1 shows a cushion support plate 1. This is a view from a low angle. The cushion, not shown, is on the opposite side of the Fig. 1 attached. It is the Fig. 1. A padding support plate according to the state of the art. Specifically, this means that a guide 2 is connected to the padding support plate 1 by a plurality of rivets 3.1 to 3.4. The guide 2 also has functional elements 5.1 to 5.3. These functional elements 5.1 to 5.3 serve to interact with other functional elements (not shown) that are necessary for adjusting the seat depth.

[0029] Furthermore, a functional arm 4.1, 4.2 is integrally formed with each guide 2. These functional arms 4.1, 4.2 each have a mouth-shaped opening at their end, which also serves to interact with other functional parts (not shown) for adjusting the seat depth of a vehicle seat.

[0030] Finally, it should be noted that due to the connection of the guide 2 with the cushion support plate 1 by rivets 3.1 to 3.4, so-called rivet receptacles 6.1, 6.2 had to be formed.

[0031] In Fig. Figure 2 shows a cushion support plate 1 according to the invention, which has an integrated guide 2. This integrated guide 2 essentially forms the central part of the cushion support plate 1. In addition to the functional elements 5.1 to 5.3, as shown in Figure 2, the following are also shown: Fig.Other functional elements, such as functional element 7, were already known, which were only made possible by converting the original rivet receptacles 6.1, 6.2 into reinforcing ribs 8.1, 8.2.

[0032] The reinforcing ribs 8.1, 8.2 are no longer connected directly to the functional arms 4.1, 4.2, but are instead mounted laterally next to them, fulfilling their support function via two stops 9.1, 9.2 according to the invention, which in turn interact with the functional arms 4.1, 4.2. Due to the one-piece construction of the cushion support plate 1 and the guide 2, longer functional arms 4.1, 4.2 are now required to achieve the necessary overall height of the cushion support plate 1 with guide 2. Contrary to what might be expected, the functional arms 4.1, 4.2 do not need to be stronger than those already known in the prior art, but can be designed more simply due to the overall improved stiffness of the cushion support plate 1. Reference symbol list 1 cushion support plate 2 Leadership 3 rivets 4 Functional arms 5 Functional element 6 rivet receptacles 7 Functional element 8 reinforcing ribs 9 attacks

Claims

[1] Upholstery support plate (1) for a seat depth adjustment with a guide (2), wherein the upholstery support plate (1) and the guide (2) are formed in one piece, wherein the guide (2) essentially forms the central part of the upholstery support plate (1) and has two reinforcing ribs (8.1, 8.2), characterized by , that two functional arms (4.1, 4.2) are each attached laterally next to the reinforcing ribs (8.1, 8.2) of the guide (2), wherein the reinforcing ribs (8.1, 8.2) support the functional arms (4.1, 4.2) via two stops (9.1, 9.2). [2] Cushion support plate according to claim 1, characterized by , that each functional arm (4.1, 4.2) has a length of 0.5 cm to 14.5 cm. [3] Cushion support plate according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the upholstery support plate (1) has a functional element (5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 7). [4] Cushion support plate according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the padding support plate is made of plastic. [5] Cushion support plate according to claim 4, characterized by that the plastic is a carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

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