COUPLING FOR CONNECTING TWO COMPONENTS OF A VEHICLE SEAT, AS WELL AS VEHICLE SEAT

Abstract

Coupling (100) for connecting, in particular articulated connection, a first component (40) of a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, to a second component (70) of the vehicle seat (1), wherein the coupling (100) comprises a first coupling member (110) and a second coupling member (120), which are guided movably relative to one another by means of a guide (130) and are pretensioned towards one another by means of an energy store (140), in particular a spring, wherein when the coupling (100) is loaded with a force which is smaller than a limit force, a movement of the second coupling member (120) is firmly coupled to a movement of the first coupling member (110), characterized in that when the coupling (100) is loaded with a force which is greater than the limit force, the coupling (100) is lengthened by the first coupling member (110) and the second coupling member (120) moving away from one another relatively, wherein the first coupling member (110) is a wire element, and the second coupling member (120) is a wire element, and the first coupling member (110) has a bolt section (112) which is movably guided in the guide (130).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a coupling for connecting, in particular articulated, a first component of a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, to a second component of the vehicle seat. The invention also relates to a vehicle seat. State of the art

[0002] A Bowden cable unit with a first cable pull, a second cable pull, and a compensation spring unit is described in DE 199 40 813 A1. Up to a certain force limit, the first cable pull is rigidly connected to the second cable pull via the compensation spring unit. If the force limit is exceeded, a spring connected in series with the first cable pull and the second cable pull is extended in the compensation spring unit. The compensation spring unit serves, for example, as overload protection.

[0003] WO 2015 / 136109 A1 discloses an assembly with an energy absorber for energy absorption in the event of an overload event in order to reduce a resulting load on an object coupled to the assembly, wherein the energy absorber is configured and suitable for absorbing energy in the event of a single overload event with such a high energy input that damage to the object would be likely without an energy absorber, in order to avoid overloading of the object by the energy absorption, wherein the energy absorber has a fastening device provided thereon and a holding device provided on the energy absorber, wherein the energy absorber comprises an absorber cylinder and a piston device with an absorber piston and a piston rod connected thereto.The holding device and the fastening device each have two laterally projecting arms, on each of which a preload spring of a preload device is arranged in order to return the assembly to the rest state after an overload event.

[0004] From transmission technology, couplers are known that connect two bodies to one another, in particular by means of a hinge. Such couplers are rigid bodies that are usually connected to one of the two bodies at each end by means of a swivel joint. Couplers are often part of a coupling mechanism. Coupling mechanisms can be used in vehicle seats in various designs. A simple coupling mechanism, for example, connects a pivoting operating lever to a locking unit of a component by means of a wire that is hooked into the operating lever on the one hand and into the locking unit on the other, thus acting as a tension coupler. Task

[0005] The invention is based on the object of equipping a coupling for connecting a first component of a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, to a second component of the vehicle seat with overload protection. In particular, the coupling is intended to elongate, in particular elastically and reversibly, when a limit force is reached or exceeded. Furthermore, a corresponding vehicle seat is to be provided. Solution

[0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a coupling for connecting, in particular articulated connection, a first component of a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, to a second component of the vehicle seat, wherein the coupling has a first coupling member and a second coupling member which are movably guided relative to one another by means of a guide and are pretensioned towards one another by means of an energy store, in particular a spring, wherein when the coupling is loaded with a force which is smaller than a limit force, a movement of the second coupling member is firmly coupled to a movement of the first coupling member, and when the coupling is loaded with a force which is greater than the limit force, the coupling is lengthened by the first coupling member and the second coupling member moving away from one another relative to one another.

[0007] Because the coupling has a first coupling member and a second coupling member, which are guided to be movable relative to one another by means of a guide and are pretensioned towards one another by means of an energy store, in particular a spring, wherein when the coupling is loaded with a force which is less than a limit force, a movement of the second coupling member is firmly coupled to a movement of the first coupling member, and when the coupling is loaded with a force which is greater than the limit force, the coupling is lengthened by the first coupling member and the second coupling member moving away from one another relative to one another, a coupling is provided which lengthens, in particular elastically lengthens, when a limit force is reached or exceeded.

[0008] The first component can be an operating lever or a lever of an operating lever. The second component can be a component of the vehicle seat that can be unlocked using the operating lever, for example, a fitting for adjusting the inclination of a backrest of a vehicle seat.

[0009] The guide is preferably a linear guide. An axial direction is predetermined by the linear guide. The axial direction largely corresponds to a connecting line between the attachment points of the coupling and the components connected to the coupling. When the coupling is loaded with a force greater than the limit force, the first coupling element and the second coupling element move away from one another relatively. The force preferably acts in the axial direction, at least largely in the axial direction. The guide is preferably a sleeve. The sleeve is preferably elongated. The sleeve can be tubular.

[0010] The first coupling member may be a rigid body. The first coupling member is preferably a wire element. The first coupling member is preferably a wire element bent from a cut-to-length wire. The second coupling member may be a rigid body. The second coupling member is preferably a wire element. The second coupling member is preferably a wire element bent from a cut-to-length wire.

[0011] The first coupling member may have a bolt portion that is movably guided in the guide. The bolt portion may be a wire portion. A cross-section of the bolt portion may be circular. A diameter of the bolt portion is preferably equal to or slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the guide.

[0012] The second coupling member may have a bolt portion that is movably guided in the guide. The bolt portion may be a wire portion. A cross-section of the bolt portion may be circular. A diameter of the bolt portion is preferably equal to or slightly smaller than an inner diameter of the guide.

[0013] A bolt section of the first coupling member and a bolt section of the second coupling member are preferably pretensioned towards one another by means of an energy storage device. The bolt sections preferably bear against one another. This results in a length of the coupling in the initial state. The energy storage device can be a spring. The energy storage device is preferably a tension spring. When the coupling is loaded with a force, in particular a force in the axial direction that is less than a limit force, the bolt sections bear against one another. This defines an initial state, in particular an initial length, of the coupling. The coupling is preferably used as a tensile coupling, i.e. the coupling preferably transmits exclusively tensile forces.

[0014] The first coupling member may have an anti-rotation device that prevents rotation of the first coupling member about the axial direction of the guide. The anti-rotation device is preferably guided in a groove of the guide. The groove preferably extends parallel to the axial direction of the guide. The anti-rotation device may be a wire section of the first coupling member.

[0015] The second coupling member may have an anti-rotation device that prevents rotation of the second coupling member about the axial direction of the guide. The anti-rotation device is preferably guided in a groove of the guide. The groove preferably extends parallel to the axial direction of the guide. The anti-rotation device may be a wire section of the second coupling member.

[0016] An anti-rotation device of the first coupling element and an anti-rotation device of the second coupling element can be preloaded toward each other by means of the energy storage device. When the coupling element is subjected to a load, particularly in the axial direction, with a force less than a limit force, at least one of the anti-rotation devices can bear against a groove base of a guide groove. Preferably, each of the two anti-rotation devices bears against a respective groove base. This results in a length of the coupling element in the initial state.

[0017] The first coupling link can be shaped mirror-symmetrically to the second coupling link. The first coupling link and the second coupling link can be identical parts, in particular by the coupling links extending in one plane, with the exception of one hook section each, and the two hook sections extending in opposite directions when the coupling is fully assembled. Designing the coupling links as identical parts saves manufacturing costs, particularly tooling costs.

[0018] The object is further achieved by a vehicle seat having a seat part and a backrest connected to the seat part by means of at least one unlockable fitting, wherein an operating lever is provided for unlocking the at least one fitting, which operating lever is at least indirectly connected to the at least one fitting via a coupling according to the invention. Such a vehicle seat can be manufactured with less effort, since the shape and position tolerances of the components to be connected by the coupling can be higher. The tolerances are compensated by the coupling according to the invention. This also results in greater functional reliability of the vehicle seat.

[0019] In other words, the task is solved by a coupling consisting of two shaped wires, identical or symmetrical parts, guided in a sleeve. The sleeve or the wire ends serve as a linear travel limiter. A spring is mounted over the inner wire legs. The spring position is adjusted and a preload of the spring is defined via the distance between the wire legs. The outer wire ends are mounted in the components to be connected, in particular mechanisms. When a first component (e.g. a backrest adjustment fitting) reaches its end position, a force on the second component (e.g. operating lever) can be increased until it exceeds the force resulting from the preload of the spring. The second component thus also reaches its end position. The coupling can be used with varying geometries wherever force-displacement compensation is required. Figures and embodiments of the invention

[0020] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to an advantageous embodiment illustrated in the figures. However, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. They show: Fig. 1: a schematic side view of a vehicle seat, Fig. 2: a partial side view of a vehicle seat with a belt according to the invention, Fig. 3: Partial perspective view of a lever of the vehicle seat from Fig. 2, Fig. 4: Partial perspective view of a stop module of the vehicle seat from Fig. 2, Fig. 5: an exploded view of the coupling according to the invention, Fig. 6: the coupling according to the invention in an initial state, Fig. 7: the coupling according to the invention in a state loaded with a force (greater than a limit force), in which the first coupling element and the second coupling element are moved relatively away from each other, Fig. 8: a perspective view of a sleeve-shaped guide of the coupling according to the invention, and Fig. 8A to Fig. 8D: various views of the tour from Fig. 8.

[0021] A vehicle seat 1 for a motor vehicle has a seat part 3 and a backrest 2 whose inclination is adjustable relative to the seat part 3. The backrest 2 comprises a backrest structure and a cushion covering the backrest structure. The seat part 3 comprises a seat part structure 30 and a cushion covering the seat part structure 30.

[0022] To adjust the inclination of the backrest 2, a transmission rod 7, which is arranged horizontally in the transition area between the seat part 3 and the backrest 2, is pivoted manually, for example by means of an operating lever 5. The operating lever 5 can be pivoted about a lever axis B, which is eccentric to a pivot axis A of the transmission rod 7. The operating lever 5 comprises a lever 40, preferably made of sheet steel, which carries an ergonomically shaped plastic handle. The lever 40 of the operating lever 5 is coupled to a stop module 70 by means of a coupling 100. The stop module 70 is connected to the transmission rod 7 in a rotationally fixed manner. Such a stop module is known, for example, from WO 2011 / 160771 A1. On both sides of the vehicle seat 1, the transmission rod 7 also engages in a fitting 10. Pivoting the stop module 70 thus causes the transmission rod 7 to pivot, which in turn causes the two fittings 10 to unlock.

[0023] The fitting 10 has a first fitting part and a second fitting part, which can be rotated relative to one another and locked together. The first fitting part is firmly connected to the backrest structure of the backrest 2 by means of a first adapter (not shown in the figures). The second fitting part is firmly connected to the seat part structure 30 of the seat part 3 by means of a second adapter 50, in this case screwed to a seat frame side part 32 of the seat part structure 30. However, the assignments of the fitting parts can also be reversed, ie the first fitting part would then be connected to the seat part structure 30 and the second fitting part to the backrest structure.

[0024] The fitting 10 is designed as a locking fitting, in which the first fitting part and the second fitting part can be locked together and, after unlocking, can be rotated relative to one another about the pivot axis A, as described, for example, in WO 2012 / 072216 A1. The pivot axis A, which is aligned with the transmission rod 7, defines the directional information used in a cylindrical coordinate system.

[0025] The two fitting parts can each be approximately inscribed in the shape of a circular disk. The two fitting parts, the first adapter and the second adapter 50, are made of sheet steel.

[0026] In this case, a circular annular shoulder is formed on the first fitting part on its end face facing away from the second fitting part. The annular shoulder engages with a form-fitting fit through a circular hole in the first adapter. The first fitting part is welded, in particular laser-welded, to the first adapter along the outer edge of the annular shoulder.

[0027] In this case, a star-shaped shoulder 12a is formed on the second fitting part on its end face facing away from the first fitting part. The star-shaped shoulder 12a has a multi-armed, essentially symmetrical star shape, as is known, for example, from DE 10 2009 041 491 A1. The star-shaped shoulder 12a engages in a form-fitting manner in a complementarily shaped opening 51 of the second adapter 50, so that the second adapter 50 comes into contact with the second fitting part in the part of the end face of the second fitting part arranged radially outside the star-shaped shoulder 12a. The second fitting part is welded, in particular laser-welded, to the second adapter 50 along the outer edge of the star-shaped shoulder 12a.

[0028] The second adapter 50 comprises a largely flat, approximately circular base body 52, oriented perpendicular to the pivot axis A, into which the opening 51 is introduced, as well as a flange 53. The base body 52 and the flange 53 are formed integrally with one another and lie slightly offset from one another in parallel planes. An edge adjustment 54, running in places along the outer contour of the base body 52 and the flange 53, stiffens the second adapter 50. In the area of ​​the flange 53, the edge adjustment 54 is rotated by 180 degrees. The edge adjustment 54 has a suspension opening 56, into which a tension spring 80 is suspended, which fixes the coupling 100 in a transverse direction. The tension spring 80 can serve to prevent noise resulting from play in the hooking points of the coupling 100. However, the tension spring 80 is not essential to the invention, so that the coupling 100 can also be used advantageously to solve the problem without the tension spring 80.

[0029] The flange 53 is oriented radially from the base body 52 toward the seat part 3 and serves to connect the second adapter 50 to the seat part structure 30, to which the second adapter 50 is screwed in this case. For this purpose, the flange 53 has two screw through holes 55. The corresponding screws for the connection are not shown in the figures.

[0030] The lever 40 is pivotable about the lever axis B, which is parallel and eccentric to the pivot axis A of the transmission rod 7. A first leg 42 and a second leg 44 extend from a region of the lever 40 surrounding the lever axis B. The first leg 42 carries the plastic handle. The second leg 44 has a hooking hole 46. The hooking hole 46 is an interface for hooking an end region of the coupling 100, described in more detail below.

[0031] The stop module 70 has a plurality of stops 74 distributed around its circumference, which protrude from the stop module 70 in the direction of the associated fitting 10. A counter-stop 12b of the second fitting part of the fitting 10 engages between every two stops 74. As a result, the pivot angle between the stop module 70 and the fitting 10 is limited to a first pivot angle range S1. The fitting 10 is thus protected against damage by high forces resulting from incorrect operation. The first pivot angle range S1 of the stop module 70 corresponds to a second pivot angle range S2 of the lever 40. To compensate for shape and position tolerances of the stop module 70 and the lever 40, the lever 40 can, in addition to the second pivot angle range S2, perform an overstroke S3 before the lever 40 itself strikes an end stop, in particular a component of the seat part structure 30.In order to ensure that no inadmissibly high forces act on the components of the unlocked fitting 10 in the area of ​​the overstroke S3, the coupling 100, which indirectly couples the lever 40 to the two fittings 10 via the stop module 70 and the transmission rod 7, has a force-limiting function due to its structure described below.

[0032] The coupling 100 has a first coupling member 110, in the present case designed as a first wire element, a second coupling member 120, in the form of a second wire element, a guide 130, in the form of a sleeve, and an energy storage device 140, in the form of a spring, in the present case as a tension spring.

[0033] The first coupling link 110 is bent in one piece from wire. The first coupling link 110 has a linear first bolt section 112 at one end, which is movably guided in the guide 130. A first anti-rotation device 114 is connected to the first bolt section 112. The first anti-rotation device 114 is a wire section protruding at a right angle from the first bolt section 112, which is angled further in such a way that the wire runs in the direction of an axis defined by the first bolt section 112 and merges into a section that is again aligned with the axis. An end region of the first coupling link 110 opposite the bolt section 112 is designed as a first hook section 116. The first hook section 116 has approximately the shape of an eyelet and is rotatably hooked into the hooking hole 46 of the second leg 44 of the lever 40.

[0034] The second coupling member 120 is formed separately from the first coupling member 110. The second coupling member 120 is formed mirror-symmetrically to the first coupling member 110. The second coupling member 120 is bent in one piece from wire. The second coupling member 120 has a linearly formed second bolt portion 122 at one end, which is movably guided in the guide 130. A second anti-rotation device 124 adjoins the second bolt portion 122. The second anti-rotation device 124 is in this case a wire portion protruding at a right angle from the second bolt portion 122, which is angled further in such a way that the wire runs in the direction of an axis defined by the second bolt portion 122 and merges into a portion that is again aligned with the axis. An end region of the second coupling member 120 opposite the second bolt portion 122 is formed as a second hook portion 126.The second hook portion 126 has approximately the shape of an eyelet and is rotatably suspended in a hooking opening 72 of the stop module 70.

[0035] The energy storage device 140, designed as a tension spring, connects the first anti-rotation device 114 with the second anti-rotation device 124 and biases the first coupling member 110 and the second coupling member 120 towards each other.

[0036] The guide 130 is a sleeve in this case. The guide 130 is a tubular hollow body whose central axis defines an axial direction of the coupling 100. At both ends, the guide 130 is chamfered by a bevel 132. A groove 134 extends from each end in the axial direction. Each of the two grooves 134 ends in a groove base 134a. The first anti-rotation device 114 and the second anti-rotation device 124 each engage in one of the grooves 134. This predetermines the angular positions of the coupling members 110, 120. The coupling members 110, 120 are thus secured against rotation relative to the guide 130.

[0037] In a Fig.In the initial state of the coupling 100 shown in Figure 6, the two bolt sections 112, 122 of the coupling links 110, 120 are in contact with one another. The energy storage device 140 is preloaded. As long as a tensile force to be transmitted by the coupling 100 is less than a limit force, the preload of the energy storage device 140 is so great that the two coupling links 110, 120 cannot move away from each other. If the limit force is exceeded, however, the energy storage device 140, designed as a tension spring, expands. This causes the two coupling links 110, 120 to move away from each other. Due to this relative movement, the energy storage device 140 is further tensioned until its tension force corresponds to the force transmitted by the coupling 100.If the lever 40 reaches its end stop after pivoting through the second pivot angle range S2 and additionally through the overtravel S3, the spring 140 is further preloaded compared to the initial state, and the two coupling elements 110, 120 have moved away from each other by an amount dependent on the spring's characteristic curve. This prevents overloading of the fittings.

[0038] In a modification of the exemplary embodiment not shown in the figures, the two bolt sections 112, 122 of the coupling links 110, 120 do not abut one another in the initial state. Instead, the two anti-rotation devices 122, 124 each abut against a groove base 134a.

[0039] In a further modification of the exemplary embodiment, also not shown in the figures, the first coupling element and the second coupling element are identical parts. In the assembled state of the coupling, the two hook sections point away from each other, preferably diametrically opposite each other.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Although the invention has been described in detail in the drawings and the preceding description, the representations are to be understood as illustrative and exemplary and not restrictive. In particular, the selection of the proportions of the individual elements shown in the drawings should not be interpreted as required or restrictive. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments explained. Further variants of the invention and their implementation will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the preceding disclosure, the figures, and the claims.

[0042] Terms used in the claims such as "comprise," "have," "include," "contain," and the like do not exclude further elements or steps. The use of the indefinite article does not exclude plurality. A single device may perform the functions of multiple units or devices recited in the claims. List of reference symbols 1 vehicle seat 2 backrest 3 Seat part 5 control levers 7 Transmission rod 10 Fittings 12a star heel 12b Counter stop 30 Seat part structure 32 Seat frame side part 40 levers 42 first leg 44 second leg 46 Hooking hole 50 second adapter 51 Opening 52 basic bodies 53 Flange 54 Margin change 55 screw through holes 56 Hanging opening 70 stop module 72 Hooking opening 74 stop 80 tension spring 100 paddocks 110 first coupling link, first wire element 112 first bolt section 114 first anti-twist device 116 first hook section 120 second coupling link, second wire element 122 second bolt section 124 second anti-twist device 126 second hook section 130 Guide, sleeve 132 chamfer 134 groove 134a groove base 140 Energy storage, spring A swivel axis B lever axis S1 first swivel angle range S2 second swivel angle range S3 overstroke

Claims

[1] Coupling (100) for connecting, in particular articulated connecting, a first component (40) of a vehicle seat (1), in particular a motor vehicle seat, to a second component (70) of the vehicle seat (1), wherein the coupling (100) comprises a first coupling member (110) and a second coupling member (120), which are guided movably relative to one another by means of a guide (130) and are pretensioned towards one another by means of an energy store (140), in particular a spring, wherein when the coupling (100) is loaded with a force which is smaller than a limit force, a movement of the second coupling member (120) is firmly coupled to a movement of the first coupling member (110), characterized bythat when the coupling (100) is loaded with a force which is greater than the limit force, the coupling (100) is elongated by the first coupling member (110) and the second coupling member (120) moving away from one another relatively, wherein the first coupling member (110) is a wire element and the second coupling member (120) is a wire element, and the first coupling member (110) has a bolt section (112) which is movably guided in the guide (130). [2] Coupling (100) according to claim 1, characterized by that the guide (130) is a linear guide, wherein the linear guide defines an axial direction in which, when the coupling (100) is loaded with a force which is greater than the limit force, the first coupling member (110) and the second coupling member (120) move relatively away from one another. [3] Coupling (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the second coupling member (120) has a bolt portion (122) which is movably guided in the guide (130). [4] Coupling (100) according to claim 3, characterized by that a bolt section (112) of the first coupling member (110) and a bolt section (122) of the second coupling member (120) are prestressed towards one another by means of the energy store (140), in particular wherein when the coupling (100) is loaded with a force which is smaller than a limit force, the bolt sections (112, 122) bear against one another. [5] Coupling (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first coupling member (110) has an anti-twist device (114) which is guided in particular in a groove (134) of the guide (130), and / or that the second coupling member (120) has an anti-twist device (124) which is guided in particular in a groove (134) of the guide (130). [6] Coupling (100) according to claim 5, characterized bythat an anti-rotation device (114) of the first coupling member (110) and an anti-rotation device (124) of the second coupling member (120) are prestressed towards one another by means of the energy store (140), in particular wherein when the coupling (100) is loaded with a force which is smaller than a limit force, at least one of the anti-rotation devices (114, 124) bears against a groove base (134a) of a groove (134) of the guide (130). [7] Coupling (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first coupling member (110) is mirror-symmetrical to the second coupling member (120), and / or that the first coupling member (110) and the second coupling member (120) are identical parts. [8] Vehicle seat (1) with a seat part (3) and a backrest (2) connected to the seat part (3) by means of at least one unlockable fitting (10), wherein an operating lever (5) is provided for unlocking the at least one fitting (10), which is at least indirectly connected to the at least one fitting (10) by means of a coupling (100) according to one of claims 1 to 7.

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